These are some talented folks!
This Is the Highest-Paying Hourly Job at Walmart—And They Definitely Deserve It
Published on Jun. 30, 2025
Considering there are more than 4,600 Walmart locations in the U.S. alone, it stands to reason that the retailer needs to hire a lot of people to keep those stores running smoothly. In fact, as of 2024, they employ roughly 1.6 million people, from sales associates to greeters and everything in between. But what is the highest-paying hourly job at Walmart?
Walmart associates see a lot of crazy things, but there are a significant number of employees who work behind the scenes to help deliver on the retailer’s promise of low prices and seemingly endless inventory. Heck, there are probably Walmart services you don’t even realize exist, and that requires staff too. But not every department makes exactly the same amount (it’s similar with Costco employee salaries), and when you find out who the highest-paid hourly employees are at Walmart, you’ll understand why.
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What is the highest-paying hourly job at Walmart?
The highest-paying hourly job at Walmart is (drumroll, please) … cake decorator! Yes, there are real, live, human cake decorators working behind the scenes to make the beautiful creations you see in the bakery department. Try as it might, AI can’t yet replicate the artistic skills of a human being who knows their way around buttercream and fondant. And factory machines can’t just spit these things out, either.
How does their wage compare with Walmart’s base wage?
According to Walmart’s corporate site, the employees they call their “frontline associates” make close to $18 per hour as their base pay (aka starting rate). However, it does vary a bit by location and region. Walmart’s cake decorators, on the other hand, start out making an average of $19.25 an hour, as confirmed to USA Today.
Considering the national minimum wage is a paltry $7.25 an hour (it’s been this rate since 2009!), Walmart’s base pay is a lot more generous. It’s important to note that states also have their own minimum wage laws. Employers are required to deliver on the higher of the two.
Why do cake decorators get paid the most?
Cake decorators are paid the highest hourly wage at Walmart because they come with a very specific skill set, and often several years of experience in their craft. Also, because they are working directly with fresh food, in most places this means they must have a state “Food Handler” card. This requires special training and certification to meet health and safety standards.
How many cake decorators work at Walmart?
It’s estimated that Walmart employs more than 6,000 cake decorators to work in their stores. They’re busy crafting ready-to-serve birthday cakes, holiday treats and other sweet delectables for special occasions.
How many cakes on average does Walmart sell per week?
Walmart says their cake decorators put their special touch on approximately 150,000 cakes each week across all stores. But, like with any job, there are busier seasons. For example, their bakery department does big business in both May and June, creating cakes for graduation celebrations.
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Sources:
- Walmart Corporate: “Location Facts”
- Walmart Corporate: “How much do Walmart associates make?”
- USA Today: “Is it all cake? Walmart reveals its highest paying job, excluding managers.”
- U.S. Department of Labor: “Minimum Wage”
- AP: “Walmart’s army of bakery decorators takes the cake when it comes to hourly store pay”
