Looking for the highest paying retail jobs? Retail positions aren’t just paying minimum wage anymore. Many positions are paying competitive salary wages for working in retail stores or within the retail organization.
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For many workers, a high-paying job is just as important as the people they work with and the company culture. Benefits also play a huge role in making a decision to join a company so we’re going to look at it all to help you find your dream retail job.
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20 Of The Best Retail Jobs
1. Amazon Associate
Average Salary: An Amazon associate earns $17.14 per hour, on average.
Amazon is an internet and web service company. This multifaceted organization offers a lot of different products to consumers including video and music streaming services, a varied product catalog from their product line and independent sellers, and more.
The work Amazon Associates do will vary based on the job. There are warehouse associates, HR associates, fulfillment associates, etc.
The overall goal is for Amazon workers including associates to help support the needs of the organization. Associates will be tasked with specific duties for their department that they are expected to carry out.
For example, a warehouse associate may have job duties like receiving inventory, prepping delivery orders, and maintaining their warehouse area.
Amazon workers get benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, adoption assistance, employee assistance program, financial counseling, and more.
2. Costco Cashier
Average Salary: They have one of the highest salaries for cashiers, with Costco cashiers earning an average of $17.88/hour.
Costco is a wholesale warehouse grocery store chain. They sell items in bulk to their warehouse members.
The job duties of a cashier include:
- Processing member orders
- Checking out customers at the cash register
- Providing customer service
Costco benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, mental healthcare, health savings account, and more.
For more information, check out our cashier job description.
3. Nordstrom Sales Associate
Average Salary: The sales associate job pays between $12.50/hour and $17.30/hour.
Nordstrom is a retail department store that operates in the U.S. and Canada. They offer a variety of jobs to help run their organization from positions in human resources, fraud prevention, customer service representatives, and more.
According to Glassdoor, employees rank Nordstrom 3.8 out of 5 and employees are happy to work at Nordstrom, remarking on perks like good pay, benefits, and happy to work alongside coworkers.
Both salaried and hourly positions are available at Nordstrom.
Benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance and disability insurance
- Mental health care
Related: Sales Associate Job Description
4. Apple Genius
Average Salary: An Apple Genius averages pay at $25.93/hour.
Apple is a technology company, known for producing and selling products like the Apple iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Apple watch, and other products.
The job is about providing hands-on technical support to consumers on a variety of Apple-related tech issues. If you’re a problem solver and a creative thinker with the ability to quickly identify and fix product issues, then this is the job for you.
Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plus perks like tuition assistance, employee discounts, and more.
5. Coach Sales Associate
Average Salary: The average salary of a Coach sales associate is $15.00/hour.
Coach is a design department store specializing in luxury lifestyle products like handbags, wallets, leather goods, and more.
A Coach sales associate assists customers and provides customer service by greeting and helping consumers, answering questions, and working as a cashier. They also may do limited merchandising activities, product stocking, and store cleaning/maintenance.
Benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Employee discounts
- Paid time off and sick time
6. Saks Fifth Avenue Sales Associate
Average Salary: The average salary of a sales associate is $15.09 per hour.
Saks Fifth Avenue is an NYC-based department store. Sales associates work with customers to help them throughout the purchase process from greeting, being a cashier, answering questions about products, and more.
Benefits include health, vision, dental, and life insurance plus, paid time off and sick time, commuter benefits and employee discount.
7. Starbucks Barista
Average Salary: Their barista position earns an average of $14.22/hour
Starbucks is a well-known coffee shop retail chain that operates on a global scale. The barista job duties include:
- Taking customer orders and running the cash register
- Making food and drink orders
- Assisting customers with menu and product questions
Starbucks is unique in that they offer some attractive benefits to part-time employees like health insurance! Other benefits include 100% tuition coverage for a Bachelor’s degree, performance bonuses, 30% in-store discounts and more.
8. Trader Joe’s Crew
Average Salary: A Trader Joe’s crew member makes up to $21.00/hour.
Trader Joe’s is a grocery store chain. Not only do they offer high-paying retail jobs but they’re also very well-liked by employees, with 81% of workers saying they’d refer Trader Joe’s to a friend.
The job duties of a crew member include:
- Running a cash register
- Stocking shelves
- Creating and assembling signage
- Helping customers with questions
In addition to competitive pay, Trader Joe’s benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, along with scholarship programs, disaster recovery assistance, store tastings, employee assistance programs, and more.
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9. Dillards Sales Associate
Average Salary: Sales associates earn an average of around $14.64/hour, according to Glassdoor.
Dillards is a department store, based out of Arkansas.
Sales associates are responsible for helping customers by providing cashier assistance, answering questions, keeping their department clean and well-maintained, and other job duties.
Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plus, paid time off, 401k, and more.
10. The Container Store Sales Coordinator
Average Salary: Sales coordinators make an average of up to $21.15/hour
The Container Store is a retail store operating in the home furniture and housewares sector. They sell a variety of home organization products, home storage, and decor goods.
