McDonald’s is one of America’s leading fast-food companies, with franchises across the globe. They welcome millions of customers into their chains every day, making the company one of the biggest brands in the fast-food industry.
To cater to the enormous number of customers, McDonald’s has employed thousands of employees, most of whom work at hourly rates.
A McDonald’s worker earns around $8 per hour, so if they work for five days a week, they ultimately put in approximately 25-30 hours per week, making their weekly salary $200- $240. On average, a McDonald’s employee earns a minimum of $800 per month and $9600 a year.
McDonald’s raised hourly wages
McDonald’s raised the hourly wages for the restaurants that the company owns in 2021 in response to the criticism that it was facing from employees and other institutions.
Therefore, the company decided to raise the hourly wages for its U.S company-owned restaurants and hire an additional 10,000 workers for those locations.
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the workforce in the restaurant industry negatively, but as consumer demand has increased rapidly, the company devised a strategy to hire more employees and attract them with increased hourly pay.
McDonald’s announced that entry-level employees would receive $11- $17 per hour, while shift managers would make $15- $20 per hour, depending on the location of the restaurant.
Furthermore, the company expects that the average wage for their employees would rise to $15 per hour by 2024, which is a considerable increase of 40% from $8.
Average Salaries at McDonald’s
Have a look at how much you can earn at McDonald’s in different roles.
| Fast food attendant | $10.15 per hour |
| Team trainer | $9.29 per hour |
| Cook | $9.08 per hour |
| Crew member | $9.96 per hour |
| HVAC technician | $27.32 per hour |
| Area supervisor | $64,808 per year |
| Shift manager | $12.5 per hour |
| Manager | $11.41 per hour |
| General manager | $16.54 per hour |
Retail jobs pay rate at McDonald’s
These are the salaries you can expect to receive if you are working in the retail department at McDonald’s
| Asset protection associate | $13.16 per hour |
| Branch manager | $52,374 per year |
| CAP team associate | $11.26 per hour |
| Assistant store manager | $29,400 per year |
| Buyer | $44,305 per year |
| Cashier | $19,476 per year |
| Cashier/ Sales | $21,438 per year |
| Cashier/ Clerk | $9.14 per hour |
| Cashier/ Stocker | $9.88 per hour |
| Cashier supervisor | $9.81 per hour |
| Customer service associate/ Cashier | $17,473 per year |
| Floor supervisor | $19,158 per year |
| Food clerk | $7.74 per hour |
| Front end associate | $9.06 per hour |
| Inventory manager | $11.31 per hour |
Employee benefits at McDonald’s
When an employer offers a good benefits package, it makes the employees feel valued and well-compensated.
It also acts as additional financial support apart from their salary, and it helps them meet other family needs relating to health and finance.
McDonald’s understands the importance of employee benefits and, therefore, offers the following perks with the job.
- Flexible working hours
- Health insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Retirement plan
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee discount
- Vision insurance
- Matching gift program
- Adoption assistance
- 401k matching
- Free meals
McDonald’s also allows its employees to enjoy paid vacation days, provided they have worked for the company for a year or more.
Most companies offer employee benefits to keep their workforce motivated, and it plays a significant part in keeping the employee retention rate high.
When employees feel appreciated and accommodated, they feel loyal to the companies they are working for, which encourages them to work efficiently.
Does McDonald’s give weekly pay to workers?
While weekly pay sounds attractive to most workers as it helps them remain fluid in terms of cash in hand, McDonald’s doesn’t pay its employees on a weekly basis. Except for corporate-owned McDonald’s, the other restaurants pay their workers every two weeks as of 2022. In fact, new employees would now have to wait for 1-3 weeks to receive their first paycheck.
Does McDonald’s hold your first paycheck?
It is common for companies to hold back the first paycheck of new employees, and McDonald’s is not different. You receive your first check after the first two weeks of starting your job, which means that you are paid for the hours you have already worked.
Keeping the bi-weekly pay periods in mind, it could be three weeks before you receive your first paycheck if the pay cycle doesn’t end after the week you first started.
How does McDonald’s pay its employees?
When you start working at McDonald’s, you receive a Visa card which works the same as a traditional bank card.
Your first paycheck is loaded into the Visa card provided until a direct deposit account is set up. It is up to you to continue receiving salaries on that Visa card or opt for direct deposit.
You also have the option of paper cheques as a method of receiving payment, but larger organizations are trying to reduce the usage of physical cheques wherever possible.
How much are employees paid at McDonald’s franchise locations?
Almost 95% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned by the franchise, which means they are likely to be paid less than their counterparts. At franchise locations, an employee working at entry-level is paid around $10 per hour, while a shift manager can make up to $15 per hour.
How does McDonald’s pay as compared to its competitors?
There are many giants in the fast-food industry that dominate the markets with their large consumer bases. Some of them include Subway, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Dunkin’, and Wendy’s.
If we compare the salary offered by McDonald’s to that of its competitors, we can see that McDonald’s is one of the highest-paying fast-food chains in America.
According to Glassdoor, the average crew member salary at McDonald’s is $9 per hour. Furthermore, the national average food crew member salary is $8.33 per hour, so if we compare this with the range of $7 to $13 that a McDonald’s employee earns, we have a clear winner.
When asked about their experiences, employees on Glassdoor said that they would recommend others to work at McDonald’s since it offers an excellent opportunity to individuals who want to learn and grow as a professional.
FAQS
What is considered part-time at McDonald’s?
Anyone who works for less than 30 hours a week is considered a part-time worker at McDonald’s.
How much does KFC pay its employees?
The average salary that an employee earns at KFC restaurants in America is $13.99 per hour and $27,285 per year. Entry-level workers earn up to $22,181 per year, whereas more experienced workers make approximately $49,000 per year.
What time does McDonald’s pay its employees?
There isn’t a set time and day when McDonald’s pays its employees since the restaurants vary in-store and location. Nevertheless, mostly McDonald’s pays its workers on Friday. Although if you have selected direct deposit as your preferred payment, you can expect to receive your salary a day or two early.
Is it easy to apply for a job at McDonald’s?
Applying for a job at McDonald’s is very easy. You can choose to go in person or apply for the job online. However, it is better to apply in person so you can seal the deal quickly by making a good first impression.
At what age can I start working at McDonald’s?
You need to be at least 16 years of age to start working at McDonald’s across North America. However, at select McDonald’s locations, the youngest age at which you can start is 14 years.
Can a 14-year-old work at McDonald’s?
A 14-year-old can work at specific McDonald’s locations as a guest services representative or a crew member, provided they have parental consent and a work permit.
These states allow 14-year-olds to work at McDonald’s:
- Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Kentucky
Do labor laws protect 14-year-olds?
Yes, all 14-year-olds are protected by child labor laws under the Department of Labor guidelines. According to labor laws, 14-year-olds aren’t allowed to work eight-hour shifts, overnight shifts, or more than three hours on school nights.
Can a 15-year-old work at McDonald’s?
To counter the labor shortage and cater to the increasing consumer demand, several locations have increased their hiring age to 15. Therefore, a 15-year-old can work as a crew member or a guest services representative in any state that allows a 14-year old to work.
These are the states that allow a 15-year-old to work:
- Tennessee
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Florida
Final Word
McDonald’s is a leading fast-food chain that provides employment to thousands of people across America. It is an excellent starting point for people who are looking for work experience or a way to pay their bills.
Since McDonald’s has increased its minimum pay rate, more people feel motivated to become a part of its workforce. You can start working as early as 14 years, depending on the state you are applying for a job at McDonald’s.