Guitar Center

0.Company Stats

Industry: Musical Instrument Retail & Services

Founded: 1959

Size: ~10,000+

Location: Westlake Village, California 

Stage: Established

Work Style: On-site Retail

1.Company Snapshot

Guitar Center is the largest musical instrument retailer in the United States, headquartered in Westlake Village, California. It operates hundreds of store locations across the U.S., offering guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, pro-audio gear, services like lessons, repairs, rentals and an e-commerce platform. 

2.Culture & Gen Z Alignment

Play, Create, Connect

Guitar Center’s culture invites music-lovers, creators, and service-oriented team members to connect customers with instruments, learning and experiences. For Gen Z seeking passion and purpose, a role here offers a blend of music culture, retail lifestyle and growth potential.

Learning & Opportunity in Tune

With roles that span retail sales, instrument technicians, lesson services, e-commerce, and marketing, Guitar Center offers early-career entry points and varied experiences suited to Gen Z’s desire for flexibility, skill-building and authentic work.

3.What Employees Say

Company Ratings

Glassdoor: ~3.2/5

Indeed: ~3.0-3.5/5 (

Pros:

- Workplace where team members often share love of music and gear.

- Opportunities to learn instruments, gear, audio tech and sell what you believe in.

Cons:

- Retail hours and weekend/holiday shifts common; pay and advancement vary strongly by store.

- In some locations commerce pressure and fluctuating benefits noted.

4.Compensation & Benefits Snapshot

Guitar Center provides typical retail-industry benefits such as health, dental and vision plans for eligible employees, employee discount programs, performance bonuses (sales/commission roles), and training/lesson-opportunity perks. Benefits eligibility and pay vary significantly depending on role (store vs corporate), location, status (part-time vs full-time) and local market.

5.Why Gen Z Might Thrive Here

- Turn your passion for music into work: If you love gear, sound and creativity, this is a place that aligns.

- Entry plus upward mobility: From store associate to technician to product specialist to corporate roles, you can build.

- Culture of learning: Gear knowledge, audio tech, service experience, skills you pick up accelerate your path.

- Lifestyle fit: Roles that blend retail, events, music community, product culture, ideal for Gen Z seeking authenticity.

6.What Gen Z Should Ask Or Consider

- What training and certifications (gear tech, audio repair) are available in your store or region?

- How are shifts, weekends and holiday hours managed in your role?

- What advancement path exists from store associate to specialist or management?

- How does pay structure (base + commission) work for your specific role and region?

- What benefits apply for part-time vs full-time, and how does the location affect local incentives?

7.Locations & Where Guitar Center Hires

- Headquarters: Westlake Village, California

- Hundreds of retail store locations across the U.S.; major market presence in California, Texas, Florida and more.

- Hiring spans retail sales associates, instrument/gear technicians, lesson instructors, e-commerce roles, marketing, logistics and corporate functions.

8.How Guitar Center Works

Work Style

Available: On-site

Work Environment

Available: Retail Store, Office

Benefits

Employees join a music-centric, customer-facing environment that blends product passion with service. Team members can access gear discounts, learn technical skills, engage in music communities, and build careers in retail, tech or corporate support—while roles and benefits align with retail norms and a dynamic, evolving market.

9.Awards & Recognition

- <a href="https://www.guitarcenter.com/pages/company-information">Guitar Center Company Information</a> 

- <a href="https://www.forbes.com/companies/guitar-center/">Guitar Center Profile – Forbes</a> 

11.Sources

Last Updated: November 2, 2025

- About Us: https://www.guitarcenter.com/pages/company-information

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar_Center

- Forbes Company Profile: https://www.forbes.com/companies/guitar-center/

- LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-guitar-center-company