Caterpillar Relocation Package and Policy (2026)
The short answer: Caterpillar pays for relocation, with employees reporting a full-service package plus an upfront cash allowance that ranges from roughly $5,000 to $10,000. Before you accept an offer that involves a move, use moveBuddha’s free moving cost calculator to see what your move will actually cost.
Caterpillar relocation package at a glance
Caterpillar does not publish a relocation policy, so the details below are pieced together from employee accounts and the company’s own headquarters announcement rather than an official document. Use this snapshot as a starting point, then confirm the specifics of your corporate relocation package with your recruiter or Cartus coordinator.
| Relocation provider | Cartus, a third-party relocation management company |
|---|---|
| Package type | Full-service relocation for most experienced office roles, plus an upfront cash allowance for miscellaneous expenses |
| Employee-reported cash allowance | Roughly $5,000 to $10,000 for experienced hires, around $900 for new college hires |
| Temporary housing | Around 45 days, often reimbursable for a rental of your choice |
| Food per diem | Reported during temporary housing |
| Home sale and purchase | Realtor to help sell your current home and buy at the destination |
| Tax gross-up | Reported on most relocation benefits |
| Repayment clause | Roughly 2 years from your start date |
| New college hires | Minimal relocation |
| Sources | Employee accounts on Reddit and a general description via ZipRecruiter; headquarters move via Caterpillar. No official policy published. |
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How Caterpillar relocation works
Caterpillar does not have a single public relocation policy. Instead, relocation is administered by Cartus, a third-party relocation management company, and the specifics depend on your role and salary grade.
Once your relocation is approved, employees report that a Cartus coordinator handles the process end to end. That includes assigning a realtor to help you sell your current home and buy at the destination, arranging temporary housing, and booking the movers for your household goods. One employee on Reddit described the Cartus process as the smoothest of several corporate moves they had experienced.
Eligibility and size vary by level. Experienced office hires report a full-service package, while new college hires report a much smaller benefit.
Pro tip: When Cartus logs your inventory, confirm every item is marked delivered before you sign off. One employee reported that items missing at delivery were not covered because the delivery paperwork had already been signed. For help framing your move, see moveBuddha’s guide to negotiating a relocation package.
Caterpillar’s move to Irving, Texas
If you are being asked to relocate within Caterpillar, there is a good chance it connects to the company’s broader shift toward Texas. In June 2022, Caterpillar announced it would move its global headquarters from Deerfield, Illinois, to its existing office in Irving, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. You can read the announcement directly from Caterpillar.
However, relocations can run in several directions. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is a growing destination alongside major facilities in Illinois, Arizona, Indiana, and the Southeast.
Where you land matters for your budget. Moving costs to the Dallas-Fort Worth area look very different from a move to Peoria, Illinois, or Tucson, Arizona. Price your specific route with moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator rather than assuming a standard allowance will cover it.
What the Caterpillar relocation package includes
Because Caterpillar routes relocation through Cartus, most employees describe a services-based package rather than a simple cash handout. You get a managed move plus a smaller cash allowance for incidentals. Here is what employees report being covered.
Household goods shipping
The core of the package is moving your belongings. Employees report that Cartus books and pays the movers to pack, ship, and unpack a full household. Quality of the moving crews can vary, so several employees recommend supervising the packing and the delivery closely. If you would rather unpack on your own schedule, you can decline the unpacking service and arrange for Cartus to pick up the empty boxes later.
Temporary housing and a food per diem
Employees report roughly 45 days of temporary housing while you get settled. Several employees note that you can be reimbursed for a rental of your own choice, such as an Airbnb, rather than using a corporate unit. A food per diem is also reported during this window. One employee with a family of two estimated the per diem value added up to about $2,000 over 45 days.
Home sale and purchase assistance
For homeowners, this is often the most valuable part of the package. Employees report that Cartus assigns a realtor to help sell your current home and buy at the destination, both at fair market value. This is the piece that pushes the total value of a homeowner relocation well beyond the cash allowance, since it can cover realtor fees, closing costs, and inspections.
