Curious about what it's like to work at Kroger, and more importantly, what you could earn? You've landed in the right place! Whether you're considering a part-time role to supplement your income, a full-time career with benefits, or simply curious about the pay scales at one of America's largest grocery retailers, we're going to break it all down for you.
Let's dive in and unravel the mystery of Kroger employee compensation, step by step!
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| How Much Do Kroger Employees Get Paid |
Step 1: Understanding the Foundation of Kroger Pay – It's Not One Size Fits All!
Before we get into specific numbers, it's crucial to understand that Kroger's pay structure isn't a single, universal rate. Several key factors influence how much an employee gets paid.
1.1 Location, Location, Location!
Just like real estate, where you work significantly impacts your wages. A Kroger in a high cost-of-living area like California or Washington will generally offer higher hourly rates than one in a state with a lower cost of living, such as Georgia or Texas. For instance, while the average in Ohio might be around $14/hour, it could be $16/hour in California.
1.2 Your Role and Responsibilities
Are you a cashier, a pharmacy technician, or a store manager? The job title and the complexity of the duties directly correlate with the pay. Entry-level positions typically start at the lower end of the pay spectrum, while specialized or management roles command significantly higher wages, often moving into salaried positions.
1.3 Experience Matters (and Union Membership, Too!)
New hires typically start at a baseline rate, but your experience in similar roles can influence your starting pay. Furthermore, many Kroger locations are unionized. Union contracts often mean more structured pay scales, regular raises, and better benefits packages, which can lead to higher overall compensation compared to non-unionized stores.
1.4 Full-Time vs. Part-Time
While both full-time and part-time employees can receive benefits, full-time roles generally offer more comprehensive packages and sometimes a slightly higher hourly rate for comparable roles due to the commitment of more hours.
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Step 2: Exploring Average Hourly Wages at Kroger
Now, let's talk numbers. Keep in mind these are averages, and actual pay can vary.
2.1 General Hourly Ranges
As of mid-2025, the average Kroger pay rate often falls within the range of $12 to $20 per hour. However, some sources indicate an overall average closer to $14.92 to $18 per hour, with the company reporting an average hourly wage of over $19 when accounting for recent investments in associate compensation. When comprehensive benefits are factored in, this rate can reach over $25 per hour.
2.2 Common Entry-Level Positions
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Cashier/Bagger/Courtesy Clerk: These roles typically start in the $12 - $14 per hour range, though some locations might see rates closer to $10 - $16 per hour. For example, the average hourly pay for a cashier is reported around $11.71 in 2025.
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Stock Associate/Deli Associate: These positions often fall in a similar range, perhaps slightly higher than a cashier, generally $13 - $15 per hour.
2.3 Skilled and Specialized Roles
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Pharmacy Technician: This role sees a significant jump, often ranging from $16 to $21 per hour, with averages around $20 per hour.
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Meat Cutter/Baker/Cake Decorator: These specialized positions typically earn in the $15 - $16 per hour range.
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Order Selector/Warehouse Worker: For those in distribution and warehouse roles, hourly wages can be higher, with order selectors earning around $18-$19 per hour and warehouse workers around $17-$18 per hour.
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Delivery Driver: In some areas, delivery drivers can earn a competitive hourly rate, sometimes exceeding $25 per hour, especially for overnight shifts or weekends.
Step 3: Delving into Salaried Positions and Higher Earners
Kroger also offers numerous salaried positions, particularly in management and specialized fields.
3.1 Store Leadership
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Assistant Store Leader/Manager: These roles can range significantly, but typically fall within an annual salary of $34,000 to $45,000, with some assistant department heads earning closer to $38,000.
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Store Manager: A significant step up, store managers can earn an average annual salary of around $95,000, with reported ranges sometimes between $44,000 to over $100,000 depending on the store's volume and location.
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Co-Manager: This position can be among the highest-paying in retail operations, with reported averages around $74,574 annually.
3.2 Healthcare and Corporate Roles
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Pharmacist: As expected, pharmacists are among the highest-paid employees at Kroger, with annual salaries often ranging from $120,000 to $150,000+. Pharmacy Managers can earn even more, sometimes exceeding $152,000 annually.
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IT Analyst/Software Engineer: In corporate settings, these roles can command salaries in the $80,000 to $160,000 range, depending on experience and specialization.
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Director-level positions (e.g., Marketing, Product, Operations): These senior roles can easily reach six-figure salaries, often well over $100,000 to $200,000+ annually.
Step 4: Understanding Kroger's Benefits and Perks – More Than Just a Paycheck!
Kroger's compensation goes beyond just the hourly wage or annual salary. They offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their employees' well-being.
4.1 Health and Wellness
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Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Full-time employees are typically eligible for affordable health insurance options, including general medical, dental, and vision.
