Whole Foods Market is investing more than $230 million in higher pay, expanded benefits and new development programs for its more than 100,000 U.S. team members. The investment, announced by Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores and Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, will increase wages for hourly store employees beginning September 28th and expand access to benefits for eligible employees starting January 1st, 2027.
Under the new pay structure, the average Whole Foods Market store team member will earn more than $21 per hour. Hourly employees will also move to a more predictable annual pay-increase model based on time in their roles, replacing the previous performance-review-based approach. When elective benefits are included, average total compensation will exceed $29 per hour.
Benefits will also expand significantly, particularly for part-time employees. Beginning in 2027, nearly 20,000 eligible part-time team members working 20 or more hours per week will have access to dental and vision coverage, free basic life insurance and Amazon Prime memberships. Later that year, eligible employees will also gain access to Career Choice, Amazon’s education program that prepays tuition for college, skills training and certifications. For full-time employees, Whole Foods said the total value of available benefits will increase by more than 75%.
The expanded benefits package will include additional health and family support, company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance, fertility and family-building benefits, cancer support and care navigation, and expanded paid parental leave. Eligible full-time employees will also have access to Amazon health plans, with options that include primary and behavioral health care and One Medical services.
Buechel said the changes reflect feedback gathered during visits to Whole Foods Market stores and conversations with team members. “Over the years, what our team members have told us matters most is consistent. They want a clearer path for their pay to grow, more comprehensive health coverage, and expanded benefits for part-time roles,” he said.
The investment comes as Whole Foods Market continues to expand its store footprint. The Austin, Texas-based grocer currently operates more than 550 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with more than 100 additional locations in development. The company promoted more than 12,700 store team members in 2025 and plans to create thousands of additional leadership positions over the next several years.
“Whole Foods Market is in the best position in our 45-year history, and the more we grow, the more we can invest in the people who got us here,” Buechel said. “Our team members show up every day with care and expertise that no one can replicate.”
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