Thinking about a career at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tennessee? You're in the right place! Understanding potential earnings is a key part of any job search. While specific pay can vary based on your role, experience, and even the exact store location within Tennessee, we can provide a comprehensive overview. Let's dive in and explore what you might expect to earn at Academy Sports + Outdoors in the Volunteer State.
Step 1: Discovering the Overall Pay Landscape
So, you're curious about Academy Sports + Outdoors' pay in Tennessee? Excellent question! The first thing to understand is that salaries and hourly wages aren't static. They fluctuate based on a variety of factors. However, we can start with some general averages to give you a solid baseline.
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| How Much Does Academy Sports Pay In Tennessee |
What is the Average Pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tennessee?
As of early July 2025, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in Tennessee is around $56,289 per year. This translates to approximately $27.06 per hour. If you prefer a weekly or monthly breakdown, that's about $1,082 per week or $4,690 per month.
It's important to note that this is an average across all positions and experience levels. Some roles will naturally pay more, and others less.
Step 2: Breaking Down Pay by Role and Experience
Now that we have a general idea, let's get more specific. Your exact pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tennessee will largely depend on the type of job you have and your level of experience.
Hourly Positions: What Retail Staff Can Expect
For many customer-facing and operational roles in stores, Academy Sports + Outdoors offers hourly wages. Here's a look at some common hourly positions and their typical pay ranges:
Sales Associate: Expect to earn an average of $12 to $13 per hour, with ranges typically falling between $9 and $20 per hour. This includes general Retail Sales Associates, who average around $14.22 per hour in Tennessee, with a range of $8.73 to $18.55.
Cashier: The average hourly rate for a cashier is around $12 per hour, with a typical range of $9 to $15.
Inventory Control Specialist: These roles tend to pay a bit more, averaging around $14 per hour, with a range of $10 to $19.
Customer Service Representative (CSR): You can expect an average of $13 per hour, with a range of $9 to $17.
Store Team Member: Across Tennessee, hourly pay for a Store Team Member generally ranges from $11.25 to $17.75 per hour, depending on the specific store location.
Salaried Positions: Management and Specialized Roles
For leadership roles and positions within corporate or distribution centers, salaries are more common. These roles naturally come with higher earning potential.
Retail Store Manager: An estimated average salary for this role is around $55,333 per year, with a range of $36,000 to $86,000.
Retail Manager: Similar to a Store Manager, a Retail Manager might expect an average of $60,242 per year, with a range of $41,000 to $91,000.
Store Operations Manager: The estimated average for this position is around $57,117 per year, with a range of $38,000 to $91,000.
Director of Marketing: This is one of the highest-paid positions, with an estimated annual salary of up to $351,121.
Sr. Software Engineer / Developer / Programmer: These roles can command an average of around $120,982 per year, with a range of $87,000 to $163,000.
Sr. Strategic Sourcing Manager: An estimated average of $129,811 per year, with a range of $104,000 to $153,000.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
The Impact of Experience
As with any job, your experience level plays a significant role in your earning potential at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Entry-Level/Early Career: If you're just starting out, your pay might be closer to the lower end of the listed ranges.
Mid-Career/Experienced: With a few years under your belt, especially in a retail or specialized field, you can expect to see your earnings increase. The 75th percentile for Academy Sports + Outdoors salaries in Hendersonville, TN, for instance, reaches $57,300 annually, while top earners (90th percentile) can make up to $101,039 annually.
Step 3: Understanding Regional Differences within Tennessee
Tennessee is a diverse state, and the cost of living and average wages can vary from city to city. While the statewide averages provide a good general idea, it's worth considering how specific locations might influence your pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Major Cities vs. Smaller Towns
Generally, larger metropolitan areas in Tennessee, like Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, tend to have a slightly higher cost of living and, consequently, potentially higher wages compared to smaller towns. For example, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in Hendersonville, TN, is reported as $56,289, which is slightly lower than the overall state average for a general "Retail" position, suggesting localized variations.
Cost of Living in Tennessee
Tennessee is known for being a relatively affordable state to live in, with a cost of living that runs about 10-15% lower than the national average. This is largely driven by lower housing costs, which are over 20% cheaper than the national median.
Housing: The typical home in Tennessee costs around $300,000, and rent prices are about 20-30% lower than what most Americans pay.
Utilities: Monthly utility bills are generally reasonable.
No State Income Tax: A significant financial advantage in Tennessee is the absence of a state income tax, which means you keep more of your gross earnings.
This lower cost of living can make the salaries at Academy Sports + Outdoors, even at the average range, stretch further than they might in states with a higher cost of living.
Step 4: Exploring Benefits and Perks Beyond Base Pay
When evaluating a job opportunity, it's crucial to look beyond just the hourly wage or annual salary. Academy Sports + Outdoors, like many large retailers, often offers a range of benefits that can significantly add to your overall compensation package and job satisfaction.
Common Benefits Offered
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
Health and Wellness: This typically includes medical, dental, and vision insurance options for eligible employees.
Retirement Plans: Many companies offer 401(k) plans or similar retirement savings options, often with employer matching contributions.
