Head-to-head
Waymo vs Aurora Innovation
Which pays more, which is easier to start with, and which fits the work you want. Compared on advertised pay, kind of employer, payout, and the roles open right now.
Waymo
Aurora InnovationWaymo vs Aurora Innovation: the short answer
On pay, Waymo is listed at Reported reference: ~$22–$33/hr (operator) and Aurora Innovation at $31 to $38.5/hr in checked postings; there is no live median on both sides to set against each other, so compare the specific offers for your location and schedule.
Both are fleet operators, so the barrier to start is similar: tied to specific cities and shifts, often with a driver's license, a commercial license or a drone pilot certificate required.
Both hire for AV & Drone; Waymo also covers Fleet Operations.
Right now Aurora Innovation has more live roles (10 vs 9).
Bottom line: these two are closely matched on the barrier to entry, so choose on the specific work each hires for and where it is based.
| Waymo | Aurora Innovation | |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised pay | Reported reference: ~$22–$33/hr (operator) | $31 to $38.5/hr in checked postings |
| Kind of employer | Field & fleet operations · AV operator | Field & fleet operations · AV operator |
| Kinds of work | AV & Drone and Fleet Operations | AV & Drone |
| How you get paid | Hourly, often via staffing partners. | Hourly / salaried, regular payroll. |
| Where you can work | On-site: Phoenix, SF, Austin, LA and other service cities. | On-site: Texas (Dallas, Houston, Laredo, Midland) and Pittsburgh PA. |
| Open roles now | 9 live | 10 live |
| Worth knowing | Operator roles competitive and city-specific. | CDL-friendly operator roles with shift options. |
Pay shows each employer's live measured band where its feed has enough hourly-stated roles; otherwise the figure carries its own confidence tier (Waymo: third-party reports; Aurora Innovation: employer-stated). How we compile pay.
Best for people in its operating cities who can work scheduled shifts and hold the license or certificate the role asks for.
9 open roles now →Best for people in its operating cities who can work scheduled shifts and hold the license or certificate the role asks for.
10 open roles now →Some links on RobotTraining.jobs are referral links. If you sign up through one, RobotTraining.jobs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what a platform pays you.
Get new robot training jobs by email
The newest paid roles across every platform we track, with real hourly pay, in one weekly email. Free, and unsubscribe anytime.
We email new roles, not spam. One click to unsubscribe.
Waymo vs Aurora Innovation: common questions
Which pays more, Waymo or Aurora Innovation?
On pay, Waymo is listed at Reported reference: ~$22–$33/hr (operator) and Aurora Innovation at $31 to $38.5/hr in checked postings; there is no live median on both sides to set against each other, so compare the specific offers for your location and schedule.
Is Waymo or Aurora Innovation easier to get started with?
Both are fleet operators, so the barrier to start is similar: tied to specific cities and shifts, often with a driver's license, a commercial license or a drone pilot certificate required.
Can you apply to both Waymo and Aurora Innovation?
Yes. They are independent employers, and applying to one does not affect the other; both hire for AV & Drone, so the same experience counts at each. Check each role's location and schedule before you commit to both.
Which has more robot-training work right now, Waymo or Aurora Innovation?
Right now Aurora Innovation has more live roles (10 vs 9).