July 09, 2026 5:35 PM ET Costco has revealed the “secret weapon” that continues to drive its business model, according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report released Thursday — and it is as simple as paying its long-term workers well. Costco ranks highly among retailers in wages for hourly workers, with top pay for roles such as cashiers at $32.90 per hour, according to the report. Its base hourly rate of $19.50 remains the highest base floor among large non-specialty retailers in the United States.Other similar retailers fall behind Costco, especially for non-skilled positions. Walmart’s average hourly pay for field associates is $18.25, while its average hourly pay for supply chain associates is $27, according to its website. Lowe’s pays most hourly workers between $15 and $24, with some