Amazon and Walmart have distinct company philosophies and compensation strategies that align with their unique operational focuses. Amazon's culture of customer obsession, long-term thinking, and innovation drives its HR managers to prioritize top talent recruitment, advanced HR technologies, and continuous improvement to support growth and efficiency. In contrast, Walmart’s emphasis on everyday low prices, operational efficiency, and community engagement leads its HR managers to focus on cost-effective workforce management, career advancement, and promoting diversity and inclusion. This is reflected in the differences of not only Human Resource Manager responsibilities, but also in their Total Compensation.
Responsibility Differences
- Analytical Skills: While both roles require analytical skills, Amazon places a higher emphasis on data analysis and metrics.
- Technical Proficiency: Amazon HR managers need to be more familiar with HR software and systems.
- Project Management: Amazon HR managers are more involved in managing HR projects and initiatives.
- Company Culture: The company culture at Amazon is known for being fast-paced and data-driven, which may influence the HR manager's approach to their responsibilities. Walmart, on the other hand, may have a different cultural focus that impacts the HR manager's role.
Amazon vs. Walmart Compensation Comparison
Amazon
Amazon offers high base salaries, substantial bonuses, and generous stock options, along with opportunities for rapid career advancement in its fast-paced environment. However, this comes with the trade-off of a high-pressure work culture, long working hours, and demanding performance metrics.
- Base Salary: Typically ranges, nationally for HR Managers, from $65,000 to $130,000 per year depending on experience and location. Detailed breakdown, across various locations, can be found in the “Salary Comparison” section.
- Bonuses: Performance-based bonuses can range from 10% to 20% of the base salary.
- Stock Options: Provides Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its compensation package. HR managers may receive stock options worth between $20,000 and $50,000 annually.
Walmart
Walmart provides a stable and supportive work environment with a strong emphasis on teamwork, community engagement, and a comprehensive benefits package. However, it offers slightly lower base salaries, bonuses, and less substantial stock options compared to Amazon.
- Base Salary: Typically ranges, nationally for HR Managers, from $60,000 to $120,000 per year depending on experience and location. Detailed breakdown, across various locations, can be found in the “Salary Comparison” section.
- Bonuses: Annual performance-based bonuses can range from 5% to 15% of the base salary.
- Stock Options: Provides stock options and grants, though typically less generous than Amazon's. HR managers might receive stock options worth between $10,000 and $30,000 annually.
July, 2024 HR Manager Salary Comparisons
Headquarters Market Comparables
From a salary comparison, adjusted for cost of living, Human Resource Managers located at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, AR, on average, make 16.7% more than Human Resource Managers located at Amazon’s headquarters in Seattle, WA.
| Range | Walmart (Bentonville, AR) |
Walmart (Adjusted for Seattle Cost of Living) | Amazon (Seattle, WA) | Delta in Percentage |
|---|
| 10th | $60,000 | $89,400 |
$80,000 | 11.7%+ Walmart |
| 25th | $75,000 | $106,750 |
$95,000 | 12.3%+ Walmart |
| 50th | $90,000 | $134,100 |
$110,000 | 21.9%+ Walmart |
| 75th | $105,000 | $156,450 |
$130,000 | 18.8%+ Walmart |
| 90th | $120,000 | $178,800 |
$150,000 | 19.2%+ Walmart |
National Market Comparables
From a national salary comparison Amazon pays, on average 7.9% more for Human Resource Managers than does Walmart.
| Range | Walmart (USD) | Amazon (USD) |
Delta in Percentage |
|---|
| 10th | $60,000 | $65,000 |
8.3%+ Amazon |
| 25th | $70,000 | $75,000 |
7.1%+ Amazon |
| 50th | $85,000 | $90,000 |
5.8%+ Amazon |
| 75th | $100,000 | $110,000 |
10%+ Amazon |
| 90th | $120,000 | $130,000 |
8.3%+ Amazon |
Amazon Seattle, WA Headquarters Comparables
Amazon, with being excluded from the market comparables, on the low end, pays 2.1% less for Human Resource Managers in the Seattle market. However, on the high side, Amazon pays 12.9% more for Human Resource Managers in the Seattle market.
| Range | Seattle Market (Excluding Amazon) |
Amazon (Seattle, WA) | Delta in Percentage |
|---|
| 10th | $82,500 | $80,000 |
3.1%+ Market |
| 25th | $96,157 | $95,000 |
1.2%+ Market |
| 50th | $99,631 | $110,000 |
10.4%+ Amazon |
| 75th | $107,407 | $130,000 |
21.0%+ Amazon |
| 90th | $139,718 | $150,000 |
7.3%+ Amazon |
Walmart Bentonville, AR Headquarters Market Comparables
Walmart, with being excluded from the market comparables, matches the market pay for Human Resource Managers in Bentonville, AR.
Who pays more?
Other than HR Managers currently working at or want to work at the Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, AR, Amazon pays more in both base salary and total compensation.
