Complete guide to 30 best retail stores hiring. CVS careers, walgreens, ulta, sephora, tj maxx, lululemon, ikea, dollar tree. Pay, benefits, how to apply. Free.
Last updated: April 2026. This guide covers the best retail stores hiring in 2026, from pharmacy chains to fashion retailers to dollar stores. It won’t cover Walmart, Costco, Amazon, or restaurant chains, those have their own dedicated guides on this site.
cvs careers are searched by 165,000 people every month. walgreens careers gets 135,000. dollar tree careers gets 135,000. dollar general careers gets 135,000. ulta careers gets 74,000. tj maxx careers gets 74,000. sephora careers gets 49,500.
Millions of people search for retail careers every month, and for good reason. Retail is the largest private employment sector in the United States with over 15 million workers. And retail in 2026 is not what it was a decade ago. Starting wages have increased 30–50% at most major chains. Benefits that were once reserved for corporate employees are now available to part-time store workers. And the career paths from entry-level to six-figure management are real.
This guide covers 30 of the best retail stores hiring right now, organized by category, with exact pay, benefits, and how to apply for each.
pharmacy & health retail
cvs careers
Monthly searches: 165,000 | Competition: 4/100
cvs careers at the largest pharmacy chain in the United States with 9,000+ locations. CVS Health is more than a drugstore, it owns Aetna (insurance), Caremark (pharmacy benefits), MinuteClinic (walk-in clinics), and Signify Health (home health).
cvs careers positions and pay:
Store Associate/Cashier: $14–$18/hour Entry-level. No experience required. Stock shelves, operate registers, assist customers.
Pharmacy Technician: $16–$23/hour Assist pharmacists with prescription dispensing. Certification required in most states, CVS offers training programs to help you get certified. cvs jobs in pharmacy are the most common specialized positions.
Pharmacist: $55–$68/hour ($114,000–$141,000/year) Licensed pharmacists. CVS is the largest pharmacy employer in the US.
Shift Supervisor: $16–$22/hour First management step. Oversee store operations during shifts.
Store Manager: $50,000–$80,000/year Full responsibility for a CVS location. P&L, staffing, and operations.
cvs remote jobs: Searched by 33,100 people monthly (KD 7). CVS Health offers remote positions in customer service, insurance claims (Aetna), data analytics, IT, and corporate functions. These are legitimate work-from-home jobs with full benefits. Apply at jobs.cvshealth.com and filter for “Remote.”
CVS benefits: Health insurance (part-time eligible), 401(k) with match, employee discount (20–30%), tuition reimbursement, and stock purchase plan.
How to apply: Visit jobs.cvshealth.com.
walgreens careers
Monthly searches: 135,000 | Competition: 3/100
walgreens careers at the second-largest pharmacy chain with 8,600+ locations across the US.
walgreens careers positions and pay:
Customer Service Associate: $13–$17/hour Beauty Consultant: $14–$19/hour (specialize in cosmetics and skincare) Pharmacy Technician: $15–$22/hour Pharmacist: $53–$65/hour ($110,000–$135,000/year) Shift Lead: $15–$20/hour Store Manager: $48,000–$78,000/year
Walgreens benefits: Health insurance, 401(k), employee discount (15–25%), tuition reimbursement, and prescription drug discount.
walgreens jobs (40,500/month, KD 3) are available at virtually every walgreens location, making these among the most accessible retail jobs in any community.
How to apply: Visit jobs.walgreens.com.
beauty & cosmetics retail
ulta careers
Monthly searches: 74,000 | Competition: 2/100
ulta careers at the largest beauty retailer in the US with 1,400+ stores. Ulta is unique because it combines mass-market and prestige beauty brands under one roof, plus full-service salons.
ulta careers positions and pay:
Beauty Advisor: $13–$18/hour Help customers find products, demonstrate techniques, recommend routines. If you love beauty, this is the job. Product knowledge training provided.
