How much does Chick-fil-A pay?
In 2026, Chick-fil-A team members typically earn $13 to $19 per hour, averaging around $15. Shift leaders make about $16 to $22 per hour, and store managers average roughly $27 per hour (about $56,000 a year), with Directors of Operations earning $45,000 to $75,000.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Team Member (crew) | $13–$19/hr | National average about $15/hr |
| Shift Leader | $16–$22/hr | Average about $18/hr |
| Assistant Manager / Director | $20–$28/hr | Average about $23/hr |
| Store Manager (overall) | ~$26.90/hr (~$55,952/yr) | Average across manager roles, June 2026 |
| Director of Operations | $45,000–$75,000/yr | Top salaried position at the store level |
Hourly pay by role
Front-line team members are the most common position and earn $13 to $19 per hour, with a national average near $15. Pay rises with responsibility: shift leaders earn roughly $16 to $22 per hour (about $18 on average), and assistant managers or team directors earn about $20 to $28 per hour (around $23 on average).
On the salaried side, store managers average about $26.90 per hour, equal to roughly $55,952 a year as of mid-2026. The top in-store role, Director of Operations, generally pays $45,000 to $75,000 per year depending on the size and sales volume of the restaurant.
Why pay varies by location
Almost every Chick-fil-A is independently owned and operated by a local franchise operator, and each operator sets pay for their own restaurant. As a result, there is no single company-wide wage floor above local law, and two nearby locations can advertise different starting rates.
State and local minimum-wage laws and the local labor market are the biggest drivers of the range. Restaurants in high-cost or competitive hiring markets tend to start at the upper end of the ranges, while those in lower-cost areas start nearer the bottom. Some operators have publicized higher starting wages to attract staff.
Benefits and advancement
Beyond hourly pay, many operators offer benefits that add to total compensation, such as free or discounted meals, scholarship opportunities, Sundays off, flexible scheduling, and sometimes health benefits and paid time off for qualifying employees. These vary by operator and are worth weighing alongside the wage.
Chick-fil-A is known for internal promotion, so a team member can move into shift leader, trainer, and management roles over time, raising both hourly pay and total earnings. For the exact wage at a specific store, check that location's current job postings, since operators update rates independently.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chick-fil-A team member make per hour?
- Team members typically earn $13 to $19 per hour, with a national average of about $15 per hour in 2026.
- How much do Chick-fil-A managers make?
- Managers average around $27 per hour (about $56,000 a year), while Directors of Operations earn $45,000 to $75,000 annually.
- Does Chick-fil-A set the same pay everywhere?
- No. Each location is independently operated, so the operator sets pay and rates vary with local minimum wage and the job market.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.