Upfront cash allowance
On top of the managed move, employees report an upfront cash payment for miscellaneous expenses like house-hunting flights, hotels, and meals. Reported amounts have ranged from roughly $5,000 to $10,000 for experienced hires, with one employee noting the figure has trended down over the years. New college hires report far less, sometimes around $900.
What is typically not covered
The package is built around moving you, not furnishing a new place. The upfront cash allowance is meant to absorb incidental costs, so plan carefully.
Pro tip: If you are shipping a car as part of your move, get a separate quote so you can budget it accurately instead of assuming it is automatically covered. See moveBuddha’s guide to the best car shipping companies.
How much does Caterpillar pay for relocation?
Caterpillar does not publish its relocation amounts. The figures below are compiled from employee accounts on Reddit and represent what employees have reported receiving, not what Caterpillar has confirmed. Outcomes vary by salary grade, destination, whether you own a home, and whether you are an experienced hire or a new college hire.
| Situation | What employees have reported | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New college hire (in-state) | About a $900 check | |
| Experienced office move | $10,000 upfront cash allowance, used to offset the tax gross-up | |
| Experienced office move | $7,500 upfront, with roughly $6,700 owed in tax that year | |
| Recent relocation offer | $5,000 upfront cash allowance | |
| Homeowner relocation (full Cartus package) | Roughly $80,000 total value once movers, closing costs, and realtor fees were included, with no extra tax owed after gross-up |
A few patterns stand out. The upfront cash allowance for experienced hires clusters in the $5,000–$10,000 range, and at least one employee reported it shrinking across successive moves. New college hires receive far less. The biggest dollar value sits in the managed services, especially home sale and purchase assistance for homeowners.
Taxes and gross-up on Caterpillar relocation benefits
Since the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, relocation benefits paid to non-military employees are treated as ordinary taxable income. That applies to the cash allowance, reimbursed moving costs, and home sale assistance, so a large relocation can add tens of thousands of dollars to your reported income for the year.
The key question is whether Caterpillar grosses up your benefits, meaning the company covers the added tax so you are not out of pocket. Employee reports here are mixed. Several employees report that Caterpillar grossed up their relocation and they paid little or no extra tax, including one with an $80,000 move. Others report owing thousands at tax time, such as one employee who paid about $6,700 in tax after a $7,500 upfront payment.
Because experiences differ, confirm in writing whether your specific package is grossed up, and how the gross-up is calculated, before you move.
Pro tip: If Caterpillar cannot confirm the gross-up details in writing, consider consulting a tax professional before your move so a large relocation does not create a surprise tax bill.
The repayment clause
Caterpillar relocation agreements include a repayment requirement. Based on employee reports, the standard window is roughly two years, measured from your start date. If you leave the company voluntarily before that window closes, Caterpillar will typically try to recover all or part of the relocation costs it paid on your behalf.
The exact terms, including whether the amount is prorated over time, are spelled out in the relocation contract you sign. Employees note that you can ask your recruiter or hiring manager to have HR send the standard repayment terms before you accept. Read that document carefully, especially if there is any chance you might leave within the first two years.
How to negotiate your Caterpillar relocation package
The core Cartus services are fairly standardized. The negotiation approach that may work the best will be grounded in documented costs rather than a general ask for more money. Here is what employee accounts suggest.
Get the terms in writing before you accept: Ask your recruiter or hiring manager to have HR send the relocation contract, including the cash allowance, the gross-up policy, and the repayment window. Employees confirm this is a standard contract they can share on request.
Make a specific, cost-based case: If the standard allowance will not cover your incidentals, itemize what the move will actually cost, including house-hunting flights, hotels, meals, and a moving truck. A documented gap between the allowance and your real costs is more persuasive than a round-number request.
Get a real moving quote first: Use moveBuddha’s free moving cost calculator to estimate your specific route before you talk numbers. A figure from a vetted long-distance mover is more credible than a guess.
Use the per diem and temporary housing fully: Employees report real value left on the table when people do not maximize the food per diem or the option to choose their own temporary rental. These benefits are part of the package, so use them.
