Costco Cart Pusher to Millionaire After 40 Years

Tony Barzar began his career at Costco in 1986, collecting shopping carts in a Tucson parking lot for $5.85 an hour. Four decades later, at age 60, he works as a cashier earning $32.90 an hour — and has become a millionaire in the process. His story, highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, illustrates how Costco’s approach to employee retention has quietly built wealth for thousands of its longtime workers.

Costco’s Retention Strategy Pays Off

Costco is known for paying above-average wages to keep employees for the long haul rather than cycling through short-term hires. The strategy appears to be working: the company’s one-year turnover rate is just 7 percent, far below the retail industry norm. Meanwhile, Costco’s stock has surged more than 2,000 percent since 2008. According to CFO Gary Millerchip, a substantial number of hourly employees now hold seven-figure 401(k) accounts, a testament to the long-term financial benefits of staying with the company.

Health Benefits Made a Difference Too

Beyond wages and retirement savings, Costco’s health coverage has had a major impact on Barzar’s life. When his wife, who previously worked in the company’s bakery department, was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer, Costco’s health plan covered all three of her brain surgeries, leaving the family with only a modest specialty co-pay.

Despite multiple offers to move into a supervisory role, Barzar has consistently turned them down. He says he prefers working directly on the floor, interacting with customers and mentoring newer employees, calling it his true calling rather than viewing the job as just a paycheck.

Barzar’s journey reflects a broader trend at Costco, where sustained employee loyalty and strong benefits have translated into real financial security for long-tenured workers.