Retail workers have received significant media attention lately with protesters demanding higher wages, the federal government discussing an increased minimum wage and the changes in benefits for full- and part-time employees.

Minimum-wage employees state they cannot live off their income. Retailers state they cannot afford to pay employees more. However, there are several retailers who are proving that paying higher wages leads to increased sales and a lower turnover rate — thus increasing a company's profit margin. In addition, a recent study shows that the average retail worker makes more than you might think.

Retailers who pay higher wages

There are many retailers who pay their employees minimum wage and rarely give raises. However, there are also many who pay much higher than minimum wage.

It was recently made public that The Container Store pays their employees on average $50,000 annually almost double the national average. According to CEO Kip Tindell, paying employees more than the national average does not hinder the company's ability to be profitable. Rather, paying them higher wages gives them more incentive to work harder.

Tindell believes these employees are three times more productive than the average retail worker. The higher wages also keep employees happy and financially stable, which decreases employee turnover.

The Container Store is not the only employer who chooses to pay employees higher. Costco, Trader Joe's and Bloomingdale's are other examples of retailers who pay higher wages.

In 2013, Costco employees started out at $11.50 per hour. In addition, their turnover rate was only 6 percent, giving the company more money to pay employees.

At Trader Joe's, the average full-time employee made $40,000 to $60,000 annually. Trader Joe's does this by training the employees in multiple areas, which in turn reduces the number of employees the company must employ.

Bloomingdale's was one of the highest-paying retailers in the country in 2013, paying employees an average of $13.38 per hour.

Part-time employee benefits

Full-time employees receive benefits from their employer. But what about part-time employees?

The Affordable Care Act requires employers to provide benefits to those working at least 30 hours per week. Some employers have reduced staff hours because they don't want to provide or are unable to afford benefits for every employee.

There are also some employers who have extended benefits to part-time employees, though. And these employees have higher job satisfaction as a result.

  • Barnes and Noble gives benefits to their part-time employees, including paid vacation, medical and dental plans, and 401(k) plans with a matching employer contribution of up to 4 percent.
  • Costco offers benefits to part-time employees, including health, dental and vision plans, child care assistance, and 401(k) plans. Costco part-time employees have to wait longer (180 days) than full-time employees (90 days).
  • At Lowe's, part-time employees can enroll in some company benefits the day they are hired. They have to wait six months for vacation time and a few other benefits, but healthcare and life insurance are available immediately.

Should all retailers pay higher wages?

Many retailers and retail organizations believe that increasing employee wages will have a negative effect on profitability. However, the companies that pay higher wages or offer benefits to part-time employees have proven this is not always the case. Employees have higher job satisfaction, and employers have lower turnover rates.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average retail sales worker makes $23,690. But retail workers aged 25 to 54 who work full-time and have been employed by the company for more than three months have a much higher income: $38,376.

These figures show that the average retail employee has a higher income than previously thought. However, there are many who fall below this average those who make minimum wage.

Recently, Doug McMillon, CEO of Wal-Mart, stated, "It is our intention over time that we will be in a situation where we don't pay minimum wage at all." Wal-Mart is anticipating the removal of minimum-wage rates maybe you should, too.

The Container Store has led the way on employee wage increases, and they have proven it does not reduce their profitability. Instead, employee satisfaction is higher and turnover rate is lower. These are considered goals for many companies. For The Container Store, these are accomplished goals.