How Much Does a Trader Joe’s Employee Make?

If you’re thinking about working at Trader Joe’s, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: how much do employees earn?

Trader Joe’s is known for paying better than many retail and grocery competitors in the United States. The company also offers good benefits, flexible schedules, and a positive work environment.

In this detailed guide, we’ll break down Trader Joe’s employee salaries in 2026, including hourly pay, monthly income, job roles, and how much you can realistically earn.

Overview: Average Pay at Trader Joe’s (2026)

Hourly Pay Range

• Entry-level crew member: $16 – $20/hour
• Experienced crew member: $18 – $22/hour
• Supervisors (“Mates”): $22 – $30/hour

👉 Average hourly pay: $18 – $20/hour

VIEW ALSO : How much does McDonalds pay in the US?

Monthly Salary Estimate

Your monthly income depends on your hours and hourly rate.

Part-Time Worker

• Hourly: $17
• Hours/week: 20
• Monthly: ~$1,360

Full-Time Worker

• Hourly: $19
• Hours/week: 40
• Monthly: ~$3,040

High Earner (Supervisor Role)

• Hourly: $25
• Hours/week: 40
• Monthly: ~$4,000

👉 Most Trader Joe’s employees earn between $2,500 and $3,500 per month.

Trader Joe’s Pay by Job Position

1. Crew Member (Entry-Level)

This is the most common role.

• $16 – $20/hour
• Monthly: $2,200 – $3,200

👉 Duties include:

• Stocking shelves
• Helping customers
• Operating checkout

2. Experienced Crew Member

• $18 – $22/hour
• Monthly: $2,800 – $3,500

👉 Pay increases with experience and performance.

3. Mate (Supervisor)

• $22 – $30/hour
• Monthly: $3,500 – $4,800

👉 Responsibilities:

• Managing staff
• Overseeing store operations

4. Captain (Store Manager)

• $80,000 – $120,000/year
• Monthly: $6,500 – $10,000

👉 This is the highest-paying role in-store.

VIEW ALSO : How much does ExxonMobil pay in the US?

Pay by Location

Like most U.S. jobs, Trader Joe’s pay varies by state.

High-Paying Locations

• California: $20 – $25/hour
• New York: $19 – $24/hour
• Washington: $19 – $23/hour

Mid-Paying States

• Texas: $16 – $19/hour
• Florida: $15 – $18/hour

Lower-Paying States

• Georgia: $14 – $17/hour
• Alabama: $13 – $16/hour

👉 Even in lower-paying states, Trader Joe’s often pays above minimum wage.

Weekly to Monthly Pay Table

Do Trader Joe’s Employees Get Bonuses?

Yes, Trader Joe’s offers:

• Performance-based raises
• Occasional bonuses
• Holiday pay

👉 Raises can increase your hourly pay over time.

Benefits at Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is known for strong employee benefits:

• Health insurance (for eligible workers)
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• Flexible scheduling

👉 These benefits add significant value beyond salary.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Pay

Part-Time

• 15–25 hours/week
• $1,200 – $2,000/month

Full-Time

• 35–40 hours/week
• $2,500 – $3,500/month

👉 Full-time workers earn more and qualify for more benefits.

How Trader Joe’s Pay Compares to Other Retail Jobs

Compared to similar jobs:

• Higher than many grocery stores
• Competitive with big retailers like Target
• Better than many fast-food jobs

👉 This makes Trader Joe’s one of the better-paying entry-level retail jobs.

Factors That Affect Your Salary

1. Location

Higher cost-of-living areas pay more.

2. Experience

Raises increase hourly pay over time.

3. Position

Supervisors and managers earn significantly more.

4. Hours Worked

More hours = higher monthly income.

Real-Life Monthly Salary Example

Let’s say you:

• Earn $19/hour
• Work 38 hours/week

Monthly Breakdown

• Weekly: $722
• Monthly: ~$2,888

👉 This is a typical full-time income at Trader Joe’s.

Is Trader Joe’s a Good Paying Job?

Pros

• Above-average retail pay
• Good benefits
• Flexible schedule
• Positive work environment

Cons

• Physically demanding
• Pay depends on hours worked

👉 Overall, Trader Joe’s is considered a good-paying retail job in the U.S.

How to Earn More at Trader Joe’s

To increase your income:

• Work full-time hours
• Stay longer to get raises
• Get promoted to Mate (supervisor)
• Work in higher-paying locations

Final Thoughts

So, how much does a Trader Joe’s employee make?

👉 The realistic answer is:

• Entry-level: $16 – $20/hour
• Average monthly income: $2,500 – $3,500
• Supervisors: $3,500 – $4,800/month

Trader Joe’s offers competitive pay, strong benefits, and growth opportunities, making it one of the best entry-level retail jobs in the United States.

FAQs

1. What is the starting pay at Trader Joe’s?

Typically $16 – $20 per hour.

2. How much do Trader Joe’s employees earn monthly?

Around $2,500 – $3,500 for full-time workers.

3. Do Trader Joe’s employees get raises?

Yes, based on performance.

4. Is Trader Joe’s a good paying job?

Yes, compared to other retail jobs.

5. How much do supervisors earn?

Around $22 – $30 per hour.

6. Do they offer benefits?

Yes, including health insurance and retirement plans.

7. Can you work part-time at Trader Joe’s?

Yes, many employees do.

8. Which states pay the most?

California and New York.

9. Can you earn $4,000 a month?

Yes, as a supervisor or in high-paying locations.

10. Is Trader Joe’s better than fast food jobs?

Yes, generally higher pay and better benefits.