AUSTIN — Whole Foods Market plans to invest more than $230 million in higher pay, expanded benefits and new workforce programs for its more than 100,000 U.S. team members, one of the largest employee investments in the company’s history.
The investment includes wage increases for hourly store employees, broader health care coverage and access to several Amazon employee benefits beginning in 2027.
Starting Sept. 28, U.S. hourly team members will receive a pay increase, bringing average total compensation for store employees to more than $29 per hour when wages and elected benefits are combined, the company said.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, Whole Foods Market team members will gain access to Amazon's benefits program, including health care plans, family support benefits and financial wellness resources. Later in 2027, employees will also become eligible for Amazon's Career Choice program, which prepays tuition for college courses, certifications and skills training.
"Every year, my leadership team and I visit Whole Foods Market stores across the country to hear directly from team members about what's on their minds," said Jason Buechel, vice president of Amazon Worldwide Grocery and CEO of Whole Foods Market. "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."
Buechel said the $230 million investment is designed to address those priorities while supporting the company's continued growth.
"Today, I am proud to share the next step in investing in our team members: $230 million in higher pay, expanded benefits and new programs supporting the health, families and futures of more than 100,000 U.S. Whole Foods Market team members," he said.
Under the new benefits package, eligible full-time employees will have access to health plans with options starting at $5 per week. The plans include primary care and behavioral health visits with $5 copays, as well as a One Medical membership that provides same-day and virtual doctor appointments at no additional cost.
The company said the enhanced health coverage will also include benefits such as fertility and family-building care, cancer support and care navigation, and company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance. For parents, the package includes up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave for birthing parents and up to six weeks for supporting and adoptive parents.
Whole Foods noted that the total value of benefits available to eligible full-time team members will increase by more than 75% under the new program.
In addition, all hourly team members will receive a free Amazon Prime membership, discounted prescription drug access through Amazon Pharmacy and other savings opportunities. The benefits will be offered alongside Whole Foods Market's existing 20% employee discount.
Buechel emphasized that employee feedback helped shape the investment strategy. In recent years, the company has introduced apprenticeship programs that have enabled more than 2,150 team members to earn certifications in specialized areas such as butchery and fishmongering, as well as new workplace tools developed in response to employee suggestions.
"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."
As Whole Foods approaches its 45th anniversary, Buechel said the retailer's growth has enabled larger investments in its workforce.
"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," he said. "This investment is our way of showing up for them the way they show up for our customers and each other, every single day."
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