So You Want to Be a Walmart Cart Pusher? Your Complete 2022 Job Guide

Hey there! If you‘re considering becoming a Walmart cart pusher, you‘ve come to the right place. As an experienced ecommerce seller, I‘ve worked with hundreds of Walmart stores. So I‘m excited to share everything you need to know about being a cart attendant in 2022.

In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover:

• What exactly does a Walmart cart pusher do?
• Expected pay rates and working hours
• Key skills and traits you‘ll need
• How to apply for cart pusher jobs
• What to expect if you get hired
• Tips and tricks to be the best cart attendant
• How this role fits into Walmart‘s operations
• Opportunities to advance your career

Let‘s start by looking at what these essential workers actually do day-to-day…

What Does a Walmart Cart Pusher Do?

While the public often refers to them as "cart pushers," Walmart officially calls this role "Member Assist Cart Attendant."

As that title suggests, your core duty is assisting Walmart members (aka customers) by managing carts.

On a typical day, you‘ll:

• Transport carts from the parking lot back into the store
• Tidy up the lot by collecting litter, stray carts, etc.
• Load purchases into members‘ vehicles
• Monitor cart levels and restock as needed
• Identify damaged carts for repair
• Follow safety protocols when using motorized cart movers
• Provide general customer service

It‘s a fast-paced, active job with a mix of routine and problem-solving tasks. You‘ll be on your feet for most of the shift, so stamina is key. But you‘ll enjoy the satisfaction of keeping carts organized for shoppers.

According to Walmart‘s 2022 Environment, Social & Governance Report, their stores use over 1.5 million shopping carts. So cart attendants play a critical role! When you keep carts flowing smoothly, you enable a better customer experience.

What‘s the Average Pay for Walmart Cart Pushers?

Pay rates for Walmart cart attendants typically range from:

• Entry-level: $10 – $12 per hour
• Experienced: $13 – $15 per hour
• Cart Pusher Leads: $16+ per hour

The average wage reported by cart pushers on Glassdoor is around $12/hour. But pay may vary based on location, experience, performance, etc.

Part-time cart pushers are hourly employees without benefits. But full-timers can qualify for perks like:

• Health/dental/vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Stock purchase program
• Tuition assistance
• Store discount
• Paid time off

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for retail lot attendants like cart pushers was $11.37/hour in 2021. Walmart wages tend to be competitive for this type of starter role.

What Hours Do Walmart Cart Pushers Work?

Walmart cart pusher shifts vary between part-time and full-time:

• Part-time: 10-25 hours per week on flexible shifts
• Full-time: 32-40 hours per week during standard store hours

Since cart attending is vital whenever stores are busy, schedules often include:

• Early mornings
• Days/afternoons
• Evenings
• Weekends

The flexible shifts make this job convenient for high school or college students who want to earn around class schedules.

Full-time cart pushers generally work standard daytime hours. But be prepared for adjustments based on store needs.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Apply?

Since it‘s an entry-level position, Walmart has minimal eligibility requirements for cart attendants:

• At least 16 years old
• Able to stand/walk for long periods
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather

Relevant experience is great, but not mandatory. Walmart cares more about your work ethic. Responsible folks with good attitudes can thrive.

Ideally, you‘ll also have:

• Physical stamina and mobility
• Solid customer service skills
• The flexibility to work various shifts
• A clean background check

As long as you meet the age policy and are eager to work hard, don‘t hesitate to apply!

5 Key Traits of Successful Walmart Cart Pushers

Beyond the basic requirements, there are a few key traits that will help you excel as a cart pusher:

1. Enjoys physical labor. This is one of Walmart‘s most active roles. You need to relish being on your feet and moving.

2. Works well independently. You‘ll often work solo and be trusted to manage your duties.

3. Stays cool under pressure. Things can get hectic on busy days. Keeping your cool is crucial.

4. Takes pride in your work. People may not notice cart attendants, but you provide an essential service. Take pride in it!

5. Friendly and helpful. Part of the job is assisting customers. An upbeat attitude makes a difference.

Playing to these strengths will set you up for cart pushing success and positive performance reviews.

Step-By-Step Guide to Applying for Cart Pusher Jobs

Ready to take the leap and apply? Submitting an application only takes a few simple steps:

1. Visit the Walmart Careers site. Go to www.careers.walmart.com. This houses all their latest job postings.

2. Select "Customer Service and Call Center." This category contains cart pusher listings.

3. Search for openings using your city. Try search terms like "YourCity cart attendant" to find openings.

4. Click "Apply Now" on a relevant listing. This takes you to the full job description.

5. Create an account if first application. Make a profile that can be used for future Walmart applications.

6. Fill out the application form completely. Provide details on work history, availability, etc.

7. Submit your application. Once your application is in, wait for a response from Walmart!

The whole process takes less than an hour. If your background and availability align with their needs, you should hear back quickly.

