Does Goodwill pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Goodwill employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Goodwill. This rating has decreased by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Goodwill?

46% of Goodwill employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Goodwill 3.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.0 for culture and values and 2.8 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Goodwill?

Sales Associate (544) , Cashier (497) , Sales Associate/Cashier (320) , Retail Sales Associate (297) , Donation Attendant (275) , Assistant Manager (203) , Store Manager (179) , Manager (132) , Processor (92) , Production Associate (87) , Employment Specialist (84) , Retail Associate (77) , Case Manager (74) , Store Associate (74) , Assistant Store Manager (62)

What are the pros of working at Goodwill according to real employee reviews?

"Great people and flexible with work hours" ((in 574 reviews)); "Great coworkers and a fun enviorment" ((in 392 reviews)); "Flexible hours and good if you’re in school" ((in 198 reviews)); "Good work environment to grow" ((in 112 reviews)); "They also were great for the employees" ((in 112 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Goodwill according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay and you must spend time propping up employees who can’t get the job done" ((in 884 reviews)); "Company keeps bad managers in power while the store can’t keep a staff BECAUSE of the bad management." ((in 270 reviews)); "Upper management does not care if you are trying your best" ((in 199 reviews)); "The staff is usually all special needs with no training." ((in 91 reviews)); "Low salary and not good working" ((in 87 reviews))

What are employees saying about Goodwill layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Goodwill layoffs and their outlook for job security at Goodwill in 2026.

Goodwill reviews

3.2

46% would recommend to a friend

(9,228 total reviews)

Catherine Meloy

49% approve of CEO

39% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

3.6

Diversity & inclusion

3.0

Culture & values

3.0

Work/Life balance

2.8

Compensation and benefits

2.8

Career opportunities

2.7

Senior management

Goodwill has an employee rating of 3.2 out of 5 stars, based on 9,228 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Goodwill employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the ONG y Organizaciones sin fines de lucro industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

9K reviews

2.0

Oct 21, 2012

Do not work in a Goodwill Store unless it's your last option.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They do some charitable work that help out people throughout the area. You can be hired on here if you have a criminal background. You can move up if you stick around longer than everyone else. Not worth sticking around however because the pay is horrible for everyone.

Cons

The pay is terrible at every level. The employee turnover rate is the highest I've ever seen. Everyone is constantly afraid they will get fired, from managers on down. Nobody has the authority to do anything. Everyone is so afraid of doing something wrong no one ever takes responsibility for anything. The customers are horrible. Be prepared to clean up excrement from the changing rooms and haggle over a toy selling for a dollar.

4.0

Oct 18, 2012

Great place to work for, just not much room for growth or stimulating to the mind

Cashier/sales clerk

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great environment, other employees, the usual customers that come in, supporting the "mission", friendly.

Cons

Hardly any appreciation from the upper level staff or senior regional staff. Regional decisions seem to negatively affect the store rather than helping or improving it. Not much growth and the work is hardly stimulating. It's more for those in the "in between" of life, whether it's high school, college, or beyond, that aren't looking for any particular motivation to move up within the company.

2.0

Oct 16, 2012

Just a job, not a career.

Cashier, floor associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Their mission to put people to work is a noble cause. Most of the customers are great and the regulars really care.

Cons

Harsh working conditions, ill treatment of employees, discount insurance that is not worth paying for, no employee value, education means nothing, low wages, little to no advancement offered, favoritism, high turnover rate, managers get bonuses for meeting budget while employees get nothing, unrealistic goals expected, and long hours standing.

Viewing 9070 - 9072 of 9,228 Reviews

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Do not work in a Goodwill Store unless it's your last option.

Great place to work for, just not much room for growth or stimulating to the mind

Just a job, not a career.

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