Walmart and Target are two of the biggest retail corporations in the U.S.; every year; they hire thousands of people for various roles. Whether it's a cashier, sales associate, accountant, or help desk associate, chances are there's an opening near you at one of these companies.
Naturally, I started wondering: Which of these retail giants is better to work for? To find out, I took a closer look at what it's like to working at Walmart vs. Target. I explored everything from company culture and compensation to working hours and employee benefits.
After reading reviews on job-ranking sites, researching workplace cultures, and comparing compensation packages, I’m ready to share what I found.
Understanding the Culture and Work Environment
Walmart and its Work Culture
Walmart is one of the largest retail corporations in the world. The company’s mission centers around offering low prices and convenience to millions of customers. With a vast global presence, Walmart operates thousands of stores across the U.S. and internationally, making it a major retail player.
Walmart’s work culture is committed to service, teamwork, and efficiency. The environment is more traditional and structured, focusing on meeting goals, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining a strong work ethic. Employees are encouraged to bring value and efficiency to their roles, whether they’re in the stores or corporate offices.
While the atmosphere is fast-paced, especially in stores, Walmart’s culture promotes accountability and adaptability, helping employees excel in a dynamic retail environment.
Founded: July 2, 1962
Headquarters: Bentonville, Arkansas, United States
Career Page: Work at Walmart
Target’s Work Culture
Target is a major retail corporation in the United States. As a leading retail player, Target is recognized for blending trendy, high-quality items with accessible pricing. Target operates thousands of stores across the U.S. and is celebrated for its unique product offerings and well-organized, customer-friendly stores.
Target’s work culture emphasizes inclusivity, innovation, and teamwork. It also strongly emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being, creating a welcoming workplace across all levels—from store associates to corporate positions.
Target’s culture is both engaging and supportive. Employees are encouraged to grow and take ownership of their roles, creating a dynamic environment where teamwork and customer service thrive.
Founded: June 24, 1902
Headquarters: Target Plaza Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Career Page: Work at Target
What Employees Can Expect: Benefits and Perks
Walmart's Benefits
Walmart offers a wide range of benefits packages solely designed to support its employees' health, well-being, and financial stability. Some of the most popular benefits for Walmart employees are:
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Medical insurance plans for full-time and eligible part-time employees.
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Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.
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Paid family leave and adoption assistance.
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401(k) Retirement Plan.
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Discounts on Walmart products and services.
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Opportunity to purchase Walmart stock at a discounted price.
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Tuition support through the Live Better U program is available for employees pursuing college degrees and certifications.
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Resources for physical and mental well-being, including fitness and counseling support.
Target's Benefits
Target provides a well-rounded benefits package to support its team members' health, financial stability, and career growth. Some of the most popular benefits for Target employees are:
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Health insurance plans are available for eligible employees.
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Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
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Paid parental leave, including adoption assistance and fertility benefits.
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Target offers 401(k) plans with company matching contributions.
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Employee Discounts on Target products.
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Debt-free college degree programs through Target’s "Team Member Education Assistance" initiative.
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Career Advancement training, leadership development programs, and mentorship opportunities.
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Wellness programs, including mental health resources and fitness discounts.
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Opportunities for flexible schedules and remote work in certain positions.
Career Development and Learning for Employees
Growth at Walmart
Walmart provides various career development opportunities to its employees. Through its Walmart Academy, associates can access in-depth training and skill-building programs tailored to different roles, from entry-level positions to management tracks.
Also, Walmart's Live Better U program offers employees affordable access to college degrees and professional certificates, supporting career advancement both within and outside the company.
Growth at Target
Target offers comprehensive training programs and mentorship opportunities to support employees at all levels. Its “Learn While You Earn” approach includes an education assistance program that provides access to free undergraduate degrees, certifications, and specialized training.
Team members are encouraged to pursue promotions and cross-departmental roles, gaining various skills and experience. Target’s focus on internal growth helps employees move up the career ladder.
Work-Life Balance and Flexibility
Work-Life Balance at Walmart
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Walmart offers various flexible work options, particularly for part-time employees.
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Associates can often adjust their shifts to accommodate personal needs, making it easier to maintain a balance between work and life responsibilities.
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Corporate employees have options for remote work and flexible schedules, especially in certain departments like technology and customer service.
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Walmart's paid time off and holiday benefits support work-life balance, helping employees manage their commitments.
Work-Life Balance at Target
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Target emphasizes flexibility, especially for in-store roles. Employees are often able to adjust their schedules to fit personal or family needs.
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Many store positions offer part-time hours and shift-swapping opportunities through the Target app.
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For corporate employees, Target also offers more flexible working conditions, such as remote work or adjusted office hours in certain roles.
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Target’s paid time off, family leave policies, and wellness programs further contribute to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for employees.
Salary and Compensation: Walmart VS Target
Money is the main reason most people work, whether at Walmart, Target, or any other company. In this section, I’ll provide insights into the salary and compensation offered by these companies, giving you a clearer understanding of their pay structures.
Walmart's Compensation
Walmart offers competitive salaries based on role, location, and experience level. Here’s a list of some salaries for technical and non-technical roles at Walmart (Data taken from Indeed.com)
Technical Roles at Walmart:
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Software Engineer: Average $117,544 per year.
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Data Scientist: Average $85,002 per year.
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Cybersecurity Specialist: Average $75,000 per year.
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User Experience Designer: Average $80,310 per year.
