For creative individuals with a passion for arts and crafts, a job at Michaels can seem like a perfect fit. But beyond turning a hobby into a career, what can you realistically expect to earn? A position at Michaels can range from a part-time, entry-level role to a full-time, salaried management career. Salaries vary significantly based on the specific job, your location, and your level of experience.
This in-depth guide will break down the salary landscape at Michaels, using data from authoritative sources to provide a clear picture of potential earnings. On average, hourly pay at Michaels ranges from approximately $11 to $22 per hour, while salaried management positions can command $50,000 to over $75,000 annually.
What Do Employees at Michaels Do?
Michaels is North America's largest provider of arts, crafts, framing, floral, and seasonal décor. Consequently, the roles within the company are diverse. A career at Michaels is fundamentally a career in specialty retail, focused on helping customers—or "Makers," as the company calls them—bring their creative projects to life.
Key responsibilities depend on the specific role but generally include:
- Customer Engagement: Assisting customers with project ideas, locating products, and providing an inspiring shopping experience.
- Point of Sale (POS) Operations: Handling transactions efficiently and accurately as a cashier.
- Store Operations: Stocking shelves, organizing merchandise, and maintaining a clean and inviting store environment (Replenishment Team).
- Specialized Services: Performing custom framing, a key revenue driver that requires technical skill and design acumen.
- Management: Overseeing store operations, managing staff, driving sales goals, and ensuring profitability (Assistant and General Store Managers).
Average Michaels Arts and Crafts Salary
Salaries at Michaels are best understood by breaking them down by role, as there is no single "arts and crafts" salary. Compensation is typically structured as an hourly wage for in-store team members and an annual salary for management.
According to data aggregated by Payscale, Glassdoor, and Salary.com in 2024, here are the typical pay ranges for common positions at Michaels:
- Retail Cashier / Sales Associate: The national average hovers around $12.50 per hour, with a common range of $10.00 to $15.00 per hour, largely dependent on state and local minimum wage laws.
- Replenishment Team Member (Stocker): This role typically earns slightly more than a cashier, with an average of $13.50 per hour and a range of $11.00 to $16.00 per hour (Source: Glassdoor, 2024).
- Custom Framer: Due to the specialized skill involved, framers earn more than general team members. The average is approximately $15.00 per hour, with a typical range of $13.00 to $18.00 per hour. Experienced framers with a strong sales record can earn at the higher end of this scale.
- Assistant Store Manager: This is often the first step into salaried management. According to Salary.com, the average salary for this role is around $52,300 per year, with a range typically falling between $45,000 and $60,000.
- General Store Manager: The General Manager has ultimate responsibility for the store's performance. The average salary is approximately $68,000 per year, with a broad range of $55,000 to $80,000+, heavily influenced by store volume and location (Source: Payscale, 2024).
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your exact pay at Michaels will be determined by a combination of factors. Understanding these can help you negotiate a better salary and plan your career trajectory.
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Role and Responsibility (Area of Specialization)
This is the single most significant factor. A General Store Manager's salary is higher because they are responsible for the store's multi-million dollar P&L (Profit and Loss), staffing, inventory control, and overall success. In contrast, an entry-level cashier's role has a narrower scope of responsibility focused on customer transactions. Specialized roles like Custom Framer command a higher hourly wage than general sales associates because they require a unique, revenue-generating skillset.
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Years of Experience
Experience directly impacts earning potential. An Assistant Manager with five years of retail management experience will command a higher starting salary than someone new to the role. For hourly positions, while tenure may not lead to dramatic pay increases, experienced and reliable team members are more likely to be considered for promotions to leadership roles (like Department Manager or Assistant Manager), which come with a significant pay bump.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Michaels, like most national retailers, adjusts its pay scales to reflect the local cost of living and prevailing wage laws. A Store Manager in San Francisco, California, or New York City will earn substantially more than a manager in a small town in the Midwest to compensate for the higher cost of housing, transportation, and daily life. Hourly wages are also directly tied to state and city minimum wage laws, which can set a higher floor for pay in certain regions.
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Company Type and Performance
While this article focuses on Michaels, it's helpful to understand its position in the market. As a specialty retailer, its pay structure may differ from a big-box retailer like Walmart or a direct competitor like JOANN. Salaries are generally comparable within the specialty craft retail sector. Furthermore, store-level performance can impact earnings for management. Bonuses for Assistant and General Managers are often tied to achieving sales, payroll, and profitability targets.
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Level of Education
For most hourly, in-store positions at Michaels, a high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient. However, for management and corporate roles, a higher level of education can be a significant advantage. A Bachelor's degree in Business, Management, or a related field is often preferred for General Manager positions and can be a prerequisite for district-level or corporate roles. An advanced degree, like an MBA, would be most relevant for senior corporate leadership positions.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track data for specific companies, but it provides projections for the broader retail industry.
- For Retail Salespersons, the BLS projects a slight decline of 1% from 2022 to 2032.
- For First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (a category that includes store management), the BLS projects a 2% decline over the same period.
While these figures suggest slow overall growth, it's crucial to look at the context. The retail sector has a high rate of turnover, meaning that even in a stable or slightly declining market, there are always opportunities available. Companies like Michaels constantly seek dedicated and skilled employees to fill open positions. For individuals who can demonstrate reliability, strong customer service skills, and a passion for the products, the outlook for securing a role and advancing within the company remains positive.
Conclusion
A career at Michaels offers a unique opportunity to work in a creative and engaging environment. While entry-level hourly wages are aligned with the general retail market, the company provides clear pathways for advancement into higher-paying specialized and management roles.
Key takeaways for prospective employees:
- Your role is the biggest driver of pay: A manager will earn a salary, while a cashier or framer will earn an hourly wage.
- Location matters: Expect higher pay in major metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living.
- Build skills and experience: Gaining expertise in areas like custom framing or demonstrating leadership potential can unlock higher earnings and promotions.
For those passionate about creativity and helping others, a job at Michaels can be more than just a paycheck—it can be a fulfilling career with tangible opportunities for professional and financial growth.