macnn
09/08/2008, 8:10pm, EDT
Monday, September 8th
Apple Geniuses are happier, paid more than Geek Squad
Apple Mac Geniuses are paid more and show slightly higher job satisfaction than Best Buy's Geek Squad Agents, according to a Glassdoor blog. The report compared information submitted by actual employees from both computer support groups. The dress code is vastly different between them, with Geniuses dressed casually in jeans, Apple t-shirts, and sneakers compared with the Squad's monochrome outfit including shiny shoes and a clip on tie.
Aside from the aesthetics, average salaries showed a wide gap. Mac Geniuses averaged over $36,000 annually compared to Geek Squad at $23,000, a difference of almost 60 percent. Best Buy only works its squad members an average of 30 hours a week, which might be a factor in the higher ranking of "Work/Life Balance." Apple keeps its staff on hand for an average of 40 hours a week, but was rated slightly higher overall for job satisfaction.
Mac Geniuses have considerable faith in their leader, Steve Jobs, giving him an 85 percent approval. Geek Squad Agents can't say the same for their top guy, CEO Brad Anderson, who has an approval rating of 45 percent.
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Geek Squad is terrible
That includes both their service and their wardrobe. The guys I've seen behind the counter at Best Buy had ill-fitting shirts and pants that made it look like they were really off the rack, as in not even checking for size before grabbing them.
Geek Squad?
LOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! any idiot can work for that circus act.
30 hrs a week?
uh, are these people students? How do you pay the bills otherwise if you only work 30 hrs a week?
I wouldn't let Geek Squad anywhere near my PC. Google the horror stories about Geek Squad. It's a complete and total ripoff.
The Job
Isn't it obvious that troubleshooting Mac systems will undoubtedly leave you more satisfied than troubleshooting PC systems? Hence the job satisfaction.
GS Hours Limited by MGMT
Having previously worked for the evil empire otherwise known as Best Buy I can tell you that the 30 Hours is no accident. When I was there management would not allow you to get enough hours to qualify as full-time. This way they avoided having to give you benefits. Common practice in retail - but good for Apple for not following the crowd.
survey says
Apple Genius Bar workers are also 1x10^6 more likely to get laid than Geek Squad workers.
duh...
Of course they're more satisfied. They're called 'geniuses' by Apple. Wouldn't you rather be called a 'genius' than a 'geek'?
pay
Man, the geniuses only get paid an average of $36K annually? These people MUST be working second jobs somewhere or consulting on the side, or how else do you survive on that kind of pay? That would only be enough to pay the rent and bills, with not much left over to buy food and other essentials.
Though I imagine the Geniuses in the NYC stores get paid a bit higher. at least I hope so for their sake.