Think working at a gas station means earning minimum wage? Think again.

A help wanted sign posted outside a giant travel center revealed that a few lucky employees can earn as much as $275,000 a year.

The eye-catching post outside a Buc-ee's store has gone viral after revealing the chain offers hourly wages of up to $37 an hour and management salaries stretching well into six figures, plus generous benefits.

The biggest surprise? The chain says 'no experience necessary' for a number of its entry-level roles, opening the cult-favorite retailer's career ladder to first-time workers.

The now-viral sign lists starting pay of $20 an hour for cashiers, warehouse staff, grocery stockers, maintenance workers and gift shop employees. 

Food service and restroom crew members can earn $25 an hour, while team leaders receive between $23 and $28 an hour. 

Department managers are paid $33 an hour, with assistant food service managers earning $37 an hour.

The biggest salaries are reserved for management: Assistant general managers and gift managers start on $125,000 a year, while food service managers can earn between $150,000 and $200,000. 

At the very top, general managers can take home between $200,000 and $275,000 annually.

The sign also advertises a host of benefits, including healthcare, three weeks of paid time off, a 401(k) with a 100 percent company match of up to 6 percent and an additional $2 an hour for overnight shifts.

The pay board quickly sparked debate online, with some users comparing the salaries to those earned by college graduates.

One poster claimed many bachelor's degree holders earn less than some Buc-ee's managers, fuelling discussion over whether traditional career paths still offer the best financial return.

But others pointed out there's far more to the jobs than the headline salaries suggest.

'It's extremely stressful and high volume, most can't do that kind of work,' one X user wrote.

Another added: 'Buc-ee's is always the highest paying employer in the markets they serve. They demand excellence from their employees and settle for nothing less. You see and feel the difference when you visit.'

The salary board has also prompted discussion among human resources professionals.

Writing on LinkedIn, HR expert Sharon Foust said the sign reflected a changing job market where 'income matters more than job prestige.'

'For years, we told people the 'safe path' was always a degree, an office job and a title that sounded impressive,' she wrote.

'But then you walk past a gas station sign advertising $20-$37 an hour, healthcare, paid time off, a 401(k) match and management positions that can get into six figures – and suddenly the conversation gets a little more honest.'

She added that many workers are simply looking for 'a real ladder' that rewards hard work and offers genuine opportunities for promotion.

Foust also praised the company's transparency.

'No vague 'competitive pay'. No 'family atmosphere' doing all the heavy lifting. Just actual numbers.'

Other LinkedIn users agreed, saying clear pay information and visible career progression are becoming increasingly attractive to jobseekers.

Business development consultant Bryan Howard argued that high wages help Buc-ee's attract top talent.

'They create demand for their roles with transparency and market-leading compensation and benefits,' he wrote. 'They get to pick the best of the best.'

Meanwhile, HR professional Sharlyn Kanney said what stood out most was the company's openness about salaries and career prospects.

'The pay, benefits, PTO, 401(k) match, and growth opportunities are all clearly communicated,' she wrote. 

'Too often, organizations expect candidates to imagine the opportunity. Buc-ee's puts it right in front of them.'

Others noted that while the salaries are eye-catching, they reflect the demands of running one of the country's busiest convenience store chains.

One HR manager pointed out that department managers are often expected to step in wherever needed – whether that's covering staff shortages, serving customers or helping behind the scenes – making the high salaries easier to understand.

The generous paid leave also drew praise, with several LinkedIn users highlighting the offer of three weeks' paid holiday from the outset as unusually competitive for the retail and hospitality sector.

The Daily Mail has contacted Buc-ee's for more information on where the sign was posted and if the pay rates apply to all locations nationwide.