Cold Stone Creamery Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Cold Stone Creamery in the United States is $25. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $51,254. Salaries at Cold Stone Creamery typically range from $22 to $28 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Cold Stone Creamery Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Cold Stone Creamery. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Crew Member/Shift Leader, with an hourly wage of $60. The table below outlines the hourly wage ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Assistant General Manager (AGM)

$44 / hour

Salary Range: $38 - $49

Grocery

Assistant Manager

$35 / hour

Salary Range: $31 - $41

Retail

Assistant Manager Cold Stone Creamery

$41 / hour

Salary Range: $35 - $47

Retail

Cake Decorator

$18 / hour

Salary Range: $15 - $21

Culinary

Cashier/Crew Member

$17 / hour

Salary Range: $15 - $19

Food and Beverage

Cold Stone Creamery

$54 / hour

Salary Range: $49 - $59

Engineering

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Cold Stone Creamery.
Loading results...
Job Title Location Release Date

About Cold Stone Creamery: Company Profile

Website
www.coldstonecreamery.com
Founded In
1988
Employees
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Industry
Hospitality & Leisure
Headquarter Location
SAN DIEGO
Revenue
$200 Million - $500 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About COLD STONE CREAMERY
Cold Stone Creamery manufactures ice creams cakes, smoothies, and shakes

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Cold Stone Creamery's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
It’s a decent place to work if you value consistency. It may not be the most exciting, it’s a reliable place for steady employment. The pay is competitive, and shifts are well-organized. While the workload can be steady, the benefits package is fair.
The benefits are excellent, including health coverage and performance rewards. They offer mental health resources and flexible scheduling. Employee satisfaction is clearly a priority. The benefits are solid, and there are many opportunities for learning. A solid option for hospitality workers. The hospitality team works well together, and shifts are well-organized.
Joining this hospitality giant was a great career move. The company culture promotes collaboration, and I’ve built strong relationships with colleagues. I appreciate the work-life balance and the team-oriented environment. The work environment is energetic and guest-focused. Compensation is fair, with performance-based bonuses that incentivize hard work.

Is Cold Stone Creamery’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cold Stone Creamery's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
THE C.A.R.E. CHANNEL (HEALING HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC.) $20
-17.5%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
C A D ENTERPRISES INC $21
-13.7%
C A D ENTERPRISES INC may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
C & A DELI CORPORATION $23
-8.0%
C & A DELI CORPORATION focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
C C APPLETON AVENUE $20
-17.3%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like C C APPLETON AVENUE.
Hospitality & Leisure Industry $59
+139.1%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near San Diego?

Understanding the cost of living near San Diego is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cold Stone Creamery.
San Diego's Cost of Living Index is approximately 160.4 (60.4% more expensive than US average; 14.7% more than CA average). Very high housing costs are the primary driver, along with generally higher prices for other goods and services. When planning your budget based on a salary from Cold Stone Creamery, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,200 - $3,400+ A significant portion of Cold Stone Creamery salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $160 - $270 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $72 (MTS monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $460 - $680 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $850+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $380 - $720+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,722 - $5,922+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Cold Stone Creamery

FAQ 1: What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Cold Stone Creamery?
The typical salary range for most roles at Cold Stone Creamery is approximately from $22 to $28 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: How much does Cold Stone Creamery pay compared to THE C.A.R.E. CHANNEL (HEALING HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC.)?
The average annual salary at Cold Stone Creamery is $51,254, or an hourly wage of $25, in comparison to THE C.A.R.E. CHANNEL (HEALING HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC.) which pays $42,277 per year or $20 per hour.
FAQ 3: How does experience level affect salary at Cold Stone Creamery?
Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Cold Stone Creamery, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.
FAQ 4: How can I determine if a salary offer from Cold Stone Creamery in San Diego is fair given the local cost of living?
To determine if a salary offer from Cold Stone Creamery in San Diego is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Cold Stone Creamery and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for San Diego" to understand its purchasing power.
FAQ 5: What are the key factors that influence salary levels at Cold Stone Creamery?
Several key factors influence salary levels at Cold Stone Creamery. These primarily include: 1. Job Role & Responsibilities: More complex roles with greater impact typically command higher pay. 2. Experience & Skills: Your years of relevant experience and specific in-demand skills are critical. 3. Performance: Strong performance can lead to higher raises and bonuses. 4. Location: Office location impacts pay due to varying local market rates and cost of living. 5. Industry Benchmarks: Cold Stone Creamery likely benchmarks its salaries against other companies in the Hospitality & Leisure sector. You can explore how these factors play out in our detailed salary data.