The best-paying entry-level position you’ll find at Sonic is the job of a carhop or skating carhop. With this job, you are only limited by your ability to make tips while you serve your customers. Of course, there are other positions to consider.
In this article, you’ll see:
- Sonic’s starting pay
- What kind of shift hours you can work
- Part-time pay
- Jobs available and their average pay
- Whether Sonic pays weekly or biweekly
- Raises for employees
- The break policy
- Dress code
Sonic Starting Pay
The starting pay for crew members is different than what carhops make when they begin working for Sonic.
This is because a carhop position is a tip-based server job, which only requires the employer to pay a minimum rate for that type of position.
Most states in the U.S. set their own minimum wages and the ones that don’t use the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25.
So, what is the starting pay at Sonic?
For carhops, the starting pay is usually the minimum wage for a tip-based job or slightly higher. This minimum pay can be as low as $2.13 an hour but companies at the very least, have to meet the minimum federal rate of $7.25 an hour if the tips earned don’t reach as high as that minimum federal rate.
As an example, if you are in Florida, the starting hourly rate for a server is $3.02. However, you are guaranteed a minimum of another $5.54 an hour, making the starting pay $8.56 per hour, plus tips.
Therefore, a starting salary for a carhop in Florida can range from an approximate average of $11 to $15 an hour and sometimes, beyond that! It all depends on how good you are at getting tips from customers.
Crew members can expect to start out at either the minimum wage set by their state or just a few cents higher. A better choice for people looking for a higher starting hourly wage would be Wendy’s.
Sonic Shift Hours
The shift hours at Sonic vary greatly with each location. Since most of these restaurants are franchise-owned, they are all run differently and set their own hours.
Here are some sample full-time shift hours:
- 7 AM to 4 PM
- 8 AM to 5 PM
- 9 AM to 6 PM
- 3 PM to 12 Midnight
- 4 PM to 1 AM
- 5 PM to 2 AM
- 6 PM to 3 AM
How many hours is full-time at Sonic?
It’s important to know how many hours you can expect to work so that it reflects well on your paycheck. Full-time workers can generally expect to work 35 to 40 hours a week and sometimes more.
Assistant managers and managers work 40 hours but they can oftentimes expect to work up to approximately 55 hours a week when there is a necessity.
Be aware that sometimes during off-peak periods, your hours as a full-time worker may be reduced.
What are the part-time hours?
Part-time workers will average anywhere between 15 to 30 hours a week. There are many part-timers who also have to fill in for other workers and at times, they end up working 35 to 40 hours a week.
Sonic Crew Member Pay
The average crew member makes approximately $9.90 an hour. This equals approximately $396 a week and a yearly salary of $20,592, assuming you work a full 40-hour week for 52 weeks.
Many crew members find out quickly that at some Sonic restaurants, carhops make much more money than they do.
This gives crew members an incentive to become a carhop and some make the transition with the help of their management.
Sonic Carhop Pay
A carhop can earn anywhere between an average of $11 to $17 an hour. It’s not unheard of for a skating carhop to be able to make up to $20 an hour during peak time shifts.
Using approximately $14 an hour as your guide, you can make an average of $560 a week and this equals $29,120 a year.
Skating carhops tend to make more money on average due to the novelty of wearing roller skates while performing their work.
By wearing roller skates instead of being on foot, you are basically advertising to the customer that you are providing a valuable service.
This causes customers to offer skating carhops much higher tips, in general.
Sonic Cook Pay
Cooks working at Sonic make an average of approximately $9.60 an hour. This amounts to $384 a week and a yearly salary of $19,968.
This is a very high stress and fast-paced job in which the hourly wage is definitely below average for the position of a cook. However, Sonic has been known to give cooks good periodic raises based on their performance.
If you have experience as a cook, you may be able to command a higher starting salary. This depends on several factors, including how badly a Sonic owner needs a reliable and talented cook.
Sonic Assistant Manager Salary
While some assistant managers at these restaurant chains are paid on an hourly basis, others are paid by salary.
The average hourly rate for this position is approximately $16.45 an hour. This equals an approximate amount of $31,500 a year or slightly more.
Sonic General Manager Salary
Some general managers at Sonic are actually the owners, as well. Franchise owners have been known to be their own restaurant manager in order to avoid paying another manager yearly salary somewhere in the neighborhood of $53,000 a year.
This is a smart move and an easy way to increase the owner’s profits.
If you are hired as a general manager, you can expect to start out somewhere around $43,200 a year and progress up to a maximum of $68,000 a year. It’s interesting to note that some stores pay hourly and others pay a yearly salary.
Sonic Multi-Unit Manager Salary
The average salary for a multi-unit manager is approximately $76,450 a year. The salary range for this position is between $47,600 to $94,900 a year.
Remember, this is a position that requires not only a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree in a business-related field is preferred.
You’ll have to possess plenty of experience in restaurant management to be able to make a positive impact on the company.
Does Sonic pay weekly?
There are three ways Sonic pays you. Either weekly, biweekly, or twice a month.
This all depends on whether your particular restaurant is company-owned or franchise-owned.
Consult with your hiring manager while you apply so you can know exactly what to expect.
Employees report that if you are paid weekly, it will be either on a Tuesday or Friday, for the most part.
If you are paid biweekly, you should expect to be paid on a Friday after the pay period ends.
For those who get paid twice a month, you can expect to get paid on the 5th and 20th of each month or the 2nd and 17th.
How often does Sonic give raises?
Workers report that sonic is very stingy when it comes to giving pay raises. Many say if you are a carhop, you should not expect to get any type of raise anytime soon.
Other hourly workers with the exception of management can expect to get a six-month and annual review that can lead to getting slight pay raises.
The best way to get a raise in a franchise-owned Sonic is to be a dependable worker who performs well at his or her position.
You also have to network with your management team to let them know you are serious about your job and you will do whatever it takes to meet the company’s goals and objectives.
Break Policy
Different states have different laws regarding mandatory breaks. Consult with your management team regarding the break policy.
Generally, there are no guaranteed breaks other than having to run to the restroom. However, this all depends on how busy your store is at any given time and your communication with your management staff.
When you are able to get a break it will either be for 10 to 15 minutes, twice during an 8-hour shift. Your unpaid meal break will last 30 minutes.
Sonic Dress Code
Sonic will issue you a shirt and a hat or visor to wear while you are performing your duties. You are expected to wear your own black or khaki pants and black slip-resistant shoes.
Oftentimes, cooks will be allowed to wear black or khaki shorts due to the excessive heat generated in the kitchen areas.
Additionally, you are supposed to wear your shirt tucked in and you’ll have to wear the company-issued name tag.
Other details to consider are that wearing excessive jewelry is not allowed and if you are a male with facial hair, it has to be short and trimmed.
For males and females who have hair extending past the chin, you’re going to have to pull it back from your face in order to avoid contaminating the food.
