Chipotle increasing average wage to $15 per hour

Taylor Delandro and Nexstar Media Wire

4 years ago

A new Chipotle Mexican Grill location is pictured at University Village in Seattle, Washington on November 3, 2015. An outbreak of E. coli bacteria linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants has spread, with the number of people sickened rising from 22 to 37, US authorities said November 3, 2015. In the northwest state of Washington 25 people have been infected, up from 19. Twenty-three of them reported eating at a Chipotle burrito outlet before getting sick and nine were hospitalized, the state health department said. The victims range in age from five to 60. In neighboring Oregon the number has risen from three as of November 1, 2015 to 12 in and around Portland. AFP PHOTO / JASON REDMOND (Photo credit should read JASON REDMOND/AFP via Getty Images)

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (NewsNation Now) — As many restaurants struggle to hire workers, some, including Chipotle, are offering higher pay with bigger career opportunities.

Chipotle announced Monday it’s increasing the pay of its restaurant workers to an average of $15 per hour by the end of June.

Some employees will also be eligible to make a six-figure salary after just a few years working with the chain. Wage increases will be rolled out over the next few weeks.

“Chipotle is committed to providing industry-leading benefits and accelerated growth opportunities, and we hope to attract even more talent by showcasing the potential income that can be achieved in a few short years,” said Marissa Andrada, Chief Diversity, Inclusion and People Officer at Chipotle.

Hourly crew members’ wages will range from $11-$18 per hour. Employees also have the opportunity to be promoted to a general manager position — a job with an “average compensation” of $100,000 — within about three and a half years, the company said.

Chipotle said it aims to hire 20,000 employees ahead of the summer. The chain also plans to roll out a $200 employee referral bonus for crew members, and a $750 referral bonus for apprentices or general managers.

A virtual career fair will be held on May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT on its Discord platform.

“We’re looking for people who are authentic, passionate and want to help cultivate a better world through real food and real personal development,” Andrada said.