Sonic Automotive Salary

As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at Sonic Automotive in the United States is $82,568. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $40. Salaries at Sonic Automotive typically range from $72,512 to $93,995 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does Sonic Automotive Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at Sonic Automotive. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Asst to Regional Controller, with an annual salary of $217,075. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Accounting Associate

$51,510 / year

Salary Range: $46,569 - $57,296

Accounting

Accounting Clerk

$52,142 / year

Salary Range: $47,139 - $58,078

Accounting

Administrative Assistant

$47,203 / year

Salary Range: $42,633 - $52,925

Administrative Assistant I

Apprentice Tech

$80,327 / year

Salary Range: $70,604 - $91,422

Safety and Security

Apprentice Technician

$41,508 / year

Salary Range: $37,775 - $46,227

Cardiology

Assistant Sales Manager

$53,928 / year

Salary Range: $48,147 - $60,712

Sales and Assistance

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Sonic Automotive.
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Job Title Location Release Date

About Sonic Automotive: Company Profile

Website
www.sonicautomotive.com
Founded In
1997
Employees
7,500 - 15,000 employees
Industry
Retail & Wholesale
Headquarter Location
PINEVILLE
Revenue
$10B - $50B
Phone Number
-
Social Media
About SONIC AUTOMOTIVE
Sonic Automotive is an online retailer that sells new and used cars, light trucks and replacement parts.

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

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Sonic Automotive's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
The wholesale operations are efficient, and schedules are reliable. Benefits are competitive, and the company culture fosters inclusivity. The employee recognition programs are motivating, and the benefits package is solid. Bonuses and incentives keep motivation high.
Overall, a positive and fulfilling workplace. The benefits are standard for the industry, and the workload is manageable. Benefits meet industry standards, and the job is secure. The retail discounts and bonus structure are great incentives. The company offers competitive salaries, great benefits, and a healthy work-life balance. The Retail & Wholesale industry is dynamic, and this company operate...
While not extraordinary, it’s a steady job in the retail sector. Management is supportive and provides clear guidance, which helps in career growth. The company fosters collaboration and innovation. Feels like a progressive workplace.

How Sonic Automotive's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

The data below provides a snapshot of what comparable firms are paying, offering crucial context for evaluating Sonic Automotive’s pay competitiveness. Click on a company for a deeper dive.

Is Sonic Automotive’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Sonic Automotive'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
SA EXPRESS MART $68,409
-17.1%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where SA EXPRESS MART primarily operates.
SAAB $76,696
-7.1%
SAAB likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
S1 TECHNOLOGY $78,509
-4.9%
S1 TECHNOLOGY operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
S2 SWIM LESSONS $70,568
-14.5%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Retail & Wholesale Industry $123,318
+49.4%
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 Charlotte?

Understanding the cost of living near Charlotte is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Sonic Automotive.
Charlotte's Cost of Living Index is approximately 98.9 (1.1% less expensive than US average; 3.0% more than NC average). Major financial hub, growing, housing near US avg. CATS bus/Light Rail. When planning your budget based on a salary from Sonic Automotive, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,300 - $1,900+ A significant portion of Sonic Automotive salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $88 (CATS monthly pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $400 - $590 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $730+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $370 - $690+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,698 - $4,148+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Sonic Automotive

FAQ 1: How much does a Sonic Automotive employee make?
Sonic Automotive pays its employees an average of $82,568 per year. The average salary at Sonic Automotive range from $72,512 to $93,995 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.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Sonic Automotive?
The salary at Sonic Automotive is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Sonic Automotive is $82,568, or an hourly wage of $40, in comparison to SA EXPRESS MART which pays $68,409 per year or $33 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Sonic Automotive?
In many roles at Sonic Automotive, 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.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Charlotte affect the perceived value of a Sonic Automotive salary?
Charlotte's Cost of Living Index is approximately 98.9 (1.1% less expensive than US average; 3.0% more than NC average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Sonic Automotive based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Charlotte" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Sonic Automotive typically offer employees?
Sonic Automotive 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 Sonic Automotive" section on this page.