- Aldi's cashier salaries: An exploration
In the realm of discount shopping, Aldi's attractive prices have drawn in numerous customers. Yet, you might wonder if the bargain deal extends to the grocery chain's employees' wages. Surprisingly, not at all! Both Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd, the two branches of the Aldi family, offer employees surprisingly competitive compensation.
Although Aldi is known for its price obsession, wages at their stores are relatively high. The pace of operations may go a little faster than other supermarkets, with cashiers scanning items at checkout with unprecedented speed. However, the paychecks are nothing to scoff at.
There are slight differences between the two Aldi companies, a legacy of the 1961 split of the family business into Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd by the sons of founder Karl Albrecht, Karl Jr. and Theo Albrecht.
Aldi Süd Leads the Pack in Wages
Transparency in wage practices is a key aspect of Aldi Süd, making it stand out among its counterpart, Aldi Nord. While Aldi Nord complies with regional collective agreements and pays a base hourly wage of €14 since June 1, 2022, the exact pay for Aldi Süd employees isn't publicly disclosed. However, in southern Germany, where the cost of living is higher, Aldi Süd offers a minimum hourly wage of €15.
Cashiers at both Aldi branches can earn up to €19.59 and €18.95 per hour, respectively. But what truly sets Aldi Süd apart is that cashiers and other employees, depending on their role and skill level, can earn significantly more than their Aldi Nord counterparts. The monthly salaries for cashiers in Aldi Süd range from €2,440 to €3,180, while those in Aldi Nord tend to fall below €2,300.
Employees in higher-level positions, such as trained salespersons, have even more promising prospects. The Hans Böckler Foundation's Institute for Work, Employment and the Economy estimates the average salary for salespersons in large retail companies to be around €2,590 per month, which is well within Aldi Süd's wage range.
While Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd remain tight-lipped about the specifics of their employees' vacation and Christmas bonuses, it's fair to assume that these additional benefits help bolster the overall income package for their employees.
Gaining Experience through Apprenticeships
Apprentices at Aldi Süd's salesperson training program start with a monthly gross salary of €1,250 in their first year, €1,350 in the second year, and €1,500 in their final year. This wage difference with Aldi Nord becomes quite obvious, as the latter pays only €1,160 in the first year and €1,430 in their third year.
In addition to these wage structures, both Aldi companies offer higher payments for other training programs.
To put these numbers into perspective, we must remember that all wages listed here are gross salaries, so social security contributions and taxes still need to be deducted. Moreover, in the retail sector, part-time jobs are quite common, and two-thirds of all employees work less than full time.
In conclusion, while Aldi is well-known for its reasonable shop prices, its employees can also enjoy wages that are far from bargain bin levels. In fact, they can expect to earn decent salaries, thanks to the grocery chain's commitment to fair compensation.
Despite Aldi's reputation for affordable prices, the paychecks for its employees are not budget-friendly.Actually, cashiers at Aldi Süd can earn up to €19.59 per hour, significantly more than their counterparts in Aldi Nord.
