Marathon Petroleum Relocation Package and Policy (2026)
The short answer: Marathon Petroleum’s relocation package pays every eligible hire a Relocation Allowance, a one-time payment you spend however you like. Employees can receive up to $50,000 in the highest-cost states, while interns and co-ops receive $4,500. Before you decide how to use your allowance, price your route with a free moving cost calculator so you know what the move itself will cost.
Jump to the Marathon Petroleum relocation info you’re looking for:
- How Marathon’s relocation works
- What you get by hire type
- Transferred exempt employees
- New experienced employees
- New professional and transferred hourly employees
- New college professionals, co-ops, and interns
- Home sale and purchase assistance
- High-cost area benefits
- Are Marathon relocation benefits taxed?
- The repayment clause
- How to maximize your Marathon relocation package
- Moving to a Marathon hub?
- Pros and cons
- FAQ
Here is a snapshot of what Marathon Petroleum’s relocation policy describes:
| Administered by | TRC Global Mobility; household goods through Walker Transfer-Powell; spousal support through IMPACT Group; coordinated by Marathon’s Employee Relocation Office |
|---|---|
| Who’s eligible | Regular full-time and part-time employees and new hires; usually for moves over 50 miles |
| Transferred exempt employees | Tiered lump sum plus 2x monthly salary, up to $50,000 (CA, WA), $40,000 (AK, CO, UT), or $30,000 (all other states) |
| New experienced employees | Lump sum up to $15,000 plus 1.5x monthly salary up to $15,000, for a maximum of $30,000 |
| New professional and transferred hourly | $7,500 flat ($10,000 in AK, CA, CO, UT, or WA), plus a full household goods move |
| New college professionals | $5,500 flat ($6,500 in AK, CA, CO, UT, or WA) |
| Co-ops and interns | $4,500 flat ($5,500 in AK, CA, CO, UT, or WA), plus a California housing subsidy where applicable |
| Home sale and purchase | Full Home Marketing Assistance Program, Guaranteed Offer, 3% sale incentive up to $20,000, and loss-on-sale up to $200,000 (transferred exempt) or $50,000 (new experienced) |
| Tax treatment | Many benefits grossed up with tax allowances |
| Repayment clause | Prorated at 8.33% per month for each of the 12 months not completed |
| Sources | Marathon Petroleum Relocation Policy effective January 1, 2025, and Marathon’s New Experienced Employees summary, provided by Marathon Petroleum |
How Marathon Petroleum’s relocation works
Marathon Petroleum’s corporate relocation program is run by TRC Global Mobility, Inc. (TRC), a third-party relocation management company. Your local Talent Acquisition or Human Resources office initiates your benefits with the Employee Relocation Office in Findlay, Ohio, which is the central coordinator. TRC then contacts you, calculates your lump sum, and walks you through each phase. Household goods and vehicle shipments are handled by Walker Transfer-Powell, an agent of Atlas Van Lines.
Eligibility for most hire types comes down to distance. Your new work location must be at least 50 miles farther from your former home than your old work location was, measured one way. If you work from home or are unemployed when the offer is extended, the new work location must be at least 50 miles from your former residence. New college professionals can qualify regardless of distance, while Marathon classifies “College Learners” as ineligible for any relocation benefits.
Two timing rules shape the whole process. Relocation expenses must be incurred within 12 months of your effective date of hire or transfer to be eligible. In addition, reimbursable expenses must be submitted to TRC within 30 days of being incurred. Marathon’s relocation help is built around a one-time Relocation Allowance that every eligible employee receives, with home sale, home purchase, and high-cost area benefits layered on top for experienced and transferred exempt hires.
Pro tip: Your Relocation Allowance is non-accountable, so any money you do not spend on the move is yours to keep. Compare full-service movers against containers and other options with the moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator before you book.
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What Marathon Petroleum’s relocation package includes by hire type
Marathon runs several relocation packages, and what you receive depends on your role and grade level. The table below compares the main programs.
