If you‘re considering applying for a job at your local Publix supermarket, you‘re probably wondering about the pay and benefits. How often do you get paid? How much do they pay? What extra perks do they offer employees? As a former retail manager who has researched Publix‘s policies extensively, I‘m here to give you the inside scoop. Let‘s dive into the details of Publix‘s compensation and benefits so you know exactly what to expect.
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Publix Pays Employees Every Week
The first thing to know is that Publix pays all of its employees every single week, with payday falling on Thursday. This is great news for people who like getting paid as frequently as possible. Publix used to pay employees with paper checks, but in recent years they have switched over to paying exclusively via direct deposit into your bank account.
If you don‘t have a bank account, don‘t worry – Publix also offers its own credit union that you can join as an employee. The Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) allows you to get your paycheck deposited every Wednesday, a day earlier than the normal Thursday payday. Signing up for PEFCU is quick and easy and can be done entirely online once you‘re hired.
"I loved getting paid every week when I worked at Publix. It made budgeting so much easier than waiting for a bi-weekly paycheck." – Sarah T., former Publix cashier
Here are the key things to know about Publix‘s weekly pay schedule:
- Payday is every Thursday for all employees
- Publix pays via direct deposit only (no paper checks)
- Publix‘s pay week starts on Saturday and ends on Friday
- The Publix credit union lets you get paid on Wednesdays instead
- Signing up for the credit union is easy to do online
So in summary, you‘ll get a steady paycheck deposited into your account every single Thursday (or Wednesday) like clockwork. No need to wait two long weeks to get paid like at some other jobs!
How Much Does Publix Pay?
Now that you know how often you‘ll get paid at Publix, the next obvious question is how much. Publix‘s starting pay varies depending on your specific job and the location you‘re working at. However, in general, most entry-level roles start out earning between $10 and $13 per hour.
According to data from Glassdoor, here are some average hourly wages at Publix:
- Cashier: $11 per hour
- Bagger: $10 per hour
- Produce Clerk: $12 per hour
- Deli Clerk: $12 per hour
- Baker: $12 per hour
- Meat Cutter: $16 per hour
Keep in mind these are just averages, and you may earn more or less depending on your store and experience level. Publix does offer pay raises over time as you gain experience in your role.
"I started as a bagger making $9 an hour, but after a year I was promoted to produce clerk and got bumped up to $12 an hour. The longer you stay, the more you can make." – Miguel R., current Publix produce clerk
The average Publix employee makes around $1,100 per week, or about $28,600 per year assuming a full-time schedule. But weekly pay can range anywhere from $300 to $2,400 per week depending on your specific job title and how many hours you work.
And good news – you start getting paid right away, even during orientation! The time you spend training during Publix‘s orientation program is paid and will show up on your first paycheck.
Opportunities to Earn Extra
Beyond your base hourly pay, Publix does offer a few ways to put more cash in your pocket. Let‘s go through the most common opportunities to earn extra money:
Overtime Pay
Like most hourly employers, Publix pays time and a half for any hours worked beyond 40 in a week. So if you make $12 an hour normally, you would get paid $18 for every overtime hour worked. Publix is fairly generous with allowing overtime for those who want it, especially during busy seasons.
Holiday Pay
Publix observes six paid holidays each year: New Year‘s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If you work on any of these holidays, you‘ll get some extra pay.
Full-time Publix employees get paid for an extra 8 hours on holidays, even if they don‘t end up working that day. So if you‘re full-time, you‘ll get holiday pay whether you work it or not.
Part-time employees who work on a holiday get an extra $1 per hour for every hour worked on the holiday. So if you normally make $11 an hour, you would get paid $12 for every hour worked on a holiday like Thanksgiving. Not a bad extra boost!
Sunday Premium
One common question is whether Publix pays extra for working on Sundays, since many stores are closed that day. The answer is no – Publix does not pay a premium for Sunday hours. You‘ll get paid your normal rate unless you happen to work overtime.
"Getting paid extra for working holidays is awesome. I always volunteer to work the day after Thanksgiving or on Christmas Eve to get that time and a half!" – Jenna P., Publix cashier
Full-time vs Part-time
Your eligibility for certain benefits at Publix depends on whether you‘re classified as a full-time or part-time employee. Publix considers anyone working between 35 and 40 hours per week as full-time. Working over 40 hours is considered overtime.
Part-time employees at Publix work anywhere between 10 and 35 hours per week. The nice thing about Publix is that even if you‘re hired as part-time, you can often pick up extra shifts to get close to a full-time schedule. Many part-timers end up working 25-30 regularly scheduled hours per week. Just keep in mind you won‘t get overtime pay until you exceed 40 hours.
Other Publix Employee Benefits
Competitive pay is certainly important, but it‘s not everything. Publix offers employees some great benefits that really sweeten the deal. Here are a few of the best perks:
Tuition Reimbursem*nt
Want to go back to school? Publix encourages employees to further their education by offering tuition reimbursem*nt. Publix will reimburse you up to $3,200 per year for college tuition, books, and other fees. Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible as long as you‘ve been working at Publix for at least 90 days.
Quarterly Bonuses
Every few months, Publix shares a portion of its profits with employees through a quarterly bonus program. The amount you get depends on your job title and how many hours you work, but it can add up to several hundred dollars extra per quarter. Not bad for a nice surprise in your paycheck!
Paid Vacation
We all need time off to relax and recharge. Luckily, Publix offers paid vacation time to both full-time and part-time employees. You start accruing vacation pay after working at Publix for one year. The longer you work there, the more vacation time you earn – up to 3 weeks per year for full-time employees.
"The tuition reimbursem*nt program at Publix allowed me to go back to school and finish my degree while still working. It made a huge difference for me and my family." – Tanya S., Publix customer service staff
The Bottom Line: Is Publix a Good Place to Work?
Based on my research into Publix‘s pay and benefits, as well as feedback from current and former employees, Publix stacks up as a solid place to work in the retail industry. Getting a weekly paycheck is a huge plus that really helps with budgeting and financial stability. The starting pay is competitive with other grocery chains, and there are plenty of opportunities to pick up extra hours and earn overtime.
Employees consistently praise Publix for having friendly co-workers, approachable managers, and a strong employee-first culture. Many stores allow fairly flexible scheduling as well. The main complaints are typical for retail jobs – long shifts on your feet, unpredictable part-time hours, and working on weekends and holidays. But that comes with the territory.
One notable downside of working at Publix is that they don‘t offer employee discounts on groceries or other store items. Some other grocery chains give employees 5-10% off, so that‘s one area where Publix falls short. But the weekly pay, quarterly bonuses, tuition reimbursem*nt, and other benefits help make up for it.
"I‘ve worked at Publix for over 2 years and have no plans to leave. The pay and benefits are great, I have an amazing manager, and I‘ve made lifelong friends with my co-workers." – James T., Publix stock clerk
Ultimately, if you‘re looking for a stable job with decent pay and good benefits, Publix is definitely worth applying to. Just be prepared to work hard, provide amazing customer service, and be part of a tight-knit team. With weekly paychecks and plenty of opportunities to grow, Publix is a solid choice for retail employment.
