Do you ever wonder what it's like to work at a big sporting goods retailer like Academy Sports + Outdoors, especially when it comes to how much you could earn? Whether you're looking for your first job, a part-time gig, or a career change, understanding the pay scales and opportunities is key. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how much Academy Sports + Outdoors pays in North Carolina, from average salaries to benefits and career growth. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Discovering the Overall Picture – What's the Average Pay?
Let's start with the big picture. When we talk about how much Academy Sports + Outdoors pays in North Carolina, it's important to understand that salaries can vary significantly based on factors like your specific role, experience, location within NC, and even the current demand for employees.
Are you considering applying to Academy Sports + Outdoors? What kind of role are you interested in? Knowing that can help you target your research!
As of July 2025, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in North Carolina is approximately $59,038 per year, which translates to about $28.38 per hour. This is a general average, so let's break it down further.
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| How Much Does Academy Sports Pay In Nc |
Understanding the Salary Range
While $59,038 is the average, salaries can actually range quite a bit. You might see annual salaries as high as $117,695 and as low as $30,767. The majority of salaries typically fall between $45,900 (25th percentile) and $60,100 (75th percentile). Top earners, those in the 90th percentile, can reach around $105,973 annually. This wide range suggests that there are many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Step 2: Breaking Down Pay by Position – Your Role Matters!
Different roles at Academy Sports + Outdoors come with different pay scales. Let's look at some common positions and their estimated compensation in North Carolina.
Store Level Positions
Store Team Member (Sales Associate/Cashier): This is often an entry-level position. In North Carolina, the estimated hourly pay for a Store Team Member can range from $10.50 to $17.25 per hour, depending on the specific store location within North Carolina. For instance, some listings show $12.75 to $16.75 per hour in Concord, while others indicate $13.25 to $17.25 per hour in Greenville.
Store Team Lead: If you're looking for a step up from a team member, a Team Lead role involves more responsibility, often including driving projects and initiatives while leading other team members. Hourly pay for a Store Team Lead in North Carolina is estimated to be around $13.00 to $17.00 per hour and potentially more, reflecting the added duties.
Retail Store Manager/Sales Manager: These are more senior roles with significant responsibilities for store operations, sales targets, and team management.
A Retail Store Manager at Academy Sports + Outdoors can earn an estimated average of around $55,333 per year, with a range typically from $36,000 to $86,000.
A Sales Manager at Academy Sports + Outdoors has an estimated average annual salary of about $154,567, which includes an estimated base salary of $106,011 with a bonus of $48,556. This range can be quite broad, from $44,847 to $283,000, indicating that top-performing sales managers can earn substantially more.
Other Key Roles
Academy Warehouse/Distribution Center Roles: If you're not looking for a customer-facing role, positions in distribution centers or warehouses also exist. An "Academy Warehouse" role in Raleigh, for example, has an estimated annual salary of around $41,752, which is roughly $20.07 per hour.
Accounts Payable Specialist: This is a corporate-level position. An Accounts Payable Specialist can expect an estimated average of around $56,298 per year, with a range of $42,000 to $75,000.
Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer: For those with technical skills, these roles offer significantly higher compensation. A Senior Software Engineer can earn an estimated average of around $120,982 per year, with a range of $87,000 to $163,000.
Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager: Another higher-level corporate position, a Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager can earn an estimated average of $129,811 per year, ranging from $104,000 to $153,000.
Step 3: Location, Location, Location! ️
Even within North Carolina, the city where you work can influence your pay. Major metropolitan areas like Charlotte and Raleigh generally have a higher cost of living, and salaries often reflect that.
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
For example, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in:
Charlotte, NC: Approximately $59,038 per year ($28.38 per hour).
Raleigh, NC: Approximately $58,758 per year ($28.25 per hour).
While these averages are quite similar, specific job listings might show slightly different ranges based on the local market demand and competitive landscape.
Step 4: Perks and Benefits – Beyond the Paycheck!
Compensation isn't just about your hourly wage or annual salary. Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a range of benefits and perks that add value to your overall compensation package.
Financial and Wellness Benefits
Pay-on-Demand: This is a notable perk, allowing team members early access to earned wages, which can be very helpful for managing finances.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Both full-time and part-time employees can receive PTO.
401K: A retirement savings plan is available.
Bonus Opportunities: Many roles, especially management and sales, may include opportunities for bonuses based on performance.
Health and Wellness Programs: While specific details might vary, many large retailers offer health insurance options, though this wasn't explicitly detailed in the immediate search results.
Professional Development and Discounts
Training Opportunities: Academy Sports + Outdoors emphasizes training, with team members completing hundreds of thousands of hours of training annually. These courses are designed to develop skills for specific roles and general knowledge enhancement.
Internal Advancement: There's a strong focus on internal promotions, with a significant percentage of store management positions filled by existing team members.
Tuition Reimbursement: Academy values education and may offer reimbursement, even for fields of study outside the retail industry. This is a huge benefit for those looking to further their education.
Merchandise Discount: As an employee, you are eligible for a 20% merchandise discount on items in stores and online. This is a great perk if you're a sports or outdoors enthusiast!
Expert Savings Network: Employees can get discounts on over 1,000 popular brands by learning about vendors and their products.
