Do McDonald’s Pay Weekly? (First Pay, Hourly Workers + More)

If you’re looking for a job, you might be thinking of getting into fast food, such as McDonald’s.

A lot of people have been wondering, does McDonald’s pay weekly? Keep reading to learn the answer to this question, plus other questions about McDonald’s pay!

Do McDonald’s Pay Weekly?

Unfortunately, McDonald’s (except for corporate-owned McDonald’s) does not pay hourly workers weekly but instead pays every 2 weeks. Additionally, McDonald’s managers who are on a salary are paid every month instead of every 2 weeks. New employees may have to wait 1-3 weeks to get their first paycheck.

There are many other relevant questions that we’re going to get into, so keep reading to find out much more!

Does McDonald’s Hold Your First Paycheck?

Like most companies, McDonald’s does hold back your first paycheck. This means you get paid for the work you did the week before.

Additionally, if you just started working at McDonald’s, you’ll get paid next week for the hours you’ve put in your first week if that’s when the bi-weekly pay period ends.

Unfortunately, since McDonald’s pays every two weeks, it could be three weeks before you see your first check if the pay cycle doesn’t end until the week after you first started.

How Does McDonald’s Pay Employees?

When you first start out at McDonald’s, you receive a temporary Visa card, which your first check is loaded onto until direct deposit can be set up if that’s your preferred method to get paid.

Additionally, you can choose to keep that Visa card to get your paychecks loaded onto it, and it works just like a traditional bank card.

Furthermore, paper checks are also a way you can get paid, although companies like McDonald’s are trying to move away from physical checks when possible.

What Time Does McDonald’s Pay Employees?

Unfortunately, there’s no set standard as to what time McDonald’s will start paying employees, and it varies by store and location.

However, McDonald’s does pay on Friday, although if you have a prepaid card, you might see your direct deposit hit your bank account a day or two early.

How Much Do McDonald’s Employees Make a Week?

McDonald’s employees at company-owned locations are starting out making $11 an hour for entry-level employees.

Even better, shift managers at these company-owned stores can make up to $20 an hour for their job position but often start out at $15 an hour, depending upon location.

Furthermore, weekly pay depends upon how many hours you work and what your job title is, but the average worker could see paychecks anywhere from $200 to $500 per week.

How Much Do McDonald’s Employees Make a Week at Franchise Locations?

How Much Do McDonald’s Employees Make a Week at Franchise Locations?

95% of McDonald’s restaurants are franchise-owned, which could lessen the weekly pay for workers.

Subsequently, the franchise locations have entry work available starting out at $10 an hour, and shift managers can make $15 an hour.

Furthermore, if you’re a shift manager, you’re not working hourly; you’re working salary, so what you make per week never changes.

How Does McDonald’s Pay Compare to Other Fast-Food Chains?

McDonald’s is considered to be one of the highest-paying fast-food chains in the United States, especially if you take on a bigger role like fry cook or shift manager.

However, even the entry-level jobs at McDonald’s are starting out much higher than other fast-food restaurants, and the benefits also are much better.

When Does McDonald’s Offer a Raise to Employees?

Unfortunately, there’s no set policy as to when an employee will get a raise, and it often varies by store and location.

Thankfully, there are fairly standard time frames as to when raises occur at McDonald’s, such as:

  • Every 6 months
  • During yearly performance reviews
  • If you switch from one job to another (such as from cashier to fry cook or assistant manager).

What Are Some McDonald’s Employee Benefits?

If you are employed at McDonald’s, you will get quite a few benefits and perks, including:

  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Occupational accident insurance
  • 401(k) plan with 100% company match
  • Supplemental workers’ compensation
  • Maternity and paternity leave (12 weeks maternity leave and 2 weeks paternity)
  • Performance Bonus
  • Free lunch and snacks
  • Food discounts (save up to 50% off McDonald’s food!)
  • Vacations
  • Paid time off
  • Flexible hours
  • Tuition assistance
  • Paid job training
  • Family Medical Leave Act benefits

What is Considered Part-Time at McDonald’s?

McDonald’s considers anyone part-time if they work less than 30 hours per week.

On top of that, if you work between 15 hours per week and 30 hours per week, you’re considered a part-time employee.

What’s the Break Policy as a McDonald’s Employee?

McDonald’s operates just like other fast-food restaurants, which have similar break policies to other jobs, including:

  • If you work 3.5 hours, you will get one 30-minute break
  • Minors have to take breaks for 30 minutes before they get to 4.5 hours of a shift
  • You must clock out before taking a break
  • If you have to clock back in from break early due to circumstances, you’ll get another break later on, which will also be 30 minutes long.

To learn more, you might also be interested in reading up on if McDonald’s hires at 14, if McDonald’s drug test, and the McDonald’s termination policy.

Conclusion

While it’s unfortunate that McDonald’s does not pay weekly, they do pay every two weeks if you’re an hourly employee. Managers and other employees on salary will be paid once per month.

Beyond that, McDonald’s offers a lot of benefits and perks to workers to keep an enthusiastic and happy workforce, including tuition assistance and paid time off.

Photo of author

Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

Leave a Comment