For many people, landing a job after months of searching feels like crossing a finish line. That’s exactly how it felt for a woman named Doreau, who posted a smiling selfie from her car holding up her brand-new Costco employee badge.
“After almost 3 months,” she wrote. “I’m officially hired.”
To her, it was a win worth celebrating. To a few critics online, it was apparently… not.
What followed quickly turned into a public lesson on why Costco isn’t “just another retail job”, and why those who know, know.
A Post That Should’ve Been Simple
Doreau’s post was straightforward. Whether she had been job-hunting in general for three months or navigating Costco’s famously selective hiring process wasn’t entirely clear. What was clear was her pride.
But some commenters missed the point entirely.
“Who tf spends 3 months chasing a job at Costco,” one person scoffed.
Others implied that retail work wasn’t something to brag about.
That narrative didn’t last long.
After almost 3 months. I’m Officially hired.😤 pic.twitter.com/gjpNilfuK9
— nia🪽 (@therealskeezyD) January 3, 2025
The Internet Steps In, with Receipts
People familiar with Costco’s reputation wasted no time correcting the critics.
“They must not know Costco’s employee turnover rate,” one commenter wrote. “She hit a lick on that one.”
Another added, “Costco pays their employees incredibly well and has benefits unlike any other grocer.”
Stories poured in:
- “I know someone who checks receipts at the door and makes $25/hour.”
- “My partner’s been there 20 years, makes six figures, has nearly $1M in his 401k, tons of PTO, and great work-life balance.”
- “People don’t leave Costco. Getting in is the hard part.”
What started as mockery turned into a full-blown appreciation thread.
Why Costco Is the Exception in Retail
Retail jobs often get a bad reputation, and not without reason. Low pay, high turnover, inconsistent hours, and limited benefits are common across the industry.
Costco is different. And the data backs it up.
According to figures cited by Harvard Business Review, Costco’s employee turnover rate is around 8%, compared to an industry average of roughly 60%. That number alone explains why landing a job there is competitive, and why people stay once they do.
Pay, Benefits, and Respect
Costco’s approach to employees is rooted in a simple philosophy: take care of your workers, and good business will follow.
Studies have shown that Costco pays roughly 40% more than competitors like Walmart and Target, while also offering stronger health and retirement benefits. According to Investopedia, Costco’s average wage is over $30 per hour, with a minimum wage of $19.50/hour, well above the national retail average.
Former CEO and cofounder Jim Sinegal famously rejected the idea that companies must choose between profits and people.
“It’s really pretty simple,” he said in 2009. “It’s good business. When you hire good people, and you provide good jobs and good wages, good things are going to happen.”
Costco has stuck to that philosophy long after Sinegal’s retirement.
Real Career Paths, Not Dead Ends
One of the most overlooked aspects of Costco employment is upward mobility.
The company strongly promotes from within, encouraging workers to see Costco as a long-term career, not a temporary stop.
Costco’s current CEO, Ron Vachris, started as a forklift driver when the company was still called Price Club. Today, he runs the entire organization.
That trajectory isn’t typical, but it’s not rare inside Costco either.
The company’s stated goals for employee development include:
- Providing training and advancement opportunities
- Ensuring fair access to career growth
- Encouraging mentorship from leadership
For many employees, those promises translate into real promotions and long-term stability.
Ethics as a Business Model
Costco’s reputation isn’t built on wages alone. The company is often cited as an example of ethical capitalism, guided by a simple four-point code:
- Obey the law
- Take care of our members
- Take care of our employees
- Respect our suppliers
That code isn’t just decorative. Costco has repeatedly backed it up, even when it meant resisting external pressure, such as when the company reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives in late 2024.
The company has long argued that ethical practices and shareholder success aren’t opposites, they’re connected.
So far, the results speak for themselves.
Why Her Celebration Was Earned
In an economy where job searches drag on for months and stability feels increasingly rare, Doreau’s pride made perfect sense.
She didn’t just get a job.
She got that job.
The backlash revealed a common misconception: that all retail work is interchangeable and unworthy of celebration. The response made something else clear, Costco is an outlier, and getting hired there is a genuine achievement.
So yes, she earned that smile.
She earned that badge.
And thanks to a quick internet reality check, a lot more people now understand why.
Featured Image from: Sikander Iqbal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons