Costco Cashier Becomes Millionaire Through Company Loyalty and Benefits

Tony Barzar, 60, has achieved millionaire status while working as a cashier at Costco in Tucson, Arizona. Barzar began his employment with the company in 1986, collecting carts in the parking lot for $5.85 an hour. Today, he earns $32.90 an hour, and his financial success is attributed to Costco's strong employee retention policies, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Costco is known for paying its employees more than nearly any other retailer to foster long-term commitments. This strategy has proven successful, with annual turnover after one year at just 7 percent, a fraction of the retail average. The company's stock has climbed over 2,000 percent since 2008, and thousands of hourly workers now have seven-figure 401(k) accounts.

Barzar's benefits extend beyond his paycheck. When his wife, a former Costco bakery employee, was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer, his health plan covered all three of her brain surgeries with a specialty co-pay of only $25.

Despite being offered supervisor positions multiple times, Barzar has declined. He prefers working the floor, interacting with customers, and mentoring new employees, describing his job as his calling.