Major grocery store chain raising starting pay to $23 an hour 

(KTLA) - Major grocery retailer Aldi has announced it will be hiring 13,000 new workers while bumping their starting pay up. 

The move comes ahead of the busy holiday season and as the chain adds more stores across the country. Since opening its first American location in 1976 in Iowa, Aldi has opened over 2,300 new locations. 

“We welcome applicants during National Hiring Week with competitive starting wages, industry-leading benefits and opportunities to build long-term careers,” Aldi officials said in a press release issued last week. 

As for wages, Aldi officials stated that their national average starting wage for store employees will be $18 an hour, while warehouse workers will make $23 per hour; both rates are based on market and position. 

Benefits-wise, employees who work more than 30 hours a week are eligible for health insurance, paid time off and more. Aldi also recently instituted new flexible scheduling and 100% paid parental and caregiver leave in response to employee feedback. 

According to Aldi, those who join the company early tend to stick around; the grocery retailer found that 7 out of 10 assistant store managers and over 30% of store managers started as sales associates. 

Many employees move further up the ranks and eventually go on to experience roles in buying, human resources, supply chain and more, Aldi said.

Individuals interested in applying should visit www.careers.aldi.us 

Qualified applicants will be invited to attend interview events during National Hiring Week, which runs from Sept. 9 through Sept. 15.