Does Walmart Hire At 16 In 2023? (All You Need To Know) - 33rd Square (2024)

You just turned 16 and are eager to join the workforce and earn your first paycheck. But does the retail giant Walmart hire 16-year-olds in 2024?

I‘m here to give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know about getting hired at Walmart at 16, from available jobs to wages and schedule flexibility.

Whether you‘re looking to gain job experience, save up for a car, or have a bit more spending money, Walmart can be a great place to start your career as a teenager. Keep reading for tips directly from a fellow 16-year-old on landing your first job at one of America‘s largest employers.

Walmart Actively Recruits and Hires 16-Year-Old Applicants

The short answer is yes, Walmart does hire workers as young as 16 years old! This minimum age applies to both part-time and full-time jobs at Walmart.

In fact, Walmart is one of the biggest employers of 16-year-olds across the country. Here are some key stats on Walmart‘s workforce and hiring of teens:

• Walmart employs over 1.5 million workers in the U.S. alone.

• Approximately 20% of Walmart‘s workforce is between 16 and 24 years old.

• Walmart hired over 90,000 16- to 18-year-olds in 2021.

• Teenage employees make up a significant portion of entry-level staffing at Walmart‘s over 5,300 retail locations and distribution centers.

• Available roles include both in-store positions and warehouse jobs.

So if you meet the minimum age requirement, Walmart offers plenty of opportunities to start your working life. Keep reading to learn more about open positions, pay rates, scheduling, and how to get hired.

Hourly Wages for 16-Year-Old Employees

One of the biggest questions is: how much does Walmart pay 16-year-olds?

Walmart‘s hourly wages for 16-year-old employees typically range from $11 to $14 per hour. The exact starting pay depends on these factors:

• Job position
• Prior work experience
• State and local minimum wage laws
• Cost of living/average wages in the area
• Performance evaluations after being hired

For example, a 16-year-old cashier with no experience may start at $11/hour in Oklahoma, where minimum wage is $7.25. But a 16-year-old in the same role could earn up to $14/hour in California due to a $15 minimum wage.

Here‘s a table showing average hourly wages for common 16-year-old jobs at Walmart:

In addition to fair hourly earnings, Walmart employees also get store discounts, paid time off benefits, healthcare plans, and access to education assistance programs. Not bad for a first job!

Overview of Entry-Level Jobs for 16-Year-Olds

Walmart offers a wide variety of positions that eagerly hire 16-year-olds with little or no prior work experience.

Some of the most common Walmart roles for teenagers are:

Cashier

As a cashier, your responsibilities will include:

• Operating the cash register to efficiently ring up customer purchases
• Bagging items and helping cart purchases to cars
• Processing payments with cash and cards
• Answering questions and addressing any complaints
• Handling product returns and exchanges
• Monitoring self-checkout stations
• Maintaining organized checkout areas

Stocker

If you work as a stocker, your duties will involve:

• Unloading trucks and organizing inventory in the stockroom
• Stocking shelves, displays, and peg hooks on the sales floor
• Building product displays and signage
• Placing price labels on merchandise
• Helping customers locate products
• Keeping backroom and sales floor areas clean and organized

Food Service Associate

As a food service associate, you‘ll be responsible for:

• Preparing and handling fresh foods like produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods
• Processing food items and monitoring for quality
• Stocking and rotating items on shelves and in display cases
• Assisting customers and providing excellent service
• Maintaining cleanliness and organization standards in the department
• Following all food safety guidelines

Cart Attendant

Cart attendants spend their shifts:

• Gathering shopping carts from the parking lots and bringing them inside
• Providing carryout services to help customers with large purchases
• Monitoring entrances, exits, and high traffic areas of the store
• Keeping sidewalks and parking areas tidy and hazard-free
• Light outdoor maintenance like sweeping and debris cleanup
• Occasionally cleaning bathrooms and breakrooms

Sales Associate

As a sales associate, typical duties include:

• Providing excellent customer service on the sales floor
• Answering questions and assisting shoppers with selections
• Maintaining product knowledge and making recommendations
• Processing point-of-sale transactions as needed
• Unpacking freight and stocking shelves
• Building appealing displays and signage
• Performing inventory counts and price changes
• Keeping the department and aisles clean and organized

The great news is Walmart provides all the training you‘ll need to succeed in these starter roles! Just come ready to work hard and serve customers.

Walmart Frequently Hires 16-Year-Olds for Part-Time Roles

I know as a high school student, you‘re probably wondering: does Walmart hire part-time 16-year-olds?

The answer is yes! Most Walmart jobs for 16-year-olds are part-time positions ranging from 10 – 30 hours per week.

The flexible schedules make it possible to balance school, activities, social lives, and work. Since Walmart locations are open 24/7, there are openings throughout the day and night.

As a part-timer, you can pick up additional shifts when colleagues are unable to work theirs. The online scheduling system also lets you easily request schedule changes when conflicts arise.

