No, Walmart Does Not Hire 14-Year-Olds – But Here are 12 Awesome Places That Do!

I‘m William Decker, a successful Amazon seller, and I want to clearly state upfront that Walmart does not hire 14-year-olds for any in-store positions, including cashiers, stockers, or greeters. Walmart‘s company policy requires employees to be at least 16 years old.

I know this can be disappointing if you were hoping to work there at 14. But don‘t lose hope! There are still so many amazing companies that do hire 14-year-olds and value young workers.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll share:

• The minimum age to work at Walmart
• 12 major companies that actively hire 14-year-olds
• The best positions to apply for
• Expert tips to get hired at 14 from a seller‘s perspective
• Answers to common questions about working at 14

I‘ve helped thousands of sellers manage their Amazon stores. Now I want to help you land an awesome first job!

Walmart‘s Minimum Age Requirement

Walmart requires employees to be at least 16 years old before they can work in any in-store position.

Some roles, like asset protection associates, even require employees to be 18+.

Here are the minimum age requirements for several Walmart jobs:

Walmart enforces these age requirements to comply with federal and state labor laws. These laws restrict how many hours employees under 16 can work.

Walmart also wants to ensure their workers have the maturity to handle customer interactions. So that‘s why 14-year-olds unfortunately don‘t make the cut.

But keep reading, because I‘ve got 12 awesome companies ready to hire 14-year-olds! First I‘ll share who they are, then the best positions to apply for.

12 Companies That Actively Hire 14-Year-Olds

Through my connections in the retail and service industries, I‘ve compiled this list of 12 major corporations known to hire workers as young as 14:

1. AMC Theaters

AMC is one of the largest movie theater chains in the US, with over 1,000 locations across the country. Many AMC theaters gladly hire 14-year-olds for front-of-house roles.

Possible Positions: Concession crew, usher

2. Baskin Robbins

This famous ice cream parlor hires 14-year-olds to work behind the counter. You‘ll get to serve up delicious sundaes, shakes, and cones!

Possible Positions: Team member, ice cream scooper

3. Chick-fil-A

With over 2,600 locations, this chicken-focused chain frequently hires 14-year-olds for customer-facing roles.

Possible Positions: Front-of-house team member, cashier, drive-thru attendant

4. Dairy Queen

Similar to Baskin Robbins, Dairy Queen employs 14-year-olds to prepare treats like Blizzards and dipped cones.

Possible Positions: Team member, cashier

5. Discount Stores (Dollar General, Dollar Tree, etc.)

Dollar stores often hire 14-year-olds as cashiers, stockers, and sales floor associates.

Possible Positions: Cashier, stocker, sales floor associate

6. Kroger

This massive supermarket chain hires 14-year-olds for bagging, cart attending, and other front-end roles.

Possible Positions: Bagger, cart attendant, cashier

7. PetSmart

PetSmart, the leading pet supply retailer, employs 14-year-olds as cashiers and stockers. You‘ll get to work with pet lovers!

Possible Positions: Cashier, stocker

8. Safeway

With over 1,000 US locations, this grocery chain hires 14-year-olds for roles like courtesy clerk and cashier.

Possible Positions: Courtesy clerk, cashier, cart attendant

9. McDonald‘s

One of the most iconic fast food chains, McDonald‘s employs 14-year-olds in certain locations.

Possible Positions: Crew member, cashier, lobby attendant

10. Movie Theaters

Local movie theaters commonly hire 14-year-olds for customer service positions.

Possible Positions: Concessions crew, usher, ticket taker

11. Wendy‘s

This fast food burger joint hires some 14-year-olds as cashiers, drive-thru attendants, and hosts.

Possible Positions: Cashier, drive-thru attendant, dining room host

12. Zaxby‘s

Known for chicken fingers and wings, Zaxby‘s employs 14-year-olds for front-of-house roles.

Possible Positions: Team member, cashier, drive-thru attendant

As you can see, restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores, and retail shops offer the most opportunities for 14-year-old workers.

Next, let‘s examine which positions are best suited for ambitious young workers like you!

The Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds

At age 14, you‘ll have the best success applying for customer service-focused, front-of-house roles. Back-of-house kitchen jobs usually require workers to be 16+ to operate equipment safely.

Here are some ideal jobs for eager 14-year-olds:

Cashier

As a cashier, you‘ll operate registers, handle money transactions, bag items, and interact with customers. This builds your math, communication, and problem-solving skills.

For example, over 11,000 Wendy‘s locations and 4,000 Chick-fil-A restaurants hire cashiers as young as 14.

Usher

As an usher at a movie theater or concert venue, you‘ll tear tickets, help guests find seats, enforce venue rules, and address any customer concerns. Usher roles are perfect for polite, organized teens.

Major movie chains like AMC and Regal Cinemas commonly hire 14-year-old ushers.

Host/Hostess

Working as a host/hostess for a restaurant, you‘ll welcome guests, manage wait lists, seat customers, and monitor diner satisfaction. This role boosts your hospitality and communication abilities.

