Does Ocean State Job Lot pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Ocean State Job Lot employees rate their compensation and benefits as 2.9 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Ocean State Job Lot. This rating has decreased by 3% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Ocean State Job Lot?

38% of Ocean State Job Lot employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Ocean State Job Lot 2.9 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.0 for culture and values and 2.5 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Ocean State Job Lot?

Sales Associate (90) , Front End Supervisor (65) , Department Head (30) , Store Team Leader (29) , Sales Associate/Cashier (27) , Store Manager (26) , Area Supervisor (23) , Cashier (22) , Area Team Leader (18) , Assistant Manager (18) , Field Merchandiser (17) , Operations Supervisor (15) , Retail Sales Associate (12) , Manager (9) , Stock Associate (9)

What are the pros of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"great benefits and always new jobs being offered to existing associates" ((in 61 reviews)); "Coworkers are great and you get 30% off the store" ((in 46 reviews)); "Flexible hours and pretty easy job." ((in 39 reviews)); "We are rapidly expanding and the opportunities are endless with this terrific organization." ((in 14 reviews)); "Work life balance was good" ((in 12 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Ocean State Job Lot according to real employee reviews?

"Management is poor." ((in 58 reviews)); "conflicting instructions from different managers." ((in 33 reviews)); "Bloated upper management that seems to exists solely to usurp direction from other upper management" ((in 16 reviews)); "They give very small raises." ((in 16 reviews)); "No training short staffed more f3" ((in 11 reviews))

What are employees saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Ocean State Job Lot layoffs and their outlook for job security at Ocean State Job Lot in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Ocean State Job Lot locations?

North Kingstown , Boston , Providence , Warwick , Salem , South Plainfield , Ballston Spa , Clifton Park , New York , Manchester , Berlin , Valatie , Centereach , Poughkeepsie , Concord , Bristol , Cranston , Woonsocket , Medway , Wareham , Weymouth , Southwick , East Northport , North Babylon , Bennington , Rochester , Hooksett , Milford , Bloomfield , Hartford

Ocean State Job Lot reviews

2.9

38% would recommend to a friend

(932 total reviews)

Marc Perlman

34% approve of CEO

35% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (932 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Ocean State Job Lot has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 932 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Ocean State Job Lot employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Retail & Wholesale industry (3.4 stars).

Reviews by job title

932 reviews

3.0

May 10, 2019

Insider signups has gone too far

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I really like working for this company. I have been very grateful for the chances and opportunities I have been given. I recommend people to apply and work all the time.

Cons

Getting people to sign up for the Insider program is way too pressured and forced. cashiers are made to feel really low and bad at their job when they don't maintain a certain percentage each week and then need to be retrained on how to get insiders. Our pay could be better as well.

Ocean State Job Lot Response

6y

Thank you for your time and thoughts. We will be sharing with the leader of store operations your concerns on Insider Sign Up.

3.0

Jul 26, 2018

"A Lot More for a Lot Less" indeed

Sales associate

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Most of the staff was cool, there were a lot of regular customers you'd build a repore with as well which made it interesting. The employee discount was competitive, one of the best in the area

Cons

The amount of work for the wages they pay (minimum) is crazy. You're expected to be moving around and doing SOMETHING at all times, even if everything is done. They let you bring water to a register but get annoyed if you ask to go to the bathroom even if there's no customers . Their POS systems are in DIRE need of an upgrade, it's like working a register from 1987. Super high turnover because of the backwards point system that they claimed to change but it really just stayed the same and good employees were terminated for having one too many sick days and not getting a note to the manager fast enough

Ocean State Job Lot Response

7y

Thank you for the time. We will share your thoughts with the store leaders as well as our team in IT. As for turnover, we have industry leading retention. Best of luck..

1.0

Jul 11, 2018

People don’t quit jobs, they quit their bosses.

Operations supervisor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

I have no positive things to share.

Cons

I find it very interesting that after scrolling through many reviews, none of the negative reviews were commented on by ocean State and only the good reviews had a comment. That speaks VOLUMES about your “open door polity”

Ocean State Job Lot Response

7y

Thank you. I believe you meant policy? not polity? To be an engaged employer you need to answer all and OSJL does that. We would not be a Forbes Best Employer if it was not for the many associates who took the time to share our true story. It's unfortunate when people leave and sometimes it is because of a boss. That should not be an indictment on the company. Those that take the time to reach out to the Regional Managers and Director of Store Operations gove the company a chance to rectify situations before they become like yours. We wish you the best of luck.

Viewing 85 - 87 of 932 Reviews

Jobs at Ocean State Job Lot

Temporary Seasonal Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed starting at 3pm to close and must be available on weekends!

Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needs starting at 3pm to close, must be available for Friday, Saturday and Sundays!

Temporary Retail Store Associate AM/Morning Shift, 6:00AM - 2:30PM, Weekends required, NEW STORE OPENING, Prince Frederick, MD - $18.00/per hour

Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed starting at 8/9am, must be available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays!

Temporary Seasonal Retail Store Associate - Part Time - Shifts needed (8am-3pm) and/or (2pm-9pm) must be available on Saturday and Sundays!