Understanding salary and compensation at any company, including Academy Sports + Outdoors, can be a bit like navigating a large retail store itself – there are many departments, different roles, and a variety of factors that influence what an employee takes home. If you're considering a career at Academy Sports + Outdoors, or simply curious about their compensation practices, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the various aspects of their pay structure.
Step 1: Discovering the Averages – What's the General Landscape?
Before diving into specific roles, let's get a general idea of what Academy Sports + Outdoors pays. Have you ever wondered how an average salary is calculated? It's not just a single number; it's a reflection of many different positions, skill sets, and levels of experience.
The average estimated annual salary at Academy Sports + Outdoors is around $149,549, or $71 per hour. However, it's important to note that this figure can be heavily influenced by higher-paying corporate or specialized roles. The estimated median salary is closer to $122,215, or $58 per hour.
For hourly positions, particularly in retail stores, the average hourly pay tends to be significantly lower. According to some data, the average hourly rate for Academy Sports + Outdoors employees is around $13.37 per hour, with a range generally falling between $10.43 and $17.48 per hour.
Step 2: Breaking Down Pay by Role and Department
The pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors varies significantly depending on the job title, department, and level of responsibility. Let's explore some common roles and their typical compensation ranges.
2.1 Retail Store Positions ️
These are the roles most people associate with Academy Sports + Outdoors. They are the face of the company, assisting customers and keeping the stores running smoothly.
Sales Associate: This is often an entry-level position. Sales Associates typically earn an average of $12 per hour, with ranges from $9 to $17 per hour.
Cashier: Similar to Sales Associates, Cashiers also often fall into the entry-level category. Their average hourly pay is also around $12, ranging from $9 to $15.
Retail Sales Associate: While similar to Sales Associate, this role might have a slightly broader range of responsibilities or specialization. The average hourly pay is about $13, with a range of $10 to $20.
Customer Service Representative (CSR): These roles, whether in-store or potentially remote for customer care, typically average around $13 per hour, with a range of $9 to $17.
Team Lead / Senior Team Lead: These positions involve more responsibility, supervising other associates and managing shifts. Team Leads can earn an average of $16 per hour, with a range of $11 to $24. Senior Team Leads can make around $18.15 per hour or $37,752 annually.
Assistant Manager: Assistant Managers generally earn around $17.14 per hour or $35,652 annually.
Store Director / Store Manager: These are significant leadership roles. A Store Director can earn an average of $48,502 annually or $23.32 per hour, making it one of the higher-paying retail positions. A Retail Store Manager is estimated to average around $55,333 annually.
2.2 Warehouse and Distribution Center Roles
Academy Sports + Outdoors also operates large distribution centers to manage their inventory. These roles are crucial for getting products to stores and customers.
Receiving Associate / Receiving Clerk: These roles typically involve handling incoming shipments. Pay ranges for Receiving Associates are generally $13.63-$18.20 per hour, with Receiving Clerks averaging around $14.30 per hour or $29,753 annually.
Warehouse Worker: The average hourly pay for a Warehouse Worker can be around $16.80 per hour or $34,936 annually.
Inventory Control Specialist: These specialists manage inventory accuracy. Their average hourly rate is around $14, ranging from $10 to $19.
Material Handler: These roles typically earn around $15.30 per hour or $31,828 annually.
Shipping Supervisor: A higher-level role in the warehouse, a Shipping Supervisor can earn an average of $21.03 per hour or $43,734 annually.
2.3 Corporate and Specialized Positions
Academy Sports + Outdoors has a corporate headquarters and various departments that handle everything from marketing and finance to IT and human resources. These roles generally command much higher salaries.
Director of Marketing: One of the highest-paid roles, a Director of Marketing can earn an estimated $351,121 annually.
Director of Engineering: An average annual salary for this role is around $166,560.
Product Manager / Director of Product: These roles can range significantly, with a Product Manager averaging around $144,874 annually, and a Director of Product potentially earning over $210,000 annually.
Data Scientist: These specialized roles can earn an average of $126,976 annually.
Marketing Manager: A Marketing Manager can expect to earn around $123,643 annually.
Software Engineer / Developer: Senior Software Engineers can earn an average of $120,982 annually.
Step 3: Factors Influencing Your Pay
It's not just about the job title! Several factors can influence how much you earn at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
3.1 Experience Level
As with most companies, more experience generally means more pay. An entry-level sales associate will earn less than someone with several years of experience in retail management. Academy Sports + Outdoors provides opportunities for internal advancement, and experience within the company can lead to higher-paying roles.
3.2 Location, Location, Location
The cost of living and local job market conditions play a significant role in salary expectations. For example, hourly wages might be higher in major metropolitan areas compared to smaller towns. Data suggests that areas in California like Carmel, Berkeley, and San Francisco can offer higher hourly wages for some positions compared to the national average.
3.3 Performance and Promotions
Many companies, including Academy Sports + Outdoors, offer performance-based raises and bonuses. Excelling in your role can lead to increased compensation. Moreover, climbing the career ladder through promotions to Team Lead, Assistant Manager, or Store Director will naturally result in higher pay.
Step 4: Understanding the Benefits Package
Beyond the base salary, it's crucial to consider the entire compensation package, which often includes various benefits. Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a range of benefits designed to support its employees.
