There’s a phrase people see on hiring signs all the time that can sometimes create confusion: “up to.”
At many of our Northern Nevada McDonald’s restaurants, we hire new candidates up to $20 per hour, and I’ve realized some people assume that means very few employees actually earn close to that amount. The reality is very different.
Nevada’s state minimum wage is currently $12 per hour, but we made the decision as a company to go well beyond that because we believe good employees deserve competitive pay, opportunities to grow, and a workplace that values their contributions.
The wording “up to $20/hour” is required because not every position starts at the same wage. Qualifications, availability, reliability, leadership responsibilities, and performance all factor into compensation. But what many people don’t realize is that a significant portion of our workforce is already earning wages in that upper range. In fact, 60% of our staff currently make $18 or more per hour.
For employees who are dependable, motivated, and willing to grow into leadership positions, reaching higher hourly wages is absolutely realistic. We have shift leaders, experienced crew members and maintenance staff earning well above entry-level pay.
The quick service restaurant industry has changed dramatically over the last several years. Today’s restaurant environment requires strong customer service skills, technology familiarity, multitasking, teamwork, and leadership. Our employees handle mobile ordering systems, delivery integration, digital kiosks, drive-thru timing metrics, and increasingly high customer expectations every day.
These are real, transferable job skills.
One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing employees start in entry-level positions and work their way into leadership roles. For many people, McDonald’s becomes more than just a first job. It becomes a stepping stone toward management experience, financial independence, and long-term career growth.
We also understand that flexibility matters. Many of our employees are students, parents, or individuals balancing multiple responsibilities. Restaurant jobs can provide schedules that work around school, family, or other commitments while still offering advancement opportunities and competitive wages.
Recruiting and retaining strong employees is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today, especially in hospitality and food service. That’s why we continue investing in pay, training, and workplace culture across our restaurants.
The message I’d like people to take away is simple: When you see “up to $20/hour,” it is not just a marketing phrase. Those wages are currently paid and achievable, and many of our employees are already there.
If you’re looking for a job with flexible scheduling, advancement opportunities, and the chance to grow your income, we’d encourage you to apply at jobs.mchire.com or in person and learn more about what opportunities are available at our local McDonald’s restaurants.
Sometimes, the best careers start with simply walking through the door.
About the Author:
Chris Kassity is the owner and president of Kassity Management Group, which operates McDonald’s restaurants throughout Northern Nevada. Based in Carson City, Kassity has spent more than 40 years building teams, creating advancement opportunities, and investing in employee development across several regions. His organization employs approximately 600-plus team members and focuses on competitive wages, workplace culture, and long-term career growth within the restaurant industry.
