Does Walmart Hire 16-Year-Olds? (A Complete Guide)

As a major U.S. employer, Walmart offers a variety of entry-level jobs that appeal to 16-year-old job seekers. With positions like cashier, cart attendant, and stocker, Walmart does hire some 16-year-olds to work in their stores. However, there are a few key things to know about Walmart‘s minimum age requirements, pay, hiring process and more before applying as a 16-year-old.

Walmart‘s Minimum Age Requirement

Walmart‘s official minimum age to work is 16 years old. So if you‘ve recently had your 16th birthday, you meet the baseline criteria to be eligible for certain Walmart jobs.

However, it‘s important to note that 16- and 17-year-olds have certain work restrictions per U.S. labor laws that translate to limitations on schedules and job duties at Walmart:

Hours Limit: No more than 18 hours per school week; 40 hours max per non-school week
Latest Shift End Times:
- School weeks: 7pm
- Non-school weeks: 9pm
Prohibited Duties: Operating powered equipment like balers, compactors, fork lifts, paper box crushers; cooking; and loading/unloading trucks

So while Walmart does hire some 16-year-olds, they prioritize hiring those with fully open availability – which teens under 18 can‘t provide. Still, Walmart‘s enormous size as the world‘s largest company means they have enough open positions to accommodate youth with limited schedules too.

What Jobs Can 16-Year-Olds Apply For?

Though restricted from several positions, 16-year-olds still qualify for some of Walmart‘s most common entry-level jobs, including:

Cashier

One of Walmart‘s most popular roles for youth under 18 is cashier. As a 16- or 17-year old Walmart cashier, your responsibilities generally involve:

Scanning and bagging customers‘ purchases
Processing payments by cash, card, check, etc.
Answering basic questions about store layout, products, deals, and policies
Maintaining your checkout station – keeping it clean, organized and stocked with supplies like bags
Processing returns and exchanges according to Walmart guidelines
Ensuring correct pricing on all items and checking for potential fraud
Assisting customers with transporting heavy items or loading purchases into cars when needed
Reporting register issues, complaints or other incidents to leadership

Cashiers represent the face of Walmart to its customers, so an upbeat attitude and solid customer service skills are important for the role. According to Walmart‘s 2022 Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, over 43% of Walmart‘s U.S. workforce is under 30, suggesting many teen cashiers.

Cart Attendant

Out in the parking lot, cart attendants keep things running smoothly by:

Collecting shopping carts from the lot and returning them to the store lobby
Assisting customers load purchases into vehicles
Keeping the entrance and lot area clean and hazard-free
Providing carry-out assistance for large purchases
*Watching for and reporting safety hazards like spills or broken carts
Sweeping or shoveling snow to maintain clear parking spots, lanes and walkways
Retrieving registers‘ start-up cash from security at shift start and securely returning at end

This active job requires courtesy when interacting with shoppers and physical stamina to retrieve carts in all weather conditions. According to Walmart‘s jobs website, cart attendants must be able to lift at least 50 lbs and frequently lift more than 25 lbs.

Stocker

Working behind the scenes, stockers help replenish inventory on Walmart‘s massive retail floor space. Key duties include:

Unloading trucks packed tightly with merchandise using proper lifting mechanics
Safely operating box cutters and pricing guns; ensuring equipment in good working order
Opening boxes and sorting items by department and category
Reading planograms to place inventory in correct on-shelf locations
Building attractive displays showcasing products
Placing security tags on expensive merchandise
Assisting customers to locate items and answering questions
Reporting damaged goods or inaccurate pricing to management
Disposing boxes and waste properly to maintain clean backroom

This fast-paced position involves continual lifting, bending, pushing/pulling – hence the nickname "thrower". Success requires physical capability plus attention to detail. According to Walmex Jobs, Walmart store receive daily shipments that must be accurately stocked by AM shift start.

Service Deli/Bakery Associate

For 16-year-olds interested in food retail, Walmart hiring guidelines permit working as a deli or bakery associate. Responsibilities include:

Preparing fresh deli foods like sandwiches, salads, wraps in the in-store kitchen
Operating ovens to bake goods like breads, cookies, cakes according to food safety standards
Stock displays attractively with ingredients and freshly made items
Serving customers at the counter
Maintaining inventory digitally and placing replenishment orders as needed
Cleaning all equipment and surfaces carefully to avoid cross-contamination

Associates in this area must comply with health codes regarding proper handling and storage of ingredients.

Walmart Pay for 16-Year-Old Workers

Compensation for entry-level associates under 18 aligns with minimum wage. Though federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour for non-tipped jobs, many state and local governments mandate higher base pays that Walmart must comply with.

For example, 16-year-old Walmart workers earn:

Florida – $10/hour minimum wage
Illinois – $12/hour minimum wage
California – $15.50/hour minimum wage

On top of base pay, Walmart 16-year-olds also qualify for:

Quarterly Bonuses: Associates can earn MyShare bonuses based on their facility‘s sales performances. These bonus amounts vary but provide nice extras. According to Walmart‘s 2021 Environmental, Social & Governance Report, Associates earned over $1 billion in quarterly incentives last year.
10% Store Discount: Associates are eligible for 10% discounts on (nearly) all Walmart purchases including fresh groceries. This adds up to major savings on everyday essentials.
Education Benefits: Associates under 18 can sign up for Live Better U to earn a high school diploma and access free college classes upon graduating high school.

Beyond pay, U.S. News & World Report ranked Walmart #2 on its Best Retail Companies to Work For list thanks to development opportunities.

So compensation for 16-year-olds at Walmart proves quite competitive, with hourly pay complemented by attractive perks and growth potential. In fact, according to Payscale, Walmart cashiers can potentially earn $3.60/hour above national retail average.