4.1 Health and Wellness
Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans: Academy offers different options, including PPO and HMO plans, with the ability to enroll spouses/domestic partners and dependents.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): These allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical and dependent care expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This program provides support for personal and work-related issues.
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4.2 Retirement and Financial Security
401(k) Plan: The company provides a 3% non-elective contribution and matches employee pre-tax contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of eligible earnings. They also make a discretionary contribution equal to 4% of an employee's eligible earnings annually.
Life Insurance and AD&D: Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage are provided at no cost to regular full-time employees.
4.3 Time Off and Work-Life Balance
Vacation Time and Personal Choice Holiday: Employees receive paid vacation time and a personal choice holiday.
Paid Sick Leave: This benefit allows employees to take time off for sickness, recuperation, appointments, or to care for family members.
Maternity & Parental Leave: Up to 10 weeks of maternity leave or up to 2 weeks of parental leave may be available.
Paid Holidays: Academy observes 10 holidays a year.
Flex Time: Options for picking up/trading shifts in stores, numerous shift options in distribution centers, and flexible schedules in corporate roles (including remote work for customer care).
4.4 Professional Development and Perks
Career Development and Training: Academy focuses on providing encouragement, assistance, and opportunities for professional development. In 2021, team members completed over 500,000 hours of training.
Internal Advancement: A significant percentage of store management positions are filled through internal promotions, indicating a commitment to employee growth.
Tuition Reimbursement: Academy values education and offers reimbursement even if the field of study is outside the retail industry.
Employee Referral Bonus: Employees can receive a bonus for referring successful new hires.
Merchandise Discount: As a team member, you're eligible for a 20% merchandise discount on items in Academy stores and on academy.com. This can be a significant perk for sports and outdoors enthusiasts!
Expert Savings Network: Access to discounts and rewards for sporting events, theme parks, restaurants, and more.
Step 5: How to Research and Negotiate Your Pay ️
Now that you have a good understanding of Academy Sports + Outdoors' pay structure and benefits, let's talk about how you can use this information in your job search or career growth.
5.1 Utilizing Online Resources
Payscale, Comparably, and Zippia: These websites are excellent resources for finding average salaries for specific roles at Academy Sports + Outdoors. They compile data from current and former employees, offering insights into hourly rates, annual salaries, and even compensation satisfaction scores.
Company Career Pages: Always check the "Careers" section of the official Academy Sports + Outdoors website. While they may not list exact salaries, they often provide detailed information on benefits and company culture, which can indirectly indicate their investment in employees.
Glassdoor and Indeed: These platforms offer employee reviews, including comments on compensation and benefits. Keep in mind that individual experiences can vary, so look for patterns rather than isolated complaints.
5.2 Tailoring Your Job Search
Identify Your Target Role: Based on your experience and skills, pinpoint the specific roles that align with your career goals at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Research Local Averages: If you're looking for a store-level position, research the average pay for similar roles in your specific geographic area. This will give you a realistic expectation for starting wages.
Consider the Entire Package: Don't just focus on the hourly wage or annual salary. Weigh the value of benefits like health insurance, 401(k) matching, and employee discounts. These can significantly add to your overall compensation.
5.3 Negotiating Your Offer
Know Your Worth: Before entering negotiations, have a clear understanding of the market rate for your desired position and your level of experience.
Highlight Your Value: During interviews or when discussing compensation, be prepared to articulate how your skills and experience will contribute to Academy Sports + Outdoors' success.
Be Realistic and Flexible: While it's good to aim high, be realistic about what the company can offer, especially for entry-level positions. Sometimes, negotiating for better benefits (like more PTO or a slightly better discount) might be an option if direct salary negotiation is limited.
Understand the Review Process: Inquire about the company's performance review and salary increase schedule. Knowing when and how your performance will be evaluated for potential raises is important.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to calculate my potential hourly pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
To estimate your potential hourly pay, research the average hourly wages for the specific job title you're interested in on websites like Payscale, Comparably, and Zippia, and consider how your experience aligns with the reported ranges.
How to find out the salary for a specific management position at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
You can find estimated salaries for management roles by checking career sites like Payscale and Zippia, which often break down compensation by job title, including various management levels.
How to assess the value of Academy Sports + Outdoors' benefits package?
Evaluate the monetary value of health insurance, 401(k) matching, and tuition reimbursement, and consider how the employee discount and time off policies align with your personal needs and priorities.
How to negotiate my starting salary at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
To negotiate your starting salary, research the market rate for your role and location, highlight your relevant skills and experience, and be prepared to articulate your value to the company.
How to improve my chances of getting a higher pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Gaining relevant experience, pursuing internal promotions, and consistently exceeding performance expectations are key ways to improve your pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
How to find out about performance-based raises at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
During the interview process or once hired, inquire about the company's performance review schedule and their process for salary increases.
How to understand the impact of location on Academy Sports + Outdoors' pay?
Compare reported salaries for the same role in different cities or states on career websites, as local cost of living and job market demand often influence compensation.
How to leverage my prior retail experience for better pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Clearly articulate your past responsibilities, achievements, and leadership experience during the application and interview process to demonstrate your value and justify a higher starting pay.
How to access the employee discount at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Once employed, you'll typically receive information on how to utilize your 20% merchandise discount for purchases in-store and online.
How to find job openings at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Visit the official Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website (careers.academy.com) or search on major job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn for current openings.
