Great pay and benefits, not-so-great everything else - Distribution Generalist McMaster-Carr Employee Review

2.0
Feb 8, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Salary is very high for the industry. End of year bonus is incredible. Company pays 100% of health care premiums, even if you have dependents. Company also contributes directly into your retirement account, though it takes 6 years to fully vest on this benefit. No strings attached tuition reimbursement is an amazing perk. 40 hour work weeks with occasional (optional) overtime.

Cons

The work is monotonous and boring. Some warehouse departments are incredibly strenuous both mentally and physically. Your career path is entirely in the hands of senior management. You can be moved between departments at a moments notice without a say in the matter. You will be asked to share your preferences for how you want to "grow" in your career, but none of that is ever considered by management. You will simply be moved around based on what the company needs/wants out of you. I put "grow" in quotes because even if you do get the opportunity to take on new responsibilities, it will simply be a lateral move between departments. The opportunities for a person to truly be promoted from a staff role are slim to none, so don't expect to ever really build a career here. The company hires 99% of managers directly from outside, based on elitist criteria.

Explore other reviews about McMaster-Carr

5.0
Jun 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

At least in the Systems department, it’s a helpful and collaborative environment.

Cons

3 days in office and potentially long commute from the city

4.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Pay/benefits are incredibly generous - People are generally easy/nice to work with - Note that the Systems department seems to be fairly isolated from the negative issues discussed in other reviews (e.g. tension between warehouse workers and management) - I haven't experienced any of those issues within the systems department. In my opinion, Systems is a great place to work and develop as an engineer. - Hybrid work style (3 days in office). Personally, I like hybrid more than both fully in-office and fully remote styles. - Great cafeteria with good food and cheap prices. - Good work/life balance (outside of being on call, I can leave work at work).

Cons

- Work is not super interesting to me. I come from a highly technical, but very different (not ecommerce/industrial supplies), background where I was doing work I was much more interested in. No doubt there are folks in Systems who love the domain though. - While I'm not on call a ton (1-2 weeks every few months), I really hate being on call. I like to leave work at work. Note that joining at least one reliability team is expected within your first year or so.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All