| Benefit | Transferred exempt | New experienced | New professional/transferred hourly | College, co-op, intern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Current employee moving into grade 7+ exempt role | New hire into grade 10+ exempt role | Grade 7 to 9 exempt new hire, or transferred hourly/non-exempt | New grads, co-ops, and interns |
| Relocation Allowance | Tiered lump sum + 2x monthly salary, up to $50,000 | Lump sum up to $15,000 + 1.5x monthly salary up to $15,000 | $7,500 ($10,000 high-cost states) | $5,500 college/$4,500 co-op and intern |
| Household goods move | Full pack, move, and storage up to 365 days | Full pack, move, and storage up to 365 days | Full pack and move | Not covered (allowance only) |
| Vehicle shipment | 0 to 2 vehicles by distance | 0 to 2 vehicles by distance | 0 to 2 vehicles by distance | Not covered |
| Home sale assistance | Yes, full program | Yes, full program | No | No |
| Home purchase assistance | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| High-cost area benefits | HSP, RSP, and location premium | HSP, RSP, and location premium | No | California housing subsidy for co-ops and interns only |
| Spousal employment help | Up to $1,500 | Up to $1,500 | No | No |
| Repayment clause | Yes, prorated over 12 months | Yes, prorated over 12 months | Yes, prorated over 12 months | Yes, prorated over 12 months |
Transferred exempt employees
Current Marathon employees who transfer into a grade 7 or above exempt position receive the most complete package. It starts with the largest Relocation Allowance and includes full home and high-cost-area support.
The Relocation Allowance
The transferred exempt Relocation Allowance has two components. The first is a lump sum calculated by an independent relocation firm based on your family size, origin, and destination. The second is a payment equal to two times your monthly salary, found by dividing your new base annual salary by 12 and multiplying by two. Both components are capped by a three-tier system tied to your new work location.
| Tier | States | Lump sum cap | 2x monthly salary cap | Maximum allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier One | California, Washington | $25,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Tier Two | Alaska, Colorado, Utah | $20,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Tier Three | All other states | $15,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
The allowance is meant to cover house-hunting trips, temporary living, travel and mileage, return trips, home site expenses such as childcare and mowing, and other miscellaneous costs. You do not submit receipts. If your costs come in under the allowance, you keep the difference. If they run over, the excess is on you.
Moving your household goods and vehicles
Marathon covers packing, moving, storing, and unpacking your household goods, with storage available up to 365 days from your effective date. A second move from temporary to permanent housing is covered if it happens within 12 months. Vehicle shipment through Walker Transfer-Powell scales with distance:
- Up to 400 miles: No vehicles shipped at company expense (you are expected to drive)
- 400 to 799 miles: One vehicle shipped via open carrier at company expense
- 800 miles or more: Two vehicles shipped via open carrier at company expense
Marathon also covers transporting up to two household pets such as dogs and cats when it is not practical for them to ride with you, though vet costs and crates are not included. The optional Discard and Donate program pairs you with a professional organizer to purge and donate items before the move, which shrinks your shipment.
Spousal and domestic partner employment assistance
Marathon contracts with IMPACT Group to give your accompanying spouse or domestic partner job-search tools and coaching at the new location. The benefit is worth up to $1,500 in services, and your partner must contact the firm within 12 months of your effective date to use it.
New experienced employees
New hires coming into a grade 10 or above exempt position receive nearly the same support as transferred exempt employees, with a smaller allowance and lower caps on a few benefits.
The Relocation Allowance
The new experienced Relocation Allowance also has two parts, a lump sum up to $15,000, calculated by TRC based on family size, origin, and destination, plus a payment equal to 1.5 times your monthly salary, capped at $15,000. That brings the maximum to $30,000. Like the transferred exempt allowance, it is non-accountable, so you keep whatever you do not spend.
New experienced hires get the same household goods move, 365-day storage, distance-based vehicle shipment, pet transport, Discard and Donate option, and IMPACT Group spousal assistance. They also get the full Home Marketing Assistance Program. The differences are in the caps. Loss-on-sale assistance maxes out at $50,000 (versus $200,000 for transferred exempt employees), the reimbursed loan origination fee is capped at $250 (versus $500), and duplicate housing expenses run for up to 30 days.
Pro tip: The lump sum is calculated after TRC’s first phone call with you, so have your household size and destination details ready to avoid delays. If you are weighing the offer itself, our work relocation decision tool can help you think through whether the move makes sense.
New professional and transferred hourly employees
Two groups receive a simpler, flat allowance plus a household goods move, but no home sale or high-cost area benefits.
New professional employees are new hires entering a grade 7, 8, or 9 exempt position who meet the 50-mile rule. Transferred hourly and non-exempt employees are current employees moving into an hourly or non-exempt role, again subject to the 50-mile rule. The policy does not apply to employees under a collective bargaining agreement unless their contract specifically negotiates it.
