Light Years Salary

As of April 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Light Years in the United States is $86,894. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $42. Salaries at Light Years typically range from $76,424 to $98,258 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Light Years Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Light Years. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Creative Director, with an annual salary of $117,424. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
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Current Job Openings at Light Years

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Light Years. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is Light Years’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Light Years'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
J Keith's Jewelry Inc $80,829
-7.0%
J Keith's Jewelry Inc operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
SHAiR Your Car Inc $99,415
+14.4%
Supported by SHAiR Your Car Inc's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Ascend Foods $86,483
-0.5%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Thibodeau's Ice Cream Dist Co Inc $88,962
+2.4%
Confirms Thibodeau's Ice Cream Dist Co Inc is a direct competitor vying for the exact same talent pool.
Retail & Wholesale Industry $123,318
+41.9%
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.

Employee Reviews: Working at Light Years

Considering a career at Light Years? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
My time at this company has been stable and professional. The company has a fantastic culture and values employee input. The team is energetic, and collaboration is strong across departments. Great team culture.
The company provides a structured work environment with fair policies. A fantastic place to build a career. A great place for career growth. The leadership is transparent, and the team is collaborative. Tasks are straightforward. The company has a good reputation in the industry, and the work is consistent.
The Retail & Wholesale industry is demanding, but the company provides ample resources to help employees thrive. The team is professional, though interactions are mostly task-focused rather than social. The onboarding process is thorough, ensuring new hires feel prepared.

Light Years Overview

Website
www.lightyearsjewelry.com
Founded In
1985
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Retail & Wholesale
Headquarter Address
PO Box 17059 Chapel Hill North Carolina NC 27516
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 9198065992
Social Media
About Light Years
Light Years is a jewelry and accessory store based in North Carolina with a large selection of unique and fun jewelry. We specialize in sterling silver jewelry.

What Benefits Does Light Years Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Light Years offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Chapel Hill?

Understanding the cost of living near Chapel Hill is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Light Years.
Chapel Hill's Cost of Living Index is approximately 117.3 (17.3% more expensive than US average; 22.2% more than NC average). Home to UNC-Chapel Hill, very desirable, high housing costs. Chapel Hill Transit (free). When planning your budget based on a salary from Light Years, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,500 - $2,300+ A significant portion of Light Years salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation Free local bus (Chapel Hill Transit) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $720+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,910 - $4,690+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Light Years

1. How much does a Light Years employee make?

Light Years pays its employees an average of $86,894 per year. The average salary at Light Years range from $76,424 to $98,258 per year. 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.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Light Years?

The salary at Light Years is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Light Years is $86,894, or an hourly wage of $42, in comparison to J Keith's Jewelry Inc which pays $80,829 per year or $39 per hour.

3. How much does a Creative Director typically earn at Light Years?

A Creative Director at Light Years typically earns an average annual base salary of around $117,424, with a general range of $100,027 to $135,097.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Light Years?

In many roles at Light Years, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Chapel Hill affect the perceived value of a Light Years salary?

Chapel Hill's Cost of Living Index is approximately 117.3 (17.3% more expensive than US average; 22.2% more than NC average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Light Years based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Chapel Hill" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does Light Years typically offer employees?

Light Years generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Light Years" section on this page.