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Senior Business Analyst: Average $75,480 per year.
Non-Technical Roles at Walmart:
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Retail Sales Associate: Average $50,461 per year.
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Store Manager: Average $72,056 per year.
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Cashier: Average $37,192 per year.
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Grocery Associate: Average $38,354 per year.
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Electronics Associate: Average $33,552 per year.
Target's Compensation
Target also provides a competitive compensation structure, starting hourly wages above the national minimum and performance-based raises. Here’s a list of salaries for some non-technical roles at Target: (Data taken from Indeed.com)
Highest-Paying Technical Roles at Target:
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Front-End Developer: Average $206,658 per year.
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Software Engineer: Average $92,007 per year.
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Data Engineer: Average $119,606 per year.
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Android Developer: Average $117,709 per year.
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Site Reliability Engineer: Average $158,142 per year.
Highest-Paying Non-Technical Roles at Target:
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Sales Assistant: Average $40,746 per year.
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Inbound Sales Representative: Average $64,911 per year.
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Senior Sales Specialist: Average $61,394 per year.
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Style Consultant: Average $74,878 per year.
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Sales Lead: Average $82,251 per year.
Employee Reviews: Walmart VS Target
Let's see what the employees have to say about their experience at Walmart and Target (Data taken from Indeed.com):
Walmart Employee Reviews:
What is the best part of working at the company?
The comraderie, the people are so nice, down to earth, easy to work and train with. Awesome work place - Cashier/Sales Associate
This was by far my most favorite job that I've ever had in my whole life I love the people I love the pay I love the environment it was always positive there was always something new to learn absolutely outstanding would definitely recommend for anyone to make this their career - Unloader/Stocker
I learned many warehouse and communication skills while employed at Wal-Mart. I'd love to grow with this company.I feel that I would be a very reliable asset to the company. I love the work environment and I love showing others what I know to make the job easier .I most enjoy helping others during my work day. I hope to one day become apart of management. - Warehouse Associate
Walmart's Overall Rating: 3.4 (Indeed Score)
Target Employee Reviews:
Fun.
Clean.
No one truly bothers you as long as you are working.
Fast paced.
Great customers.
I don't know what else to say - General Merchandising
Good management and fun place to work. It was a challenge to work in my role. The store was clean and pleasant to work in. The customers were a little unruly around the holidays. - Loss Prevention Officer
Excellent culture good management good growth opportunities good schedule good rotation of leadership excellent community events many opportunities for growth. - Store Team Leader
Target's Overall Rating: 3.5 (Indeed Score)
Which Company Has Better Reviews Overall?
Both Walmart and Target have their share of good and bad reviews. According to the reviews, Target has a more positive culture, higher salaries, and better benefits, while Walmart provides more opportunities for career advancement. Short-term employees might favor Target, but Walmart is often preferred by those seeking long-term growth and promotions.
Hiring Process: Walmart VS Target
Hiring Process at Walmart:
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Job Application: Walmart exclusively accepts job applications online, which you can complete from home or a nearby store's customer service area. To apply, visit the Walmart Careers website, log in using a username and password, fill out the required information, and submit your application.
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Assessment Test: After submitting your application, the next step is an Assessment Test. This test evaluates how you handle various situations involving customers, supervisors, coworkers, and general problem-solving questions.
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First-Round Interview: Walmart typically interviews three candidates simultaneously for each available position. During the interview, three interviewers will take turns asking questions to evaluate your suitability for the job.
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The Second Interview: Candidates who succeed in the first interview are invited for a second round of interviews.
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Orientation: Orientation lasts for three days. The first two days involve completing paperwork, watching informational videos, and learning about Walmart’s policies and procedures. The third day is dedicated to completing a series of computer-based training modules.
Hiring Process at Target:
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Application Process: Target posts job openings on its official careers website and other platforms, such as job boards and social media. Candidates must submit their applications online through the Target careers portal.
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Initial Screening: Once applications are submitted, recruiters review them to identify candidates who meet the minimum qualifications. An automated system may assist in filtering resumes based on relevant keywords to ensure a streamlined screening process.
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Assessment Test: Candidates may need to complete assessment tests, such as personality tests, skills evaluations, or situational judgment tests.
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Interview Process: Qualified candidates are invited for interviews, starting with a phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This is often followed by one or more rounds of in-person or virtual interviews. The questions include behavioral and situational questions to evaluate the candidate's experience and problem-solving abilities.
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Onboarding Process: After a successful interview and background check, selected candidates receive a job offer. Once accepted, they undergo an onboarding process that includes orientation, paperwork, and training sessions to prepare them for their new role.
Ready to explore the fascinating world of work cultures? We've got you covered-
Conclusion: Choosing Between Walmart and Target
Finally, I would like to say that choosing between Walmart and Target as an employee depends on what you value most in the workplace. Walmart offers a structured, efficiency-driven environment with strong career advancement programs ideal for those looking to grow within a traditional corporate structure.
Target, on the other hand, is known for its inclusive, team-oriented culture and emphasis on style and innovation. It provides a slightly more flexible and creative environment for employees.
Ultimately, both companies offer competitive benefits, career development opportunities, and the chance to work for the ever-growing retail industry.
This article has been written by Mrinmoy Das. He works as a content writer at Vantage Lens. His areas of interests range from heavy metal to history. He has a passion for storytelling, and he crafts compelling narratives that resonate across diverse audiences.