Both groups receive a lump-sum Relocation Allowance of $7,500, which rises to $10,000 if you move to Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, or Washington. On top of the cash, Marathon covers packing, moving, and unpacking your household goods, the Discard and Donate program, distance-based vehicle shipment on the same 0-1-2 schedule, and recreational vehicle towing within limits. If your primary residence is a mobile home, Marathon reimburses up to $1,500 to decommission and transport it in place of the standard move.
New college professionals, co-ops, and interns
Marathon’s early-career programs are cash-only, with no household goods move bundled in, so the allowance is meant to cover a smaller move on your own.
New college professionals
New college professionals are recent graduates hired into a grade 7 or above exempt role, or grade 7 to 9 exempt hires who do not meet the 50-mile rule. This is the one group that can qualify regardless of distance. The Relocation Allowance is $5,500, or $6,500 for moves to Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, or Washington. This lump sum is not grossed up for taxes.
Co-ops and interns
Co-ops and interns receive a $4,500 lump sum, or $5,500 for the same five high-cost states. You qualify by actually relocating for the assignment, so a co-op who stays home, keeps an existing lease, or has back-to-back sessions in the same city does not get a second payment. To be paid, you submit the Co-op and Intern Relocation Form no more than 30 days before your start date and no later than 60 days after.
Co-ops and interns placed in California who cannot secure company housing are eligible for a housing subsidy of up to $2,000 per month after the first $1,000 is paid by the employee. The subsidy can be adjusted based on market conditions, and no tax assistance is provided on it.
Pro tip: Because early-career moves do not include a company-paid household goods shipment, a moving container or a small-load specialist is usually the cheapest way to handle a dorm or one-bedroom move. Compare options in our guide to the best moving container companies.
| Company | Quote | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
UNITS Moving and Portable Storage 
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4.3 / 5
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U-Pack 
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5 / 5
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Zippy Shell 
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4.2 / 5
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Home sale and purchase assistance
For transferred exempt and new experienced employees, Marathon’s home program is the most valuable part of the package. It runs through TRC’s Home Marketing Assistance Program (HMAP), and the structure protects you if your home is slow to sell.
How the Guaranteed Offer works
You pick two brokers from a TRC list, each provides a Broker Market Analysis, and you list with one of them at no more than 105% of the average projected sales price. If your home has not sold after 60 days on the market, TRC offers to buy it at the Most Probable Sales Price, set by averaging two independent appraisals. You then have 30 days to accept or reject the Guaranteed Offer while you keep marketing the home. If you find a buyer afterward, TRC amends its offer to match the buyer’s price (an Amended Value Sale).
Home sale incentive and loss-on-sale
If you generate your own sale, Marathon pays a home sale incentive equal to 3% of the sales price, up to $20,000. If you sell for less than you paid, loss-on-sale assistance covers the gap between your documented purchase price and your sale price, up to $200,000 for transferred exempt employees and $50,000 for new experienced employees.
Buying at the new location
When you buy within 12 months, Marathon reimburses customary purchase costs such as inspection, attorney, title, appraisal, and recording fees, with the loan origination fee capped at $500 for transferred exempt employees and $250 for new experienced employees. Renters who buy are reimbursed up to $1,000 in purchase costs. Depending on the prevailing 30-year mortgage rate, Marathon may also pay one or two discount points and offer a mortgage interest rate subsidy. There is also an equity advance so you can make a down payment before your old home’s proceeds arrive, and reimbursement of up to two months’ rent for canceling a lease at your old location.
Pro tip: Do not accept any money or sign anything on a buyer’s offer before TRC reviews it, or you can void the Guaranteed Offer protection.
High-cost area benefits: HSP, RSP, and location premium
If you move to one of Marathon’s designated high-cost states, transferred exempt and new experienced employees can receive extra help on top of the allowance. These benefits do not apply if you relocate within the same state.
The Housing Supplement Payment (HSP) helps homeowners buying in Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, or Washington, while the Rental Supplement Payment (RSP) helps renters in those same states. Both are calculated from a third-party housing cost index and your specific situation, and both are paid bi-weekly for up to four years on a declining scale of 25% per year.
The location premium is a one-time payment for two states only. You get 10% of your new base annual salary for Alaska and 15% for California. Moving between Alaska and California pays a 5% premium. Marathon also offers a mortgage interest rate subsidy when your new rate is at least 2 percentage points higher than your old one, paid as a one-time lump sum capped at $25,000.
Are Marathon Petroleum relocation benefits taxed?
Yes. Under the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, employer-paid relocation benefits are treated as taxable income. Marathon helps by providing tax allowances that gross up most benefits to offset the federal, FICA, and applicable state income tax you owe.
