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Gusto

4,405 Total Employees
Year Founded: 2012

What's It Like to Work at Gusto?

Updated on June 08, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Job Satisfaction

Gusto supports employee job satisfaction through a combination of mission-driven work, employee-focused benefits, career development opportunities, workplace flexibility and a culture centered on helping small businesses succeed. The company's mission is to grow the small business economy with technology and heart, giving employees the opportunity to build products and services that support payroll, benefits, HR and compliance for more than 500,000 businesses nationwide. Gusto emphasizes creating an environment where employees can do meaningful work, grow their careers and feel supported both professionally and personally. 

  • Mission-driven work that directly impacts customers: Employees at Gusto work on products that help small businesses hire, pay, insure and support their teams. Because payroll, benefits and HR are essential services, employees can see a direct connection between their work and the success of business owners and workers across the country. Gusto frequently emphasizes that helping small businesses succeed creates a multiplier effect that strengthens local communities and economies.
  • Values that encourage ownership, innovation and continuous learning: Gusto's culture is guided by values including Customer Obsessed, Dream Big Then Make It Real, Raise the Bar, Learn Fast, Repeat and Act with Bold Conviction. These values encourage employees to focus on customer outcomes, continuously improve and take ownership of their work while collaborating closely with teammates. The company emphasizes balancing ambitious goals with long-term thinking and sustainable growth.
  • Strong benefits and wellbeing support: Gusto's Total Rewards philosophy is designed to support employees throughout different stages of life and career. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, fertility and family-forming benefits, gender-affirming care, mental health resources, paid parental leave, paid time off, sick leave, bereavement leave and sabbatical opportunities. Equity participation is also an important part of Gusto's rewards philosophy, helping employees share in the company's long-term success.
  • Flexibility, belonging and growth opportunities: Gusto operates as a distributed company while maintaining hub offices in Denver, New York and San Francisco that support intentional collaboration and team connection. The company invests in creating an environment where employees feel respected, supported and empowered to contribute. Employees also have opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, cross-functional projects and career growth through ongoing learning and development initiatives.
  • Commitment to AI fluency across the organization: Gusto is actively investing in AI-driven product development and embedding AI fluency as an expectation across roles, not just in engineering. Employees are encouraged to develop comfort and capability with AI tools as part of how work gets done, and the company views AI fluency as a core competency for the workforce it is building. This investment shapes both how Gusto serves its customers and how employees are expected to grow and contribute over time.
  • Employee testimonials: Employees frequently describe Gusto as a place where they can solve meaningful problems, work with thoughtful colleagues and contribute to a mission that helps small businesses thrive. Employees often highlight the combination of impact, learning opportunities and supportive teammates as key reasons they enjoy working at the company.
  • External signals:
    • Gusto has earned recognition from organizations including Great Place to Work, Fortune and Inc. for workplace culture and employee experience.
    • Gusto has earned recognition on multiple Best Places to Work lists and highlights the company's benefits, flexibility and employee development programs.
    • Employee review platforms frequently cite Gusto's mission, meaningful work, collaborative coworkers and benefits as strengths of the employee experience. (Glassdoor; Comparably)

Bottom line: Gusto is generally best suited for employees who are motivated by helping small businesses succeed, value mission-driven work and appreciate a culture that combines flexibility, learning opportunities and employee-focused benefits. Employees who thrive at Gusto often enjoy working in environments where customer impact, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly valued.

Willingness to Recommend

Gusto is viewed positively by employees who are looking for mission-driven work, strong benefits, workplace flexibility and the opportunity to help small businesses succeed. The company combines the scale of serving more than 500,000 businesses nationwide with a culture that emphasizes customer impact, collaboration and employee wellbeing. Employees who thrive at Gusto are often drawn to its mission of creating a world where work empowers a better life, as well as the opportunity to work on products that directly affect how businesses hire, pay, insure and support their employees. 

