Aldi is one of the fastest-growing grocery retailers in the United States, known for its no-frills shopping experience and ultra-low prices. But what is it like to work for this German supermarket chain? Is Aldi a good employer that treats its workers well?
In this article, we‘ll take an in-depth look at Aldi as a place of employment. We‘ll examine the types of jobs Aldi offers, how much it pays, the benefits provided, the work environment and culture, opportunities for advancement, and feedback from current and former Aldi employees. By the end, you should have a clear sense of whether Aldi would be a good place for you to work.
About Aldi
Aldi is a discount supermarket chain that originated in Germany. It was founded in 1946 by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht and has since grown to over 10,000 stores across 20 countries. Aldi operates on a low-cost business model – stores are smaller with a limited selection of mostly private-label items, a speedy checkout process, and minimal staff and decor.
In the U.S., Aldi has over 2,000 stores across 37 states and is in the midst of an aggressive expansion plan to become the third-largest grocer in America by store count. It aims to have 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022. As Aldi grows, so does its workforce – the company currently employs over 25,000 people in the U.S. alone.
Aldi Jobs and Pay
The most common job at Aldi stores is the Store Associate position. Store Associates are cross-trained to perform all the key roles in an Aldi store:
- Cashier – Scanning and bagging items, processing payments
- Stocker – Unloading delivery trucks, stocking shelves, rotating inventory
- Cleaner – Cleaning the store, bathrooms, parking lot and gathering carts
Most Aldi stores only have a handful of employees working at any given time, so everyone pitches in wherever needed rather than focusing on a single role for their entire shift. It‘s a very active, physical job that involves lots of lifting, bending, walking, and being on your feet.
Other in-store roles include Shift Manager and Store Manager which come with added responsibilities like overseeing staff, placing orders, managing inventory, and ensuring the store hits its performance targets.
So how much does Aldi pay? Quite well for a retail job, as it turns out. In early 2021, Aldi raised its average starting wage for Store Associates to $15 per hour, well above the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Shift Managers can earn $19-22 per hour on average, while Store Managers reportedly make $23-$30 per hour or more.
Aldi also hires for positions in its warehouses/distribution centers, corporate offices, and even for its global IT team. Pay for these roles varies but is generally competitive within the industry and comes with a similar benefits package as store jobs.
Aldi Employee Benefits
Speaking of benefits, Aldi offers its employees a fairly generous set of perks, at least compared to many other retail employers. Benefits for both part-time and full-time Aldi workers include:
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Paid time off and 7 paid holidays per year
- Short-term disability and life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program for mental health
- Parental leave (2 weeks paid for full-time employees)
- Adoption assistance ($5,000 reimbursement for full-time workers)
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education
Full-time employees are eligible for all benefits after 60 days with the company, while part-time workers can access certain benefits after 12 months and based on hours worked. Health insurance premiums are as low as $12 per month with wellness discounts available.
Aldi Work Environment & Culture
As mentioned, working at Aldi is a very active job that keeps you moving throughout your shift. Time management and efficiency are crucial – many tasks like scanning items and stocking shelves are timed to ensure you are meeting performance benchmarks.
With only 3-5 employees working at a time, teamwork is essential and workers are expected to jump in to assist each other as needed. The environment is fast-paced and can be stressful at times, especially when the store is busy.
In terms of culture, Aldi emphasizes hard work, discipline, cost-consciousness and a strong customer focus. Employees are empowered to make decisions to keep their store running smoothly. Workplace camaraderie, recognition for a job well done, and a promote-from-within philosophy are other positives of Aldi‘s culture.
However, some workers say Aldi‘s lean staffing and emphasis on efficiency can make for a challenging, tiring work experience. Lack of downtime and work/life balance are common complaints in employee reviews.
Advancement Opportunities
Aldi prides itself on its culture of promoting from within and developing employees to take on bigger roles. Many store and even corporate-level managers started out as entry-level Store Associates and worked their way up the ladder.
The company provides pathways to advance to Shift Manager, Store Manager, District Manager and even Director-level positions for high performers. Aldi offers management training programs and tuition reimbursement to help employees gain the skills needed to progress in their careers.
Compared to other retail employers, Aldi provides ample opportunity for hard workers to advance and build a long-term career with the company. However, some employees say it can still take years of strong performance to be promoted into higher-level roles.
Employee Reviews of Working at Aldi
Online reviews from current and former Aldi employees paint a mostly positive but somewhat mixed picture of working at the grocery chain. On Indeed, Aldi has an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars based on over 10,000 reviews. 63% of reviewers say they would recommend working at Aldi to a friend.
Positive comments tend to focus on the pay and benefits, friendly coworkers, opportunities for advancement, and fast-paced workday. Negative reviews cite the heavy workload, timed tasks, long hours on your feet, and sometimes disorganized management as downsides.
Here are a few representative reviews:
"Great place to work with great benefits. Can be stressful at times but overall positive environment with opportunity to advance. Expect to work hard but fair compensation." – Shift Manager in Texas
"Decent pay for the work required, but it is a lot of physical work. Hours can be inconsistent and you won‘t get rich working here. But still one of the better retail jobs out there." – Store Associate in Florida
"Not a job for everyone – if you can‘t multitask or dislike fast-paced work, look elsewhere. But if you are a hard worker Aldi will reward you. I‘ve been promoted twice in three years and am now a Store Manager." – Store Manager in California
How Aldi Compares to Other Retail Jobs
Compared to other major retailers, Aldi stacks up quite favorably in terms of pay, benefits and opportunity for advancement. With a starting wage of $15/hour, Aldi pays more than competitors like Walmart ($11), Kroger ($10), and Dollar General ($8). Target and Amazon also start workers at $15/hour, on par with Aldi.
In terms of benefits, Aldi‘s health insurance options and 401(k) match are fairly generous for the retail industry. Tuition reimbursement and parental leave are other standout perks not offered by all retail employers.
While the work at Aldi is demanding, employees give the company higher marks for work environment and culture than many competitors. Aldi also provides clearer pathways to promotion than some other retail chains.
Other retailers known for paying decent wages and offering solid benefits include Costco, Trader Joe‘s, Wegmans and H-E-B. But Aldi can make a strong case for being one of the best retail employers overall when weighing all the factors.
Pros and Cons of Working at Aldi
So in summary, what are the key advantages and disadvantages of working at Aldi? Here‘s a quick recap:
Pros:
- Industry-leading starting pay of $15/hour for Store Associates
- Generous benefits package including health insurance, 401(k) match and PTO
- Opportunities for advancement and long-term career growth
- Fast-paced environment for those who enjoy staying busy
- Mostly positive workplace culture centered on teamwork and efficiency
Cons:
- Very physically demanding work with lots of lifting, walking and standing
- Fast pace and timed tasks can be stressful for some
- Lean staffing means limited downtime and potential for long hours
- Inconsistent shifts and work/life balance cited in some employee reviews
- Still a retail job at the end of the day, with all the challenges that entails
Conclusion
Based on our research and analysis, Aldi does appear to be a good place to work for those well-suited to the retail environment. The company‘s pay and benefits are at the top end of the industry, and the opportunities for advancement are a clear positive for employees.
While the work is fast-paced and can be grinding, Aldi‘s culture and efficiencies help make for a generally positive experience compared to other retail employers. For those looking for a job with competitive pay, a teamwork-oriented environment, and potential for long-term career growth, Aldi is well worth considering.
However, retail work is not for everyone, and Aldi is no exception. Those uncomfortable with an active, on-your-feet role and demanding workload may want to look elsewhere. Carefully weigh the pros and cons to determine if working at Aldi aligns with your preferences and career goals.
