TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電), the world's leading chipmaker, confirmed plans on Tuesday (April 8) to implement its routine salary adjustments in late April, continuing a longstanding corporate tradition. While the semiconductor giant has not yet disclosed specific figures for the upcoming increases, industry analysts estimate adjustments may range from 3% to 5%, closely mirroring last year's compensation strategy that tailored raises according to individual performance metrics, employee seniority, and position within the company hierarchy.
TSMC experienced a landmark year in 2024, with revenue reaching NT$2.8943 trillion (US$87.7 billion), marking a 33.9% increase over the previous year. The chipmaker's after-tax profit surged by an impressive 39.9% to NT$1.1732 trillion (US$35.6 billion), setting a new corporate record. In recognition of this exceptional performance, the board approved a record NT$140.59 billion (around US$4.26 billion) in employee bonuses, translating to an average payout exceeding NT$2 million (around US$60,600) per employee in Taiwan.
United Microelectronics Corporation (聯電, UMC), TSMC's primary domestic competitor in the semiconductor manufacturing space, plans to follow a similar compensation timeline with its own salary adjustments scheduled for May 2025. Industry sources indicate UMC anticipates implementing increases in the 3% to 5% range, closely aligning with TSMC's expected adjustment spectrum. UMC has officially stated that the salary adjustment will consider the company's profitability and competitive landscape, suggesting a measured approach to employee compensation that balances financial performance with market realities.
TSMC's annual salary adjustment strategy has stabilized in recent years, with increases consistently remaining below the 10% threshold following an exceptional structural adjustment of 20% implemented in 2021. The semiconductor leader employs a nuanced approach to compensation, basing individual salary increases on a matrix of factors including performance evaluations and organizational job level, with high-performing employees potentially receiving increases exceeding the 5% ceiling. Several industry experts specializing in tech sector compensation have speculated that TSMC's 2025 average salary increase could potentially surpass last year's figures, buoyed by the company's unprecedented financial performance and record-breaking profits.
As TSMC finalizes preparations for its imminent salary adjustment announcement, thousands of employees across its vast manufacturing network and industry analysts monitoring the semiconductor sector await the official figures with keen interest. The forthcoming compensation adjustments are widely expected to reflect both the chipmaker's extraordinary financial achievements and its strategic commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in Taiwan's increasingly competitive high-tech labor market.
