Working in the grocery retail sector offers a stable and surprisingly dynamic career path, and Harris Teeter, known for its high-quality products and customer service, is a prominent employer in the industry. Whether you're seeking an entry-level position or a long-term management career, understanding the compensation structure is crucial. This guide provides a data-driven look into salaries at Harris Teeter, helping you navigate your potential earnings.
On average, Harris Teeter employees earn an hourly rate ranging from approximately $12 to $22, with salaried positions extending well into the $50,000 to $120,000+ range depending on the role, experience, and location.
Understanding Roles and Responsibilities at Harris Teeter
Before diving into salary specifics, it's important to understand that "a Harris Teeter salary" encompasses a wide array of job functions. The company operates on two primary tracks: in-store operations and corporate support.
- In-Store Operations: This is the face of the company. Roles range from part-time Courtesy Clerks (Baggers) and Cashiers to specialized full-time positions like Butchers, Cake Decorators, and Pharmacists. This track also includes the entire store management hierarchy, from Department Leads to the overall Store Manager. Responsibilities are customer-facing and focus on sales, inventory management, food safety, and operational excellence.
- Corporate & Support: Based primarily at their headquarters in Matthews, North Carolina, these roles support the entire store network. Positions exist in departments like Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management.
Your specific role is the single most significant factor determining your pay.
Average Harris Teeter Salary: An Overview
Salary data from various aggregators shows a wide pay spectrum at Harris Teeter, which reflects its diverse range of jobs. According to Payscale, the average hourly pay at Harris Teeter is $16.03 per hour. Glassdoor reports a similar average base pay of $16 per hour.
However, this average blends entry-level wages with the higher pay of skilled and management roles. A more useful approach is to examine typical salary ranges for specific positions.
Here is a breakdown of average salaries for common roles at Harris Teeter, compiled from recent data from Glassdoor, Payscale, and Salary.com:
- Cashier / Customer Service Clerk: $12 - $15 per hour
- Stocker / Grocery Clerk: $13 - $16 per hour
- Deli / Bakery Clerk: $14 - $17 per hour
- Personal Shopper (ExpressLane): $14 - $18 per hour
- Pharmacy Technician: $16 - $21 per hour
- Department Manager (e.g., Produce, Meat, Deli): $45,000 - $70,000 per year
- Assistant Store Manager: $55,000 - $80,000 per year
- Pharmacist: $120,000 - $145,000 per year
- Store Manager: $85,000 - $125,000+ per year
*Disclaimer: These figures are estimates based on user-reported data and job postings. Actual salaries can vary.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your earnings at Harris Teeter are not static. Several key factors can significantly influence your compensation, from your background to your specific job function.
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Job Role and Department
As illustrated above, your specific role is the primary driver of your salary. A highly skilled and licensed position like a Pharmacist, which requires a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, will command a salary multiples higher than an entry-level role. Similarly, management positions that carry responsibility for a department's or an entire store's profitability, staffing, and operations come with significantly higher, salaried compensation.
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Years of Experience
Experience plays a vital role in both hourly and salaried positions. An experienced cashier or department clerk who knows the store's systems and has a proven track record of reliability will often earn at the higher end of the hourly pay band. For management roles, experience is critical. An Assistant Store Manager with five years of experience and a history of improving store metrics will command a higher salary and be first in line for a promotion to Store Manager.
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Geographic Location
Harris Teeter operates stores primarily in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Where your store is located has a direct impact on pay due to variations in cost of living and local market wages. For example, an employee working in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area can expect a higher hourly wage or salary than an employee in the same role in a smaller North Carolina city to offset the higher cost of housing and living expenses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides regional data that confirms these wage variations for retail workers across different metropolitan areas.
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Level of Education
For most in-store, non-management positions, a high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient. However, for management and corporate roles, education becomes a more significant factor.
- Management: While not always required, an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or a related field can make a candidate more competitive for management-track positions and may lead to a higher starting salary.
- Corporate: Roles in finance, marketing, IT, and human resources typically require a Bachelor's degree, with some senior or specialized roles requiring a Master's degree.
- Specialized Roles: As noted, a Pharmacist requires a Pharm.D., which is a significant educational investment that directly correlates to their high salary.
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Company Structure
It's important to remember that Harris Teeter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co., one of the largest food retailers in the world. This structure can influence salary and benefits, often leading to more standardized pay bands and comprehensive benefits packages (like 401(k), health insurance, and employee discounts) than a smaller, independent grocery store might offer. This affiliation also provides a broader network for career advancement opportunities within the larger Kroger family of companies.
Job Outlook
The career outlook for roles within the grocery industry remains stable and essential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment for Retail Salespersons is projected to show a slight decline of 2 percent from 2022 to 2032. However, this is offset by the consistent demand within the food and beverage store sector. People will always need to buy groceries, making these jobs more resilient to economic downturns than other areas of retail.
Furthermore, the growth of online grocery services like Harris Teeter's ExpressLane is creating new job categories, such as personal shoppers and e-commerce fulfillment specialists, indicating an evolution in the types of jobs available within the industry.
Conclusion
Working at Harris Teeter offers a wide range of career opportunities with a corresponding spectrum of salaries. While entry-level roles provide accessible employment with competitive hourly wages, the company also presents clear pathways for advancement into well-compensated management and specialized positions.
For individuals considering a career with Harris Teeter, the key takeaways are:
- Your Role is Paramount: The job you do is the biggest determinant of your pay.
- Experience Pays: Longevity and a strong performance record lead to higher earnings and promotions.
- Location Matters: Be mindful of how your local cost of living impacts your compensation.
- Advancement is Possible: With dedication, you can grow from an hourly associate to a salaried store leader or move into a corporate function.
Harris Teeter represents a solid choice for those seeking to build a career in the stable and ever-evolving grocery retail industry, with significant earning potential for those who pursue specialized skills and leadership responsibilities.