Coles Manager Salary 2025: Complete Guide
Understanding Coles’ management salaries helps you plan your retail career and set realistic expectations. This comprehensive guide covers all Coles management positions, salary ranges, benefits, bonuses, and how to maximize your earnings as a Coles manager.
Quick Salary Overview
Department Manager: $50,000-70,000/year
Store Manager: $75,000-110,000/year
Area Manager: $100,000-140,000/year
State Manager: $140,000-180,000+/year
Plus: Bonuses (10-20% of base), superannuation (11%), benefits package
Complete Coles Management Salary Breakdown
Department Manager
Base Salary: $50,000-70,000/year
Average: $60,000/year
Hourly Equivalent: $28-34/hour
Experience Range:
- Entry-level Department Manager: $50,000-55,000
- Experienced (3-5 years): $55,000-65,000
- Senior (5+ years): $65,000-70,000
Department Variations:
- Fresh Foods (Deli, Bakery, Meat, Produce): $55,000-70,000
- Grocery: $50,000-65,000
- Front End (Checkouts, Service Desk): $50,000-60,000
- Online Shopping: $52,000-65,000
Responsibilities:
- Manage department team (10-30 employees)
- P&L responsibility for department
- Stock ordering and inventory management
- Customer service excellence
- Team rostering and performance management
- Sales targets and KPIs
Bonus Potential: $3,000-7,000/year (performance-based)
Total Package: $53,000-77,000/year
Store Manager
Base Salary: $75,000-110,000/year
Average: $90,000/year
Store Size Variations:
- Small Store (Metro, Convenience): $75,000-85,000
- Medium Store (Suburban): $85,000-95,000
- Large Store (Major Shopping Center): $95,000-110,000
Experience Range:
- First-time Store Manager: $75,000-85,000
- Experienced (3-5 years): $85,000-100,000
- Senior (5+ years): $100,000-110,000
Responsibilities:
- Manage entire store operations
- Full P&L responsibility ($20M-80M+ annual sales)
- Team of 50-200+ employees
- All department oversight
- Community engagement
- Strategic planning and execution
- Customer satisfaction
- Safety and compliance
Bonus Potential: $10,000-22,000/year (10-20% of base, performance-based)
Total Package: $85,000-132,000/year
Additional Benefits:
- Company car or car allowance (some positions)
- Mobile phone
- Laptop
- Flexible working arrangements
Area Manager (Multi-Store Manager)
Base Salary: $100,000-140,000/year
Average: $120,000/year
Variations:
- Small Area (3-5 stores): $100,000-115,000
- Medium Area (6-10 stores): $115,000-130,000
- Large Area (10+ stores): $130,000-140,000
Responsibilities:
- Manage 5-12 stores in geographic area
- Develop and support Store Managers
- Multi-store P&L responsibility
- Strategic initiatives
- Talent development
- Performance management
- Regional community engagement
Bonus Potential: $15,000-28,000/year (15-20% of base)
Total Package: $115,000-168,000/year
Additional Benefits:
- Company car
- Fuel card
- Mobile phone
- Laptop
- Travel allowance
- Flexible working arrangements
State Manager
Base Salary: $140,000-180,000+/year
Average: $160,000/year
Responsibilities:
- Manage all stores in state or large region
- Oversee multiple Area Managers
- State-level P&L responsibility
- Strategic planning and execution
- Senior leadership team member
- Stakeholder management
Bonus Potential: $25,000-40,000+/year
Total Package: $165,000-220,000+/year
Additional Benefits:
- Company car (premium)
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Executive perks
Salary Progression Timeline
Typical Career Path and Earnings
Year 1-2: Team Member
- Salary: $39,000-45,000/year (casual, 30 hours/week)
Year 3-5: Supervisor
- Salary: $44,000-55,000/year
Year 6-8: Department Manager
- Salary: $50,000-70,000/year
- First major salary jump
Year 9-12: Store Manager
- Salary: $75,000-110,000/year
- Second major salary jump
Year 13+: Area Manager
- Salary: $100,000-140,000/year
- Third major salary jump
Total Earning Potential: From $39,000 to $140,000+ over 10-15 year career
Performance Bonuses
How Bonuses Work
Department Manager Bonuses:
- Based on: Department sales, waste reduction, customer satisfaction
- Range: 5-10% of base salary
- Typical: $3,000-7,000/year
- Paid: Annually or bi-annually
Store Manager Bonuses:
- Based on: Store sales targets, profit, customer satisfaction, team engagement
- Range: 10-20% of base salary
- Typical: $10,000-22,000/year
- Paid: Quarterly and annually
Area Manager Bonuses:
- Based on: Multi-store performance, manager development, strategic goals
- Range: 15-20% of base salary
- Typical: $15,000-28,000/year
- Paid: Quarterly and annually
Bonus Factors:
- Sales vs target
- Profit margins
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Team engagement scores
- Safety record
- Waste reduction
- Shrinkage control
Benefits Package Value
Standard Benefits (All Managers)
Superannuation:
- 11% of base salary
- Value: $5,500-15,400/year depending on level
Staff Discount:
- 5% on Coles groceries
- 5% at Coles Express
- 5% at Liquorland
- Weekly team member specials
- Value: $500-1,000/year
Paid Leave:
- 4 weeks annual leave
- 10 days personal/sick leave
- Long service leave
- Parental leave
- Value: Included in salary
Employee Assistance Program:
- Free confidential counseling
- Mental health support
- Financial advice
- Legal advice
- Value: $500-2,000/year if used
