How long is a shift at Costco?

Costco shifts are typically 8 hours for full-time staff, but part-timers work fewer hours, with shifts ranging from 5 to 8 hours, depending on department and seniority, covering early mornings (e.g., 4 AM stockers) to closing (e.g., 9-10 PM), with schedules varying by role like bakery, deli, or merchandise. Full-time employees aim for 40 hours/week, while part-timers get at least 24-25 hours, with more during busy seasons.

What are Costco's normal hours?

Costco's regular hours generally have weekday openings at 10 AM (9 AM for Executive Members), closing at 8:30 PM; Saturdays open at 9:30 AM (9 AM for Execs), closing at 7 PM; and Sundays open at 10 AM (9 AM for Execs), closing at 6 PM, but it's best to check your specific location as hours vary, especially for Business Centers and during holidays, using the Find a Warehouse tool on Costco's website. 

Is Costco actually paying $30 an hour?

Yes, Costco pays many U.S. employees over $30 an hour, with top-tier non-union clerks reaching nearly $32/hour, following significant raises in early 2025 that brought the starting pay to $20/hour and the top scale to $30.20/hour, with further $1 increases planned for March 2026 and 2027, though these specific raises don't apply to union workers yet. 

Is Costco flexible with hours?

Yes, Costco Wholesale offers flexible working hours to its employees. This includes shift flexibility, where employees can choose to work different shifts, and flexible scheduling, where employees can adjust the number of hours they work each week.

What are the hours for each shift?

Different shift times typically refer to the First (Day), Second (Swing/Evening), and Third (Night/Graveyard) shifts, covering standard business hours, afternoons/evenings, and overnight, respectively, with variations like 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts and rotating or fixed patterns, crucial for 24/7 operations in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality.
 

Working as a Costco Stocker

Is it 8 to 5 or 9 to 5?

The main difference between 8-5 and 9-5 workdays is the start time and lunch duration, with 9-5 often implying a full 8 hours plus an unpaid hour (9 total in office), while 8-5 also typically means 8 hours of work but often includes a standard hour-long lunch break within those 9 hours, though both are standard ways to describe a typical 40-hour workweek in the US, with variations depending on industry (public sector often 8-5) and company culture. 

What are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts?

1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts are standard 8-hour work blocks covering 24 hours, with 1st shift (day shift) usually 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., 2nd shift (evening shift) from 3 p.m. - 11 p.m., and 3rd shift (night/graveyard shift) from 11 p.m. - 7 a.m., though exact times vary by employer, often with pay differentials (extra pay) for later shifts.
 

Does Costco really pay $21 an hour?

Yes, Costco does pay around $21 an hour, especially for newer employees, with recent contract changes pushing starting wages for junior clerks to $21/hour and overall average wages to over $30/hour in 2025/2026, reflecting their strategy to offer higher pay and better benefits to reduce turnover. While starting rates can vary slightly, the $21 figure reflects a specific pay tier after recent raises, with top earners potentially reaching much higher. 

What are Costco shifts?

Costco shifts are varied, typically 8-hour days (with lunch) for full-time staff, covering early mornings (e.g., 4 AM stockers), mid-day, evenings (until store closing), and overnight stocking/cleaning, with seniority often dictating preferred shifts, and weekend/holiday availability required, especially for newer employees. Part-time schedules are more flexible but still demand weekend/holiday work and generally run 25+ hours weekly. 

What is the slowest day at Costco?

The least busy days at Costco are generally Tuesdays and Wednesdays, particularly mid-morning (around 10-11:30 AM) or later afternoons/evenings (after 4 PM but before the dinner rush), after shelves have been restocked and before weekend crowds build up. Mondays can also be quiet, but weekdays (Tuesday-Thursday) offer the best balance for avoiding crowds, with Wednesday afternoons often cited as the absolute slowest time by employees. 

Is Costco hard to get hired?

Yes, getting a job at Costco can be competitive due to its great pay and benefits, leading to many applicants, but it's not impossible, especially for entry-level roles, with success depending on showing great availability, attitude, and standing out in their multi-stage interview process, which often favors those with connections or applying early. 

