Ah, the evergreen question for anyone looking to join a team: "How much does it pay?" If you're considering a career with Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi, you're in the right place! We're going to break down the salary expectations, factors that influence pay, and even touch on what it's like to work there. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Discovering the Averages
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| How Much Does Academy Sports Pay In Mississippi |
What's the general ballpark for Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi?
Let's start by looking at the big picture. As of mid-2025, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in Mississippi is approximately $57,246 a year. If you prefer hourly figures, that breaks down to about $27.52 an hour. That's roughly $1,100 per week or $4,770 per month.
Now, it's important to remember that these are averages. Just like a baseball team, there's a range of players with different salaries. Some top earners at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi can make up to $71,030 annually, while others might start around $37,900. The majority of salaries typically fall between $37,900 and $52,100.
It's worth noting that these figures can fluctuate based on current market conditions and data updates.
Step 2: Unpacking Job-Specific Pay ️
Different roles, different rates!
While the overall average gives us a good starting point, the specific role you hold at Academy Sports + Outdoors significantly impacts your pay. Generally, customer-facing roles like "Store Team Member" or "Sales Associate" will have different pay scales compared to leadership or specialized positions.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Store Level Positions
For Store Team Member roles in Mississippi, you can expect an hourly wage that typically ranges from around $11.50 to $18 per hour, depending on the specific store location and responsibilities. For instance:
Flowood, MS: $11.50 to $15 Hourly
Starkville, MS: $12.25 to $16.25 Hourly
Jackson, MS: $12 to $15.75 Hourly
Olive Branch, MS: $12.25 to $16.25 Hourly
Hattiesburg, MS: $13.75 to $17.75 Hourly
Meridian, MS: $13.50 to $17.75 Hourly
Gulfport, MS: $13.75 to $18 Hourly
Tupelo, MS: $13 to $17.25 Hourly
Sales Associates across Mississippi, in a broader retail context, generally average around $14.84 an hour. This can range from $9.11 to $19.35 per hour.
Management and Specialized Roles
For positions like Store Team Lead, you can expect a higher hourly rate, often averaging around $16 per hour, with ranges potentially going up to $24. More senior management roles or corporate positions (if located in Mississippi) would command significantly higher salaries, potentially well into the six figures, depending on the department (e.g., Marketing, Engineering, Product). For example, a Director of Marketing at Academy Sports & Outdoors can earn over $350,000 annually, though these are typically corporate-level positions, not store-level in Mississippi.
Step 3: Factors Influencing Your Pay
Why some earn more than others.
Several key factors can influence how much you're paid at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi. Understanding these can help you position yourself for better compensation.
Experience and Skills ️
Prior Experience: If you have previous retail experience, especially in sporting goods or a related field, you may be able to negotiate a higher starting wage.
Specialized Skills: Do you have expertise in a specific area like firearms sales (which requires specific certifications) or outdoor gear (fishing, hunting, camping)? These specialized skills can make you a more valuable candidate.
Leadership Potential: Demonstrating leadership qualities can open doors to team lead or management positions, which come with higher pay.
Location, Location, Location!
Even within Mississippi, salaries can vary slightly from one city to another due to differences in the cost of living and local market demand. For instance, cities like Pascagoula ($24.42/hour) and Gulfport ($24.23/hour) tend to have slightly higher average hourly wages for "Sports Academy" type roles compared to Olive Branch ($21.84/hour).
Full-time vs. Part-time ⏳
Full-time positions typically offer more consistent hours, access to a wider range of benefits, and often a higher earning potential over the long term.
Part-time roles, while offering flexibility, may have lower overall earnings and different benefit structures.
Performance and Promotions
Academy Sports + Outdoors emphasizes internal advancement. 43% of their store management positions were filled via internal promotions in 2021. Consistently strong performance can lead to promotions to higher-paying roles like Team Lead, Sales Manager, or even Store Director.
Step 4: Beyond the Paycheck: Benefits and Perks
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
It's not just about the hourly rate!
When evaluating compensation, it's crucial to look beyond just the hourly wage or annual salary. Academy Sports + Outdoors offers a range of benefits that add significant value to your overall compensation package.
Health & Wellness
While specific details on health insurance plans for Mississippi employees aren't explicitly detailed, most large retailers like Academy Sports + Outdoors offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options for full-time employees.
Financial Benefits
Merchandise Discount: A popular perk for employees is a 20% merchandise discount on Academy Sports + Outdoors products, both in-store and online. This can lead to significant savings if you're an avid sports and outdoors enthusiast!
Pay-on-Demand: Some positions offer flexible pay options.
401(k) Plan: Many companies offer retirement savings plans, often with employer matching contributions.
