2 cents from a rookie should be taken with a grain of salt. This is just what I see. - Crew Member Trader Joe's Employee Review

3.0
Nov 8, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Here you will learn to hone your interpersonal interaction. If you can maintain an engaging personality with fellow crew members and earn their trust and favor, you may find room for advancement or earn the coveted double bubble award. Managers are outstanding save one or two in the bunch, but even they seem to have the best of intentions. They may not see that they are micro-managing because they are striving to uphold the Captain's vision and to meet expectations. But on the whole, the management team can often find ways to correct actions in a manner that does not require an adjective in the form of an expletive. This is the only food job I know where you can earn between $8-$20/hr as a part time crew member. But top dollar comes with a price: be prepared to become either jaded or bitter. Some vets need to keep that attitude at home. Not all are like that and it is inspiring to know a top Mate or Captain rakes in 6 figures thanks to all the crew members who supported the rise to the top.

Cons

Raises have diminished from being merit based to $0.55 and then $0.45 bi-annual raises dependent on a positive review. Thanks to Obamacare and some changes from the top, employees must work a minimum of 30 hrs a week but crew members are only scheduled for five 7.5 hour shifts each week. Cutting an hour here and some pennies there....where is it all going? Not to the crew who overcome considerable obstacles, crowded back rooms, and a milk box overflowing with product to bring smiles and great customer service to irritable customers who often forget to treat us like human beings. At least the store management recognizes us for what we do. And occasionally, they reward us.

Explore other reviews about Trader Joe's

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work all around

Cons

Nothing really bad to say

4.0
May 27, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Great way to meet people, socialize, and learn customer service -Always tasked with different things every hour -Friendly crew who will always help you to learn and get better at your job -Get a slight pay raise every 6 months -No outside commitments and amazing benefits if you work full time (about 28 hours a week for every 6 months) -Will take time, but find your friend group, stay with them and have fun, you can't please everybody -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

Cons

-Not many, unless you are stuck in a bad store with bad management -I had some good luck of working in 3 great stores, so YMMV -Sometimes can get cliquey like you are back in high school -Getting promoted up to store management may involve buttering up and being a "yes-person" -Care for your body, do not overdo it with physical labor, its a retail job and you only have one fragile body for yourself, get help or insist about your pains

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