At Costco, Treating Workers Well
Costco Wholesale Corp.’s reputation for top pay is borne out by the numbers. Average hourly pay at Costco is 45 percent higher than the U.S. retail industry average of $10.99, and the company also offers other generous benefits. | ||||||
| Company | U.S. and total employees | Average workers per U.S. location; percent FT | Hourly wages for U.S. workers | Average hourly wage | Health care insurance | Retirement |
| Costco | 83,700 U.S. 110,000 total | 200-250; at least 50 percent FT | $10-$18.03 | $16.72 | Insures 58.8 percent of U.S. workers | 401(k) with up to 9 percent match of eligible annual pay after one year and 1,000 hours; company also matches 50 cents per dollar for first $,000 employee invests annually |
| Wal-Mart | 1.2 million U.S. 1.6 million total | 350-450; about 74 percent FT (Sam's Club figures not included) | Not disclosed | $9.68; higher in some urban areas | Insures 41.6 percent of U.S. hourly workers (Sam's Club figures not given) | 401(k) with 4 percent match of eligible annual pay after one year, 1,000 hours |
| Source: Costco, Wal-Mart, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | ||||||