  • Mission-driven work and meaningful impact: Employees frequently point to Gusto's mission and customer impact as key reasons they enjoy working at the company. Gusto's products help small businesses manage payroll, benefits, compliance and HR, allowing employees to see how their work directly supports entrepreneurs and workers across the country. The company emphasizes that helping small businesses succeed ultimately strengthens communities and creates broader economic opportunity.
  • Strong culture built around customer focus and continuous improvement: Gusto's culture is guided by values including Customer Obsessed, Dream Big Then Make It Real, Raise the Bar, Learn Fast, Repeat and Act with Bold Conviction. The company encourages employees to take ownership, challenge assumptions, learn continuously and collaborate closely across teams. This culture appeals to employees who enjoy solving complex problems while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes.
  • Employee-focused benefits and wellbeing support: Gusto offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees both personally and professionally. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, fertility and family-forming benefits, gender-affirming care, mental health resources, paid parental leave, paid time off, sick leave, bereavement leave and sabbatical opportunities. Equity participation is also an important part of the company's Total Rewards philosophy, allowing employees to share in the company's long-term success.
  • Flexible work environment: Gusto operates as a distributed company while maintaining hub offices that support intentional collaboration. Employees benefit from flexibility in where they work while still having opportunities for in-person connection, team building and collaboration. The company emphasizes trust, autonomy and flexibility as important parts of the employee experience.
  • Commitment to AI fluency across the organization: Gusto is actively investing in AI-driven product development and embedding AI fluency as an expectation across roles. Employees are encouraged to develop comfort and capability with AI tools as part of how work gets done, and the company views AI fluency as a core competency for the workforce it is building. This investment shapes both how Gusto serves its customers and how employees are expected to grow and contribute over time.
  • Commitment to belonging and employee community: Gusto invests in creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel supported and empowered to contribute. Employee resource groups, community-building programs and inclusion initiatives help foster a strong sense of belonging across the organization.
  • Career growth and development opportunities: Gusto encourages employees to grow through mentorship, leadership development, cross-functional collaboration and challenging, high-impact work. The company emphasizes continuous learning and provides opportunities for employees to expand their skills and advance their careers over time.
  • Employee testimonials: Employees frequently highlight thoughtful coworkers, supportive managers, meaningful work and opportunities to learn and grow. Employees often describe Gusto as a place where they can have significant impact while working alongside people who care deeply about customers, teammates and the company's mission.
  • External signals:
    • Gusto has earned recognition from organizations including Great Place to Work, Fortune and Inc. for workplace culture and employee experience.
    • Gusto has earned recognition on multiple Best Places to Work lists and highlights the company's benefits, flexibility, employee development programs and culture.
    • Employee review platforms frequently cite Gusto's mission, meaningful work, supportive coworkers and benefits as strengths of the employee experience. (Glassdoor; Comparably)
    • Gusto has grown to support more than 500,000 businesses nationwide, giving employees the opportunity to work on products with significant scale and real-world impact.

Bottom line: Employees who recommend Gusto often point to its mission, meaningful customer impact, strong benefits, flexible work environment and collaborative culture. The company is generally a strong fit for people who want to help small businesses succeed while building their careers in an environment that values learning, inclusion, ownership and long-term growth. 

Gusto's Candidate Tradeoffs

If you’re weighing whether Gusto is the right fit, these are the core tradeoffs to consider.

  • Gusto places greater emphasis on autonomy paired with clear accountability and measurable standards than on loosely defined roles with flexible performance expectations.

Gusto Employee Perspectives

Describe the key factors or strategies that helped you land your dream job in the tech industry.

Landing my dream job in the tech industry was a journey of perseverance and intentional growth. I tracked my performance between interviews using a Notion workspace, identifying areas for improvement and staying organized. Regular practice on platforms like LeetCode sharpened my problem-solving skills, while networking with other engineers and staying current on emerging technologies kept me engaged. 

I sought a company that loves to innovate — a place where collaboration is ingrained in the culture, team members eagerly share knowledge, and the ability to swiftly ship products is valued. I knew I found the right fit when I joined Gusto and felt the vibrant culture that welcomed me from day one. Simple gestures like celebrating my first pull request or seeing kudos boards highlighting team accomplishments made me feel valued. Receiving quick feedback from consumers about how our products made their lives easier reinforced that I was in the right place. By aligning my personal values with those of the company — prioritizing innovation, collaboration and rapid product development — I secured my dream job.

 

What specific skills or experiences do you believe set you apart from other candidates during your job search?

What set me apart from other candidates were key skills and mindsets. I have a strong ability to think on my feet, always digging deep to find the why behind problems. This curiosity helps me solve technical challenges and understand user needs more thoroughly. I also have a passion for learning and building new things, which keeps me on the cutting edge of technology. During my job search, I worked on side projects that showcased my proactive attitude and commitment to continuous improvement.

 

How has your dream job lived up to your expectations? What are the types of projects you’re working on and what makes you most excited to come to work each day?

Working at my dream job has exceeded my expectations. I’m part of a team creating tools that expedite benefits processing. Currently, I’m automating benefits enrollment systems to make them more efficient and user-friendly, helping small businesses’ employees enroll in their benefits. Collaborating with cross-functional teams allows me to innovate and tackle challenging problems, which excites me every day. The company’s culture fosters continuous learning and values everyone’s contributions, and knowing that my work makes a real difference gives me a strong sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Dom Ajagba
Dom Ajagba, Software Engineer

Gusto’s workplace culture is defined by collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to helping one another succeed. Employees describe an environment where people readily support teammates, exchange ideas openly and work across teams to solve problems together, creating a rewarding and highly connected day-to-day experience.