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Prescription Drug Coverage: Reduced costs for prescription medications.
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Wellness Programs: Access to programs that promote health and well-being, sometimes including gym membership deals.
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Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Free and confidential counseling services for personal and work-related issues.
4.2 Financial Security and Retirement
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401(k) Plan: Kroger offers a generous 401(k) plan where employees can contribute a significant portion of their salary, and the company often provides a match. For example, Kroger may match 100% of your contribution for the first 3% and 50% for the next 2%.
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Life Insurance and Disability Coverage: Basic life insurance is often provided, with options for supplemental coverage and short-term/long-term disability.
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Financial Assistance Programs: Programs like the "Helping Hands Fund" offer support to eligible associates facing unexpected financial hardships.
4.3 Paid Time Off and Education
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Paid Time Off (PTO) and Vacation Leave: Eligibility and accrual depend on tenure and hours worked. Full-time employees can receive up to 7 days in their first year, increasing to up to 30 days for long-term employees. Part-time employees may also earn PTO based on hours worked.
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Paid Personal Days: Employees often receive a couple of paid personal days annually, which can increase with tenure.
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Tuition Reimbursement (Feed Your Future Program): A significant benefit, Kroger offers up to $21,000 in tuition assistance for both full-time and part-time employees, covering everything from GEDs to PhDs and certifications.
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Kroger Scholars Program: Scholarships for employees' children.
4.4 Employee Discounts and Perks
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Grocery Discounts: Employees often receive discounts on groceries and other merchandise, with the percentage varying by position (e.g., 10-20% for managers).
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Associate Discounts Program: This program extends savings beyond groceries to areas like travel, entertainment, and certain restaurants.
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Exclusive Savings: Partnerships with companies like AT&T for cell phone plan discounts, and special pricing on electronics, cars (e.g., Ford Motor Co.), and more.
Step 5: Understanding How Pay Increases and Promotions Work
Kroger fosters career growth, and pay increases are part of that journey.
5.1 Regular Reviews and Raises
Many employees report receiving raises every year. Some departments, like Product, may see raises every six months or less. Pay is typically reviewed annually, with adjustments based on performance, tenure, and union contracts.
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5.2 Career Progression Paths
Kroger actively promotes from within. Many store managers began their careers in entry-level associate roles. They offer various training programs, including:
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On-the-job training: For all positions to enhance job skills.
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Leadership Development Programs: Structured programs, such as the 13-week Store Leadership Development Program, prepare associates for management roles.
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Mentoring and Coaching: Support systems to help employees advance their careers.
This means that while your starting pay might be entry-level, there are clear avenues to increase your earnings and responsibilities over time.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find out the exact pay for a specific Kroger position in my area?
The best way is to check Kroger's official careers website, online job boards (like Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter), or directly inquire with the HR department of the specific Kroger store you're interested in. Pay varies significantly by location and role.
How to negotiate a higher starting salary at Kroger?
While entry-level positions might have less room for negotiation, for skilled roles or management positions, you can highlight relevant experience, certifications, and previous accomplishments during your interview process to justify a higher starting wage.
How to get a raise at Kroger?
Regular raises are often tied to tenure and performance reviews, especially for unionized employees. Demonstrating strong work ethic, taking on additional responsibilities, and achieving performance goals can also help you secure merit-based raises.
How to qualify for Kroger's benefits package?
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Eligibility for benefits like health insurance and 401(k) typically depends on your employment status (full-time vs. part-time) and the number of hours worked per week. Most comprehensive benefits are for full-time employees, though some benefits extend to part-timers.
How to utilize Kroger's tuition reimbursement program?
If you're an eligible employee, you'll need to apply through the "Feed Your Future" program, often requiring enrollment in an accredited program and maintaining a certain GPA. Check with your HR representative for specific guidelines and application procedures.
How to advance my career at Kroger?
Take advantage of Kroger's internal training and leadership development programs. Express your interest in growth opportunities to your supervisors, seek mentorship, and consistently perform well in your current role to be considered for promotions.
How to access employee discounts at Kroger?
Kroger usually provides employees with an "Associate Discount" card or system. You simply present this at checkout to receive discounts on groceries and other participating items.
How to find out if my local Kroger is unionized?
You can often ask current employees, check job postings for mention of union affiliations, or directly inquire with the store's management or HR. Union information is typically public knowledge within the store.
How to apply for jobs at Kroger?
The primary method is through Kroger's official careers website, where you can search for openings by location and job title and submit your application online.
How to understand the difference in pay between different Kroger departments?
Generally, departments requiring specialized skills or offering higher revenue generation (like Pharmacy, Meat/Seafood, or Store Management) tend to have higher average pay scales compared to general retail departments (like Front End or Grocery). Salary comparison websites can also provide insights by department.
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