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Pros and cons of Caterpillar’s relocation package
- Full-service move managed end to end by Cartus
- Home sale and purchase assistance for homeowners at fair market value
- Temporary housing of around 45 days, often a rental of your choice
- Food per diem during temporary housing
- Most benefits commonly grossed up for taxes
- No public policy, so terms vary by role and salary grade
- Upfront cash allowance is modest
- Tax gross-up is not guaranteed (some employees owed thousands)
- Repayment clause applies if you leave within about two years
- New college hires receive minimal relocation
- Moving crew quality can be inconsistent
Moving to a Caterpillar hub city?
Caterpillar’s footprint spans several states. The global headquarters is moving to Irving, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while Illinois still holds the largest concentration of employees. Major facilities sit in Arizona, Indiana, and the Southeast. The relocation process is the same regardless of destination, but moving costs vary significantly by route and distance.
moveBuddha has researched local and long-distance movers for the cities where many Caterpillar relocations land. Compare options for your route before you commit to a budget:
- Best movers in Dallas
- Best movers in Peoria, Illinois
- Best movers in Tucson, Arizona
- Moving cost calculator: free quotes for your specific route
Why moveBuddha
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
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FAQ
Does Caterpillar pay for relocation?
Yes, for most experienced office roles. Caterpillar administers relocation through a third-party provider called Cartus, and employees report a full-service package that can include household goods shipping, temporary housing, a food per diem, and home sale and purchase assistance, plus an upfront cash allowance for miscellaneous expenses. New college hires report a much smaller benefit because that program assumes student housing. Whether you get relocation, and how much, depends on your role, salary grade, and the distance of your move.
How much is the Caterpillar relocation package?
Caterpillar does not publish a dollar figure. Based on employee reports on Reddit, the upfront cash allowance for experienced hires has ranged from roughly $5,000 to $10,000, while some new college hires reported around $900. The larger value is usually in the services themselves, since Cartus manages the household goods move, temporary housing, and home sale and purchase. One employee described a relocation valued at roughly $80,000 once movers, closing costs, and realtor fees were included.
Who handles Caterpillar relocation?
Caterpillar uses Cartus, a third-party relocation management company. Employees report that a Cartus coordinator manages the move end to end, assigns a realtor to help sell your current home and buy at the destination at fair market value, and arranges temporary housing and the household goods shipment. For context on how this compares to other employers, see our guide to corporate relocation packages.
Is the Caterpillar relocation package taxable?
Under the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, relocation benefits paid to non-military employees are treated as ordinary taxable income. Many Caterpillar employees report that their relocation benefits were grossed up, meaning Caterpillar covered the tax. Experiences vary, though, and some employees report owing several thousand dollars at tax time. Confirm in writing whether your specific package is grossed up before you move.
What happens if I leave Caterpillar after relocating?
Caterpillar relocation agreements include a repayment clause. Employees report a window of roughly two years measured from your start date, and the dates and terms are spelled out in the relocation contract you sign. If you leave voluntarily before that window closes, Caterpillar will typically try to recover all or part of the relocation costs.
Can I negotiate my Caterpillar relocation package?
The core Cartus benefits are fairly standard and harder to change, but employees report the upfront cash allowance and some details are worth discussing. The most effective approach is to get the relocation terms in writing before you accept and to make a specific, cost-based case if the standard package will not cover your move. Use moveBuddha’s free moving cost calculator to price your route first so your request is grounded in real numbers. See our guide to negotiating a relocation package for more.
Where is Caterpillar relocating employees?
Caterpillar announced in June 2022 that it would move its global headquarters from Deerfield, Illinois, to its existing office in Irving, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The company has had a Texas presence since the 1960s, and Illinois still holds the largest concentration of Caterpillar employees.
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
- 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
- Marathon Petroleum relocation package
- Meta relocation package
- Microsoft relocation package
- Oracle relocation package
- Tesla relocation package
- Walmart relocation package
- Wells Fargo relocation package
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