Curious about what Academy Sports + Outdoors pays in North Carolina? You've come to the right place! Understanding salary ranges can be a crucial step in your job search or career planning. Let's dive deep into the compensation landscape at Academy Sports + Outdoors across the Tar Heel State.
Step 1: Let's Talk Money! What's the Average Pay?
Ever wondered what the typical Academy Sports + Outdoors employee makes in North Carolina? It's a great question to start with! As of July 2025, the average annual pay for an Academy Sports + Outdoors employee in North Carolina is approximately $54,933 per year.
 |
| How Much Does Academy Sports Pay In Nc |
Breaking It Down: Hourly, Weekly, and Monthly
To give you a clearer picture, this annual salary translates to:
Approximately $26.41 per hour * Roughly $1,056 per week
Around $4,577 per month
Remember, these are averages, and actual pay can vary significantly based on several factors.
Step 2: Understanding the Range: From Entry-Level to Top Earners
It's important to know that salaries at Academy Sports + Outdoors in North Carolina aren't a flat rate. There's a considerable range, reflecting different roles, experience levels, and locations.
The Salary Spectrum
While the average is around $54,933, salaries can be as high as $109,510 and as low as $28,627 annually. The majority of salaries, however, fall between $42,700 (25th percentile) and $55,900 (75th percentile). This means that a significant portion of employees earn within this range. The top earners (those in the 90th percentile) can pull in up to $98,605 annually.
Step 3: Location, Location, Location! How City Affects Pay
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Just like real estate, job salaries can be heavily influenced by where you work within North Carolina. Larger metropolitan areas or regions with a higher cost of living often offer slightly higher compensation.
Top-Paying Cities for Academy Sports + Outdoors Jobs in NC
Here's a look at some of the cities in North Carolina where Academy Sports + Outdoors employees tend to earn more:
Matthews: ~$61,607 per year (approx. $29.62/hour)
Pineville: ~$61,238 per year (approx. $29.44/hour)
Kannapolis: ~$59,494 per year (approx. $28.60/hour)
Charlotte: ~$59,038 per year (approx. $28.38/hour)
Raleigh: ~$58,758 per year (approx. $28.25/hour)
Greensboro: ~$58,564 per year (approx. $28.16/hour)
Durham: ~$58,413 per year (approx. $28.08/hour)
Asheville: ~$57,154 per year (approx. $27.48/hour)
Concord: ~$56,298 per year (approx. $27.07/hour)
Cary: ~$55,998 per year (approx. $26.92/hour)
As you can see, there can be a difference of several thousand dollars annually depending on the specific city.
Step 4: Job Title Matters! Pay by Position
The type of role you hold at Academy Sports + Outdoors also plays a significant part in your earnings. Different positions come with different responsibilities and, consequently, different pay scales.
Common Job Titles and Their Average Hourly Pay
While comprehensive data for all positions in NC isn't always readily available, here are some general hourly pay insights for common roles across Academy Sports + Outdoors:
Sales Associate: Ranges from $9 to $17 per hour, with an average around $12 per hour.
Cashier: Ranges from $9 to $15 per hour, with an average around $12 per hour.
Retail Sales Associate: Ranges from $10 to $20 per hour, with an average around $13 per hour.
Inventory Control Specialist: Ranges from $10 to $19 per hour, with an average around $14 per hour.
Receiving Associate/Worker: Typically in the range of $13.63 to $18.20 per hour, sometimes higher.
Team Lead: Often earns between $17.70 and $20.06 per hour.
Store Team Member: Actual job listings in various NC cities show hourly pay for this role often between $11.50 and $17.75. For example, in Greenville, NC, it might be $13.25-$17.25/hour, while in Burlington, NC, it could be $11.50-$15/hour.
Higher-level positions, such as Retail Store Manager or Store Operations Manager, will naturally command significantly higher annual salaries, often ranging from $36,000 to over $90,000 depending on experience and store volume.
Step 5: Beyond the Paycheck: Benefits and Perks
While salary is a major factor, understanding the complete compensation package means looking at benefits and perks. Academy Sports + Outdoors often provides a range of benefits to its employees, which can add significant value to your overall compensation.
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
Employee Benefits Include:
Flex Time: Opportunities to pick up/trade shifts in stores, various shift options in distribution centers, and flexible schedules in corporate roles.
Personal & Professional Development: This can include extensive training opportunities (e.g., over 500,000 hours of training completed by team members in 2021), internal advancement opportunities (43% of store management positions filled internally in 2021), and even tuition reimbursement for furthering your education.
