He's Been a Costco Cashier for 40 Years. Now He's a Millionaire.

Tony Barzar has remained a rank-and-file hourly employee for 40 years but earned over a million dollars in his 401k account.

Paying workers well and offering good benefits creates a virtuous cycle that lowers labor costs and increases customer satisfaction.

Costco's paid family leave and health insurance covered a year off for Tony's wife's cancer treatment and therapy for Tony.

Costco's membership system is more profitable than selling products, and long-tenured workers help retain members.

Some employees retire early after becoming wealthy, prompting Costco to offer perks like extra vacation to retain them.

Walmart raised wages and added benefits starting in 2015 but has not gone as far as Costco because the model is expensive and culturally demanding.

Readers from many professions expressed yearning for stable, straightforward jobs like Tony's, showing how elusive such roles have become.