For those with a passion for creativity, DIY projects, and helping others bring their artistic visions to life, a career at Michaels can seem like the perfect fit. But turning a passion into a profession also requires understanding the financial realities. A common and crucial question we hear is: "What can I expect to earn working at Michaels?"
The answer is multi-faceted, with salaries and hourly wages at Michaels varying widely based on role, location, and experience. Entry-level positions typically start around the state or local minimum wage, often ranging from $11 to $16 per hour. However, leadership and specialized roles can offer salaried positions reaching $75,000 or more annually.
This guide will provide a data-driven breakdown of compensation at Michaels, helping you understand your potential earnings and the factors that can maximize your income.
What Do Roles at a Michaels Craft Store Entail?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand that "a Michaels salary" isn't a single figure. It represents a spectrum of jobs, each with distinct responsibilities. A typical Michaels store is a dynamic environment with several key roles that contribute to its success:
- Sales Associate / Cashier: The face of the company, these team members assist customers, answer questions about products, operate the cash register, and help maintain a clean and organized sales floor.
- Replenishment Team Member: Often working early mornings or late nights, these employees are responsible for unloading trucks, stocking shelves, organizing the backroom, and ensuring products are available for customers.
- Custom Framer: A skilled position requiring precision and an eye for design. Custom framers consult with customers to design and build custom frames for artwork, photographs, and memorabilia. This role often involves specialized training provided by the company.
- Department or Operations Manager: These are mid-level leadership roles responsible for overseeing specific areas of the store, such as framing, replenishment, or customer experience. They manage teams, handle scheduling, and drive sales in their department.
- Store Manager: The overall leader of the store. The Store Manager is responsible for profitability, hiring, training, inventory management, community engagement, and ensuring the entire team meets corporate standards and goals.
Average Michaels Craft Store Salary
Salary data is dynamic, so it's best to consult multiple sources. Based on the most recent data from reputable salary aggregators, we can establish a reliable picture of compensation at Michaels.
According to Payscale.com, the average hourly rate for a Michaels Companies employee is approximately $14.20 per hour. However, this average includes a wide range of positions. Let's break it down by common roles:
- Cashier / Sales Associate: Typically ranges from $11 to $15 per hour, heavily influenced by the local minimum wage.
- Custom Framer: As a skilled position, framers often earn more, with Glassdoor.com reporting an average base pay of around $16 per hour, with a typical range of $13 to $20 per hour.
- Replenishment Manager: This supervisory role generally sees hourly wages between $15 and $22 per hour.
- Store Manager: This is a salaried position with significant responsibility. Salary.com reports the average Michaels Store Manager salary in the United States is $65,138, with a common range falling between $57,000 and $75,900.
*Disclaimer: These figures are national averages based on user-reported data as of late 2023/early 2024 and are subject to change. They should be used as a guideline for your own research.*
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary or wage at Michaels will be determined by a combination of factors. Understanding these levers is key to negotiating better pay and advancing your career.
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Level of Education
For most in-store, non-management positions, a high school diploma or equivalent is the standard educational requirement. However, for leadership roles like Assistant or Store Manager, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field can be a significant advantage. A degree demonstrates a foundation in finance, marketing, and human resources, which are critical skills for managing a successful store and can lead to a higher starting salary.
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Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful drivers of income in the retail sector. The career path at Michaels is designed to reward tenure and skill development.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): New employees, often in roles like Cashier or seasonal help, will typically earn at the lower end of the pay scale.
- Mid-Career (2-5 years): An employee who has mastered their initial role may be promoted to a department lead, key holder, or a specialized position like Custom Framer, leading to a notable increase in hourly pay.
- Experienced (5+ years): Long-term employees with a proven track record are prime candidates for Assistant and Store Manager positions, which come with higher base salaries, bonus potential, and comprehensive benefits.
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Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. Michaels, like most national retailers, adjusts its pay scales to reflect the local cost of living and prevailing wage laws. An employee working in San Francisco, California, or New York City will have a significantly higher hourly wage than an employee in the same role in a small town in the Midwest. Always research the average retail wages for your specific city or state to get a more accurate estimate.
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Role Type: In-Store vs. Corporate
While this article focuses on store-level salaries, it's important to know that Michaels is a large corporation with a headquarters in Irving, Texas, and various corporate functions. These roles—in areas like Marketing, Finance, IT, Supply Chain, and Human Resources—operate on entirely different salary structures based on professional industry standards, often commanding much higher salaries than in-store positions.
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Area of Specialization
Within the store itself, specialization is a key differentiator. The Custom Framer is the best example of this. Because it requires a specific, trained skill set in design, measurement, and assembly, it commands a higher wage than a general sales associate role. Similarly, employees who become certified instructors for Michaels' in-store classes (e.g., cake decorating, painting) may also earn a premium for their expertise. Developing a specialized skill is a clear path to increasing your value and your earnings.
Job Outlook
To understand the career outlook, we can look at data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the broader retail industry.
For Retail Salespersons, the BLS projects a slight decline of 1 percent from 2022 to 2032. This reflects the broader shift towards e-commerce across the entire retail landscape. However, for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers (a category that includes store and department managers), employment is projected to grow 2 percent over the same period.
While the overall retail sector faces challenges, the arts and crafts niche served by Michaels has a uniquely resilient and passionate customer base. The "maker movement" and the continued popularity of DIY projects suggest a stable demand for the expertise and supplies that stores like Michaels provide. This creates opportunities for knowledgeable and dedicated individuals to build a sustainable career.
Conclusion
Working at Michaels offers a unique opportunity to combine a love for creativity with a professional career path. While entry-level wages are comparable to other major retailers, the company provides clear avenues for growth and increased earnings.
Here are the key takeaways for anyone considering a career with Michaels:
- Your Role Defines Your Pay: A specialized role like a Custom Framer or a leadership role like a Store Manager will earn significantly more than an entry-level associate.
- Experience is Your Best Asset: Longevity and a proven track record are rewarded with promotions and higher pay.
- Location Matters: Be sure to benchmark your salary expectations against the cost of living and average wages in your specific area.
- Specialize to Maximize: Seek out opportunities like framing or class instruction to develop valuable skills that command a higher wage.
For the right candidate, a job at Michaels is more than just a paycheck; it's a chance to be part of a creative community and build a rewarding career from the ground up.