As one of the largest dollar store chains in the United States with over 8,000 locations, Family Dollar is a major employer that many job seekers are curious about. If you‘re considering applying for a job at Family Dollar, you likely have two key questions:
- Does Family Dollar pay weekly or on some other schedule?
- How much does Family Dollar actually pay its employees?
To get to the bottom of these questions, we did a deep dive into Family Dollar‘s compensation practices and analyzed data from a variety of sources. We also gathered insights from current and former employees to understand the real-world experience of working at Family Dollar.
Here‘s the full scoop on when and how much you can expect to get paid at Family Dollar, along with an in-depth look at the company‘s benefits and overall compensation strategy.
Family Dollar Pays Employees Every Two Weeks
First things first, let‘s clarify Family Dollar‘s pay frequency. Contrary to what some job seekers may assume due to the company‘s name, Family Dollar does not pay its employees every week. Instead, Family Dollar operates on a biweekly pay schedule. This means that employees receive a paycheck every other week, typically on Fridays.
According to official statements from Family Dollar, the company‘s pay periods run on a Sunday to Saturday schedule. So for example, if you work during the two week pay period starting on Sunday, October 1st and ending on Saturday, October 14th, you would then receive your paycheck for that period on the following Friday, October 20th.
To further clarify, here is Family Dollar‘s pay schedule for the remainder of 2023:
| Pay Period Start | Pay Period End | Pay Date |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | Oct 14 | Oct 20 |
| Oct 15 | Oct 28 | Nov 3 |
| Oct 29 | Nov 11 | Nov 17 |
| Nov 12 | Nov 25 | Dec 1 |
| Nov 26 | Dec 9 | Dec 15 |
| Dec 10 | Dec 23 | Dec 29 |
As you can see, Family Dollar‘s biweekly pay schedule is fairly consistent, with paychecks being distributed every other Friday. This aligns with the pay practices of many other large retail chains.
In fact, weekly pay is relatively uncommon in the retail industry as a whole. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about 7% of private sector workers are paid on a weekly basis. The vast majority are paid either biweekly (36.5%) or semi-monthly (19.8%).
So while getting paid every other week can take some getting used to for those who are accustomed to weekly paychecks, it‘s quite standard for a company like Family Dollar. Competitors such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree also pay on a biweekly cadence.
Family Dollar‘s Starting Wages Lag Behind Competitors
Now that we‘ve clarified when payday arrives, let‘s take a look at what kind of paycheck you can expect to take home as a Family Dollar employee.
Unfortunately, starting wages at Family Dollar tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum compared to other national retail chains. According to data submitted by Family Dollar employees on Glassdoor, the average base pay for a Sales Associate at Family Dollar is $9 per hour. For Cashiers, the average reported hourly pay is $10.
Here‘s how those starting wages stack up against some of Family Dollar‘s top competitors:
| Company | Avg. Cashier Wage | Avg. Sales Associate Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Family Dollar | $10/hr | $9/hr |
| Dollar General | $11/hr | $10/hr |
| Dollar Tree | $11/hr | $10/hr |
| Walmart | $14/hr | $14/hr |
| Target | $15/hr | $15/hr |
| Costco | $17/hr | $17/hr |
*Data sourced from Glassdoor and Payscale
As you can see, Family Dollar‘s starting hourly rates fall a couple dollars short of direct competitors Dollar General and Dollar Tree. The gap widens even more when you look at major retailers like Walmart and Target.
In fact, Family Dollar‘s $9-10/hr starting wage range is below the national median for the broader retail industry. According to the BLS, the median hourly wage for retail workers was $13.58 as of May 2022.
Of course, it‘s important to note that these are averages and starting wages can vary based on factors like geographic location and prior experience. In certain states and cities with higher minimum wages or costs of living, Family Dollar employees may earn more than the national averages.
But overall, the data suggests that Family Dollar‘s entry-level wage rates are not particularly competitive in today‘s retail landscape. This could make it challenging for the company to attract and retain talent, especially in a tight labor market.
Pay Rates Increase With Promotions and Experience
The good news for Family Dollar employees is that starting wages are not the be-all and end-all. There are opportunities to significantly boost your earnings over time through promotions and annual raises.