“Whether it’s jumping in to unblock someone, offering feedback on an idea or sharing context across teams, people are genuinely invested in each other’s success. That combination of trust, openness and support is what makes the day-to-day experience feel both collaborative and rewarding.”

Ross O'Flanagan
Ross O'Flanagan, Head of Engineering, Benefits

Gusto Employee Reviews

The biggest surprise in my career journey here has been the unexpected depth of my growth in Dreaming Big and Making It Real. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how this non-technical skill set has directly translated into a significant ability to influence our product strategy, ensuring we always remain resolutely customer-centric.

Achint
Achint, Head of Risk Engineering
Achint, Head of Risk Engineering

Gusto has a fantastic culture in large part because of the outstanding engineers we hire. These colleagues have significantly contributed to my growth by offering valuable learning resources, engaging in technical discussions, and providing growth opportunities.

Alyssa
Alyssa, Software Engineer
Alyssa, Software Engineer

Every decision that we make is based on our Gustomer's wellbeing and Gusties have strong x-functional collaboration that allows teams to problem solve together. Similar to my previous answer, Gusties are always willing to lend a hand, find the time and share best practices to make everyone grow within their role or problem-solve quickly.

Anabelle
Anabelle , Customer Care Lead
Anabelle , Customer Care Lead

What gets me excited about my work at Gusto is the fact that my dad has his own business, and I myself have tried to start my own business. So I know the pain points around making payroll, paying taxes, and hiring — they’re all part of growing a small business! I naturally see me and my dad as potential end users as I build Gusto.

Hugo
Hugo, Software Engineer
Hugo, Software Engineer

Gusto has supported my growth by creating an environment where mentorship and collaboration are key priorities. I’ve had the opportunity to lead projects such as setting API standards and managing version deprecation efforts, which have really helped me level up in systems thinking and figure out how to influence beyond just my own team.

Komaron
Komaron, Engineering People Leader
Komaron, Engineering People Leader

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how collaborative people have been. In some industries, people leave you to fend for yourself. But at Gusto, people are genuinely willing to help nudge you toward growth. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the smartest, most humble people I’ve ever met.

Lisa
Lisa, Data Scientist
Lisa, Data Scientist

One thing I love about Gusto is that when I express what I want to work on, it’s taken seriously. Not only am I given the opportunity, but I’m also set up with the best chance to succeed. All of my managers have done a great job of not just getting things done, but also aligning with what the engineers want.

Maham
Maham, Software Engineer
Maham, Software Engineer

When I started, we had thousands of customers; now it’s hundreds of thousands. That changes how you approach everything. A tiny performance tweak can add up to a massive improvement for our customers.

Matan
Matan, Software Engineer
Matan, Software Engineer

I think Gusto and my manager chain really ‘let me be myself,’ which lets me work at my maximum capabilities and leverage many of the non-purely engineering skills I have.

Ryan
Ryan, Software Engineer
Ryan, Software Engineer

I’m still here because I get to solve hard problems every day. Payroll and HR might sound mundane, but the challenges are intriguing, and my work is profoundly impactful: people receive their paychecks and access healthcare because of what I do.

Shaun
Shaun, Software Engineer
Shaun, Software Engineer

What People Are Saying About Gusto

  • Mission & Purpose: Work centers on building payroll, benefits, and HR tools that directly affect how small businesses pay people and manage compliance, which many describe as tangible, meaningful impact. The company promotes being customer‑obsessed and solving real‑world problems for SMBs.
  • Benefits & Perks: Materials highlight comprehensive health coverage (including mental health and gender‑affirming care), paid time away, sabbaticals, and an evolving perks program. Feedback suggests these offerings are a notable strength when weighing roles.
  • Team Support: Colleagues are often seen as smart, supportive, and values‑aligned, with mentorship and healthy debate encouraged. Feedback suggests a collaborative culture where teammates invest in each other’s success and contributions are welcomed regardless of title.

Gusto's Benefits

Employee feedback used to shape policies and strategy

Encourages autonomy and ownership from employees

Managers offer consistent feedback loops

Quarterly engagement surveys to gauge employee satisfaction

Promote from within

Defined values and mission statements

Engineering team utilizes pair programming

Hosts in-person all-hands meetings

Leadership encourages open, transparent debate

Leadership is transparent and communicative

Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities

Open office floor plan to encourage communication and collaboration

Policies promote a low-ego, team-driven culture

Prioritizes mission-driven work in decision-making processes

Prioritizes real-world impact of work in decision-making processes

Async-friendly policies, culture that encourage work flexibility

Offers a remote work program

Provides work from home flexibility

Utilizes a hybrid work model