As a leading retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, AutoZone is one of the largest employers in the industry with over 70,000 employees across more than 6,000 stores in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. If you‘re considering a job at AutoZone or just curious about their compensation practices, you probably have one key question: How much does AutoZone actually pay?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into AutoZone‘s salaries, hourly wages, benefits, and more. As a consumer and retail industry expert with over a decade of experience analyzing compensation practices, I‘ll provide detailed data and insights to help you understand what AutoZoners really make and how it compares to other employers.
AutoZone Salaries: What the Data Shows
Let‘s start by looking at some hard data. According to figures from Payscale, the average hourly pay at AutoZone is $12.73 as of 2021. This varies by position, with entry-level roles like cashiers and retail sales associates typically falling in the $9 to $14 range, while more specialized positions command higher wages.
Here is a breakdown of the average salaries for some of AutoZone‘s most common jobs based on data from Glassdoor:
| Position | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Cashier/Sales Associate | $25,864 |
| Retail Parts Sales Manager | $39,520 |
| Commercial Sales Manager | $47,965 |
| Assistant Store Manager | $42,316 |
| Store Manager | $59,701 |
| District Manager | $72,751 |
| Regional Manager | $101,495 |
As you can see, store managers and those in senior leadership roles earn significantly more than entry-level employees. Keep in mind that these are averages and your individual pay will also depend on factors like your geographic location, experience level, and length of time with the company.
It‘s also worth noting that while some of these salaries may seem low at first glance, they are quite competitive when compared to similar positions at other major retailers. For example, cashiers and retail sales associates at AutoZone actually earn slightly more on average than their counterparts at Walmart ($11.70), Target ($12.74), and Advance Auto Parts ($12.12) according to Payscale data.
Factors That Impact Pay at AutoZone
Of course, salaries don‘t exist in a vacuum. There are a variety of internal and external factors that can influence how much AutoZone and other retailers are able to pay their employees:
Minimum Wage Laws – AutoZone must comply with federal, state, and local minimum wage regulations. For example, the minimum wage in California is currently $13 per hour for large employers, while in Texas it‘s just $7.25. This means that entry-level AutoZone employees in some states will earn more than those in other locations by default.
Union Presence – Some AutoZone locations have employees that are members of labor unions, which engage in collective bargaining to negotiate pay and benefits. According to SEC filings, less than 1% of AutoZone‘s U.S. employees are currently covered by collective bargaining agreements. Unionized stores may have higher wage scales than non-union locations.
Labor Market Conditions – The availability and cost of labor in a given area can impact the wages that AutoZone needs to offer to attract and retain talent. In a tight labor market with low unemployment, employers often need to raise pay to compete for workers. Conversely, in areas with a surplus of available workers, wages may stagnate.
Financial Performance – As a publicly-traded company, AutoZone‘s ability to increase employee pay is influenced by its overall financial results. In fiscal 2020, AutoZone reported net sales of $11.9 billion and net income of $1.7 billion. Steady sales and profit growth over time should theoretically enable the company to invest more in employee compensation.
These are just a few of the key factors that can impact pay scales at AutoZone and across the broader retail industry. As you evaluate AutoZone‘s salaries, it‘s important to keep this broader context in mind.
How AutoZone‘s Pay Compares to Competitors
So how does AutoZone‘s pay stack up against other major employers in the automotive retail space? Here‘s a quick comparison of average hourly wages for common positions at AutoZone and its three largest competitors in the U.S.:
| Company | Cashier | Sales Associate | Asst Manager | Store Manager |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutoZone | $10.93 | $11.17 | $16.24 | $20.43 |
| Advance Auto Parts | $9.55 | $10.75 | $15.42 | $18.39 |
| O‘Reilly Auto Parts | $10.80 | $11.49 | $15.95 | $19.57 |
| NAPA Auto Parts | $11.67 | $12.10 | $17.04 | $21.25 |
*Data from Payscale and Glassdoor
As you can see, AutoZone‘s wages are quite comparable to the other major auto parts chains, with most positions falling within a dollar or two of each other on an hourly basis. NAPA Auto Parts seems to have a slight edge in terms of pay for store managers and assistant managers, but the differences are minor.
Where AutoZone may have more trouble competing on wages is with smaller independent retailers and specialized auto service shops. These businesses often have more flexibility to pay premium wages for experienced technicians, parts specialists, and management staff.
For example, while an AutoZone store manager averages around $60,000 per year, some independent shops may pay $70,000-$80,000 or more for a highly qualified manager with extensive industry experience. Similarly, skilled technicians can often earn $20-$30 per hour or more at a service center, compared to $12-$15 for a typical AutoZone parts sales role.
However, AutoZone and other large chains usually offer more comprehensive benefits packages, structured advancement opportunities, and greater long-term stability compared to smaller operators. Employees need to weigh all of these factors beyond just the base pay rate.
AutoZone Pay Satisfaction and Employee Perspectives
To get a fuller picture of how AutoZone‘s pay impacts workers, it‘s helpful to look beyond just the raw numbers. Online employee reviews and satisfaction scores can provide valuable context around how AutoZoners perceive their compensation:
On Glassdoor, AutoZone has an average rating of 3.2 out of 5 based on over 5,000 employee reviews. Pay and benefits are frequently cited as a pro of working at the company, with many employees expressing satisfaction with the competitive wages for retail positions.
For example, one current AutoZone sales associate in Tennessee writes, "Great place to work, good pay and benefits for a retail job. Opportunities to move up in the company if you apply yourself." An assistant manager in Florida echoes that sentiment, saying "I make a decent living and have job security."
However, some employees do express frustration with pay levels, particularly in high cost-of-living markets or for more tenured staff. A commercial sales manager in California complains that "pay is not adequate for the cost of living in my area and not comparable to competitors."
Other AutoZoners feel that wages have not kept pace with their increased responsibilities and workload over time. A store manager in Ohio notes that "the pay isn‘t that great considering how much work you have to do and how many hours you work."
Overall, the majority of AutoZone employees seem reasonably satisfied with their compensation given the realities of the retail industry. However, there is certainly room for improvement, particularly in terms of raising wages for long-term staff and those in leadership roles.
The Bottom Line on AutoZone‘s Pay Practices
Based on our analysis, AutoZone offers competitive pay and benefits that are in line with other major automotive retailers like Advance Auto Parts, O‘Reilly Auto Parts, and NAPA Auto Parts. For entry-level positions, AutoZoners typically earn around $10-12 per hour, with opportunities to move up into higher-paying sales, management, and specialized roles over time.
However, AutoZone may lag behind independent retailers and service shops when it comes to compensation for highly skilled or experienced employees. The company also has faced some criticism from workers who feel that pay has not kept up with cost-of-living increases and growing job responsibilities, particularly at the store management level.
As a prospective AutoZone employee, you can expect to earn a wage that is commensurate with your position, experience, and location. While AutoZone jobs may not be the highest-paying in the industry, the company does offer stability, room for advancement, and a solid benefits package that includes retirement plans, health insurance, and employee discounts.
Ultimately, AutoZone‘s pay practices reflect the broader dynamics of the U.S. retail sector. The company must balance the need to attract and retain talent with the realities of thin margins, intense competition, and cost pressures. By offering competitive wages and investing in employee development, AutoZone has managed to build a sizable and relatively stable workforce over time.
Of course, compensation is just one factor to consider when evaluating a potential employer. Company culture, scheduling flexibility, training opportunities, and long-term career prospects are also important concerns. But if you‘re looking for a retail job with decent pay and benefits, AutoZone is certainly worth considering.