What‘s the Hiring Process for 16-Year-Old Applicants?

If interested to work at Walmart, 16-year-olds can complete these key hiring steps:

1. Submit online application

Visit the Walmart Careers site and create an account. The platform allows you to configure settings like preferred store locations and job types to streamline matching. Search and apply for open roles that interest you.

2. Prescreening assessment

After applying, you may need to complete an online survey assessing personality fit, basic abilities/traits and availability. According to Walmart‘s Application site, this prescreen helps Walmart evaluate applicants.

3. Video interview

Next, a one-way video interview typically occurs where hiring managers asynchronously view and assess your recorded responses to questions. This allows them to consider many candidates quickly. You‘ll use the company‘s digital platform to complete this step.

4. In-person team interview

If advancing, you‘ll be invited to interview at the store itself next. Here you‘ll meet with 2-3 managers for a more conversational style interview allowing both sides to evaluate fit. Come prepared to share your skills and enthusiasm for the company.

5. Job offer

Once a manager decides they wish to hire you, a verbal job offer occurs on the spot! This tentative offer will include position details like intended schedule, compensation, etc.

6. Background check

Finally, Walmart runs background checks on new prospective hires under 18 before confirming employment. You‘ll fill out paperwork and submit an I-9 form for ID verification. Assuming everything checks out, you‘ll receive a formal written offer! Then training kicks off.

How Does Walmart Onboarding and Training Work?

Once hired, newly onboarded Walmart associates undergo a quick yet thorough integration program preparing them to excel in their roles. Training modules provide a balanced mix of digital courses and in-person, shoulder-to-shoulder coaching.

For example, cashiers shadow mentor associates at first to learn practical elements like scanner operation or produce codes right away. Simultaneously, they take computer courses on softer skills like Walmart‘s customer service approach. Combined, this training aims to impart key hard and soft skills rapidly to maximize associates‘ confidence and impact.

Walmart prioritizes cross-training too, giving associates experience in different departments and building operational agility. By developing well-rounded retail skills and know-how, associates gain flexibility to work additional areas as needed.

Ongoing training continues through associates‘ tenures allowing them to refresh abilities or build new ones over time. Consistent development helps retain and progress talented team members over the long term.

FAQs About Working at Walmart at 16

Still have some questions about what it‘s like working at Walmart as a 16-year-old? Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Does Walmart hire 16-year-olds for seasonal jobs?

Yes, Walmart does make a special effort to bring on teen seasonal help during busy periods like back-to-school and the winter holidays. According to SnagAJob, Walmart typically recruits ~20,000 seasonal workers per year.

Seasonal associates stock shelves, work registers and assist customers with purchases. These temporary gigs last 4-12 weeks typically, allowing students to earn extra money over school breaks.

Walmart often ends up hiring standout seasonal helpers permanently too. In fact, over 80% of Walmart managers started as hourly store associates according to the Walmart Museum.

How many hours do 16-year-olds work per week?

Walmart schedules 16-year-old employees according to labor law restrictions around school vs non-school weeks:

In-school weeks: no more than 18 hours total
Non-school weeks: no more than 40 hours total

Shifts run between 1-8 hours, so a typical weekly schedule has two shorter shifts when school‘s in session and four longer shifts on weekends/breaks.

Of course schedules vary store-to-store based on staffing needs. Some locations with significant call-outs may offer extra hours to student associates seeking more opportunities.

Can 16-year-olds work overnights or get promoted at Walmart?

Federal regulations prohibit 16- and 17-year-olds from working past 9pm during non-school weeks and 7pm on school nights. So overnights are off the table – Walmart schedules minor associates only for day and early evening shifts.

That said, exceptional performers can take on additional responsibilities like mentorship, join special teams, and train into supervisor roles like department manager once eligible. Retail gigs with Walmart and other chains do offer clear progression potential.

According to Business Insider, some salaried Walmart managers earn $170-270k+ indicating ample room for advancement over the long term.

Do 16-year-old associates get free Walmart plus membership?

Walmart Plus is the retailer‘s paid subscription program with benefits like free shipping and fuel discounts. This perk doesn‘t come free with employment, unfortunately. Associates do get a generous 10% store discount instead.

However, 16-year-old workers could opt to purchase their own discounted Walmart Plus membership to enjoy extra savings! This would cost them only $9/month versus $13 for non-employees.

Pros and Cons of Working at Walmart as a 16-Year Old

Weighing whether to apply for one of Walmart‘s over 5,000 U.S. stores? Understand the potential upsides and downfalls working there as an adolescent:

Pros

Strong compensation including base pay, bonuses and discounts
Begin gaining customer service skills to stand out in future roles
Opportunities to take on leadership like mentorship or supervisor roles
Scholarship programs to help continue education after high school
Chance to demonstrate responsibility that looks great on college and internship resumes

Potential Cons

Fast-paced warehouse and retail shifts require lots of energy
Standing entire shifts can be tiring for some
Must work varying shifts rather than consistent schedule
Customers can occasionally act disrespectful and demanding

Overall Walmart provides an excellent introduction to working world dynamics in a structured environment. Leveraging both ups and downs builds character and poise at a young age.

Applying for a 16-Year-Old Walmart Job

With well over 4,700 store locations and clubs across America – plus new units still opening – Walmart offers incredible accessibility for youth employment seekers. By understanding Walmart‘s minimum age policies, open roles and hiring process, 16-year-olds can pursue promising positions with professional growth potential.

So while some retailers shy away from teen applicants, Walmart proudly welcomes responsible 16-year-olds eager to work. If aligned with your interests and goals, take time to submit an enthusiastic, thoughtful application soon to get started!