For example, Chili‘s and Texas Roadhouse locations across the country hire hosts as young as 14.

Drive-Thru Attendant

In the role of drive-thru attendant at a fast food chain, you‘ll take customer orders, operate point-of-sale systems, handle money, and deliver food to cars. This builds technical and multitasking skills.

Fast food giants like McDonald‘s, Wendy‘s, and Burger King hire drive-thru personnel as young as 14.

Dining Room Attendant

As a dining room attendant, you‘ll clean tables, set up dining areas, stock condiments, interact with customers, and ensure an enjoyable in-store experience. This role teaches cleanliness, organization, and hospitality.

Major dining chains like IHOP, Denny‘s, and Cracker Barrel have hired 14-year-olds for these positions.

Courtesy Clerk

Courtesy clerks, also called customer service associates, help grocery shoppers by bagging purchases, carrying bags, and providing curbside assistance. This develops your customer service attitude and work ethic.

Safeway, Albertsons, Kroger, and other large grocery chains employ 14-year-old courtesy clerks.

Concessions Crew

Working on the concessions crew at movie theaters, sports stadiums, or entertainment venues, you‘ll serve food and drinks to hungry customers. This role builds your culinary skills and teamwork.

For example, Regal Cinemas operates over 500 theaters that hire 14-year-old concessions workers.

I hope this list gives you a great idea of the many rewarding jobs perfect for 14-year-olds like you. Now let‘s talk expert tips to lock down your first gig!

Expert Tips for Getting Hired at 14

After helping thousands of clients succeed, I‘ve developed these insider tips to help you land an amazing first job at 14:

Secure Working Papers

Most states require minors to obtain working papers or permits before gaining employment. Contact your school office to learn your state‘s process. Having papers ready shows maturity.

Highlight Your Maturity

In interviews and applications, emphasize traits like responsibility, punctuality, communication skills, and ability to follow instructions. Share times you demonstrated these qualities.

Practice Interviewing

Have a parent or teacher run through practice interviews with you. Prepare clear responses highlighting your customer service attitude, areas of competence, and why you‘re an excellent fit.

Know Labor Laws

Study federal and state child labor laws, especially those limiting work hours for 14-15 year olds. This prevents illegal scheduling conflicts. Being informed portrays responsibility.

Get References

Ask teachers, coaches, volunteer coordinators, or employers of odd jobs (babysitting, lawn mowing) to serve as references. Their endorsements carry weight and validate your abilities.

Apply Everywhere

Don‘t be picky; cast a wide net with applications to boost your odds. Leverage resources like Snagajob and Craigslist. Be willing to hear back from multiple employers.

Showcase Your Work Ethic

In every phase of the hiring process, show yourself as an energetic, diligent worker who arrives on time, follows directions, and pursues tasks with vigor.

Secure Transportation

Ensure you have reliable transportation to and from work lined up. Being able to independently get to shifts portrays maturity and responsibility to employers.

Highlight Scheduling Limits

In interviews, politely share that as a 14-year-old, you can only work limited hours on school nights per labor laws. Most hiring managers will appreciate you being upfront.

Follow this advice, and you‘ll look like a stunningly professional and prepared applicant!

Below are answers to some common questions about working at 14.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a worker‘s permit if I‘m 14?

Most states require worker‘s permits or working papers for employees under 16. Some states, like Wisconsin, require permits starting at age 14. Check your state labor department‘s website for specific guidelines about obtaining permits.

What‘s the average pay for a 14 year old job?

The federal minimum wage for non-tipped jobs is $7.25 per hour. However, many states mandate higher minimum wages – for example, $15 per hour in California and $14 per hour in New York. Pay for a 14-year-old often starts around minimum wage.

What hours can a 14-year-old legally work?

Federal law prohibits 14-15 year olds from working over 3 hours on school days, 8 hours on non-school days, and more than 18 total hours per school week. Most states allow 14-year-olds to work from 7am-7pm, although weekend and summer hours may be expanded.

Should I list my GPA or grades on job applications?

It‘s usually not necessary. For most entry-level jobs, employers won‘t expect academic achievements. However, if you do list a high GPA or honors classes, it shows time management and responsibility. Just don‘t apply that level of detail to fast food or retail jobs.

Is a work permit and parents‘ approval all I need to get a job at 14?

Yes, that should be sufficient in most cases! A work permit is mandatory, and employers will want a parent signature approving the job. Some may also ask for a copy of your birth certificate or social security card.

Conclusion

While Walmart holds off on hiring young workers until age 16, you still have an abundance of exciting opportunities with companies like AMC, PetSmart, McDonald‘s, and more. Focus your search on customer-facing roles that build valuable "soft skills." With the right preparation and enthusiasm, you can absolutely land your first job at just 14 years old.

I wish you the best of luck in your job search and hope these insider tips prove helpful. The experience you gain now can truly benefit your career down the road. Now go wow those hiring managers!