Paid Time Off (PTO): This covers vacation days, sick leave, and holidays. Academy Sports + Outdoors mentions PTO for both part-time and full-time team members.
Merchandise Discount: A popular perk in retail, Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a 20% merchandise discount on purchases in stores and online.
Flexible Schedules: They emphasize "flex time" options in stores (pickup/trade shifts) and flexible scheduling for corporate and distribution center roles.
Personal & Professional Development: This can include various training opportunities (they reported over 500,000 hours of training in 2021) and tuition reimbursement, even if your field of study is outside retail. They also highlight internal advancement, with 43% of store management positions filled via internal promotions in 2021.
"Pay-on-Demand": This benefit offers employees the flexibility to access their earned wages before their regularly scheduled payday.
Employee Discounts Network: Access to discounts and rewards for sporting events, theme parks, restaurants, and more.
Considerations for Part-Time vs. Full-Time
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While many benefits are available to both part-time and full-time employees, the scope and eligibility for certain benefits (like comprehensive health insurance) might differ based on your employment status and hours worked. It's always best to clarify these details directly with Academy Sports + Outdoors during the application or onboarding process.
Step 5: How Academy Sports + Outdoors Pay Compares to the Retail Industry in Tennessee
It's helpful to benchmark Academy Sports + Outdoors' pay against the broader retail industry in Tennessee to understand its competitiveness.
General Retail Salaries in Tennessee
The average hourly pay for a general Retail Worker in Tennessee is approximately $15.57 an hour, with the majority of salaries ranging between $13.08 (25th percentile) to $17.02 (75th percentile). The average annual salary for retail overall in Tennessee is around $29,778.
Academy Sports + Outdoors' Standing
When comparing these figures, it appears that for many hourly roles, Academy Sports + Outdoors' pay falls within or slightly above the average for general retail positions in Tennessee, especially for sales associates and inventory roles. For salaried management and corporate positions, the pay can be significantly higher, aligning with industry standards for more specialized or leadership roles.
This suggests that Academy Sports + Outdoors offers competitive compensation within the Tennessee retail market, especially when considering the added benefits.
Step 6: Steps to Maximize Your Earning Potential
If you're looking to earn the most you can at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tennessee, here are some actionable steps you can take:
Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
A. Gaining Experience and Skills
Start with an entry-level role: Even if the initial pay isn't as high as you'd like, getting your foot in the door and proving yourself can lead to rapid advancement.
Develop specialized skills: Are you particularly knowledgeable about firearms, fishing, or a specific sport? Highlighting these specialties can make you a more valuable asset and potentially lead to roles with higher pay.
Become a product expert: The more you know about the products Academy sells, the better you can assist customers, which can lead to better performance reviews and opportunities.
B. Aiming for Leadership and Specialized Roles
Express interest in advancement: Let your managers know you're interested in taking on more responsibility and moving into leadership roles.
Take advantage of training: Participate in any internal training programs offered by Academy Sports + Outdoors, as these are often designed to prepare employees for higher-level positions.
Consider corporate or distribution center roles: If your skills align with areas like supply chain, IT, marketing, or human resources, these departments typically offer significantly higher salaries than in-store retail positions.
C. Leveraging Performance
Exceed expectations: Consistently performing well, hitting sales targets (if applicable), and providing exceptional customer service can put you in a strong position for raises and promotions.
Seek out additional responsibilities: Volunteer for tasks or projects that go beyond your basic job description to showcase your initiative and capabilities.
FAQs: Your Quick Questions Answered ❓
How to get a job at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tennessee?
To get a job, you can visit their official careers website or look for listings on major job boards like ZipRecruiter and Indeed.
How to apply for a management position at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
You typically apply for management positions through their careers portal, often requiring prior retail management experience.
How to find out the specific pay for a role in my city in Tennessee?
The best way is to check current job listings for Academy Sports + Outdoors in your desired city on job sites, as they often include salary or hourly ranges.
Tip: Summarize the post in one sentence.
How to negotiate salary at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Research average pay for similar roles and locations, highlight your relevant experience and skills, and be prepared to articulate your value to the company.
How to get a raise at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Consistently exceed performance expectations, take on additional responsibilities, and discuss your career growth and contributions with your manager during performance reviews.
How to qualify for benefits at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Eligibility for benefits like health insurance often depends on whether you are full-time or part-time and the number of hours you work per week.
How to access employee discounts at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Once employed, you'll typically receive information on how to use your 20% merchandise discount in-store and online.
How to learn about career advancement opportunities at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Academy Sports + Outdoors emphasizes internal promotions; talk to your manager and inquire about their internal training programs and career paths.
How to compare Academy Sports + Outdoors pay to other sporting goods stores?
Research salaries for similar roles at competitors like Dick's Sporting Goods or other major retailers in Tennessee on salary aggregation websites (Payscale, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter).
How to understand the cost of living in Tennessee relative to my salary?
Research average costs for housing, utilities, and groceries in your specific Tennessee city. Websites like Zillow, Numbeo, or even local government sites can provide cost-of-living data to help you budget.
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