A store sales coordinator processes sales orders, communicates and works with their team, and maintains knowledge of store products while practicing good customer service.
Along with competitive pay, the benefits offered by The Container Store include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, 401k, and employee discounts.
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11. Target Warehouse Worker
Average Salary: A Target warehouse worker earns an average of $19.40/hour. Many positions pay $20+/hour!
Target is a general merchandise store operating its retail stores and online website in over 200 countries globally.
If you can lift heavy items, this might be the ideal position for you. Warehouse workers will work in the Target warehouse doing the following:
- Packing, loading, and shipping items
- Maintaining a clean and organized the work area
- Operating computer systems and handheld devices
- Working in temperature-controlled settings (for food warehouse workers)
This is an ideal job for someone that likes to work with their hands and can lift heavy objects up to 60 pounds. If you’re straying away from a desk job and you want to work on your feet, working as a warehouse worker might be the perfect fit.
12. Lowe’s Customer Service Associate
Average Salary: The average salary for a customer service associate is $13.79/hour.
Lowe’s is a home improvement store. They operate in the United States and Canada with customer service and sales associates, cashiers, and management jobs being the most common positions.
The Lowe’s benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, along with tuition reimbursement, childcare, trade skill scholarships, employee discounts, and more.
In the role of a Lowe’s customer service associate, your job duties might include:
- Greeting customers and welcoming them into the store
- Processing orders
- Managing loading tickets and deliveries
13. Safeway Grocery Clerk
Average Salary: Grocery clerks earn $16.34/hour
Safeway is a retail grocery store chain serving the United States.
In this job, you will be interacting with customers in a face-to-face setting during your work shift. This may include greeting customers, checking customers out at the register, and bagging groceries.
It’s not one of the most glamorous jobs but it can be a solid entry-level job to teach you core job skills that you can use to climb the ladder at Safeway or move on to other organizations.
Safeway offers standard benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, along with an employee assistance program, paid vacation, sick leave, and other benefits.
Related: Best Retail Jobs
14. Patagonia
Average Salary: $20.04/hour
Patagonia is widely recognized as a great place to work due to its commitment to sustainability, environmental activism, and employee well-being. The company has a strong set of core values that include building the best product, causing no unnecessary harm, protecting nature, and not being bound by convention. These values are reflected in the company's employee culture, which emphasizes work-life balance, flexible schedules, and a strong sense of community.
In addition to its core values, Patagonia offers a range of benefits and perks to its employees. These include generous health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and paid parental leave. Patagonia also offers a unique "Environmental Internship" program, which allows employees to take up to two months off to work on an environmental project of their choice. This program is a reflection of the company's commitment to environmental activism and its belief that employees should be empowered to make a positive impact on the world.
Patagonia is a good high-paying retail job option for those who are passionate about sustainability, environmental activism, and work-life balance. The company's commitment to these values, as well as its focus on employee well-being, make it a highly desirable place to work. Additionally, Patagonia's reputation as a socially responsible company and its commitment to building the best product mean that employees can take pride in their work and feel that they are making a positive impact on the world.
15. Hobby Lobby Employee
Average Salary: $18.50/hour
Hobby Lobby is known for its commitment to employee development and its strong company culture. The company offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and paid time off.
One of the main perks of being an employee at Hobby Lobby is the company culture. Hobby Lobby is a family-owned business that places a strong emphasis on Christian values and ethics. The company values its employees and encourages them to develop their skills and grow within the company. Additionally, Hobby Lobby has a strong sense of community, with many employees reporting that they feel like they are part of a family rather than just a workplace.
Hobby Lobby's commitment to employee development, strong company culture, and range of benefits make it an attractive option for job seekers. Additionally, Hobby Lobby's focus on Christian values and ethics may appeal to those who are looking for a workplace that aligns with their personal beliefs.
16. Best Buy Employee
Average Salary: $15/hour
Best Buy is a good place to work due to its commitment to employee development and its focus on creating a positive work environment. The company offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, and paid time off. Additionally, Best Buy offers a variety of employee development programs, including tuition reimbursement, leadership development programs, and on-the-job training.
One of the main perks of being an employee at Best Buy is the company's focus on creating a positive work environment. Best Buy places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. The company offers a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for women, LGBTQ+ employees, and employees with disabilities. Additionally, Best Buy provides employees with a variety of wellness programs, including mental health resources and fitness programs.
Overall, Best Buy is a good high-paying retail job option for those who are looking for a supportive work environment and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The company's commitment to employee development, focus on diversity and inclusion, and range of benefits make it an attractive option for job seekers. Additionally, Best Buy's reputation as a leading retailer and its focus on innovation and technology may appeal to those who are interested in working in a fast-paced and dynamic industry.
17. Macy’s Employee
Average Salary: $15/hour
Macy's offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, and paid time off. Additionally, Macy's offers a variety of employee development programs, including on-the-job training, leadership development programs, and tuition reimbursement.