Prestige Beauty Advisor: $15–$20/hour Specialize in luxury brands (MAC, Clinique, Lancôme, NARS). Higher pay and brand-specific training.
Salon Stylist: Commission-based or hourly. Experienced stylists earn $35,000–$65,000/year depending on clientele and location. Requires cosmetology license.
Task Associate (Stock): $13–$17/hour Receive shipments, stock products, maintain planograms. Early morning shifts common.
Manager: $45,000–$75,000/year General managers run entire store operations. District managers earn $80,000–$120,000.
Ulta benefits: Employee discount (25%), gratis (free product samples), health insurance, 401(k), and tuition assistance.
How to apply: Visit careers.ulta.com.
sephora careers
Monthly searches: 49,500 | Competition: 2/100
sephora careers at the world’s leading prestige beauty retailer. Sephora operates 600+ standalone stores in the US plus 900+ locations inside JCPenney and Kohl’s.
sephora careers positions and pay:
Beauty Advisor: $15–$20/hour Product expertise, customer consultations, and makeovers. Sephora invests heavily in product training, advisors become genuine beauty experts.
Operations Associate: $14–$18/hour Stock, visual merchandising, and inventory management.
Assistant Manager: $45,000–$65,000/year Store Director: $65,000–$100,000/year
Sephora benefits: Generous product gratis (free products regularly), 25–40% employee discount, health insurance, 401(k) (Sephora is owned by LVMH, the world’s largest luxury conglomerate).
How to apply: Visit careers.sephora.com.
fashion & apparel retail
tj maxx careers (TJX Companies)
Monthly searches: 74,000 | Competition: 4/100
tj maxx careers span the entire TJX family: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense, the world’s largest off-price retailer with 4,800+ stores.
tj maxx careers positions and pay:
Retail Associate: $13–$17/hour Process merchandise, maintain sales floor, assist customers. TJ Maxx operates differently from traditional retail, new merchandise arrives several times per week, so the job involves constant change.
Merchandise Associate (Backroom): $13–$18/hour Process incoming shipments and organize backroom inventory.
Coordinator (Department Lead): $15–$20/hour First supervisory level. Manage a section of the store.
Assistant Store Manager: $42,000–$60,000/year Store Manager: $55,000–$90,000/year District Manager: $85,000–$130,000/year
marshalls careers (40,500/month, KD 7) are the same company, TJX. Apply to either TJ Maxx or Marshalls through the same portal.
TJX benefits: Health insurance (part-time eligible at 20+ hours), 401(k), employee discount (10%), paid time off, and Associate Assistance Fund (emergency financial aid).
How to apply: Visit tjx.com/careers.
lululemon careers
Monthly searches: 40,500 | Competition: 1/100
lululemon careers at the premium athletic apparel brand with 700+ stores globally. lululemon is known for being one of the best retail employers in fashion, high pay, strong culture, and genuine employee development.
lululemon careers positions and pay:
Educator (Sales Associate): $18–$25/hour The core store role. Not just selling, Educators are expected to build genuine relationships with guests and embody the brand’s wellness culture. lululemon pays significantly above typical retail.
Key Leader (Shift Lead): $20–$28/hour
Assistant Store Manager: $60,000–$80,000/year
Store Manager: $80,000–$110,000/year
lululemon benefits: Generous product discount, monthly wellness allowance, health insurance, 401(k), stock purchase plan, and a culture that genuinely invests in personal development (including goal-setting workshops and mindfulness programs).
Here’s the thing about lululemon: it’s one of the few retail employers where the starting hourly rate ($18–$25) approaches what many office jobs pay. For retail, that’s exceptional.
How to apply: Visit careers.lululemon.com.
nordstrom careers
Monthly searches: 27,100 | Competition: 2/100
nordstrom careers at the premium department store chain with 350+ locations (Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack).
Sales Associate: $15–$22/hour + commission potential (varies by department) Alterations Specialist: $18–$25/hour Beauty Stylist: $16–$22/hour + commission Stock Associate: $14–$18/hour Department Manager: $50,000–$75,000/year Store Manager: $75,000–$120,000/year
Nordstrom is famous for commission-based pay in some departments, top salespeople earn $50,000–$80,000/year through commission.
