Sites like Tesla (Optimus)
Tesla Optimus alternatives
14 employers and programs that hire for the same kinds of work as Tesla (Optimus), the ones with roles open today first: what each pays, who can join and how it pays out, read from their job boards every day.
Tesla Optimus alternatives: the short answer
The closest alternatives to Tesla (Optimus) with roles open today are Skild AI (3 open roles in the same work), Figure AI (7), 1X Technologies (1) and Genesis AI (4).
Like Tesla (Optimus), they are robot labs that hire for Demonstration Collection and Teleoperation.
Apptronik, Physical Intelligence and Maven Robotics are other robot labs like Tesla (Optimus).
Data-collection programs such as TSMG and FS Studio also hire for Demonstration Collection and Teleoperation, and they are open to many people, usually remote or at home, though each project sets its own countries, equipment and screening.
Of all the employers on this page, the highest advertised pay right now is Figure AI's: a median of $30/hr on its open roles.
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Sites like Tesla (Optimus) with roles open today
Robot labs like Tesla (Optimus) that hire for the same kinds of work and have open roles right now, in the site's ranking order. Each count is the open roles in the kinds of work Tesla (Optimus) hires for.
Skild AI
Foundation-model lab
Robot Operators following teleoperation and data-collection procedures across US and India sites.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
Figure AI
Humanoid lab
Humanoid robot operators and Helix data creators collecting the demonstrations behind Figure's Helix model.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
1X Technologies
Humanoid lab
Data-collection operators who run 1X's humanoid robots in VR to collect training data.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
Genesis AI
Robotics employer
Create robot demonstrations through teleoperation, gloves and cameras.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
More robot labs like Tesla (Optimus)
The best known first. Some publish no job board we can read, so they show no count here; their roles are on their own sites.
Apptronik
Humanoid lab
Robot Operators tele-operating the Apollo humanoid via VR to collect training data.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
No open roles in Tesla (Optimus)'s kinds of work today
Physical Intelligence
Foundation-model lab
Robot Operators teleoperating manipulators to generate demonstration data for π's foundation models.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
Maven Robotics
Data-collection lab
Data Collection Operators teleoperating robots through manipulation tasks. No degree required.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
Mind Robotics
Industrial physical AI lab
Pilot robots through factory manipulation work to create demonstration data.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
Nimble Robotics
Logistics manipulation
Teleops robotics operators and data-collection supervisors for autonomous fulfillment.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
RobCo
Robot operations
Worker roles include Working Student – Robot Pilot / Data Collection (m/f/d) and Field Solutions Technician (m/f/d), collected from the employer's live hiring board.
Same work as Tesla (Optimus): Demonstration Collection, Teleoperation
No open roles in Tesla (Optimus)'s kinds of work today
Other kinds of employer hiring for the same work
They work differently from Tesla (Optimus), but hire for at least half of the kinds of work it does and have roles open today.
Pick by what matters to you
The same employers and programs, sorted by one number each.
Why people look for alternatives to Tesla (Optimus)
- Its Data Collection Operator roles are on-site in Palo Alto, California, with up to 25% regional travel.
- The May 2026 posting asks for a height of 5'7" to 6' and for walking 7+ hours a day carrying up to 30 lbs.
Still weighing it up? Read the full Tesla (Optimus) review, with what it pays, how it pays out and whether it is legit.
Tesla (Optimus) and its alternatives, side by side
| Employer | Kind | Advertised pay | Open roles in this work | Who can join | How it pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla (Optimus)(for reference) | Robot labs & makers | $25.25 to $34.50/hr (May 2026 posting copy) | See its site | On-site: Palo Alto, CA (with up to 25% regional travel) | Hourly, regular Tesla payroll |
| Skild AI | Robot labs & makers | Historical reference: $25–$30/hr | 3 | On-site: San Mateo CA, Pittsburgh PA, Bengaluru (India) | Hourly, regular payroll |
| Figure AI | Robot labs & makers | $30/hr (live median) | 7 | On-site: San Jose, Reno, Los Angeles / Fontana CA | W-2 hourly and 6-month contract roles, paid on the company's regular payroll cycle |
| 1X Technologies | Robot labs & makers | $25 to $43/hr in checked postings | 1 | On-site: San Carlos / Moss CA | Hourly + equity, regular payroll |
| Genesis AI | Robot labs & makers | See individual openings | 4 | Location-specific openings in Paris, London and the San Francisco Bay Area | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
| Sereact | Robot labs & makers | See individual openings | 3 | Stuttgart, Germany | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
| Dexmate | Robot labs & makers | See individual openings | 3 | Fremont, CA (Singapore office) | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
| Apptronik | Robot labs & makers | Hourly (not disclosed on posting) | 0 | On-site: Austin, TX (Robot Park) with up to ~25% travel to customer sites | Direct W-2 hire on payroll |
| Physical Intelligence | Robot labs & makers | $25/hr in checked postings | 1 | On-site: San Francisco, CA (technician roles in Fremont) | Hourly + benefits, part-time shifts, five days a week |
| Maven Robotics | Robot labs & makers | Contract (rate not disclosed) | 1 | On-site: San Francisco Bay Area, CA | Contract, regular payment |
| Mind Robotics | Robot labs & makers | Pay not published | 1 | On-site in Palo Alto, United States | Full-time employment |
| Nimble Robotics | Robot labs & makers | $25 to $27/hr in checked postings | 1 | On-site: San Francisco CA | Hourly and salaried, regular payroll |
| RobCo | Robot labs & makers | See individual openings | 0 | Munich, Germany | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
| TSMG | Data-collection networks | See individual openings | 73 | Location-specific robotics and autonomous-vehicle assignments across multiple countries | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
| FS Studio | Data-collection networks | See individual openings | 3 | On-site in the San Francisco Bay Area, United States | Employment and payment terms are stated in individual job postings |
Pay shows each employer's live measured band where its job board publishes enough hourly rates to measure, otherwise the figure on its review page, labeled there by how we know it. How we compile pay.
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Tesla Optimus alternatives: common questions
What are the best Tesla Optimus alternatives?
The closest alternatives to Tesla (Optimus) with roles open today are Skild AI (3 open roles in the same work), Figure AI (7), 1X Technologies (1) and Genesis AI (4). Like Tesla (Optimus), they are robot labs that hire for Demonstration Collection and Teleoperation. Apptronik, Physical Intelligence and Maven Robotics are other robot labs like Tesla (Optimus).
Why do people look for Tesla Optimus alternatives?
Its Data Collection Operator roles are on-site in Palo Alto, California, with up to 25% regional travel. The May 2026 posting asks for a height of 5'7" to 6' and for walking 7+ hours a day carrying up to 30 lbs.
Which sites like Tesla (Optimus) pay the most?
Among the alternatives whose job boards publish enough hourly rates to measure, Figure AI has the highest advertised pay right now, a median of $30/hr. These are medians of the rates on roles open today, so they move as roles open and close. Tesla (Optimus)'s own pay: $25.25 to $34.50/hr (May 2026 posting copy).
Which Tesla Optimus alternative is easiest to join?
TSMG and FS Studio are data-collection programs: open to many people, usually remote or at home, though each project sets its own countries, equipment and screening. Skild AI, Figure AI, 1X Technologies and Genesis AI are robot labs: hiring for on-site shift work at the lab, screened for dexterity and reliability rather than a degree.
Can you work for Tesla (Optimus) and other employers at the same time?
Yes, as long as the schedules fit. They are independent employers, and applying to one does not affect your application or account with another. On-site shift roles need hours that do not overlap, so check each role's schedule.