California is the clearest case. Its $16.90 minimum for 2026 is above Target's $15 company floor, so the law sets the floor for hourly team members there. The same is true in Washington, New York, and Connecticut.
In Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, the legal minimum is still the federal rate, so the posted $15 to $17 range reflects Target's own decision rather than any legal floor (Alto HR Wage Guide, October 2026).
2026 minimum wage and its effect on Target pay| State | Minimum wage | Effect on Target pay |
|---|
| Washington | $17.13 | Legal floor sits above the company minimum |
| California | $16.90 | Legal floor sets the starting rate |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | Legal floor sits above the company minimum |
| New York | $16.00 | Higher in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester |
| Colorado | $15.16 | Close to the company minimum |
| Illinois | $15.00 | Matches the company minimum |
| Texas | $7.25 | Company policy sets the rate |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | Company policy sets the rate |
That difference is why the target team member hourly pay rate varies so widely across the country.
What benefits do Target team members get?
Target benefits for eligible team members start at 25 hours a week, which is lower than almost any other large US retailer. Target calls that threshold industry-leading, and it means a part-time schedule can still reach medical, dental, and vision coverage.
The savings side is straightforward. Target matches 401(k) contributions dollar for dollar up to 5 percent of eligible pay, with immediate vesting, so there is no waiting period before the match starts.
Most of the rest of the package is available from day one. That includes a 10 percent discount at Target stores and Target.com, 20 percent off wellness products, and paid time off, sick pay, and paid national holidays.
- Health benefits eligibility at 25 hours a week for hourly team members
- 401(k) match up to 5 percent of pay, with immediate vesting
- 10 percent store discount, 20 percent off wellness products
- Dream to Be education access, with many programs tuition-free
- Paid family leave of up to four weeks at full pay replacement
- DailyPay earned wage access, free, with next business day payout
Virtual care through CirrusMD and confidential mental health support through Spring Health are also free for team members and their families, and Target Credit Union is open to team members and their families.
Target benefits for hourly team members in 2026 (Target Fact Sheet, April 2026)| Benefit | Who qualifies | What to know |
|---|
| Medical, dental, and vision | Hourly team members at 25 hours or more | One of the lowest hours thresholds in retail |
| 401(k) match | Eligible team members | Dollar for dollar up to 5 percent of pay, immediate vesting |
| Team member discount | All team members | 10 percent off, plus 20 percent off wellness products |
| Paid time off, sick pay, holidays | Eligible team members | Accrual and terms vary by hours and role |
| Education assistance | Eligible team members | Dream to Be covers about 500 programs, many tuition-free |
| Paid family leave | Eligible team members | Up to four weeks at 100 percent pay replacement |
| DailyPay | Eligible team members | Free app, next business day access to earned pay |
How does Target pay compare with Walmart, Amazon, and Costco?
Target sits in the middle of big-box retail on starting pay, above Walmart's posted floor and close to Amazon's full-time warehouse starting rate.
Walmart overnight postings in 2026 ran $15 to $21 an hour, and Amazon announced a minimum of $20 an hour for full-time US core operations employees in October 2026.
Target's advantage shows up in total rewards rather than base rate. The 25 hour benefits threshold, the 5 percent retirement match, and tuition-free education programs add value that a higher hourly rate alone does not cover.
The BLS comparison is worth keeping in view, because it shows the role, not just the employer, sets the ceiling. Supervisors of retail sales workers earn $23.33 an hour nationally, well above cashiers at $15.81 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
Big-box retail starting pay compared| Employer | Published starting pay | Source |
|---|
| Target | $15 to $24 an hour, frontline average above $18.50 | Target pay and benefits fact sheet, April 2026 |
| Walmart | $15 to $21 an hour for overnight stocking | Walmart job postings, 2026 |
| Amazon | Minimum $20 an hour for full-time core operations | Amazon newsroom, October 2026 |
| Costco | Typically starts near the $17 mark | Retail pay guides, 2026 |
Do Target team members get raises, and what comes next?
Target runs annual performance reviews for hourly team members, and the biggest pay jump comes from changing roles rather than waiting on the review.
There is no published fixed raise schedule, so the timing and size of an increase depend on the store and the role (Gridwise Pay Guide, March 2026).
A promotion into a team lead role is the clearest step up. The Garden Grove, California posting listed $25.00 to $27.00 an hour to start for a General Merchandise Team Leader, with a full range up to $42.50 an hour.
The next rung is the Store Executive Team Lead role, which is salaried and typically pays $65,000 to $85,000 a year. That is the standard fast-track path for college graduates moving into store leadership.
How do you get hired as a Target team member?
Apply through Target careers or the Workday application system, and check the store listing for the rate in your market. Every Target posting shows a starting hourly rate, which is the only figure that reflects your store.
Target says it will never ask for personal information by text message to apply for a job, so treat any text asking for details as a scam. Applications run through corporate.target.com/careers or the Workday system.
On-Demand team members pick up shifts through the myTime app and are not on a fixed weekly schedule. They must pick up a shift at least once every four weeks, with a minimum of four hours, or face termination (Target Job Postings, September 2026).
Target is hiring hard in 2026, with more than 30 new stores, over 130 remodels, and hundreds of millions of dollars added to store payroll. New-store postings carry the same $15 to $24 band, and some locations add sign-on bonuses.
Pay rates, benefits terms, and hiring requirements change often. Check the current posting for your local store and Target's official benefits materials before you apply, and confirm the starting rate and your hours with the store leader.
Next steps
Compare the posted rate for a specific store rather than the company range, and read the benefits eligibility terms before you apply.
Photo: stevepb, Pixabay Content License, via Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/photos/grocery-shopping-supermarket-1232944/)
Fazlur Rahman