Nordstrom benefits: Employee discount (20–33% depending on tenure), health insurance, 401(k), and a famously employee-friendly culture.
How to apply: Visit careers.nordstrom.com.
burlington careers
Monthly searches: 74,000 | Competition: 6/100
burlington careers at the off-price retailer with 1,000+ stores.
Retail Associate: $13–$17/hour Cashier: $13–$17/hour Receiving Associate: $14–$18/hour Store Manager: $50,000–$80,000/year
How to apply: Visit burlingtonstores.com/careers.
dollar stores & value retail
dollar tree careers
Monthly searches: 135,000 | Competition: 7/100
dollar tree careers at the operator of Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores, combined 16,000+ locations making it the largest dollar store chain in the US.
dollar tree careers positions and pay:
Sales Associate: $12–$16/hour Stock merchandise, operate register, maintain store. Dollar Tree stores operate with very small teams (often 2–4 people per shift).
Merchandise Assistant: $13–$17/hour Assistant Manager: $14–$19/hour Store Manager: $38,000–$55,000/year
Dollar Tree stores are small-format and manager-heavy, which means promotion to management happens faster than at larger retailers. A motivated associate can become a store manager within 1–2 years. That’s a timeline most big-box retailers can’t match.
dollar tree jobs (22,200/month, KD 8) are available at virtually every location, Dollar Tree is one of the fastest-growing retailers in America.
How to apply: Visit dollartree.com/careers.
dollar general careers
Monthly searches: 135,000 | Competition: 6/100
dollar general careers at the 20,000+ location value retailer, more locations than any other retailer in the US (including Walmart).
Sales Associate: $12–$16/hour Lead Sales Associate: $13–$18/hour Store Manager: $40,000–$60,000/year District Manager: $65,000–$100,000/year
Dollar General’s biggest advantage: sheer number of locations. dollar general jobs are available in rural areas, small towns, and urban neighborhoods where other retailers don’t operate. If you live in a small town, Dollar General may be one of the few local hiring options.
How to apply: Visit dollargeneral.com/careers.
five below careers
Monthly searches: 74,000 | Competition: 5/100
five below careers at the fast-growing value retailer targeting teens and tweens. Everything priced $1–$5 (plus a “Five Beyond” section up to $25). 1,500+ stores and expanding rapidly.
Crew Member: $12–$16/hour Lead: $14–$18/hour Store Manager: $42,000–$65,000/year
Five Below’s culture is energetic and youth-oriented, the stores play music, the branding is colorful, and the atmosphere is deliberately fun. Good fit for younger workers.
How to apply: Visit fivebelow.com/careers.
food service retail
panda express careers
Monthly searches: 60,500 | Competition: 2/100
panda express careers at the largest Asian restaurant chain in the US with 2,400+ locations. Panda Express is known for paying above-average for fast food and offering genuine management career paths.
Service Team Member: $14–$18/hour Cook: $15–$20/hour Shift Lead: $16–$22/hour Assistant Manager: $45,000–$60,000/year General Manager: $58,000–$85,000/year Area Coach: $80,000–$120,000/year
Panda Express benefits: Profit sharing, free meal per shift, health insurance, 401(k), and the Panda University education benefit.
What most people don’t know: Panda Express is privately owned and extremely profitable. Management positions pay well above industry average.
How to apply: Visit pandacareers.com.
chipotle careers
Monthly searches: 74,000 | Competition: 9/100
chipotle careers at the fast-casual chain with 3,500+ locations.
Crew Member: $15–$19/hour Kitchen Manager: $18–$24/hour Service Manager: $18–$24/hour Apprentice: $50,000–$65,000/year (manager-in-training) General Manager (Restaurateur): $80,000–$110,000/year Field Leader: $100,000–$150,000/year
Chipotle stands out for promotion speed, the company promotes heavily from within and many GMs are under 25 years old. Chipotle also offers tuition reimbursement and a debt-free education program.