Health and Wellbeing:
- Health insurance discounts
- Fitness programs
- Mental health initiatives
- Value: $200-500/year
Professional Development:
- Coles University training
- Leadership programs
- External courses
- Conferences
- Value: $1,000-5,000/year
Total Benefits Value: $7,700-24,900/year depending on level
Total Compensation Packages
Department Manager Total Package
Base: $60,000/year (average)
Bonus: $5,000/year (average)
Super: $6,600/year
Benefits: $2,000/year
Total: $73,600/year
Store Manager Total Package
Base: $90,000/year (average)
Bonus: $15,000/year (average)
Super: $9,900/year
Benefits: $3,000/year
Car Allowance: $5,000/year (some positions)
Total: $122,900/year
Area Manager Total Package
Base: $120,000/year (average)
Bonus: $20,000/year (average)
Super: $13,200/year
Benefits: $5,000/year
Company Car: $15,000/year value
Total: $173,200/year
How to Maximize Your Coles Manager Salary
Strategy 1: Exceed Performance Targets
Focus Areas:
- Sales vs budget (most important)
- Profit margins
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Team engagement
- Waste reduction
Impact: Maximize bonus (10-20% of base = $10,000-22,000/year for Store Managers)
Strategy 2: Manage Larger Stores
Store Size Impact:
- Small store: $75,000-85,000
- Large store: $95,000-110,000
- Difference: $20,000-25,000/year
Strategy: Build track record at smaller store, then transfer to larger store
Strategy 3: Progress to Area Manager
Salary Jump:
- Store Manager: $90,000 average
- Area Manager: $120,000 average
- Increase: $30,000/year
Timeline: 3-5 years as successful Store Manager
Strategy 4: Negotiate Starting Salary
When Offered Promotion:
- Research salary ranges
- Highlight achievements
- Emphasize value you bring
- Be prepared to negotiate
Potential Gain: $3,000-8,000/year higher starting salary
Strategy 5: Pursue Additional Qualifications
Valuable Qualifications:
- Diploma of Retail Management
- Advanced Diploma of Retail Management
- MBA (for senior roles)
Impact: Stronger promotion case, higher salary offers
Coles vs Competitors: Manager Salary Comparison
| Position | Coles | Woolworths | ALDI | Winner |
| Department Manager | $50-70k | $50-70k | N/A | Tie |
| Store Manager | $75-110k | $75-110k | $100-135k | ALDI |
| Area Manager | $100-140k | $100-140k | $120-160k | ALDI |
Key Differences:
ALDI:
- Higher base salaries (20-30% more)
- Faster progression (2-4 years to Store Manager vs 7-10 years)
- More demanding work environment
Coles/Woolworths:
- Similar salaries to each other
- Better work-life balance
- More comprehensive benefits
- Slower but steady progression
Real Manager Salary Examples
Example 1: Department Manager (Fresh Foods, 3 years experience)
Base: $62,000/year
Bonus: $5,000/year (achieved targets)
Super: $6,820/year
Benefits: $2,000/year
Total: $75,820/year
Hourly Equivalent: $36/hour
Example 2: Store Manager (Large Suburban Store, 5 years experience)
Base: $98,000/year
Bonus: $18,000/year (exceeded targets)
Super: $10,780/year
Car Allowance: $5,000/year
Benefits: $3,000/year
Total: $134,780/year
Hourly Equivalent: $64/hour
Example 3: Area Manager (10 stores, 8 years with Coles)
Base: $125,000/year
Bonus: $22,000/year
Super: $13,750/year
Company Car: $15,000/year value
Benefits: $5,000/year
Total: $180,750/year
Hourly Equivalent: $86/hour
Is Coles Management Salary Competitive?
Compared to Other Retail
Coles managers earn:
- Same as Woolworths managers
- Less than ALDI managers (20-30% lower)
- More than smaller retailers (10-20% higher)
- Similar to Bunnings managers
- More than fashion retail managers (20-40% higher)
Compared to Other Industries
Coles Store Manager ($90k average) vs:
- Hospitality Manager: $60-80k (Coles higher)
- Office Manager: $70-90k (similar)
- Operations Manager: $90-120k (similar)
- IT Manager: $100-130k (IT higher)
- Finance Manager: $100-140k (Finance higher)
Verdict: Competitive for retail, moderate compared to other industries
Conclusion
Coles management salaries range from $50,000-70,000 for Department Managers to $100,000-140,000+ for Area Managers, with Store Managers averaging $90,000/year. Including bonuses (10-20%), superannuation (11%), and benefits, total packages range from $73,600 for Department Managers to $173,200+ for Area Managers. Salaries are competitive with Woolworths but lower than ALDI, which pays 20-30% more but demands more intensive work.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Department Manager: $50-70k base, $73k total package
✅ Store Manager: $75-110k base, $90k average, $123k total package
✅ Area Manager: $100-140k base, $173k total package
✅ Bonuses: 10-20% of base for performance
✅ Progression: 7-10 years from entry to Store Manager
✅ vs ALDI: 20-30% lower but better work-life balance
✅ vs Woolworths: Virtually identical salaries
Maximize Earnings:
1.Exceed performance targets (maximize bonus)
2.Progress to larger stores (higher base salary)
3.Advance to Area Manager ($100k-140k)
4.Negotiate starting salaries
5.Pursue additional qualifications
Coles offers competitive management salaries with good work-life balance, comprehensive benefits, and clear progression path from $50k Department Manager to $140k+ Area Manager over 10-15 year career.
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