This Beloved Gas Station Says Employees Can Earn Up to $275K Without a Degree and the Internet Has Thoughts
Would you believe us if we told you one of the highest-paying jobs around doesn't require a college degree? That's exactly the conversation Buc-ee's has sparked after revealing some managers can earn up to $275,000 a year.
A photo showcasing Buc-ee's employee wages has gone viral, with social media quickly weighing in. The figure catching the most attention is the salary for general managers, who can earn between $200,000 and $275,000 or more without a college degree. Assistant general managers also start in six-figure territory, with salaries beginning at $125,000.
What fans are saying
While some social media users applauded Buc-ee's for rewarding employees with competitive wages regardless of their educational background, others questioned what it says about the rising cost of higher education and the value of a four-year degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of 2025, college grads holding a bachelor's degree make on average about $80,236 per year.
Americans are shocked to find out they can make more working at a large gas station convenience store than they can with their college degrees
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) July 6, 2026
Breakdown of pay at Buc-ee's:
- Cashier, Gift, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Grocery Stocker: $20
- Food Service and Restroom Crew: $25
-… pic.twitter.com/jLP9dIooQ5
"Interesting to see the pay breakdown at Buc-ee's, it's surprising how much they offer compared to traditional college degree jobs," one person wrote on X.
"Man Buc-ee's got entry level pay beating most college salaries these days," said another.
Read More: Buc-ee's Announces 15 New Store Locations: Is One Opening Near You?
A third replied, "It is wild that a convenience store beats many entry-level corporate gigs. The three weeks of paid time off and 401k match are better too."
But others shared that the gig is not all it's cracked up to be.
"My buddy is a Buccee Manager and he said the work life balance is nonexistent. Yeah you make a lot of money but he has zero free time," one revealed on Reddit.
A second user shared something similar, noting, "The pay is good. But I know someone who used to work there. They literally write you up if you spend 5 minutes and 1 second in the toilet, and you're expected to remain on your feet all day long."
Buc-ee's is expanding
If the eye-popping salaries have you considering a career at Buc-ee's, you're in luck. The chain is in the middle of a major expansion that will bring 15 new locations to the South and Midwest over the next several years, growing beyond its current footprint of 55 stores across 12 states.
Three new locations are scheduled to open later this year in San Marcos, Texas; Benton, Arkansas; and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with additional stores planned across Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond through 2031.
The expansion means even more employment opportunities at a company that's already become known for offering higher-than-average wages across many of its positions.
Related: Buc-ee's Fans Are Revealing Their Favorite Items at the Beloved Travel Stop
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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM.