Whole Foods Market is investing more than $230 million in higher pay and expanded benefits in the year ahead, one of the largest investments in its workforce to date, according to Jason Buechel, VP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores and CEO of Whole Foods Market.
The investment affects more than 100,000 U.S. team members. Beginning Sept. 28, every hourly store team member will receive a pay increase, bringing the average store wage to more than $21 an hour and total compensation to more than $29 an hour when including the value of elected benefits. Frontline team members also move to a simpler pay model with predictable increases each year as they build time in their roles, replacing the previous performance-review-based structure.
In announcing the changes, Buechel said team member feedback has been consistent over the years: a clearer path for pay growth, more comprehensive health coverage and expanded benefits for part-time roles.
Amazon benefits coming in 2027
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, U.S. team members will gain access to Amazon’s benefits package. Eligible full-time team members will have health plan options starting at $5 a week with $5 copays for primary care and behavioral health providers. Eligible plans include a One Medical membership with same-day and virtual doctor visits at no added cost, along with fertility and family-building care, cancer support and care navigation.
Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance begins automatically at no cost, with much of the coverage starting on a team member’s first day. Parental leave expands to fully paid leave of up to 20 weeks for birthing parents and up to six weeks for supporting and adoptive parents. The company said the total value of benefits available to a full-time team member is rising by more than 75 percent.
Every hourly team member also gains a free Amazon Prime membership, a $139 annual value, and low-cost prescriptions through Amazon Pharmacy, in addition to the existing 20 percent in-store discount.
For part-time workers, nearly 20,000 team members working 20 or more hours a week will get dental and vision coverage and free basic life insurance, benefits the company noted are uncommon for part-time retail roles.
Education benefit, career growth
Later in 2027, team members will gain access to Career Choice, Amazon’s education benefit that prepays tuition for college, skills training and certifications. More than 300,000 Amazon employees have used the program since 2012.
The benefit builds on Whole Foods Market’s internal development efforts, including apprenticeship programs that have helped more than 2,150 team members earn certifications in specialized skills such as butchery and fishmongering. The company promoted more than 12,700 store team members in 2025 and plans to create thousands of new leadership positions over the next few years.
“Our team members are what make Whole Foods Market special,” Buechel said. “They are the people who know our customers by name, who bring our Quality Standards to life with deep expertise and craft, and who anchor us in the communities we serve.”
Buechel added that the company is in the best position in its 45-year history. “The more we grow, the more we can invest in the people who got us here,” he said.
Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market operates more than 550 locations, with 100 more in development.
Related: New Whole Foods Market Coming to Downtown San Diego Sept. 23