About Merit America
What is Merit America?
Merit America is a national US nonprofit creating fast, flexible career pathways to family-sustaining jobs for working adults without four-year degrees. The American economy leaves about 53 million working adults — nearly half of the workforce — without a living wage, and traditional pathways (college, full-time bootcamps, online courses) don't fit working adults' constraints. Merit America bridges that gap with structured, supported training programmes that translate learning into real career advancement.
To date, Merit America has served over 15,000 learners nationwide; 75% of alumni with outcome data report a positive career change ("three out of four alumni"). Programmes span IT Support, Operations+, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing, Project Management, Human Resources+, Supply Chain Planning, and UX Design — career tracks designed for the in-demand US labour market.
Where will I work?
Merit America operates fully remote across the United States. The HQ is at 1 Thomas Circle Northwest, Washington, DC. There are no required office days; the team works remotely full-time, supported by a phone & computer stipend and a one-time home-office setup reimbursement.
What is the Merit America team like?
The team is values-driven and explicitly culture-conscious. Six core values guide work: bold/innovative/optimistic; owning ambitious goals; reliable/honest/committed teammates; nimble/resilient learners; deeply empathetic and passionate; and fun-loving/healthy/humble. Eleven affinity groups offer community across identity and shared interests: Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black at Merit, Somos Meritos, Age 40+, Be Well at Merit, Pride at Merit (LGBTQIA+), Neurodivergent at Merit, Merit Parents, Invisible Illness at Merit, Merit Program Alumni, and QTs at Merit.
Compensation is benchmarked nationally and "negotiation-free" — applicants get clear information about the package from the moment they apply, building transparency into the hiring process.
Work-Life Balance
Merit America operates a 4-day work week with unlimited vacation time off. Year-end and July 4 closures total three weeks of org-wide downtime ("2-weeks end-of-year and 1-week July 4th holiday office closure for our whole organization"). Parental leave is 4 months fully paid, and after 5 years of service employees can take a 5-week sabbatical. Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability are provided, plus an employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) and dependent-care/medical-care FSAs. Merit America contributes to employees' 401(k) with the option for additional individual contributions.
Perks and Benefits
- 4-day work week with fully remote teams across the US
- Unlimited vacation + 2-week end-of-year closure + 1-week July 4 closure
- 4 months fully paid parental leave
- 5-week sabbatical after 5 years of service
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision insurance + HRA + dependent care FSA
- Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
- 401(k) with company contribution + individual contribution option
- Phone & computer stipend (monthly) + home office setup reimbursement
- $500 personal development stipend + $2,000 education reimbursement + $2,500 innovation grant contest
- Salary transparency benchmarked nationally; negotiation-free package
- 11 employee Affinity Groups for community and connection