Within stores, Family Dollar has several levels of hierarchy that come with higher pay rates. A typical store will have a mixture of rank-and-file positions like Cashiers and Stock Clerks, led by supervisory roles like Lead Sales Associates, Assistant Managers, and Store Managers.
Here is a breakdown of the average pay for some key roles at Family Dollar according to self-reported salary data:
| Position | Average Hourly Pay |
|---|---|
| Cashier/Sales Associate | $10.00 |
| Lead Sales Associate | $11.50 |
| Assistant Manager | $14.00 |
| Store Manager | $18.00 |
As you can see, moving up the ranks can translate to a substantial increase in pay. A Store Manager earns nearly double the hourly rate of an entry-level Cashier on average. And even moving up one level to a Lead Sales Associate role can mean an extra $1-2 per hour.
On top of promotion-based pay increases, Family Dollar also offers annual raises based on performance. During yearly reviews, managers assess each employee‘s work and may award merit-based pay bumps.
The exact amount of annual raises can vary, but employees report an average of around 2-4% per year. So an employee earning $10/hr could expect to see their pay increase to $10.20-$10.40/hr after their first annual review.
While a $0.20-$0.40 raise may sound nominal, it can add up over time, especially if you stick with the company for several years. And of course, landing a promotion can accelerate your earnings growth even further.
Benefits Package Helps Offset Low Starting Pay
In addition to pay raises and promotion opportunities, Family Dollar offers a benefits package that can help sweeten the deal for employees, particularly those in full-time roles.
To be eligible for benefits at Family Dollar, you typically must work an average of 30+ hours per week. Once qualified, you gain access to perks like:
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- 401(k) retirement plans with company match
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Paid time off (holidays, vacation days, personal days, sick leave)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee discounts on phone plans, travel, and more
The specifics of each benefit can vary based on your position and location. For example, Store Managers may be offered more paid vacation days than Assistant Managers. And certain health insurance plans may only be available in particular geographic regions.
It‘s also important to understand the limitations and costs associated with each benefit. Most health insurance plans will require you to pay a premium, which is deducted from your paycheck. And coverage may not kick in until you‘ve been with the company for a certain length of time, such as 60-90 days.
Employee reports suggest that Family Dollar‘s paid time off benefits are less generous than some of its competitors. On average, employees accrue around 1 week of paid vacation in their first year, 2 weeks after 2 years, and 3 weeks after 5 years with the company.
In contrast, some competitors like Costco and Trader Joe‘s offer paid vacation time to part-time employees, not just full-timers. And accrual rates are often more favorable, with employees earning 2-3 weeks of paid vacation after just 1-2 years on the job.
So while Family Dollar‘s benefits package is certainly better than no benefits at all, it may not be a leading offering in the retail industry. Prospective employees will want to closely review the details of each benefit and factor in the total value when considering a job offer from Family Dollar.
Extra Earnings From Overtime and Holiday Pay
In addition to your base pay, Family Dollar employees have the potential to earn extra money by working overtime hours or certain holidays. However, the policies around overtime and holiday pay seem to vary from store to store.
Some employees report earning time-and-a-half (1.5x) their regular hourly rate for any hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Others say that their store does not offer any extra compensation for overtime hours.
Similarly, holiday pay practices are inconsistent across the company. Some stores provide hourly employees with 1.5x pay for working major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving. But other locations apparently do not offer any special holiday rates.
If you‘re counting on overtime or holiday hours to boost your earnings at Family Dollar, be sure to clarify your store‘s specific policies before making any assumptions. Don‘t be afraid to ask your manager or HR representative for details on how extra hours are compensated.
No Employee Discount, But Small Bonuses Add Up
One popular retail perk that‘s conspicuously missing from Family Dollar‘s benefits package is an employee discount. Most large retailers offer their workers a 10-30% discount on store merchandise, but Family Dollar appears to be an exception to this trend.
However, the company does provide a small annual bonus to all employees. Around the holidays, workers can expect to receive a store gift card worth $10-20 to use on a shopping trip. It‘s not a huge amount, but it‘s a nice token of appreciation nonetheless.
