Buc-ee’s holds the world record for the biggest convenience store and longest car wash – it might be time to add “most controversial $275,000 job” to the list.
The rest-stop chain, known for its massive convenience stores and cheeky highway billboards, is now the epicenter of an online debate over salaries. Not because they’re underpaying their employees, but, according to internet backlash, because they’re paying a big salary – $275,000 – for a job that doesn’t require a degree.
Buc-ee’s careers website says general manager salaries range from $200,000 to $275,000 or more. Assistant general managers start at $125,000. Meanwhile, the average pay for someone with a bachelor’s degree tops out at $81,535 (computer science), according to the professional group National Association of Colleges and Employers.
The pay disparity between what the average person with a college degree earns and what Buc-ee’s management positions pay caused lament on social media.
“Graduated with a degree in communications, currently making $19. buc-ees would pay me more to clean bathrooms,” X user @sofskye46 posted Monday.
Another user compared the convenience store’s management salaries to educator pay in Texas, which averages $47,195 a year for new teachers, according to nonprofit teacher recruitment organization TEACH.
“Meanwhile average starting teacher pay in Texas is around $49k but we wonder why teachers are leaving this profession in record numbers,” X user @_CoachIrvin02 wrote Monday.
“Yeah screw education,” X user Wowzni wrote Tuesday. “LEtS aLL wORk aT buCeEs....America's future has never been brighter.”
Yet while social media accounts went back and forth about qualifications and pay, others argued over whether Buc-ee’s jobs are worth it because of the demands.
“I am sure they will [be] picky on who they hire,” X user @robertw477 claimed Monday. “People who take a call at work or show up 5 mins late are fired. They take no nonsense there. High pay, high pressure. Not for the lazy.”
A user on Reddit said the high wages weren’t worth it because the convenience store has stringent rules.
“If you are 1 minute late two times, non-consecutively, you're fired,” a Reddit user @Additional-Local8721 claimed in June. “This applies to lowly workers and even managers. You're not allowed to sit your entire shift. Employees are not allowed to talk to other employees unless it's for work purposes. You must leave your phone in the break room.”
The Independent contacted Buc-ee’s to verify the claims.
The convenience store’s pay debate brings into focus whether a college degree is worth getting considering the type of jobs available to those without college credentials.
Overall men and women with bachelor’s degrees earn $655,00 and $450,000 more than high school graduates, respectively, according to the Social Security Administration.
