In the first quarter of 2025, TSMC reported an impressive revenue of $25.53 billion, significantly overshadowing MediaTek’s solid figure of $4.7 billion. As TSMC edges closer to full-scale production of its 2nm process—an enticing prospect for major clients like Apple—their financial prowess is evident. However, an intriguing insight emerges when we consider employee compensation: MediaTek’s non-executive full-time employees enjoy higher annual earnings, making it a more attractive choice for those focused on personal income.
According to data from ITHome, non-supervisory full-time employees at MediaTek lead the salary race in Taiwan with an annual income of NT$4.31 million, roughly $148,997. This places them at the top, marking a notable 14.81% increase from the previous year. MediaTek stands out as the only company on the list where employees earn over NT$4 million annually.
In second place is Realtek, offering its employees NT$3.915 million, or $135,361.55. TSMC, despite its market dominance, comes in seventh, with employee earnings of NT$3.391 million, approximately $117,193. The reasons behind this pay gap remain unclear. It might be attributed to TSMC’s strategy of rewarding its senior and highly talented employees with better pay packages or simply the challenge of managing a much larger workforce.
MediaTek employs around 21,982 people, while TSMC has a significantly larger team of approximately 83,000. Despite the lower average pay, TSMC remains a desirable employer, often cited as one of the best companies to work for, hinting at potential career growth and other benefits for its employees.