How to apply: Visit jobs.chipotle.com.
specialty retail
hobby lobby careers
Monthly searches: 49,500 | Competition: 5/100
hobby lobby careers at the arts and crafts retailer with 1,000+ stores.
Sales Associate: $17–$22/hour (Hobby Lobby’s starting wage is one of the highest in retail) Department Head: $18–$25/hour Co-Manager: $55,000–$75,000/year Store Manager: $70,000–$100,000/year
hobby lobby jobs (27,100/month, KD 5) are notable for one thing: Hobby Lobby is closed on Sundays. Every employee gets Sundays off, and that’s extremely rare in retail.
How to apply: Visit hobbylobby.com/careers.
gamestop careers
Monthly searches: 18,100 | Competition: 2/100
gamestop careers at the video game retailer with 3,000+ stores.
Game Advisor: $12–$16/hour Senior Game Advisor: $13–$17/hour Store Leader (Manager): $35,000–$55,000/year
gamestop jobs (8,100/month, KD 2) appeal to gamers, employee perks include game discounts and early access to new releases.
How to apply: Visit careers.gamestop.com.
ikea careers
Monthly searches: 14,800 | Competition: 2/100
ikea careers at the world’s largest furniture retailer. IKEA operates 50+ US locations.
Sales Co-worker: $16–$22/hour Warehouse/Logistics: $17–$24/hour Food Service: $15–$20/hour (IKEA restaurants) Department Manager: $55,000–$80,000/year Store Manager: $90,000–$140,000/year
ikea jobs (9,900/month, KD 2) benefits include above-average pay, subsidized meals (IKEA’s famous $1 hot dog extends to employees), comprehensive health insurance, 401(k) with match, and a generous parental leave policy.
How to apply: Visit ikea.com/careers.
pet retail
petco careers
Sales Associate: $13–$18/hour Dog Trainer: $14–$20/hour + commission Groomer: $15–$25/hour (commission-based, experienced groomers earn $35,000–$55,000/year) Veterinary Technician (Vetco): $18–$25/hour Store Manager: $45,000–$70,000/year
How to apply: Visit careers.petco.com.
petsmart careers
Pet Care Associate: $13–$18/hour Dog Groomer: $15–$28/hour (commission-based, top groomers earn $50,000+/year) Dog Trainer: $14–$20/hour Store Manager: $50,000–$75,000/year
PetSmart’s grooming positions are the hidden gem here, experienced groomers build loyal client bases and earn well above typical retail pay.
How to apply: Visit careers.petsmart.com.
retail salary comparison table
| Retailer | Starting Pay | Store Manager | Best Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| lululemon | $18–$25/hr | $80K–$110K | Wellness culture + premium pay |
| Hobby Lobby | $17–$22/hr | $70K–$100K | Closed Sundays |
| Sephora | $15–$20/hr | $65K–$100K | Free products (gratis) |
| Ulta | $13–$18/hr | $45K–$75K | 25% discount + gratis |
| IKEA | $16–$22/hr | $90K–$140K | Subsidized meals |
| Nordstrom | $15–$22/hr | $75K–$120K | 20–33% discount |
| Panda Express | $14–$18/hr | $58K–$85K | Profit sharing |
| Chipotle | $15–$19/hr | $80K–$110K | Fast promotion |
| CVS | $14–$18/hr | $50K–$80K | Pharmacy career path |
| Walgreens | $13–$17/hr | $48K–$78K | Location accessibility |
| TJ Maxx | $13–$17/hr | $55K–$90K | 4,800+ locations |
| Dollar General | $12–$16/hr | $40K–$60K | 20,000+ locations |
For comprehensive salary data, use salary.trendnovaworld.org.
where to find all retail jobs
Dev Global Jobs aggregates 881,000+ verified job listings across 190+ countries, including every retail chain listed in this guide. Updated every 30 minutes. 100% free. No login required.