Team Member Perks:
Merchandise Discount: A notable perk is the 20% merchandise discount available to team members on Academy stores and academy.com.
Expert Savings: Discounts on over 1,000 popular brands through vendor partnerships.
Discount Network: Access to a full range of discounts and rewards for sporting events, theme parks, restaurants, and more!
Health and Wellness: While specific details vary, typical retail benefits packages often include medical, dental, and vision insurance. Some employee reviews mention dental, vision, and healthcare benefits.
Retirement Planning: A 401k plan is often part of the benefits package.
It's important to note that eligibility for certain benefits, especially health insurance and 401k, often depends on whether you are a full-time or part-time employee.
Step 6: The Employee Perspective: What Current & Former Staff Say ️
Employee reviews can provide a candid look at compensation satisfaction. While official data is helpful, hearing from those on the ground offers valuable qualitative insights.
What Employees Are Saying:
Fair Pay Perception: Comparably, a platform for employee reviews, indicates that only about 33% of Academy Sports + Outdoors employees feel they are paid fairly. This suggests that while salaries might align with industry averages for some roles, others might feel undervalued.
Responsibility vs. Pay: Some employees, especially in lead or multi-departmental roles, express a feeling of being underpaid for the level of responsibility they shoulder.
Benefits are a Plus: Many reviews highlight the good benefits, including dental and vision, as a positive aspect of working at Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Management Impact: While not directly salary-related, management style and communication can significantly impact an employee's overall job satisfaction and perception of fair treatment, which indirectly ties into how they feel about their compensation.
It's crucial to remember that these are individual opinions and experiences, and they can vary widely.
Step 7: How to Maximize Your Earning Potential
If you're looking to work at Academy Sports + Outdoors in North Carolina, or you're already an employee there, there are ways to potentially increase your earnings.
Strategies for Higher Pay:
Gain Experience: As with most jobs, more experience often leads to higher pay. Longevity with the company and a demonstrated track record of performance can make you eligible for raises and promotions.
Seek Leadership Roles: Moving from a sales associate or cashier to a team lead, or eventually to a management position, will significantly boost your earning potential.
Specialize in High-Demand Areas: If you have expertise in specific departments like firearms, fishing, or outdoor gear, this specialized knowledge might be valued and could lead to better compensation, especially for sales roles requiring deep product knowledge.
Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate your starting salary, especially if you have relevant experience or unique skills. When it comes time for performance reviews, be prepared to discuss your achievements and advocate for a raise.
Relocation (if feasible): As seen in Step 3, moving to a higher-paying city in North Carolina could lead to a bump in salary.
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to calculate my hourly pay from an annual salary?
To convert an annual salary to an hourly rate, divide the annual salary by 2080 (which is 40 hours/week * 52 weeks/year). So, for $54,933 annually, it's $54,933 / 2080 = ~$26.41 per hour.
How to negotiate salary at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Research average salaries for your desired role and experience level, highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments during the interview process, and be prepared to confidently state your desired salary range.
How to get a promotion at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Focus on exceeding expectations in your current role, volunteer for additional responsibilities, seek out mentorship from managers, and express your career aspirations to your supervisors.
How to apply for jobs at Academy Sports + Outdoors in NC?
Visit the official Academy Sports + Outdoors careers website (careers.academy.com) and search for openings in North Carolina. You can filter by location, job title, and full-time/part-time status.
How to understand the different pay levels at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
Generally, entry-level retail positions like Cashier or Sales Associate are at the lower end, while specialized roles, team leads, and management positions offer progressively higher pay.
How to leverage employee benefits at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Familiarize yourself with the benefits package upon hiring, especially regarding health insurance enrollment periods, 401k matching programs, and utilizing your employee discount.
How to find out the exact pay for a specific job in my NC city?
While general averages are available, the most accurate way is to check specific job postings on Academy's career site or job boards like ZipRecruiter, as they often list salary ranges for open positions.
How to improve my chances of getting hired at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description, highlight any retail or sporting goods experience, and demonstrate excellent customer service skills during your interview.
How to get a better hourly rate as a Sales Associate?
Focus on consistently meeting or exceeding sales goals, becoming knowledgeable about a wide range of products, and being a reliable and positive team member. Sometimes, experience in a specific department (e.g., fishing, hunting) can command a slightly higher starting wage.
How to get a 20% merchandise discount at Academy Sports + Outdoors?
The 20% merchandise discount is typically available to all Academy Sports + Outdoors team members as a standard employee perk. Ensure you understand the specific terms and conditions once hired.
 |
💡 This page may contain affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