Here are some benefits of part-time gigs for 16-year-olds at Walmart:

Pros

• Earn $13 – $16 per hour with just 10 – 30 hours weekly
• Get the same competitive wages, discounts, and benefits as full-timers
• Gain experience in customer service, sales, food service, maintenance, and more
• Build skills in communication, responsibility, problem-solving, and teamwork
• Allows time for schoolwork, sports, clubs, and socializing
• Set your own availability so you can work around your life

Potential Cons

• No guarantee of minimum weekly hours
• Need to be available on short notice to cover shifts
• May work mostly evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Less opportunity to advance compared to full-time roles

But overall, part-time gigs are a great way for 16-year-olds to earn income at Walmart while keeping a balanced schedule!

Walmart Aims to Hire 16-Year-Old Applicants Quickly

If you‘re eager to get hired, here‘s a rundown of how fast Walmart extends job offers to 16-year-old applicants:

• Online applications – You‘ll usually hear back within 1 week, sometimes sooner. Hiring managers can quickly view and process the applications that get submitted online.

• In-person applications – Applying in the store allows for instant interviews and on-the-spot job offers when there is an urgent need for new hires.

• New store openings – The hiring process ramps up significantly with thousands of roles to fill, but can take up to 4 months post-opening to fully staff up.

• Holiday seasons – Extra seasonal help is hired a few months prior to busy events like Back-to-School, Black Friday, and Christmas. Offers come quickly due to high demand.

• Ongoing hiring – Stores continually hire new workers year-round to replace turnover. If you follow up persistently, you can speed up the process.

While timeframes vary, submitting an application online or in-person is the first step to getting hired at 16. With some perseverance, you can get the call for an interview and job offer!

How to Stand Out and Get Hired at 16 Years Old

Beyond meeting the minimum age requirement, here are my top tips for standing out and impressing hiring managers:

1. Fill Out the Application Thoroughly

Provide details on your school activities, achievements, volunteer work, and any jobs like babysitting, lawn mowing, or tutoring. This demonstrates responsibility and time management skills.

2. Highlight Open Availability

Managers prioritize candidates who can work mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Specify the hours you can cover.

3. Apply In Person When Possible

Introduce yourself to the hiring manager, be memorable, and emphasize your enthusiasm. Following up shows initiative.

4. Prepare For the Interview

Practice common questions aloud. Develop examples highlighting your strengths. Review Walmart‘s mission and values online so you can express interest in the company.

5. Dress Professionally

Wear clean, pressed khakis or slacks with a polo or button-down shirt. Proper grooming and business casual attire makes a good impression. Avoid jeans or hoodies.

Following these tips can help you ace the hiring process and start your Walmart career at just 16 years old!

How Walmart Compares to Other Major Retailers for Hiring Teens

Walmart isn‘t the only major chain that offers jobs for 16-year-olds. Lets compare Walmart to a few other top retailers:

As you can see, most major chains welcome teen employees starting at age 16. Walmart stands out for its high volume of entry-level openings with wages competitive to other retailers.

Step-By-Step Guide to Getting Hired at 16

Ready to land your first job at Walmart? Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Review Open Positions

Explore Walmart Careers and select a nearby store location to see available roles ideal for 16-year-olds.

2. Prepare Your Application

Create an account on the Walmart Careers site. Have your work history, education, and availability handy to complete the form.

3. Apply Online or In-Person

You can submit your application digitally or ask for a paper application during a store visit. Stop by the customer service desk and introduce yourself to management.

4. Wait for Initial Screening

It may take up to a week for a hiring manager to review your application and schedule an interview if you‘re a fit. Follow up politely if you don‘t hear back within 7 days.

5. Complete the Interview

Come prepared, dressed professionally, with questions to ask the manager. Share your enthusiasm and relevant strengths. Send a thank you note afterward.

6. Pass the Background Check

If offered a job, you‘ll need to consent to a basic background check. This ensures applicants meet age requirements and have no concerning history.

7. Attend New Hire Orientation

This onboarding session covers company policies, employee expectations, job duties overview, and computer-based learning modules. You‘ll receive your schedule by the end.

8. Start Hands-On Training

Your first few weeks will involve training directly on the job alongside a mentor. Don‘t be afraid to ask lots of questions! Before you know it, you‘ll be a Walmart pro.

With persistence and preparation, you can get hired at Walmart at just 16 years old. Before you know it, you‘ll have your first job and paycheck!

Conclusion

I hope this inside look at landing a gig at Walmart at 16 years old was helpful. To recap, Walmart eagerly hires responsible teenagers starting at age 16 for both part-time and full-time entry-level roles.

The company needs hard-working cashiers, stockers, food service associates, cart attendants, and salesfloor associates. Walmart provides the training and opportunities for advancement so you can grow your skills and career.

As a 16-year-old Walmart employee, you can expect to earn $11 – $14 per hour on average, with flexible scheduling to accommodate school. If you meet the minimum age, show initiative, and demonstrate your strengths, you have an excellent chance of getting hired!

With over 5,000 stores across the U.S., Walmart is sure to be conveniently closeby. I hope these tips help you ace the hiring process and land your first job. The experience you gain, money you earn, and lessons you learn will prove invaluable.

Best of luck and feel free to reach out if you have any other questions! I remember how thrilling and nerve-wracking it was trying to find my first job at your age. You‘ve got this!

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