Managing a retail store for a Fortune 500 company like Ross Dress for Less is a demanding yet rewarding career path. It offers a dynamic environment where leadership, business acumen, and operational excellence directly impact success. But what does that success look like financially? For aspiring and current retail professionals, understanding the earning potential is a crucial step in career planning.
A Store Manager at Ross can expect to earn a competitive salary that often exceeds the national average for retail managers, with a typical total compensation package ranging from $60,000 to over $85,000 per year, depending on a variety of key factors.
This guide will break down the Ross Store Manager salary, explore the factors that influence it, and provide a clear outlook on this career path.
What Does a Ross Store Manager Do?
Before diving into the numbers, it's essential to understand the scope of the role. A Ross Store Manager is the leader of their store, responsible for its overall profitability and performance. This is a hands-on leadership position that goes far beyond just overseeing the sales floor.
Key responsibilities include:
- Team Leadership & Development: Recruiting, hiring, training, and developing a team of Assistant Managers, Area Supervisors, and Sales Associates.
- Operations Management: Ensuring the store runs efficiently, from managing inventory and processing freight to maintaining store cleanliness and safety standards.
- Financial Performance: Driving sales, managing payroll, controlling expenses, and ensuring the store meets or exceeds its financial goals.
- Customer Experience: Cultivating a positive shopping environment and empowering the team to provide excellent customer service.
- Loss Prevention: Implementing strategies to minimize theft and protect company assets.
Average Ross Store Manager Salary
The compensation for a Ross Store Manager is typically composed of a base salary plus a significant performance-based bonus. This structure rewards managers for achieving sales targets and effectively managing their store's operations.
Based on an analysis of recent data from several authoritative sources:
- Average Base Salary: Most Ross Store Managers can expect a base salary in the range of $58,000 to $72,000.
- Average Total Compensation (Salary + Bonus): When including bonuses and other potential incentives, the total compensation package typically falls between $65,000 and $85,000. According to data from Salary.com, the median salary for a Ross Store Manager in the United States is approximately $65,490, with a common range between $58,500 and $72,800.
- Glassdoor reports a similar figure, with an estimated total pay for a Ross Store Manager averaging around $70,500 per year, which includes an average base salary of $62,000 and additional pay (bonuses, etc.) of around $8,500.
It's important to note that top-performing managers in high-volume locations can earn significantly more, with total compensation packages potentially approaching or exceeding $90,000.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your specific salary as a Ross Store Manager isn't set in stone. Several key factors will determine your exact earning potential.
Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the most significant factor in retail management compensation. Ross, like most retailers, has a clear management hierarchy that correlates with pay.
- Assistant Store Manager: This is a common stepping stone to the manager role. Assistant Managers gain critical experience in operations and leadership and typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000.
- New Store Manager (1-4 Years): A manager with a few years of experience, either newly promoted or new to the company, will likely earn a salary at the lower end of the range, from $58,000 to $65,000.
- Experienced Store Manager (5+ Years): With a proven track record of driving results, an experienced manager can command a higher base salary and larger bonuses, pushing their total compensation to $70,000 - $85,000+.
- District Manager: The next step up, overseeing multiple stores, comes with a substantial increase in salary, often well over $100,000 annually.
Geographic Location
Where you work matters immensely. Ross adjusts its pay scales based on the cost of living and market rates in different regions. A manager in a major metropolitan area with a high cost of living will earn substantially more than a manager in a smaller, rural town.
For example, a Store Manager position in San Jose, California, or New York City will command a salary at the very top of the pay scale to compensate for housing and living expenses. In contrast, a similar role in a city like Omaha, Nebraska, or Little Rock, Arkansas, will likely have a salary closer to the national median for the position.
Store Size and Sales Volume
Not all Ross stores are created equal. The company operates stores of varying sizes, and compensation is directly tied to the store's sales volume and overall complexity. Managing a high-volume, "A-level" store with high foot traffic and massive daily sales is a more demanding job than managing a smaller, lower-volume store. Consequently, managers of these flagship locations are compensated with higher base salaries and have significantly greater bonus potential.
Level of Education
While hands-on experience is paramount in retail, education can provide a competitive edge. Most Store Manager positions require a high school diploma or GED, but a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, or a related field is often preferred. A degree can make you a more attractive candidate for initial hiring and can be a significant advantage when seeking promotions to higher-level roles, such as District Manager or a position in corporate headquarters.
Job Outlook
The retail industry is constantly evolving. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of "First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers" is projected to show a slight decline over the next decade.
However, this statistic doesn't tell the whole story. While e-commerce is growing, the off-price model used by companies like Ross continues to thrive by offering a "treasure hunt" experience that is difficult to replicate online. This creates a stable demand for skilled, effective, and results-driven store managers who can run profitable brick-and-mortar locations. The field will remain competitive, meaning that candidates with strong leadership skills, a history of success, and a solid understanding of business operations will be highly sought after and well-compensated.
Conclusion
A career as a Ross Store Manager offers a significant and rewarding opportunity for dedicated retail professionals. With a competitive average salary ranging from $65,000 to $85,000 including bonuses, it represents a solid path to a middle-class income and beyond.
Your earning potential is directly in your hands, influenced heavily by your experience, performance, and location. For those willing to develop their leadership skills, embrace the fast-paced off-price retail environment, and drive tangible results, managing a Ross store is more than just a job—it's a viable and lucrative career with clear pathways for advancement.