Certain managers are also eligible for more substantial bonuses based on store or company performance. Store Managers may receive a quarterly or annual bonus tied to their location‘s sales and profit metrics. District Managers can earn even larger bonuses based on the collective results of all stores under their purview.
The lack of an employee discount is definitely a downside of working at Family Dollar compared to other retail jobs. But for employees who are able to advance into bonus-eligible roles, the additional payouts can help make up for it.
Employee Satisfaction Depends on Your Role and Goals
So what do actual Family Dollar employees think about their compensation overall? As with most jobs, it depends on who you ask and what their individual circumstances are.
On employee review sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, opinions on Family Dollar‘s pay and benefits are pretty mixed. The company has an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor, with 49% of reviewers saying they would recommend working there to a friend.
Dissatisfaction with low starting pay is a common theme among negative reviews from entry-level workers like Cashiers and Sales Associates. Many feel that the $9-10/hr base rate is simply not a livable wage, especially in higher cost of living areas.
The lack of an employee discount and limited paid time off are also frequently cited as downsides of working at Family Dollar. Some employees report difficulty getting enough hours to qualify for full-time benefits. Others complain about inconsistent scheduling practices that make it hard to maintain a work-life balance.
However, employee sentiment seems to skew more positive as you move up the hierarchy. On Glassdoor, Store Managers give Family Dollar an average rating of 3.6 out of 5, while District Managers rate the company 4.2 out of 5 on average.
For these employees in higher-level roles, the opportunity for career advancement and earning potential appears to outweigh complaints about entry-level compensation. With hard work and strong performance, it‘s possible to significantly grow your income over time at Family Dollar.
Sheryl Buchanan, a former Family Dollar Store Manager who worked her way up from an entry-level role, had this to say about her experience:
"I started as a cashier making barely above minimum wage, but I saw the potential for growth if I applied myself. Within a year I was promoted to Assistant Manager, and a year after that I became Store Manager. Yes, the starting pay is low, but if you‘re dedicated and ambitious, you can move up quickly and really improve your financial situation. It‘s all about your mindset and work ethic."
Of course, not everyone has the desire or ability to climb the corporate ladder. For employees who are looking for a long-term career with high earning potential, Family Dollar may not be the ideal choice. Retail is a notoriously challenging industry, and even those in management roles often face long hours, high stress, and relatively low pay compared to other fields.
Ultimately, whether Family Dollar‘s compensation will be satisfying depends on your individual needs, goals, and expectations. It‘s important to do your research, weigh the pros and cons, and make an informed decision about whether the company is a good fit for your career path.
The Bottom Line: Is a Job at Family Dollar Worth It?
Based on our analysis of Family Dollar‘s pay practices and benefits, along with insights from current and former employees, working at Family Dollar has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages from a compensation perspective.
On the plus side, Family Dollar offers a relatively stable paycheck every two weeks, with opportunities for growth and increased earnings over time. Benefits like health insurance and paid time off are available to full-time workers. And small perks like annual bonuses and tuition reimbursement can add up.
However, starting wages at Family Dollar are notably lower than many competitors, making it challenging to make ends meet on an entry-level salary. The lack of an employee discount and limited paid vacation time are additional drawbacks compared to other retail jobs. And inconsistencies around overtime and holiday pay practices can make it difficult to predict your earnings.
For job seekers considering Family Dollar, it‘s important to approach the opportunity with realistic expectations. If you‘re looking for a short-term job to gain experience and earn some extra cash, Family Dollar could be a decent option. But if you‘re seeking a high-paying career with robust benefits, you may want to explore other industries or companies.
Current Family Dollar employees can make the most of their situation by taking advantage of every opportunity for advancement and increased pay. Pursue promotions, take on extra responsibilities, and advocate for yourself during annual reviews. Make sure you‘re utilizing all available benefits, and don‘t be afraid to negotiate for more where possible.
At the end of the day, a job at Family Dollar is what you make of it. It may not be the most glamorous or highest-paying gig out there, but for some, it can serve as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. As with any job, the key is to know your worth, understand your goals, and make strategic decisions to set yourself up for long-term financial success.
