Sundays at Trader Joe’s Are Wild — But There’s a $10 Reason Staffers Still Show Up

Regardless of your current role, it’s likely you’ve held a customer-facing job at some point. And if you’ve ever worked during the busiest rush hours, you understand how much a little extra incentive — and a pep in your step — can help you get through.

At Trader Joe’s, crew members earn an extra $10 per hour on Sundays, the chain confirms to Food & Wine — a little-known pandemic-era perk that continues to this day. For someone typically earning between $15 and $25 an hour at one of the chain’s 500-plus stores, that’s a meaningful pay bump.

“We continually evaluate our programs for compensation and benefits for crew members,” a company spokesperson tells Food & Wine. “In August 2022, we added the $10 per hour premium for all hours worked on Sundays. This premium helps to ensure we have crew available to meet our customers’ needs.”

It’s a strategic move. Anecdotally, Sundays are among the highest-traffic days for most grocery stores — so if you save your errands for the end of the weekend, you’re definitely not alone. Amid recent supply challenges, the chain has adapted its product policies accordingly. Earlier this year, for instance, locations across the country limited shoppers to one carton of eggs each.

Still, some observers believe the Sunday premium may have come at a critical moment. According to The New York Times, Trader Joe’s initiated the increase in the same month that two stores — in Massachusetts and Minneapolis — voted to unionize. Food & Wine reached out to the company for further comment, but they did not respond immediately.

As Trader Joe’s told Business Insider in 2019, individual employee wages vary by location but are “above minimum wage.”

More behind-the-scenes perks at Trader Joe’s

Ever wonder about the person who compliments your snack choices while bagging your groceries? Trader Joe’s has a few more behind-the-scenes programs that might surprise you.

In a 2024 episode of the chain’s official “Inside Trader Joe’s” podcast, employees from stores across the U.S. shared what it’s like to work there. Unlike other grocery chains, no two store layouts are identical — local teams have the freedom to arrange seasonal displays in ways that best suit their communities, as one Massachusetts employee explained on the show.

Another standout detail: employees only stay on the register for an hour at a time. The remainder of their shift may involve stocking shelves or providing product recommendations to shoppers.

The personalized touch often extends beyond the job description. Numerous viral videos highlight how Trader Joe’s staff go the extra mile. Shoppers have shared stories of receiving surprise bouquets on their birthdays or during tough days. Two anonymous California employees confirmed to SFGate last year that crew members are allowed to give away flowers at their discretion, though it’s not an official policy.

You already know what you’re putting in your cart. Now you know a little more about the people behind it.