Costco pays its employees a range of wages depending on the position, experience, and location, with an overall average hourly wage of about $30 per hour as of 2024. The company recently raised its minimum wage to $19.50 per hour and added incremental raises across pay tiers, contributing to this average
. Here are some specific pay details:
- Entry-level positions like cashiers and retail associates typically start around $17.50 to $19.50 per hour, with cashiers in some locations earning between $18.50 and $31.00 per hour
- Stocking associates earn around $14.39 to $16.61 per hour, while more skilled roles like meat cutters average about $20.49 per hour
- Pharmacists at Costco can earn up to about $46.57 per hour
- Average hourly wages for employees generally range from roughly $14.87 to $30.43 per hour, with some variation by job title and region
- In New York, the average hourly pay for a Costco employee is about $24.29, with some roles paying as high as $55 per hour and others as low as $10.26, reflecting wide variation based on role and experience
Costco's wage policy is above the retail industry average by about $5.50 per hour, which the company credits for high employee morale and low turnover. The company also promotes from within, with many managers starting as hourly workers
. In the UK, hourly wages for Costco employees range from about £10.72 for cafe assistants to £18.03 for forklift drivers, with cashiers earning between £11.00 and £15.83 per hour
. Overall, Costco is known for paying competitive wages in retail, with starting pay generally above the national average and opportunities for wage growth through experience and promotion.