The allowances cover income tax only. Marathon is clear that they do not include local income taxes or other state or local taxes. Several benefits are also not grossed up at all:
- Home sale incentive: The 3% sale incentive is taxable to you
- Housing and rental supplement payments: The HSP and RSP are paid without a gross-up
- Location premium: The Alaska and California premiums are not tax-assisted
- Mortgage interest rate subsidy: The MIRS lump sum is not grossed up
- College, co-op, and intern lump sums: The $5,500 and $4,500 allowances and the California housing subsidy carry no tax allowance
If your taxable relocation income pushes you into losing certain credits or into the Alternative Minimum Tax, Marathon will review your federal return and reimburse the difference, though state and local taxes are not reviewed.
The Marathon Petroleum relocation repayment clause
Every relocating employee signs an Employee Reimbursement Agreement before benefits are paid. If you leave voluntarily or are terminated for cause within 12 months of your effective date, you repay relocation benefits and tax reimbursements at a rate of 8.33% for each calendar month of service you did not complete during those 12 months.
The key detail is that this repayment is prorated. The 12-month clock starts on the first of the month of your effective date, and the obligation shrinks each month you stay. Leave at six months and you owe roughly half. That is a friendlier structure than the all-or-nothing clauses some other large employers use. Note that if you accept benefits but never relocate, you repay everything with no proration.
The practical takeaway is to map your repayment exposure against your own timeline before you accept. For more on how these clauses work and what is negotiable, see our guide to negotiating a relocation package.
How to maximize your Marathon Petroleum relocation package
Spend less than your allowance to keep the difference
The Relocation Allowance is non-accountable, so every dollar you do not spend is yours. A budget-friendly move with a container or a vetted long-distance mover can leave thousands in your pocket, especially if Marathon is also shipping your household goods separately. Price your route on the moving cost calculator first.
Use the Discard and Donate program before the movers arrive
A smaller shipment is a cheaper and faster shipment. The professional organizer Marathon provides can help you cut clutter before pack day, which matters most if you are near a storage or weight limit.
Time your home sale around the 60-day and 30-day windows
If your home is slow to move, the Guaranteed Offer kicks in at 60 days and you then have 30 days to decide. Do not drop your listing price below the Guaranteed Offer, or TRC can reduce its offer to match. Keep TRC in the loop on every buyer offer before you respond.
Confirm which benefits are not grossed up
The home sale incentive, housing and rental supplements, location premium, and mortgage subsidy are taxable with no allowance. Budget around the after-tax value of those specific payments so a tax bill does not catch you off guard.
Activate spousal employment help early
The up to $1,500 IMPACT Group benefit is easy to forget, and your partner must start within 12 months. If your spouse is job hunting at the new location, set it up as soon as your move is confirmed.
Moving to a Marathon Petroleum hub?
Marathon is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, and runs 13 refineries plus renewable fuels sites across the country, so relocations land in a wide range of markets.
- Findlay, Ohio (corporate headquarters): See our guides to the best movers in Ohio and what your move will cost
- Texas City and the Houston area, Texas (Galveston Bay refinery): We offer guides to the best movers in Houston and popular moving routes to Houston
- Garyville and the New Orleans area, Louisiana (Garyville refinery): Check out our guide to the best movers in New Orleans
- Detroit, Michigan (Detroit refinery): We’ve researched the best movers in Detroit
- Salt Lake City, Utah and Carson, California (Tier One and Tier Two high-cost moves): We’ve got you covered for the best movers in Salt Lake City and the best movers in Los Angeles, where extra housing and location benefits often apply
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Pros and cons of Marathon Petroleum’s relocation package
- Non-accountable Relocation Allowance up to $50,000 (you keep what you don’t spend)
- Full household goods move with storage up to 365 days for most employees
- Guaranteed Offer home sale protection
- Home sale incentive of 3% up to $20,000
- Loss-on-sale coverage up to $200,000 for transferred exempt employees
- Multi-year housing supplements and location premiums in high-cost states
- Prorated repayment clause that shrinks each month you stay
- Interns, co-ops, and new college professionals get cash only, no household goods move
- Home sale incentive, supplements, location premium, and mortgage subsidy are not grossed up
- Tax allowances exclude local income taxes
- Most hire types must clear the 50-mile rule
- Repayment still applies for any departure within the first 12 months
FAQ
Does Marathon Petroleum pay for relocation?
