Does Walmart Hire Part-Time In 2023? (Positions, Pay + More)
If you are considering applying for a part-time job in retail, you may be wondering – does Walmart hire part-time workers? The answer is yes, Walmart does staff a variety of part-time hourly positions across their thousands of stores nationwide. Part-time roles allow flexibility in scheduling, which can be ideal if you are a student, parent, retiree, or have other commitments.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about part-time work at Walmart in 2023 and beyond:
- Typical part-time hours and schedules
- Common part-time positions and department roles
- Hourly pay rates for part-time associates
- Eligibility for benefits as a part-time employee
- Pros and cons of working part-time at Walmart
- Opportunities for students and advice for applicants
- Walmart‘s transition towards more full-time roles
Let‘s dive in!
Typical Weekly Hours and Schedules for Part-Time Workers
As a part-time Walmart associate, you will generally be scheduled for between 12-30 hours per week on average. The most standard part-time schedule is three 4-hour shifts per week, giving you 12 guaranteed minimum hours. For example, your weekly schedule may look like:
- Monday 9am-1pm
- Wednesday 1pm-5pm
- Friday 5pm-9pm
However, depending on store needs and your availability, you may be scheduled for longer shifts on fewer days. Such as:
- Tuesday and Thursday: 9am-5pm (8 hours each)
- Sunday: 1pm-9pm (8 hours)
Part-time roles are designed to offer flexibility, so speak with your manager if you need a certain schedule. There are often extra hours available as well if you are hoping to gain more hours each week.
Common Part-Time Positions at Walmart
Walmart employs part-time workers across almost every department and function within their stores. Some of the most popular part-time roles include:
- Cashier – running checkout registers and providing customer service
- Stocker – restocking shelves, unloading trucks, inventory management
- Pharmacy Technician – assisting pharmacists, medication dispensing
- Front End Services – customer service, returns, greeting customers
- Greeter – welcoming customers, managing front entrance
- Order Filler – picking and packing online orders for delivery/pickup
| Department | Part-Time Roles |
|---|---|
| Front End | Cashier, Customer Service, Greeter |
| General Merchandise | Stocker, Sales Associate, Fitting Room |
| Online Fulfillment | Order Filler, Personal Shopper |
| Pharmacy | Pharmacy Technician |
| Asset Protection | Customer Host, Receipt Checker |
These are just a few examples. Walmart also hires seasonal part-time associates in various roles.
Hourly Pay for Walmart Part-Time Positions
As with any job, pay for part-time hourly roles at Walmart depends on position, experience, and location. On average, part-time workers earn between $10-$18 per hour. Here are some approximate starting wages:
| Position | Average Starting Wage |
|---|---|
| Cashier | $11/hour |
| Stocker | $12/hour |
| Greeter | $10/hour |
| Pharmacy Tech | $15/hour |
| Order Filler | $13/hour |
Higher pay is possible based on experience and tenure. For example, a long-time cashier or pharmacy technician may earn up to $19/hour. Part-time pay is usually less than full-time roles. But consistent hours and strong performance can lead to pay increases over time.
Eligibility for Benefits as a Part-Time Employee
One great perk for part-time workers at Walmart is that you can become eligible for employee benefits like health insurance, even if you work less than full-time. Here are the requirements:
If you work at least 30 hours per week on average over your first 60 days of employment, you become eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other benefits.
You must maintain an average of 30 hours/week to keep receiving benefits. If your average drops below 30/week, benefits eligibility may be lost.
Eligible part-time staff can also take advantage of Walmart‘s 401(k) plan, associate stock purchase plan, paid time off, and employee discounts.
So working an average part-time schedule of 30-34 hours per week can open up access to Walmart‘s benefits package – a huge advantage compared to part-time roles at many other retailers.
Pros and Cons of Working Part-Time at Walmart
As with any job, there are both advantages and disadvantages to working part-time at Walmart:
Pros
- Scheduling flexibility – ideal for students, parents, retirees
- Ability to gain benefits if hours increase
- Potential to advance to full-time role
- Employee discounts on groceries/other purchases
- Gain retail operations experience
Cons
- Lower wages compared to full-time roles
- Inconsistent hours week-to-week
- Managing unpredictable schedules can be difficult
- Possibility of unpleasant customers or workplace politics
- Less job stability than full-time roles
Overall, part-time jobs at Walmart offer a mix of benefits and drawbacks. The flexibility and potential to access benefits make it worth considering if you need a part-time job. But inconsistent hours and lower pay may be downsides.
Opportunities for Students at Walmart
Working part-time at Walmart can be an excellent job option for high school or college students looking to earn money while going to school. Benefits for students include:
- Flexible scheduling that can be adjusted around class times each semester
- Weekend and evening shifts often available – work when not in school
- Gain customer service, retail, and teamwork skills
- Potential for pay raises and management training opportunities
- Employee tuition reimbursement program available after 6 months
My advice for students applying to Walmart roles is to emphasize your work ethic, scheduling flexibility, and any relevant extracurricular or volunteer experience working with teams or customers. With the right attitude and performance, Walmart can be a great part-time job during school.
Walmart‘s Transition to More Full-Time Roles
Currently, Walmart has a goal to transition more of its US workforce into full-time positions over time. By the end of 2022, they aimed to have approximately two-thirds of their associates working full-time, up from about half in previous years.
However, this goal does not mean that Walmart is eliminating part-time jobs completely. They will still have roles for workers who desire shorter shifts or cannot commit to full-time hours. But the availability of certain part-time positions may be reduced in coming years as more workers are moved to full-time status.
Job seekers interested in part-time work should be aware that these roles may become more limited at Walmart long-term. Though part-time opportunities will remain, especially in peak seasons.
Conclusion
Walmart continues to be a major source of part-time employment in the retail industry. Typical roles like cashier, stocker, and pharmacy technician regularly hire part-time staff. While Walmart is shifting towards more full-time associates in recent years, part-time jobs remain available with flexible scheduling options.
For students, parents, seniors or anyone seeking part-time work with the potential for benefits, applying at your local Walmart may be worth considering. Just be prepared that gaining enough weekly hours to qualify for benefits or transition to full-time can be competitive. But with the right drive and attitude, Walmart can be a rewarding part-time employer.
