Supermarket & Grocery Jobs
Kroger Jobs
One of the largest supermarket operators and private employers in the US, hiring across a family of grocery banners.
Updated for 2026 · Independent & ad-supported
Overview
Kroger is one of the largest supermarket operators and private employers in the US, hiring across a family of grocery banners including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, Harris Teeter, and Dillons. Most people start in part-time, entry-level store jobs such as cashier, bagger, or stock clerk, with no experience required. You apply online through Kroger's official careers site for a specific store and role, and pay and exact benefits vary by location, banner, and union status.
| Typical pay | $13–$20/hr for most store roles |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16+ (some roles require 18+) |
| Where they hire | Nationwide. Kroger operates roughly 2,700 stores across about 35 states and Washington, D.C., under banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, Harris Teeter, QFC, and Dillons. |
| Hiring | Hires year-round across stores, pharmacies, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants. Store hiring is steady, with heavier seasonal hiring around the Q4 holiday season. |
Starting pay varies widely by state, banner, and whether the store is unionized. Entry-level clerk and cashier pay tends to start around $13–$15/hr in lower-wage states, while unionized stores follow negotiated pay scales that are often higher and rise with tenure.
Common roles & pay
| CashierRings up customers at the register; one of the most common entry points and available part-time. | About $13–$14/hr average (roughly $12–$19/hr range) |
|---|---|
| Courtesy Clerk / BaggerBags groceries, collects carts, and helps customers to their cars; a common first job, often open to 16-year-olds. | About $12–$16/hr |
| Grocery / Stock ClerkStocks shelves and organizes the sales floor; includes daytime and overnight stocking shifts. | About $13–$20/hr |
| Deli / Bakery AssociatePrepares and serves deli or bakery items and assists customers at the counter. | About $13.70/hr average |
| Produce ClerkStocks, rotates, and displays fresh produce and helps keep the department full and clean. | About $13.34/hr average |
| Pharmacy TechnicianAssists pharmacists with filling prescriptions and customer service; typically requires certification or licensing. | About $16–$24/hr (around $19/hr average) |
| Department ManagerOversees a store department, its staff, ordering, and displays; a common step up from hourly clerk roles. | About $18/hr and up (roughly $18–$28/hr) |
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible associates, including free preventive care
- 401(k) retirement plan with a company match (commonly 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% contributed)
- Employee discount of about 10% on Kroger-brand (Our Brands) products
- Feed Your Future tuition assistance of up to $3,500 per year (up to $21,000 lifetime) for eligible associates
- Weekly pay at most banners
- Paid time off, including vacation and paid holidays for eligible associates
- Pension plan at many unionized (UFCW) stores, in addition to the 401(k)
- Wellness programs and additional associate discount programs
What it's like to work at Kroger
Most Kroger openings are hourly store jobs: cashier, courtesy clerk/bagger, grocery and produce stocking, and deli, bakery, or meat department roles. The work is customer-facing and physical, with time on your feet, stocking and moving product, and busy weekends and holidays. Flexible availability makes you a stronger candidate, and many roles include evening or overnight shifts. There are also pharmacy, distribution center, manufacturing, and corporate roles beyond the sales floor.
Entry-level pay for cashiers and clerks commonly runs in the $13–$15/hr range in lower-wage states, with national averages for cashiers around $13–$14/hr according to Indeed. Pay is higher in states with higher minimum wages and in unionized stores, where United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) contracts set pay scales that rise with tenure. Specialized roles such as pharmacy technician (about $16–$24/hr) and department manager (about $18/hr and up) pay more. Most Kroger banners pay weekly, which many associates cite as a practical advantage.
The hiring process starts with an online application to a specific store and role. For entry-level jobs, expect a short application, sometimes an online assessment, and typically one in-store interview with a hiring manager focused on your availability and customer-service approach. A background check is standard, and some positions or banners also require a drug screening. Many entry-level applicants hear back within one to two weeks.
Tips to get hired: apply for the exact store and shift you want, list truly open availability (including nights and weekends), and highlight any customer-service or teamwork experience. Applying for hard-to-fill shifts such as overnight stocking can improve your odds. If you do not hear back within a couple of weeks, it is reasonable to follow up with the store's hiring manager.
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