Starbucks' Employee Benefits: Enhancing Your Work Life

Feel like you're hustling in a job that offers just a paycheck and no real perks? At Jobcase, we understand that struggle. Now, imagine a workplace that provides more than just a salary.

Enter Starbucks.

Yes, it’s known for its coffee, but it’s also an employer that values its employees. Think of benefits like comprehensive health coverage, 100% tuition coverage, and robust retirement plans.

Join us as we unravel the real benefits of working at Starbucks and how they can make a tangible difference in your life.

What is Starbucks?

With more than 17,000 stores in North America and over 18,000 stores internationally, Starbucks is a coffee chain powerhouse.

Why? Because what started as a coffee-bean shop in Seattle in 1971 has morphed into a hot spot for a wide range of coffee, tea, and specialty drinks. From frappuccinos to refreshers, earl gray to lemonade, there’s something for coffee- and non-coffee-drinkers alike. Add a selection of bakery goods with breakfast, lunch, and snack options, and that’s an all-purpose hangout.

Outside of its consumer offerings, Starbucks is known for valuing its employees, the surrounding community, and the environment. Its investments support education, community organizations, and sustainability.

Currently, Starbucks projects a store sales growth of 4% both in the U.S. and globally.

Starbucks' employee benefits: more than just a perk

Starbucks is an employer that provides benefits like health insurance, financial and employee benefits, and tuition assistance to salaried and hourly workers alike.

Health on your terms: unveiling Starbucks’ health benefits

Starbucks offers a full suite of healthcare benefits and health insurance to employees, including:

• Medical insurance — This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with prescription drug coverage. Starbucks also has a policy for “comprehensive transgender medical benefits” accessible to anyone “enrolled in Starbucks medical.”

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• Life insurance — Basic life insurance is paid in full. An additional supplemental package can be added for employees and their families, as well.

• Short-term disability — Employees on short-term disability can earn partial income for up to 26 weeks.

• Long-term disability — Similar to supplemental life insurance, retail hourly employees have the option to purchase long-term disability insurance.

Secure your future: Starbucks' financial benefits

Starbucks offers its employees both long-term savings and short-term savings options.

Long-term savings

• Future Roast 401(k) plan — Starbucks provides a savings plan that allows employees to contribute between 1% and 75% of their pay during each pay period. Even better, Starbucks offers a company match for the first 5% of your contributions per pay period. Both are subject to IRS limits.

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• The Stock Investment Plan (S.I.P.) — S.I.P. allows employees to purchase stock quarterly at a 5% discount. You can contribute between 1% and 10% of your base pay each pay period to the stock option.

• Bean Stock — Similar to the S.I.P., Starbucks provides employees with an equity reward called Bean Stock at no cost. There’s an eligibility requirement, but the longer you’re a Starbucks employee, the more shares you earn to keep or sell.

Short-term savings

• My Starbucks Savings — Save money right from your paycheck (post-tax, of course). Eligible employees could get up to $250 in incentives.

Embracing life: Starbucks’ “partner support” benefits

Starbucks thinks of its employees as partners. So, think of “partner support” benefits as a plan for your overall well-being.

• Sick Time — Full-time Starbucks employees can “carry over up to 520 hours from year to year” of sick days.

• Vacation — After twelve months at Starbucks, retail hourly employees begin to accumulate vacation leave. At first, you can get up to 40 hours of paid vacation time, but employees who work for 60 months or more can get up to 120 hours. Vacation hours roll over from year to year.

• Paid Parental leave — Eligible employees have access to leave. This applies to birth, foster, or adoptive parents.

• Family Expansion Reimbursement Assistance — If enrolled in Starbucks’ medical plan, employees can apply for assistance with the costs of adoption, surrogacy, and intrauterine insemination (IUI). You can also receive up to $40,000-lifetime maximum in a family expansion reimbursement package.

• Lyra health benefits — Lyra connects employees to mental health services. Benefits apply to employees and eligible family members.

• Headspace — Employees receive free access to Headspace for meditation and anxiety/stress management.

• Backup Care — Your benefits program can come with up to 10 backup care days per year, along with a free Care.com membership to help with childcare needs.

Propel your career: Starbucks' education benefits

At Starbucks, education matters. With the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, both eligible full-time and part-time employees can continue their studies.

You can complete a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University with 100% upfront tuition. When you study with one of their 100 undergraduate programs online, you won’t be paying out of pocket.

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The Pathway to Admission program is for employees who don’t qualify for immediate admission. Starbucks and Arizona State University offer up to 10 college-level courses to get you ready for admission to the bachelor’s degree program.

Beyond the usual: unique perks at Starbucks

Starbucks has several unique employee benefits called "Perks for Partners."

• Receive one pound of coffee or tea every week for free

• 30% employee discount on in-store products

• A free beverage during work and seven free food items per week

• Exclusive access to branded gear and promotional items

• Free Spotify Premium

• Commuter Benefit Program to help with public transportation costs

• Giving Match Program for qualified non-profits; Starbucks will match financial and service donations by request

• Potential reimbursement for fitness event entry fees

Navigating the journey: your Starbucks benefits eligibility timeline

Benefits like health, tuition assistance, paid parental leave, and adoption assistance require employees to be “benefit eligible.”

Full-time partners become eligible the month after 60 days of employment. Part-time employees must work at least 240 hours over three consecutive months. Part-time employees are eligible for benefits two months after reaching the hourly minimum.

Basic financial savings benefits (401(k) and S.I.P.) are available after 90 days of employment. To be eligible for Bean Stock, you need to be a Starbucks employee as of May 1 of the fiscal year before the grant date.

Benefits like Lyra, Backup Care, and the unique perks are available right away.

Earning at Starbucks: a look at your wage

Starbucks offers competitive pay and values its employees. Baristas typically earn between $9 - $15 per hour. Wages do vary by location, though.

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The coffee retailer's leadership roles include shift supervisors, team leaders, assistant store managers, store managers, and district managers.

• Shift supervisor: $11 - $19

• Team leader: $10 - $24

• Assistant store manager: $13 - $24

• Retail store manager: $15 - $34

Because Starbucks values its employees, employees are often promoted within the company.

Onward to greener pastures: why Starbucks stands out

Ever felt there's more to work life than what you're getting? We get it. You crave more support, growth, and respect for the effort you put in every day.

Starbucks offers all of that and more. It isn't just a coffee shop. It's a launchpad that values and invests in you, providing health benefits, financial stability, family support, career advancement, and unique perks that brighten your workdays.

Jobcase understands the goal isn’t just a job — it's finding the right job. One that honors your hustle, bolsters your dreams, and rewards your efforts. Starbucks ticks these boxes and then some.

Wondering how to apply? Read our guide on how to apply for a job at Starbucks.

And don’t forget our resources on writing a resume and cover letter and nailing that interview.