Part of the Trend Nova World ecosystem:
salary.trendnovaworld.org — compare retail salaries across chains
zipscore.trendnovaworld.org — cost of living in your area
CareerNest.cloud — career development resources
WorldCareersHub.com — global career insights
Also see our dedicated guides: walmart careers guide, costco careers guide, part time jobs for teens.
voice search Q&A
Which retail store pays the most? Lululemon starts at $18 to $25 per hour, the highest starting pay in fashion retail. Hobby Lobby starts at $17 to $22 per hour. Costco starts at $19.50 per hour. For store managers IKEA pays $90,000 to $140,000 per year.
What retail stores are hiring near me? CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, TJ Maxx, and Walmart are the most widely available with a combined 50,000+ US locations. Search on devglobaljobs.com for all retail openings in one place.
Do retail jobs offer health insurance? Yes. Most major retailers now offer health insurance to full-time employees after 60 to 90 days. CVS, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, Sephora, and Ulta also offer benefits to part-time employees working 20+ hours per week.
What retail stores hire at 16? Most retail stores hire at 16 including TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Dollar Tree, Five Below, GameStop, PetSmart, and Hobby Lobby. CVS and Walgreens typically hire at 16 for cashier positions. Sephora and Nordstrom typically require 18.
What is the best retail company to work for? Lululemon for pay and culture. Costco for long-term career and benefits. Sephora for beauty enthusiasts. Hobby Lobby for work-life balance with Sundays off. IKEA for overall benefits package.
frequently asked questions
what are cvs careers like?
cvs careers span 9,000+ locations from store associates at $14–$18/hour to pharmacists at $114,000–$141,000/year. CVS also offers cvs remote jobs in insurance, data analytics, and corporate functions. Benefits include health insurance for part-time, 401(k), and tuition reimbursement. Apply at jobs.cvshealth.com.
how much do walgreens careers pay?
walgreens careers start at $13–$17/hour for associates. Pharmacy technicians earn $15–$22/hour. Pharmacists earn $110,000–$135,000/year. Store managers earn $48,000–$78,000/year. Apply at jobs.walgreens.com.
are ulta careers good?
Yes. ulta careers offer 25% employee discount plus free product gratis, health insurance, 401(k), and tuition assistance. Beauty advisors start at $13–$18/hour. Salon stylists can earn $35,000–$65,000/year. Apply at careers.ulta.com.
what do tj maxx careers pay?
tj maxx careers start at $13–$17/hour for retail associates. Store managers earn $55,000–$90,000/year. District managers earn $85,000–$130,000/year. TJX operates TJ Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra, all through the same career portal at tjx.com/careers.
does dollar general hire a lot?
Yes. dollar general has 20,000+ locations, more than any other retailer in the US. dollar general careers are available in small towns and rural areas where other employers don’t operate. Starting pay: $12–$16/hour. Store managers: $40,000–$60,000/year.
what are sephora careers benefits?
sephora careers include generous product gratis (free products regularly), 25–40% employee discount, health insurance, and 401(k). Sephora is owned by LVMH, the world’s largest luxury company. Beauty advisors start at $15–$20/hour.
how much does lululemon pay?
lululemon careers start at $18–$25/hour for Educators, one of the highest starting rates in retail. Store managers earn $80,000–$110,000/year. Benefits include monthly wellness allowance, product discount, health insurance, and stock purchase plan.
where can I find all retail jobs?
Dev Global Jobs has 881,000+ verified listings across 190+ countries including every major retail chain. Free, no login required, updated every 30 minutes.
related guides on this site
- 60 top companies hiring in 2026
- walmart careers guide
- costco careers guide
- amazon jobs complete guide
- part time jobs for teens & students
- warehouse, ups & blue collar jobs guide
- healthcare & nursing jobs guide
- high paying jobs & freelance careers guide
Trend Nova World ecosystem: devglobaljobs.com · salary.trendnovaworld.org · zipscore.trendnovaworld.org · careernest.cloud · worldcareershub.com
