Of the various places I buy groceries, Costco happens to be my favorite. And it’s not just because of the savings I get to enjoy on everything from produce to pantry staples.
I happen to be a fan of the way Costco runs its business, as evidenced by how well it treats its employees. Whether you’re looking for your first job, a part-time job, or a career change, here are a few good reasons to work at Costco.
1. A generous hourly wage
You may not expect much more than minimum wage (currently $7.25 per hour) when you take a retail job. But the pay you get at Costco might exceed your expectations.
On its most recent earnings call, President and CEO Ron Vachris confirmed that “currently, the average wage is just north of $30 an hour” in the U.S. If you’re able to earn $30 an hour and work 40 hours a week, that’s $1,200. Multiply that by 50 weeks, and you’re looking at an annual $60,000 paycheck.
2. Generous benefits
Costco employees enjoy more than just generous pay. Employees get to enjoy a host of benefits. These include:
- Health insurance with low out-of-pocket copays and premiums
- Dental and vision insurance
- Paid bonding leave
- Access to a 401(k) plan for retirement savings
- Wellness programs
- Paid sick and vacation time
And it’s not just full-timers who get access to their perks. Costco’s benefits are available to part-time workers as well.
Many people end up having to job-hop to get promoted and grow their wages. At Costco, that may not be necessary, since the warehouse club giant has a preference for promoting from within.
As Vachris said during the company’s last earnings call, “In fiscal year ’24, we promoted 95 new warehouse managers. 85% of those promoted started at Costco as an hourly employee. This promotes from within the culture and the long-term career it helps to build is core to who we are as a company, community member, and retailer.”
Another reason for me to love Costco
I love Costco for its low prices. And I’m able to save even more by being savvy with the credit cards I use there. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco to boost your rewards as a member.
But I also happen to be a fan of businesses that treat their employees well. And I respect that Costco pays nicely and supports a culture of helping workers grow their careers.
I know plenty of people who work for supermarkets in my town who barely make over $12 per hour. And a friend of mine who works a part-time retail job makes under $20 per hour. So the fact that Costco pays around $30 on average is fantastic.
Essential workers should earn a livable wage. I’m happy to keep paying Costco’s membership fee knowing that part of that is helping to support a business that actually allows its employees to make a decent living.