Work-Life Balance & Flexibility ⚖️
Flexible Schedules: Academy Sports + Outdoors offers flexibility, including options to pick up/trade shifts in stores and numerous shift options in distribution centers.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Employees typically accrue PTO, allowing for paid breaks and vacations.
Professional Development
Training Opportunities: Academy invests in its team members' growth, offering various training courses designed to develop specific skills and sharpen knowledge.
Tuition Reimbursement: Academy values education and may offer tuition reimbursement, even if your field of study is outside the retail industry. This is a fantastic benefit for those looking to further their education.
Internal Advancement: As mentioned, a significant percentage of management roles are filled internally, showcasing a clear path for career progression.
Step 5: The Hiring Process ♀️➡️♂️
What to expect when applying.
So, you've decided you're interested in working at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi. What's the typical hiring process like?
Submitting Your Application
Online Application: The first step is usually to apply online through the Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website. You'll need to create a profile and submit your resume and relevant details.
Tailor Your Resume: Make sure your resume highlights any customer service, retail, or relevant outdoor/sports experience.
Interviews ️
Initial Screening: This might be a phone interview or a short in-person screening to assess your basic qualifications and fit.
In-person Interview(s): You'll likely have one or more in-person interviews with store management or team leads. Be prepared to discuss your customer service skills, teamwork abilities, problem-solving approaches, and passion for sports and the outdoors.
Pro-Tip: Research Academy's mission and values, and be ready to explain how your skills and interests align with their purpose "to make it easier for everyone to enjoy more sports and outdoors."
Background Checks and Onboarding ✅
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
Background Check: Like most retail companies, Academy Sports + Outdoors will conduct a background check.
Onboarding and Training: Once hired, you'll go through an onboarding process and receive training relevant to your role, covering everything from POS systems to product knowledge and customer service best practices.
Step 6: Life at Academy Sports + Outdoors ♀️
What's the day-to-day like?
Working at Academy Sports + Outdoors, especially in a store role, typically involves a dynamic and customer-focused environment.
Customer Service is Key
You'll be interacting with customers regularly, assisting them with product selection, answering questions, and providing a positive shopping experience.
Being friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable about products is highly valued.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Retail environments thrive on teamwork. You'll work closely with other "Team Members" to ensure the store runs smoothly, from stocking shelves to maintaining a clean and organized space.
Physical Demands
Store roles often involve standing for extended periods, lifting merchandise, and moving around the sales floor. Be prepared for a physically active job.
Product Knowledge
Having a genuine interest in sports and outdoor activities can be a significant advantage. The more you know about the products, the better you can assist customers and potentially increase sales.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
How to calculate my potential earnings at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi?
You can estimate your potential earnings by looking at the average hourly wages for roles you're interested in and multiplying that by the number of hours you expect to work per week, then by 52 weeks in a year. For example, if you aim for a Store Team Member role at $15/hour and work 40 hours a week: $15/hour * 40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year = $31,200 annually.
How to increase my pay at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
To increase your pay, focus on gaining experience, developing specialized skills, excelling in your current role to qualify for promotions (like Team Lead or management), and potentially relocating to a higher-paying city within Mississippi if feasible.
How to apply for a job at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Mississippi?
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
You can apply directly through the official Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website. Navigate to their "Careers" section and search for open positions in Mississippi.
How to prepare for an interview at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Research the company's values, mission, and products. Be ready to discuss your customer service experience, teamwork skills, problem-solving abilities, and any passion you have for sports and the outdoors. Practice answering common interview questions.
How to get promoted at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Focus on consistently providing excellent customer service, demonstrating initiative, being a reliable team player, and showing a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities. Express your interest in advancement to your supervisors.
How to understand the benefits package offered by Academy Sports + Outdoors?
During the hiring process or once you're employed, inquire with HR about the full details of their benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) plans, paid time off, and employee discounts.
How to find out about specific job openings in my city in Mississippi?
Visit the Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website and use their job search function to filter by location (city, state) and job type to see current openings in your area.
How to know if Academy Sports + Outdoors is a good fit for me?
Consider if you enjoy a fast-paced retail environment, have a passion for sports and outdoor activities, and thrive on providing excellent customer service. If these resonate with you, it might be a good fit!
How to leverage my passion for sports and outdoors in my application?
Highlight your hobbies and interests related to sports, hunting, fishing, camping, etc., on your resume and during interviews. This shows genuine enthusiasm and product knowledge.
How to inquire about tuition reimbursement at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Once you are an employee, you can speak with your HR representative or manager about the specific requirements and procedures for their tuition reimbursement program.
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