9 Reasons People Love Working for Trader Joe's (2024)

Working in retail can be a real bummer, especially at chain and big-box stores. Trader Joe’s, however, has cultivated a welcoming reputation.

People love shopping there because they can trust the quality of the food, and that they are getting some of the most accessible prices for it.

But, unlike many of its competitors and beyond, Trader Joe's employees — whether employed full-time or part-time to make extra money — love working there. Here are nine reasons why.

Whether the human resources team only hires nice people — as the internet may seem to think — or not, members of management are super cool at Trader Joe’s. It seems like management has been trained across the board to be more understanding with Trader Joe's employees.

Locations are usually fully staffed, so finding someone to cover your shift is rarely an issue. Most managers are willing to ask staff members and cover it for you with enough notice.

The ability to work with management on schedule changes and adjustments to tasks based on injuries or health issues is something Trader Joe's employees comment on often.

Most Trader Joe's locations host work evaluations two times per year. Having these standards across the board encourages growth at a faster rate than jobs that host reviews every 12 months.

Crew members are encouraged to pass these evaluations with raises in pay, which they are eligible for every six months.

Not many retail jobs will give their employees paid time off (PTO), especially as part-time workers. Trader Joe’s does, and it’s a pretty nice offering.

The company provides 3.6% to 7.5% to employee PTO accounts, which is an average of about 5-10 days per year. This benefit starts on day one, and your accrued time off never expires.

All Trader Joe's employees have access to a retirement account program with a percentage match of up to 10%.

If you work 28 hours or more per week, you’re eligible for a pretty cushy benefits package. Medical, vision, and dental are included for premiums as low as $25 per month.

Each shift is broken down into multiple tasks for each crew member. This keeps any one task from getting overwhelming or stale, and keeps employees moving around the store and learning new perspectives and information to keep them inspired.

Trader Joe’s has cultivated an environment of individualism and creativity through curiosity, discovery, and taste. Each shift could hold a different, beautiful side quest. Each tasting can bring a new sales line, memory, or recipe to mind.

Plus, where else can you wear a bright Hawaiin shirt and talk about a brand and products that are contributing to healing the earth through sustainability and accessibility?

Every crew member is educated on varying products, so they can speak off-the-cuff about what they love with customers. This includes product deep-dive pamphlets.

There are even food and wine tastings during shifts. This allows employees to learn what they like and cater their shifts toward their areas of interest.

Their encouragement of first-hand experience with the products and self-expression within the workplace allows for a sense of comfort that would otherwise not be possible in a retail environment.

As long as every team member is fulfilling their basic job description, Trader Joe's isn’t known for turnover across most of the country.

Even employees who move on to other work tend to keep part-time hours or return seasonally. More than 10% of Trader Joe’s employees have been there for over a decade.

If you can believe it, in its nearly 60-year history, Trader Joe's has only had three CEOs, and they’ve never put the company through layoffs.

The company also often promotes from within the company, as close to 80% of its supervisors began at entry level. Every store manager across the chain was trained as a supervisor (or “Mate”).

The average hourly pay at Trader Joe's ranges from $14.25 to $26.39. Its national cap was raised this year, and crew members can make $10 more per hour when they work Sundays and federal holidays.

Trader Joe’s offers bonuses every January as well, and store managers currently average $132,000 per year. Plus, there is a possible pay increase of 7% annually.

Pro tip: Make your money go further with these great Trader Joe’s shopping hacks.

Trader Joe’s is a case study in companies that tirelessly invest in and motivate their employees.

If you’re looking for ways to get ahead financially, consider picking up a job at one of America’s most beloved grocery stores.