Access to Discounts and Rewards: This network extends to sporting events, theme parks, restaurants, and more.
Step 5: The Hiring Process – What to Expect
If you're interested in joining the Academy Sports + Outdoors team in North Carolina, understanding the hiring process can help you prepare.
Application and Requirements
Online Application: Most job applications are submitted online through their careers portal.
Education: A high school diploma or GED is generally preferred for most store-level positions. Some specialized roles, like Asset Protection Team Members, might prefer an Associate's or Bachelor's in Criminal Justice.
Work Experience: Previous related work experience is often preferred, but for entry-level Store Team Member roles, it might not be a strict requirement. Specific skills like operating POS equipment are a plus for cashiers.
Skills: Key skills they look for include:
Excellent customer service orientation
Ability to connect and build rapport with customers
Effective problem-solving and communication
Organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to execute multiple tasks
For specific roles like "Outdoor Enthusiast," passion and knowledge in sports and outdoor hobbies (fishing, hunting, etc.) are highly valued.
Interview Process
The interview process typically involves:
Initial Application Review: Your online application and resume are screened.
Phone Screening (Optional): Some positions may have a brief phone interview.
In-Person Interview(s): You'll likely have one or more interviews with store management or HR. Be prepared to discuss your customer service experience, teamwork skills, and any relevant experience in sports or outdoor activities.
Background Check and Drug Screening: Standard for most retail positions.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
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Step 6: Career Growth and Opportunities
Academy Sports + Outdoors emphasizes internal growth. If you're looking for a long-term career, there are pathways to advance.
Internal Promotion Culture
As mentioned earlier, a significant percentage of store management positions are filled internally. This means that starting as a Store Team Member can be a stepping stone to roles like:
Store Team Lead
Department Manager (e.g., Hardlines Manager, Softlines Manager)
Assistant Store Manager
Store Manager
Training and Development
The company invests in its employees through extensive training programs and tuition reimbursement, making it easier to acquire new skills and qualifications that can lead to higher-paying positions.
Diverse Career Paths
Beyond store operations, Academy Sports + Outdoors has corporate and distribution center roles, offering opportunities in areas like:
Logistics and Merchandising
Asset Protection
Human Resources
Marketing
IT (e.g., Software Engineering)
Finance
Step 7: Factors Influencing Your Pay – What Can You Do?
Understanding what impacts your potential earnings can help you strategize your career path at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Experience
More experience generally means higher pay. This is true for both retail experience in general and specific experience within sporting goods.
Demonstrating a strong track record of sales, customer service, or operational efficiency can also lead to better pay and faster advancement.
Skills and Specialization
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
Having specialized knowledge, such as expertise in firearms for a hunting and fishing department, or technical skills for corporate roles, can command higher wages.
Strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are always valued and can contribute to higher earning potential.
Performance
Many roles, especially in sales and management, have performance-based incentives or bonuses. Excelling in your role can directly impact your overall compensation.
Consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets or operational goals will put you in a better position for raises and promotions.
Negotiation
While hourly rates for entry-level positions might be less negotiable, for higher-level roles and management positions, there may be room to negotiate your starting salary based on your experience and qualifications.
Always research average salaries for similar roles in your specific location before entering salary discussions.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Calculate My Potential Hourly Wage?
You can estimate your potential hourly wage by looking at job postings for the specific role you're interested in within your North Carolina city. For example, if a "Store Team Member" role in Raleigh lists a range of $12.50-$16.25/hour, that's your starting point.
How to Find Academy Sports + Outdoors Job Openings in NC?
You can find job openings on the official Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website (careers.academy.com) or popular job boards like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
How to Improve My Chances of Getting Hired at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Highlight your customer service skills, any retail experience, and your passion for sports and the outdoors in your application and interview. Being flexible with your availability (nights, weekends, holidays) can also be a plus.
How to Negotiate Salary at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
For hourly positions, there might be less room for negotiation. For salaried roles, research the average pay for similar positions in your area, highlight your relevant experience and unique skills, and confidently present your desired salary range during the interview process.
Tip: Skim once, study twice.
How to Get Promoted at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Focus on excelling in your current role, demonstrating leadership qualities, actively participating in training programs, and expressing your interest in career advancement to your managers.
How to Access Employee Benefits at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Once hired, details about benefits like pay-on-demand, PTO, 401K, and merchandise discounts are typically provided during onboarding and can be accessed through internal employee portals.
How to Understand the Cost of Living in North Carolina?
The average cost of living for a single person in North Carolina is around $2,241 per month including rent, though it varies by city. Research the specific costs for rent, utilities, food, and transportation in the North Carolina city you plan to work in.
How to Prepare for an Interview at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Research the company, understand the job description, and prepare to discuss your customer service skills, ability to work in a team, problem-solving abilities, and any relevant experience with sports or outdoor products.
How to Determine if the Pay is Fair for My Role?
Compare the offer to industry averages for similar roles in North Carolina using salary websites like ZipRecruiter and Payscale. Consider your experience, qualifications, and the total compensation package (including benefits).
How to Learn More About Specific Roles and Their Responsibilities?
Review the detailed job descriptions on the Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website. These often outline the specific duties, required skills, and physical requirements for each position.
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