Decent place to work - Software Engineer CarMax Employee Review

4.0
Aug 16, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- Starting pay is decent - Benefits are at or above market (unlimited PTO is nice) - Solid work/life balance, typically work 40 hours a week, less in summer thanks to built-in half-days on Fridays - Still allows for full remote hires, although that tide may shift in the future - Most of the technical people I've met here are skilled and smart individuals, usually CarMax does a good job hiring quality SE candidates

Cons

- Promotion progress is entirely arbitrary and based on very vague rubrics and guidelines that could easily apply to anyone or not apply depending on your subjective reading of them - Heavy emphasis on reaching broad business goals that you don't necessarily have control or even influence over - Management is fundamentally disconnected from the day-to-day by design, which leads to a disconnect on their awareness of what's going on - Performance reviews feel like they are based on surface-level perception rather than reality

Explore other reviews about CarMax

5.0
Mar 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Communication, acknowledgment, recognition, growth, benefits

Cons

Work life balance as a sales manager is difficult when you have smaller children

4.0
Jun 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The perks of working at CarMax are quite extensive. Associates are offered an aggressive 401k program, Stock Purchasing Plan, in store discounts on sales and service, access to the CarMax Wholesale system, excellent healthcare, plenty of PTO, and at my location we are given as much OT as we want. My coworkers are generally good people, that I enjoy being able to work along side day in and day out. Management is very understanding in regards to calling out sick family emergencies, and schedule requests.

Cons

Despite doing the work of 5 people, and very politely asking for a raise management will not give me more than my 3% annual raise which is the single biggest let down. The bonus change of 2025 being labeled as "exciting" was straight corporate gaslighting unlike anything I've ever seen. Since the start of 2026, as of this review being written we have lost 7 associates largely due to pay, and I am soon to join those associates. Management from the store level up to corporate needs to understand that to retain their top performers they need to be compensated like a top performer. Some members of management are cliquey and moody which is very frustrating to deal with. Quality of Management varies wildly from store to store as well

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