What position at Costco pays the most?

The highest paying Costco jobs are typically specialized roles in IT, Pharmacy, and Management, with Staff Pharmacists earning over $150k/year, Software Developers over $115k/year, and roles like Database Administrators and Business Architects paying around $100k+ annually, while top-tier store employees, like unloaders and deli clerks, can reach $30+/hour. 

How much is starting pay at Costco?

Costco's starting pay for U.S. hourly employees increased to $19.50 per hour as of July 2024, with further raises for top scales reaching over $30/hour, making it a strong retail employer known for higher wages and benefits, though specific rates can vary by location and role.
 

What is the new entry rule for Costco?

Costco's new entry rule requires members to scan their physical or digital membership card at the door for entry, with staff enforcing this to prevent non-members and membership sharing, also requiring photo ID with cards without photos. Additionally, a separate policy gives Executive Members exclusive early access (weekdays/Sundays at 9 AM, Saturdays at 9:30 AM), with other members generally waiting until 10 AM, a rule strictly enforced since late 2025 after a grace period. 

How many hours is considered full time at Costco?

Look at your Handbook , it states that full time employees are scheduled 40 hours, unless working Sunday where they can be scheduled to work 6 hours, and that would be 38.

What days does Costco get off?

Holidays Observed by Costco: What You Need to Know

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Independence Day.
• Labor Day.
• Thanksgiving Day.

Does Costco let you choose your hours?

Yes, Costco Wholesale offers flexible working hours to its employees. This includes shift flexibility, where employees can choose to work different shifts, and flexible scheduling, where employees can adjust the number of hours they work each week.

What hours are each shift?

Different shift times typically refer to the First (Day), Second (Swing/Evening), and Third (Night/Graveyard) shifts, covering standard business hours, afternoons/evenings, and overnight, respectively, with variations like 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts and rotating or fixed patterns, crucial for 24/7 operations in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality.
 

Is it worth working at Costco?

Yes, working at Costco is generally considered worth it for many due to its strong pay, excellent benefits (health/dental/vision for part-timers too), low turnover, opportunities for advancement, and a positive company culture that values its employees, though it involves fast-paced, sometimes hectic, manual labor and dealing with demanding customers. Key benefits include guaranteed hours, time-and-a-half on Sundays, free memberships, and a clear path for consistent pay raises, making it a good retail employer. 

What is the dress code at Costco?

Costco Wholesale has a casual dress code that allows employees to wear comfortable clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sneakers. Employees are encouraged to dress neatly and in good taste. Shorts and tank tops are generally not allowed.

What kind of jobs at Costco pay $30/hour?

Costco $30 an hour jobs

• Pharmacy Stocker. Costco Wholesale Corporation. ...
• Explore other jobs. ...
• Lead Warehouse Worker. ...
• Full-Time Store Manager Trainee. ...
• Area Manager 2026 – Florida (Recent and Upcoming Graduates) ...
• Show more jobs.
• Other search results. ...
• Systems Administrator - Windows Server - Costco Travel.

What is top pay for Costco cashier?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $38,000 and as low as $16,000, the majority of Costco Cashier salaries currently range between $23,500 (25th percentile) to $32,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $36,000 annually across the United States.

What is the best shift to work?

First Shift

As the name implies, first shift marks the opening of a new workday. At most 24-hour companies, first shift runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If your spouse isn't a shift worker or you have kids in school, this shift will likely give you the most time with your family.

Why is the 3rd shift called Graveyard?

It's called the graveyard shift because the late-night hours (midnight to early morning) are quiet, still, and eerie, much like a graveyard, with most people asleep. The term, originating in the late 1800s, reflects the solitude and spookiness of an empty workplace at that time, though some folklore suggests it relates to historical practices of guarding graves or bell systems for the "buried alive".
 

How long is a day shift?

Day shift hours, also known as the first shift, typically cover standard business hours, most commonly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with variations like 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., aligning with general daylight hours and often including a lunch break. Hours depend on the industry, with corporate jobs favoring traditional times, while manufacturing or healthcare might have slightly earlier starts.