Pay structure is an embarrassment - General Manager Fastenal Employee Review

3.0
Feb 17, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people work here. Learned an enormous amount here and have become a jack of all trades.

Cons

Extremely demanding environment. Cannot stress enough how over worked and underpaid as well as under appreciated the sales force of this company is. New compensation plan takes the inventory at the branch you work for and deducts a 1/2 percent from the sales people's commission checks each month.... Does not seem like much until you realize a half percent of 100k is 500 dollars of your hard earned and more than deserved money over slow moving inventory that often had been there well before you got there. This compensation plan was rolled out and originally was set to 1% until corporate realized they would lose every good person at the branch level while filling their pockets. Unbearably angry at how over worked and underpaid I am. Used to love working here but with not being able to keep a sales person to save my life due to compensation as well as streaking goal for the past year by myself with terrible pay to boot and very long hours (often 6-730 at night because I am a hard working and loyal person). Poor pay and failure to care/listen by corporate has caused me to seek a better working environment. In fastenals defense I am very glad I worked here because it has prepared me for everything I will ever face in a work environment (we do all the sales billing collections receiving inventory management cutting po's to vendors etc etc at the branch level. We even sell trucks!!) this however also has a major downside when it goes under appreciated as a number getting all this done and undercutting that "number" with horrible pay that gets increasingly worse every time the structure changes is just embarrassing. This inventory pay cut should involve a class action lawsuit I don't know how it is even legal. Shame on corporate as I bleed blue and will always hold fond memories of Fastenal but due to pay I can not allow myself to stay here. I am much more valuable than this company is willing to pay. Come here to learn but DO NOT come here to stay until this company wants to actually value it's employees and prove this by rewarding them with good compensation. (Not a random xmas box with peanuts and sausages) although I admittedly enjoy this box other companies are giving much better bonuses to its employees.

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Management is good Hours are negotiable Time off is available Opportunities to move up always available

Cons

No commissions for part time

4.0
Jul 9, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company culture, love the investment they put in for career advancement. Great people to work with, CEO is amazing but he's stepping down this month. Benefits are good. Decentralized organization so your ideas and solutions actually get listened to and implemented. Feel like I'm actually making a difference in the company.

Cons

Pay is lower than the industry average for most departments and they don't keep up with the cost of living, don't do bonuses (unless you're in sales) or pay raises. You have to ask to get one and most times they say no. Very male dominant at the branches and in sales, but many women in corporate leadership. Don't have any DEI initiatives. Not flexible on relocation for internal management roles, have to be at corporate HQ in Winona, MN.

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