And remember, if you don‘t get selected for a certain role, keep trying! Persistence pays off.

What to Expect if You‘re Hired as a Cart Pusher

Congratulations, you got the job! Here‘s an overview of what to expect once you join the team:

Hands-on training: Walmart cart attendants receive extensive on-the-job training. You‘ll be shown proper cart retrieval/storage procedures, safety protocols, and customer assistance techniques. Pay close attention to learn best practices.

Variable weather conditions: Being outdoors means working in rain, snow, heat, and more. But Walmart provides weather-appropriate gear like insulated coats.

Physically demanding: You‘ll log 5+ miles per shift on your feet. Lifting and pushing carts takes muscle too. It‘s tiring but rewarding work.

Safety focus: Following safety rules is critical, like wearing reflector vests and separating damaged carts. They aim to prevent employee and shopper injuries.

Use of cart mover machines: With training, you‘ll use motorized cart managers to efficiently collect and move cart trains. Their names include the Cart-Mule, Cart-Caddy, SuperSucker, and more!

Teamwork opportunities: At larger stores, cart attendants work in groups. You can build camaraderie with coworkers while tackling tasks together. But solo shifts are common too.

advancement potential: Many managers start as cart pushers. Work hard and you can move up at Walmart.

The more you learn, the more comfortable and capable you‘ll feel in this essential role.

7 Tips to Be the Best Cart Pusher You Can Be

Want to excel as a Walmart cart attendant? Keep these tips in mind:

1. Learn proper use of cart movers. Mastering machines like the Cart-Manager improves productivity and safety.

2. Keep carts neatly organized. Align them perfectly and use dividers for a polished look.

3. Stay hydrated and take breaks. Drink water and rest as needed to maintain energy.

4. Make safety your #1 priority. Follow all guidelines to avoid injuries or accidents.

5. Pay attention to details. Spotting hazards like cracked carts helps avoid problems.

6. Offer random acts of kindness. Helping shoppers load cars, for example, makes their day.

7. Take pride in your work. Even if it goes unnoticed, take satisfaction in keeping carts smooth.

Adopt these habits, and you‘ll shine as a top cart attendant. And who knows, you may pave the way for joining Walmart management!

How Cart Pushers Fit Into Walmart‘s Operations

On the surface, cart pushers seem removed from the glitzy retail operations at Walmart stores. But looks can be deceiving!

In reality, you play an indispensable role in Walmart‘s frontline operations:

• You‘re the engine ensuring ample carts to keep shopper flow moving. Without you, bottlenecks at checkout would be common.

• You maintain the critical link between the salesfloor and the parking lot. Carts are the vehicles that make shopping possible.

• Your efforts enable Walmart members to have a quick, smooth shopping trip from start to finish.

• You act as an ambassador providing customer assistance and giving the first/last impression.

• Your monitoring helps identify other cart or parking lot issues needing attention.

So as a humble cart pusher, take pride knowing your behind-the-scenes work has an outsized impact. You make the memorable shopping experience Walmart is famous for possible.

Room to Grow: Moving Up at Walmart

One excellent benefit of Walmart roles? The clear path for career development.

Many current managers and senior leaders started as cart pushers. It teaches valuable skills like customer service, stamina, and work ethic.

With strong performance, you could progress to:

• Cashier – Gain retail and customer service skills
• Salesfloor Associate – Learn merchandising and inventory
• Department Manager – Lead a specialty sales team
• Assistant Store Manager – Help manage daily store operations
• Store Manager – Oversee a multimillion-dollar store

And the earning potential grows significantly as you move up the ladder. Store managers average $180,000+ per year!

Hard work as a cart pusher can certainly pave the way to an executive-level retail career.

The Future of Cart Attendants at Walmart

While the core duties have remained steady for decades, advances in tech are also coming to the cart pusher role.

In 2019, Walmart filed a patent for a cart-collecting robot. Self-driving units could corral stray carts without human assistance.

Another emerging innovation is geo-fencing technology that can immobilize carts if someone tries to remove them from the premises.

Will robots replace Walmart cart attendants someday? Not anytime soon. But automation may supplement parts of the job like collecting distant carts in huge parking lots.

The key human elements – customer interaction, quality checks, and detailed cart maintenance – will remain essential. With the right mindset, current cart pushers can evolve along with the innovations.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully this guide gave you a complete overview of the Walmart cart pusher job!

It requires energy and dedication. But if you have the work ethic and desire for a hands-on role, you can thrive as a cart attendant.

At the end of a long shift, take satisfaction knowing your effort helps Walmart provide an amazing retail experience. You‘re an unsung hero enabling shopping happiness!

So go ahead – take the leap and apply if being a Walmart cart pusher sounds appealing. I wish you the absolute best, and have no doubts you‘ll crush it! Let me know if any other questions come up.