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‘quit before i even started fr’: Worker quits Sonic job after finding out the pay is $5 per hour

‘$5 is absolutely insane how is that livable’

Photo of Stacy Fernandez

Stacy Fernandez

TikToker shares What Sonic pays employees

Imagine going through a job’s entire interview process just to get a low ball offer. That’s what happened to this person.

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In a viral TikTok that is nearing a million views, @joothfairy explained that they were looking for a job and went through the entire hiring process at Sonic—you know, the retro fast-food spot known for their foot-long chili cheese hot dogs, burgers, and milkshakes.

While fast food spots like Sonic are known to pay the minimum wage or just a few bucks above it, @joothfairy was shocked when, at the end of the process, they told them how much the position paid.

Remember that the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 an hour since 2009. While states can set a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum (and dozens have), they cannot pay below this number, according to the United States Department of Labor.

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That’s why we’re confused by the amount Sonic offered @joothfaity—a mere $5 an hour. That’s $2.25 less than the federal minimum wage. It’s possible that @joothfairy was offered a job as a tipped employee, in which case they can legally be paid below the minimum wage because of the assumption that the rest of their pay would come from tips.

“quit before i even started fr,” they said in a comment.

The video has amassed more than 845,000 views and 1,400 comments. Other former employees weighed in.

“as an ex sonic worker i used to make $2! the reason for that is because the “carhops” make tips! even if they aren’t much,” a commenter explained.

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The last time the minimum wage was that low was in the late 1990s when wages went from $.75 an hour in 1996 to $5.15. According to the job site Indeed, employees on the lower end of Sonic’s pay make between $8 and $12 an hour.

@joothfairy

♬ original sound – THATMIKAMF

A full-time worker making the federal minimum wage and working 40 hours a week without time off makes about $15,000 a year. If @joothfairymade $5 an hour at Sonic working full-time, that tanks their income to $10,400 for the same hours.

And that’s far from enough. A recent SmartAsset study found that the average worker needs to make $85,000 a year before tax (more if you live in a state with high taxes) to live comfortably.

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The TikToker’s video exposes an issue in how much people are making in the United States and it resonated with viewers. Many people shared how much they make and recommended @joothfairy apply elsewhere.

“Fast food workers are paid like $20 here now. $5 is absolutely insane how is that livable,” a person said.

“‘but you make at least $15/hr including tips’ THE TIPS AINT GUARANTEED,” a commenter pointed out.

“i can’t find another job than starbucks bc i make 18$ since I been there so long everywhere else is like 13,” a viewer shared.

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The Daily Dot reached out to @joothfairy for comment via Instagram direct message and to Sonic via email.

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