Ever walked into a Dollar General on a Tuesday morning and seen the person behind the counter frantically stocking shelves while also trying to fix a jammed register? That’s probably the manager. If you’re thinking about jumping into that role, the first thing you’re asking is simple: is the stress worth the paycheck?
Honestly, the answer isn’t a straight number. It's a mix of base pay, "Teamshare" bonuses, and how many hours you’re willing to sacrifice.
How much do managers at dollar general make in 2026?
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the numbers. As of early 2026, a standard Store Manager at Dollar General typically pulls in a base salary between $40,000 and $58,000 a year. The national average usually hovers right around $47,694.
But here is the kicker: location is everything.
If you are running a store in Berkeley, California, you might see an average closer to $79,620. Meanwhile, if you’re in a rural part of Ohio or Texas, that number might slide back down toward the mid-40s. It’s a wide gap.
Breaking down the hierarchy
Not all "managers" are created equal at DG. You’ve got different tiers, and the pay jumps significantly as you climb.
- Assistant Store Managers (ASM): These folks are usually hourly. You’re looking at $14 to $18 per hour on average. In states where the minimum wage has recently bumped up to $15 (like Missouri just did this month), ASMs are finally seeing their rates creep toward the $20 mark.
- Store Managers: These are salaried roles. You get the "title," but you also lose the overtime pay.
- District Managers: This is where the real money lives. A District Manager (DM) oversees multiple locations and can earn anywhere from $88,000 to over $116,000 plus a company car and better bonuses.
The "Teamshare" Bonus and Extra Perks
Dollar General uses something called the Teamshare Incentive Program. It sounds fancy, but basically, it's a cash bonus based on how well your store hits financial targets like "Adjusted EBIT" (earnings before interest and taxes) and net sales.
Most Store Managers see an annual bonus ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
If your store is hitting every metric and you’re a "Training Manager" helping other stores, that bonus can climb. On the flip side, if your shrink (theft or lost inventory) is high or your sales are tanking, don’t count on that extra check.
Aside from the cash, full-time managers get:
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- Zero-cost tuition: This is a big one. DG has been pushing their education benefits hard lately.
- Health & Savings: 401(k) plans and medical/dental (though employees often report the premiums can be a bit steep).
- Legion Instant Pay: If you’re in a pinch, you can access a portion of your earned pay before payday.
The "70-Hour Week" Reality
Here’s the part they don't always put in the job description.
Because Store Managers are salaried, they don’t get overtime. It’s common to hear stories of managers working 60 to 70 hours a week during the holidays or when they are short-staffed—which is often.
Think about the math for a second. If you make $48,000 a year but you’re working 70 hours a week, your "hourly rate" effectively drops to about **$13.18**. That’s actually less than what some of your hourly Assistant Managers might be making when they pull overtime. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for many.
"I loved my team, but being on call 24/7 for a $45k salary felt like I was paying the company to work there," says one former manager from a Nashville-area store.
Geography Matters: Top Paying States
If you want to maximize your earnings, you basically have to head to the coasts or high-cost-of-living areas.
| Location | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $64,174 |
| Texas | $60,581 |
| Indiana | $61,876 |
| Washington D.C. | $59,753 |
Wait, why does California pay so much more? It’s not just the cost of living; it’s the labor laws. California has much stricter rules about who qualifies as "exempt" from overtime, which forces companies to keep base salaries higher to avoid legal headaches.
Is it a good career move?
If you need a foot in the door for retail management, Dollar General is one of the fastest places to get promoted. They have a roughly 74% internal promotion rate. That’s huge. You can start as a Lead Sales Associate and be running your own store within 18 months if you have the hustle.
However, you have to be ready for the "jack-of-all-trades" lifestyle. You aren't just sitting in an office looking at spreadsheets. You are the janitor, the stocker, the cashier, and the security guard all at once.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Managers
If you’re looking to get hired or want a raise at your current DG location, here is how you play the game:
- Negotiate the Base: Don’t just accept the first offer. If you’re in a state with a rising minimum wage, use that as leverage. Point out that the gap between a Lead Sales Associate and a Store Manager needs to be wide enough to justify the extra hours.
- Focus on "Shrink": Your bonus depends on it. Tighten up your inventory counts and theft prevention. It’s the fastest way to put an extra $4k in your pocket at the end of the year.
- Use the Tuition Benefit: If you don't plan on staying at DG forever, use their "Zero-Cost Tuition" to get a degree or certification in a higher-paying field while they foot the bill.
- Watch the Hours: Set boundaries where you can. The most successful (and least burnt-out) managers are the ones who train their Assistant Managers to handle issues so the SM doesn't have to come in on every day off.
The money is decent for entry-level management, but the real value is the experience you'll put on your resume for your next big jump.