11 Retail Jobs That Pay More Than $20 an Hour (Costco Is Impressive)

Years ago, tapping into a new source of income by switching to a retail job might have been unthinkable. After all, retail isn't usually known as a well-paying career field.

But depending on the position and the company, it's entirely possible to make a good living working retail — and you don't even have to pick up extra shifts (or another job) to meet your spending and saving goals.

Keep reading for our list of 11 top retail jobs that pay at least $20 an hour.

Hourly wage: $20

Many Walgreens customers prefer to receive their prescriptions by mail rather than by physically visiting the pharmacy. Fulfillment associates with the company work at pharmacy fulfillment centers, where they receive, pack, and ship prescription orders all across the country. While wages can start at $15 an hour, $20 is the average pay for the position.

Hourly wage: $20.32

Customers love Buc-ee's for its wide range of novel, Texas-inspired convenience store treats, snacks, and merchandise. But Buc-ee's also stands out for how much it pays employees in a variety of positions. Its average wage for floor workers runs the gamut from $15 to $25 an hour, with stockers earning an average wage of $20.

Hourly wage: $20.35

From greeting customers to processing sales transactions, working as a sales associate at a Macy's department store can earn you up to $20 an hour. Macy's also provides its employees with educational opportunities, including fully funded college degrees and English language learning courses.

Hourly wage: $21

Interested in working for a major retailer without dealing directly with customers? A warehouse position could be a good fit. At Target, warehouse associates earn an average of $21 per hour to load, unload, pack, and ship items that make their way to Target customers across the world.

Hourly wage: $21.19

If you have management experience (or are interested in gaining some), counter managers at Ulta help train employees and keep sales high. Along with typical benefits like health insurance, Ulta employees also get a 25% discount on merchandise and a 50% discount on salon services. This could be the biggest financial perk of all if you're already a fan of Ulta's beauty and makeup supplies.

Hourly wage: $21.90

Sam's Club pays closer to the national average when it comes to working the sales floor, but if you have the leadership experience to manage a team, you could make close to $22 per hour. 

The big box retailer hires team leads across various departments such as produce, merchandising, and auto care center. Since Sam's Club is a division of Walmart, employees can use their employee discounts to save money on groceries in both stores.

Hourly wage: $22.20

At the aptly named Container Store, sales associates help customers find any container they need to organize their living spaces, from shoe organizers to desk drawers. And at $22 an hour, sales associates with the Texas-based company earn well above the average hourly wage of most retailers.

Hourly wage: $23

Working at an Amazon Fulfillment Center can be physically taxing, but if you're up for a fast-paced, automated work environment, the starting hourly wage is well above average. Plus, Amazon is committed to increasing employee hourly wages year over year: in 2024, the average full-time Amazon worker earned $3,000 more per year thanks to the company's wage increases.

Hourly wage: $26.66

Apple Genius Bars, located within Apple Stores, offer in-person technical and customer support service. At over $26, Apple Genius' wages are 25% above average for comparable positions — and according to multiple third-party sites, experienced associates can work their way up to earning as much as $47 an hour.

Hourly wage: $30

Costco made headlines recently by announcing it would soon pay its top-of-the-scale clerks and assistants between $30.20 and $31.90 per hour. Other workers will soon see a $0.50 cent increase in their hourly wages, which pushes Costco's starting pay to at least $20 an hour.

This wage increase puts Costco well ahead of the curve when it comes to paying its workers what they're worth — so if you've been thinking about transitioning to retail, consider putting Costco at the top of your list.

Hourly wage: $30.06

Ikea's large warehouse-style stores are broken down by department, but whether you work in the bedroom department, kitchen department, or bottom-level sales floor, hourly wages average around $30 an hour.

Even part-time positions qualify you for benefits, including vacation days, paid parental leave, and even pet insurance.

Finding a new job with a better starting salary is one of the best ways to eliminate some financial stress and up your savings game. If you thrive in fast-paced environments with plenty of opportunities for advancement and flexibility, applying to a higher-paying job in retail could be a great option for your career — as well as for your bottom line.