Last Updated: April 11, 2026
Costco vs Sam’s Club Application: Which Warehouse Club Pays More?
Quick Answer: Costco pays $19.50â$32/hr â among the highest base wages in US retail â and holds a 4.2/5 Glassdoor rating. Sam’s Club (owned by Walmart) pays $15â$23/hr with faster hiring. Both require a minimum age of 18 and run background checks but no drug test for most roles. Costco is the clear winner on pay and benefits; Sam’s Club has roughly 30 more US locations and easier application access.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Costco and Sam’s Club are the two largest warehouse club retailers in the US. They operate on similar membership models, but differ dramatically as employers â particularly on pay and benefits, where Costco is consistently ranked among the best large employers in any industry.
| Factor | Costco | Sam’s Club |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Pay | $19.50â$32/hr Much Higher | $15â$23/hr |
| Minimum Hiring Age | 18 years | 18 years |
| Pay Frequency | Biweekly | Biweekly |
| Drug Test Required | No (most roles) | No (most roles) |
| Background Check | Yes | Yes |
| Glassdoor Rating | 4.2/5.0 Much Higher | 3.5/5.0 |
| US Locations | ~590 | ~600 More |
| Health Insurance | Yes â part-time eligible Better | Yes â full-time only |
| 401(k) Match | Yes (up to 50% of first 6%) | Yes (Walmart match program) |
| Paid Time Off | Yes, accrued hourly | Yes, accrued |
| Union | UFCW at some locations | No |
| Apply Online At | costco.com/jobs | samsclub.com/careers |
How to Apply at Costco
Costco’s application is competitive â the company receives far more applications than openings because of its pay and benefits reputation. Apply at costco.com/jobs. Costco posts openings by warehouse location. The process includes an online application (about 20 minutes), followed by a phone screen and one or two in-person interviews. Response times range from 1â3 weeks. Walk-in applications to the warehouse are also common and sometimes faster than the online route.
How to Apply at Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club uses Walmart’s careers infrastructure, making it straightforward to apply. Apply at samsclub.com/careers or through careers.walmart.com â both route to the same platform. Sam’s Club holds regular hiring events, and same-day interview offers are common for hourly associate roles. The application takes about 15â20 minutes and includes a brief work-style assessment.
Pay Comparison
Costco’s starting pay of $19.50/hr is significantly higher than Sam’s Club’s $15/hr floor. Costco also scales aggressively â long-term employees in specialty departments can earn $30+/hr without ever moving into management. This is rare in retail and is the primary reason Costco turnover is among the lowest in the industry.
| Role | Costco Pay | Sam’s Club Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Front-End / Cashier / Cart Attendant | $19.50â$22.00/hr | $15.00â$18.00/hr |
| Stocker / Receiver / Forklift | $21.00â$27.00/hr | $17.00â$21.00/hr |
| Tire / Auto / Pharmacy Tech | $24.00â$32.00/hr | $19.00â$25.00/hr |
| Team Lead / Supervisor | $28.00â$36.00/hr | $22.00â$28.00/hr |
| Warehouse Manager | $80,000â$120,000/year | $55,000â$90,000/year |
Benefits: Where Costco Separates Itself
Benefits are the most significant differentiator between Costco and Sam’s Club beyond pay. Costco is consistently cited in benefits surveys as one of the most generous large employers in the country for hourly workers.
- Health insurance: Costco offers medical, dental, and vision to part-time employees working 24+ hours per week. Sam’s Club typically requires full-time hours (30+) to qualify.
- Profit sharing: Costco provides annual profit-sharing bonuses to eligible hourly employees â a benefit rare among US retailers.
- Paid parental leave: Costco provides paid parental leave for both birth and non-birth parents. Sam’s Club parental leave is more limited and varies by tenure.
- Life insurance: Included at no cost for eligible Costco employees. Available at Sam’s Club but at employee expense.
Which Should You Apply To?
Costco wins on nearly every measurable compensation dimension. Sam’s Club is easier to get into and has slightly more locations. Here is how to decide.
Apply to Costco if: Maximizing pay and benefits is your priority. Costco’s $19.50/hr floor and part-time health insurance make it one of the best entry-level retail jobs in the country. Be prepared for more competition per opening.
Apply to Sam’s Club if: You need a job quickly, want same-day interview availability, or there is no Costco near you. Sam’s Club’s pay and benefits are still above the retail average.
Worth noting: Costco openings are rare in some markets because turnover is so low. If no opening is available at your local Costco, apply to Sam’s Club in the meantime and recheck Costco’s site monthly.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions most commonly asked by people comparing Costco and Sam’s Club as employers.
Does Costco or Sam’s Club pay more?
Costco pays significantly more. Costco’s starting pay is $19.50/hr â more than $4 per hour above Sam’s Club’s $15 floor. Experienced Costco employees in specialty departments earn $28â$32/hr without entering management. The annual earnings difference for a full-time employee can exceed $8,000â$12,000 in favor of Costco.
Is it easier to get hired at Costco or Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club is significantly easier to get hired at. Costco’s exceptional pay and benefits mean it receives far more applications per opening than most retailers. Many applicants wait weeks or months for a Costco offer. Sam’s Club runs same-day hiring events and has a faster, less selective process. If you need a job quickly, apply to Sam’s Club first.
Does Costco offer benefits for part-time workers?
Yes â and this is one of Costco’s most significant advantages. Costco provides health, dental, and vision insurance to part-time employees working at least 24 hours per week. This is rare among major retailers. Sam’s Club health benefits are generally only available to full-time employees meeting hour thresholds.
What is the minimum age at Costco and Sam’s Club?
Both Costco and Sam’s Club require a minimum age of 18 for all positions. Unlike most fast food and general retail jobs that hire at 16, warehouse club operations involving forklifts, heavy equipment, and membership card verification set a higher minimum. There are no exceptions to the 18-year minimum at either chain.
Do Costco or Sam’s Club drug test?
Neither Costco nor Sam’s Club typically requires a pre-employment drug test for standard hourly positions. Both companies may drug test after workplace incidents or for roles involving licensed equipment operation (forklift, pharmacy). Policies vary by state and individual warehouse management.
Related Retail Application Guides
Find more retail job comparison guides and individual company application walkthroughs below.
- Costco Application Guide
- Sam’s Club Application Guide
- Target vs Walmart: Which Retail Job Is Better?
- All Retail Application Guides
About This Guide: Compiled by the OJA Editorial Team using data from Glassdoor, Indeed, company careers portals, and BLS wage data. Pay rates reflect national averages and vary by location.