Let’s have a look on the hourly wages, as well as which grocery store is currently paying the best in the U.S. The highest paying grocery stores now are Costco and Whole Food Markets. Both these stores have a starting minimum wage at $15 per hour. Target stores come in next with a starting minimum wage of $13 per hour. Trader Joe’s follows with their stores paying a minimum starting wage of $12 per hour. These are the minimum starting wages of the above-mentioned grocery stores. As an employee continues working diligently at the same grocery store, his or her salary is bound to rise. Not to mention that there are certain promotions he/she will receive. Starting wages are different and never set. As you continue working, your wages are bound to increase. Now let’s have a look at what positions pay more annually in a grocery store and, the differences in pay across the States of the U.S.
High Paying Jobs in Grocery stores
If you are looking for a job that pays well and in a grocery store, then you could try applying for one of the following. However, you must have the necessary qualifications and experience to be considered for any of these jobs.
A grocery buyer earns up to $61,180 annually. A buyer is responsible for acquiring products in bulk for resale in all chain locations of a grocery store. A grocery store manager earns up to $82,828. The store manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a store, improving customer service, and implementing strategies to increase store sales. The manager will also have to check up on department managers to ensure that the whole grocery store is being run smoothly.
Wage differences according to city
The annual pay of a grocery store worker differs according to the city you are based in. The highest paying city is San Mateo, CA with an annual salary starting at $42,329. Next is Boston, MA with an annual salary starting at $41,659. Santa Monica, CA has an annual salary starting at $41,118, followed by Renton, WA with an annual salary starting at $40,984. Depending on a state, city or county’s laws, a store will be obligated to pay a set minimum starting wage for all its workers.
Is working At a Grocery Store a Good Idea?
Starting off your career or, finding a part time job at a grocery store to supplement your income is a great idea. There are a variety of job departments to choose from, each one teaching you something new. Pay per hour differs according to the department you are under, so you can explore a department you are most comfortable with. In a grocery store, there is plenty of room to grow and further your career. If you are diligent with your work, you can climb up the ladder and eventually make it up to store manager.
Positions Available in a Grocery Store
Listed below are the variety of positions available in grocery stores. Depending on the position title, some may need certain qualifications and/or experience for one to apply for that position. With each store, the requirements differ.
Cashier – in charge of handling the cash register.
A bagger – helps customer to bag up their groceries at the checkout counter.
Stock clerks – in charge of organising shelves and assisting customers to find the items they are looking for.
Meat cutter or deli expert – Cuts meat and is responsible for overseeing the deli area.
Support staff, example: IT Department and HR Department – handling of the Back Office duties of the grocery store.
Wine expert – deals with customers who are searching for a specific type of wine.
Department managers – oversees and run certain departments of the grocery store.
Store manager – oversees the department managers as well as running the store.
A store may need more than one department manager. Listed below are departments found in most grocery stores: In this department the manager oversees all workers under this department, as well as the quality and the stock of all dairy products such as milk, cheese, eggs, yoghurt etcetera. Here, the department manager oversees stock and quality of all grocery items, as well as observing that duties are met by stock clerks. This department, the manager oversees the staff working under his department as well as all the fresh produce in the store. The manager for this department must ensure food safety protocols are met, whilst overseeing all employees under him/herself. Other departments include
The beer and wine departmentFrozen food department Health and beauty departmentThere is also the front-end department, and this is where the cash registers, cashiers and grocery baggers are.
Grocery Stores That Pay Well and Have Benefits Included in Their Work Packages
There are some high-end grocery stores which offer their workers hourly wages as well as numerous benefits. For example,
Conclusion
Costco and whole foods have the same starting minimum wage of $15 per hour. These are the highest paying grocery stores in the U.S. currently. The position and period of a grocery store employee’s work history determines one’s wage amount. The highest paying position in a grocery store is a store manager who earns up to $82,828 annually.
