TJ Maxx, a cornerstone of the off-price retail giant The TJX Companies, is not just a destination for savvy shoppers but also a major employer offering a wide array of career paths. For those considering a role with the company, understanding the potential earnings is a critical first step. While salaries can range from hourly wages for part-time associates to significant six-figure incomes for corporate executives, a career with TJ Maxx offers substantial opportunities for growth and development.
This guide will break down the salary landscape at TJ Maxx, exploring what you can expect to earn based on your role, experience, location, and more, all backed by the latest data from authoritative sources.
What Do TJ Maxx Employees Do? An Overview of Roles
The query "TJ Maxx salary" doesn't refer to a single job but to a spectrum of roles within a large, multi-faceted organization. Careers at TJ Maxx generally fall into two primary categories:
1. Retail Store Operations: These are the customer-facing roles that are the backbone of the company. Responsibilities range from providing excellent customer service, managing inventory, and operating cash registers to merchandising the sales floor to create that "treasure hunt" experience. Leadership roles involve training staff, managing store profitability, and ensuring operational excellence.
2. Corporate, Distribution, and Logistics: Behind the scenes, a massive network of professionals supports the retail stores. These roles exist in areas like buying and merchandising (the teams that find the deals), marketing, finance, human resources, supply chain management, IT, and loss prevention. These positions are often located at regional corporate offices or distribution centers.
Average TJ Maxx Salaries: A Role-by-Role Breakdown
Because compensation varies drastically by position, it's most helpful to examine salaries by specific, common job titles. The following data is aggregated from recent reports by Payscale, Glassdoor, and Salary.com (as of late 2023/early 2024).
- Retail Associate / Sales Associate: This is the most common entry-level position.
- Average Hourly Rate: $12 to $15 per hour.
- Typical Range: The national average hovers around $13.50/hour, according to Payscale. This can fluctuate based on state minimum wage laws and local market conditions.
- Merchandise Coordinator (Key Carrier): A step above an associate, this role includes leadership responsibilities, such as opening/closing the store and leading a specific department.
- Average Hourly Rate: $14 to $18 per hour.
- Typical Range: Glassdoor reports a typical total pay of around $16/hour for this role.
- Assistant Store Manager (ASM): A key member of the store's management team, responsible for hiring, training, and driving sales.
- Average Annual Salary: $50,000 to $65,000.
- Typical Range: Salary.com places the median salary for a Retail Assistant Store Manager at approximately $54,155, with the full range often falling between $45,000 and $70,000, including potential bonuses.
- Store Manager: The leader of an individual store, responsible for overall profitability, staffing, and operations.
- Average Annual Salary: $65,000 to $85,000.
- Typical Range: According to data on Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a Store Manager at TJX Companies is around $78,000 per year, though this can climb higher with experience and in high-volume locations.
- Corporate Roles (Example: Merchandise Planner): These roles at the corporate level carry significantly different salary structures.
- Average Annual Salary: $70,000 to $90,000.
- Typical Range: A role like a Merchandise Planner, critical for the company's business model, can command a salary well within this range, with senior positions exceeding $100,000.
Key Factors That Influence Your TJ Maxx Salary
Your specific salary within the ranges above will be determined by several key factors. Understanding these can help you maximize your earning potential.
### 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 plays a more significant role. A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Marketing, or Finance can make you a more competitive candidate for Assistant Manager positions and corporate tracks, often leading to a higher starting salary. For specialized corporate roles (e.g., finance, data analytics), a relevant degree is typically a firm requirement.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most powerful drivers of salary in the retail industry.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): Associates and coordinators will typically earn at the lower end of the pay scale for their roles.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): An Assistant Manager with five years of retail management experience will command a higher salary than a newly promoted one. This level of experience demonstrates a proven ability to manage teams, control costs, and drive results.
- Senior-Level (8+ years): Highly experienced Store Managers, District Managers, and senior corporate professionals see the highest earnings. Their extensive track record in managing large teams and multi-million dollar operations justifies top-tier compensation packages.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. The TJX Companies operates stores in all 50 states, and salaries are adjusted based on the local cost of living and market pay rates. A Store Manager in San Francisco, CA, or New York, NY, will earn a significantly higher base salary than a manager in a small town in the Midwest to offset the drastic difference in housing, transportation, and daily expenses. Always research the average pay for your specific role in your city or state to get the most accurate picture.
### Company Type
While this article focuses on TJ Maxx, it's helpful to understand that TJ Maxx is part of The TJX Companies, which also owns Marshalls, HomeGoods, and Sierra. Compensation structures are generally similar across these brands. When compared to the broader retail industry, salaries at TJX are competitive within the off-price sector (e.g., Ross Stores, Burlington). Pay may differ when compared to high-end luxury retailers or big-box stores like Target or Walmart, which have their own distinct compensation strategies.
### Area of Specialization
Within the company, specialized roles often come with different pay scales. In-store, a Loss Prevention Detective may have a different pay structure than a Merchandise Coordinator due to the specific skills required. At the corporate level, this effect is even more pronounced. A Software Engineer in the IT department will have a completely different—and typically higher—salary range than an HR Generalist, based on market demand for those specific professional skills.
Job Outlook for Retail Careers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall employment of retail salespersons is projected to decline slightly over the next decade. However, this statistic doesn't tell the whole story. The BLS notes that the large size of the occupation and high turnover will result in several hundred thousand job openings each year as workers retire or transition to other fields.
For management roles, the outlook is more stable. The BLS projects steady employment for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers. For a financially strong and growing company like TJX, opportunities will remain robust for talented individuals who can drive sales and manage teams effectively. The company's successful off-price model has proven resilient through various economic climates, suggesting a stable outlook for its employees.
Conclusion: Is a Career at TJ Maxx Right for You?
Working at TJ Maxx offers a dynamic career path with clear opportunities for advancement. While your starting salary will depend heavily on your specific role—from an hourly associate to a salaried manager—your potential for growth is significant.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Salary is Role-Dependent: You must evaluate compensation based on the specific job title you are targeting.
- Experience is King: The single best way to increase your earnings is to build a strong track record of success within the retail environment.
- Location Matters: Be mindful of how your local market impacts pay scales.
- Growth is Possible: TJ Maxx has a strong culture of promoting from within, allowing dedicated associates to move into coordination and management roles over time.
For individuals with a passion for retail, a strong work ethic, and a desire to grow with an industry leader, a career at TJ Maxx can be both financially and professionally rewarding.