Yes. Marathon Petroleum offers relocation benefits to eligible new hires and transfers who generally move at least 50 miles. Every eligible employee receives a Relocation Allowance, a one-time payment you can spend on the move as you choose. Experienced and transferred exempt employees also receive full home sale and purchase assistance, while interns and co-ops receive a smaller lump sum.
How much is Marathon Petroleum’s relocation allowance?
It depends on your hire type and where you move. Transferred exempt employees receive a tiered lump sum plus two times their monthly salary, up to a combined $50,000 in California and Washington, $40,000 in Alaska, Colorado, and Utah, and $30,000 in all other states. New experienced employees receive a lump sum up to $15,000 plus 1.5 times monthly salary up to $15,000, for a maximum of $30,000. New professional and transferred hourly employees get a flat $7,500 ($10,000 in Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, or Washington). New college professionals get $5,500 ($6,500 in those states), and co-ops and interns get $4,500 ($5,500 in those states). These figures come from Marathon’s relocation policy effective January 1, 2025, so confirm current amounts with your relocation contact.
Who administers Marathon Petroleum’s relocation?
Marathon Petroleum contracts with TRC Global Mobility, Inc. (TRC) to run the relocation program, including the lump sum calculation and home sale assistance. Household goods and vehicle shipments are handled by Walker Transfer-Powell, an agent of Atlas Van Lines, and spousal job-search help is provided through IMPACT Group. Marathon’s Employee Relocation Office in Findlay, Ohio is the central coordinator. TRC contacts you after your local HR or Talent Acquisition office initiates your file.
Does Marathon Petroleum have a relocation repayment clause?
Yes. As a condition of receiving benefits, you sign an Employee Reimbursement Agreement. If you leave voluntarily or are terminated for cause within 12 months of your effective date, you repay relocation benefits and tax reimbursements at a rate of 8.33% for each calendar month of service you did not complete during those 12 months. The repayment is prorated, so the obligation shrinks each month you stay. If you accept benefits but never relocate, you repay everything with no proration.
Are Marathon Petroleum relocation benefits taxed?
Yes. Relocation reimbursements and payments are treated as taxable income under federal law. Marathon provides tax allowances that gross up most benefits to help cover the federal, FICA, and applicable state income tax. Several items are not grossed up, including the home sale incentive, the housing and rental supplement payments, the location premium, the mortgage interest rate subsidy, and the lump sums for new college professionals, co-ops, and interns. Tax allowances cover income tax only and do not include local income taxes or other state taxes.
Does Marathon Petroleum’s relocation cover home sale and purchase?
For transferred exempt and new experienced employees, yes. Marathon’s Home Marketing Assistance Program through TRC includes a Guaranteed Offer if your home does not sell after 60 days on the market, a home sale incentive of 3% of the sales price up to $20,000, loss-on-sale assistance up to $200,000 for transferred exempt employees and $50,000 for new experienced employees, and reimbursement of customary home purchase costs when you buy within 12 months. New professional, transferred hourly, new college professional, co-op, and intern employees do not receive home sale assistance.
Does Marathon Petroleum ship your car when you relocate?
Yes, based on distance. Through Walker Transfer-Powell, Marathon ships vehicles via open carrier as follows: no vehicles for moves up to 400 miles, one vehicle for moves of 400 to 799 miles, and two vehicles for moves of 800 miles or more. Enclosed carrier or any additional vehicle shipment is allowed at your own expense. Marathon also covers transporting up to two household pets, such as dogs and cats, when it is not practical for them to travel in your vehicle.
Relocation packages by company
Relocation policies vary widely between employers. We’ve researched specific company programs, drawing on public policy documents and employee reports so you can see exactly what to expect before you negotiate.
- Accenture relocation package
- Amazon relocation package
- Apple relocation package
- Boeing relocation package
- Caterpillar relocation package
- Chevron relocation package
- ExxonMobil relocation package
- Goldman Sachs relocation package
- Google relocation package
- Home Depot relocation package
- Intel relocation package
- JPMorgan Chase relocation package
- Lockheed Martin relocation package
- Meta relocation package
- Microsoft relocation package
- Oracle relocation package
- Tesla relocation package
- Walmart relocation package
- Wells Fargo relocation package
What is Marathon Petroleum’s 50-mile rule for relocation?
For most hire types, your new work location must be at least 50 miles farther from your former home than your old work location was, measured one way. If you work from home or are unemployed when the offer is extended, the new work location must be at least 50 miles from your former residence. New college professionals are an exception and can qualify regardless of distance. Co-ops and interns qualify based on securing new housing for the assignment rather than the 50-mile test.
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