(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)(AP) – Costco will increase its starting wage to $16 an hour, surpassing most of its main competitors. Jelinek said the starting wage for Costco employees would rise to $16 next week, up from $15 the company instituted two year ago. The starting wage scale puts Costco above competitors, including Amazon, Target and Best Buy, which have $15 minimum wages. Walmart's starting pay is $11 an hour. AdThe federal minimum wage is currently $7.25.