US Trends

how much does target pay per hour

Target’s typical base pay in 2025–2026 is around 17–20 USD per hour for many entry‑level store roles, with a formal company starting range of 15–24 USD per hour depending on location, job, and experience. Higher‑responsibility roles such as team leads and specialized positions can range into the low‑ to mid‑20s per hour and beyond.

Quick Scoop

  • Target set a starting wage range of 15–24 USD/hr for hourly team members in stores, supply chain, and some HQ roles; where you land depends on local market pay and the specific job.
  • Crowdsourced and salary‑tracking data for 2025–2026 show average hourly pay around 17 USD/hr , with common store roles (cashier, sales/guest advocate, style, fulfillment) often falling in the 15–20 USD/hr band.
  • Lead and specialist roles (for example, team lead, security specialist, warehouse team leader) more often sit in the 22–30 USD/hr‑ish range, sometimes higher, reflecting added responsibility and experience.

Typical Hourly Pay by Role

Below is an approximate snapshot from recent U.S. data (numbers are rounded bands, not exact offers):

  • Cashier / Guest Advocate / Sales Associate : commonly about 15–18 USD/hr , with averages reported near 17 USD/hr.
  • Style / Beauty / Service / Fulfillment Experts : usually around 15–20+ USD/hr , with reported ranges like 15–25 USD/hr depending on store and market.
  • Team Lead roles (e.g., department TL, operations TL): often 22–28+ USD/hr , with many data points in the low‑ to mid‑20s.
  • Security / Asset Protection / TSS‑type roles : commonly 19–26+ USD/hr , sometimes higher with experience.
  • Warehouse / Distribution, some technical or HQ roles : can move into the 20s, 30s, or higher per hour , with specialized roles (for example, programmer, engineering manager) far above store averages.

What Affects Your Hourly Rate

Several factors decide where you land inside that 15–24+ USD/hr spread:

  • Location and cost of living : High‑cost metro areas tend to start closer to or above 20 USD/hr , while smaller markets may be nearer 15–18 USD/hr.
  • Role and department : Customer‑facing entry roles usually form the lower half of the range, while leadership and specialized roles sit higher.
  • Experience and tenure : Raises over time, performance reviews, and moving into lead/specialist positions can push pay up several dollars from starting rate.

In real‑world worker discussions, people hired in the last couple of years often mention starting around 16–17 USD/hr and then stepping up through small annual raises or by changing roles, with some long‑timers reaching the low‑20s without formally leaving the store environment.

If You’re Considering Applying

If you want a more precise answer to “how much does Target pay per hour” for you personally :

  1. Check the job posting for your city; many now show a pay range tied to local laws.
  1. Look at third‑party salary sites (Indeed, PayScale, Breakroom, etc.) filtered to your metro area and desired role to see current real‑employee ranges.
  1. During the interview, ask directly, “What is the starting hourly rate and typical raise structure for this role here?” Employers are generally required to be clear once you are at the offer stage in many U.S. states.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.