One of the main perks of being an employee at Macy's is the company's focus on creating a positive work environment. Macy's places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. The company offers a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for women, LGBTQ+ employees, and employees with disabilities. Additionally, Macy's provides employees with a variety of wellness programs, including mental health resources and fitness programs.
Overall, Macy's is a good high-paying retail job option for those who are looking for a supportive work environment and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The company's commitment to employee development, focus on diversity and inclusion, and range of benefits make it an attractive option for job seekers. Additionally, Macy's reputation as a leading retailer and its focus on fashion and style may appeal to those who are interested in working in a dynamic and creative industry.
18. CVS Employee
Average Salary: $15/hour
CVS offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, and paid time off. Additionally, CVS offers a variety of employee development programs, including on-the-job training, leadership development programs, and tuition reimbursement.
One of the main perks of being an employee at CVS is the company's focus on creating a positive work environment. CVS places a strong emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being. The company offers a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for women, LGBTQ+ employees, and employees with disabilities. Additionally, CVS provides employees with a variety of wellness programs, including mental health resources and fitness programs.
19. Aritzia
Average Salary: $19.04/hour
Aritzia offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a retirement plan, and paid time off. Additionally, Aritzia offers a variety of employee development programs, including on-the-job training, leadership development programs, and tuition reimbursement.
One of the main perks of being an employee at Aritzia is the company culture. Aritzia places a strong emphasis on community, creativity, and innovation. The company values its employees and encourages them to develop their skills and grow within the company. Additionally, Aritzia has a strong commitment to sustainability, with a focus on ethical sourcing and reducing waste.
Aritzia's reputation as a leading fashion retailer and its focus on quality and design may appeal to those who are interested in working in a dynamic and creative industry.
20. IKEA
Average Salary: Pay starts at $30/hour
Ikea is a good place to work due to its commitment to employee development, strong company culture, and focus on sustainability. The company offers a range of benefits to its employees, including health insurance, dental and vision insurance, a retirement plan, and paid time off. Additionally, Ikea offers a variety of employee development programs, including on-the-job training, leadership development programs, and tuition reimbursement.
One of the main perks of being an employee at Ikea is the company culture. Ikea places a strong emphasis on community, creativity, and innovation. The company values its employees and encourages them to develop their skills and grow within the company. Additionally, Ikea has a strong commitment to sustainability, with a focus on ethical sourcing and reducing waste.
Best Places To Find High Paying Retail Jobs
Here are some of the best websites and job posting sites where you can find high-paying retail jobs. If you need help with your resume prior to applying for jobs, check out our guide to the best resume writing services.
Job Posting Sites
Job posting sites can be a great place to find high-paying retail jobs. One of our favorite job posting sites is ZipRecruiter. You can create a free profile and apply for roles. You can also upload your resume so that recruiters and employers can find you.
For more information, read our ZipRecruiter review.
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Retail Websites
Many retail companies post job openings directly on their websites. Job seekers can visit the websites of their favorite retail companies to search for job openings and apply directly through the site. Additionally, applying directly through a company website can be a good way to demonstrate interest in a particular company and its products.
Work With A Recruiter
Working with a recruiter who specializes in the retail industry can be a good option for job seekers who are looking for more personalized job search assistance. Retail recruiters have a deep understanding of the industry and can help job seekers find job openings that match their skills and experience. Additionally, recruiters can provide job seekers with guidance on how to improve their resumes and interviewing skills.
Local Job Or Career Fairs
Attending local job fairs can be a good way to connect with retail employers in your area and learn about job openings. Job fairs often attract a variety of employers, including those in the retail industry, and provide job seekers with an opportunity to meet with recruiters and hiring managers in person. Additionally, job fairs can be a good way to learn about the skills and experience that retail employers are looking for in job candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What retail shops pay the most?
The retail shops that pay the most are Amazon, Apple and Costco. Notable mentions include Ulta, Dollar Tree, CVS Pharmacy and others.
What is the best retailer to work for?
The best retailer to work for will be the company that has the best job including job duties, salary, and benefits you’re looking for. Apple and Trader Joe’s are high on the list of best retailers to work for.
What job pays the highest hourly?
The highest hourly jobs will go to careers that require educational experience, training and experience. In retail, high hourly positions come from tech-based companies like Amazon and Apple but they share the ranks with other high-paying retailers like Costco Warehouse.
What clothing stores pay the most?
Department stores tend to pay the most. From our list, Saks Fifth Avenue is paying the highest hourly wage on average, at over $15.00 per hour.
The Bottom Line
High-paying retail jobs are abundant and you can find the perfect job for you using the resources and information shared above. You won’t have to be tied to an industry like tech, clothing or grocery. There are tons of high-paying jobs in retail in a variety of industries. The sky’s the limit! Polish your retail resume and start applying today!
To get started, begin your high-paying retail job search at ZipRecruiter today!