What Age Does Amazon Hire? 15, 16, 17 and Older for Warehouse Jobs and Driving

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Many people have asked me: "What is the minimum age requirement to get a job at Amazon?"

As a successful Amazon seller for over 10 years, I‘ve researched Amazon‘s hiring policies in depth. In this comprehensive 2800+ word guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about what age Amazon will hire you.

Whether you‘re 15, 16, 17, 18 or older – I‘ll cover the specific age requirements for working in Amazon fulfillment centers, as a delivery driver, and more.

Let‘s dive in!

Here‘s the TLDR on Age Requirements for Amazon Jobs:

I‘ll summarize upfront, and then explain in more detail throughout this guide.

• Minimum age for warehouse workers: 18 years old
• Minimum age for delivery drivers: 21 years old
• Will Amazon hire 15/16 year olds? No
• Will Amazon hire 17 year olds? No
• Does Amazon hire immediately at 18? Yes, for warehouse roles

Now, I‘ll expand on each of these key points…

Why Won‘t Amazon Hire Workers Under 18?

The most common question I get from teens is:

"Can I work at Amazon if I‘m 15, 16 or 17 years old?"

The short answer is no, Amazon will not hire anyone under the age of 18. This applies to both warehouse and delivery jobs.

I know this can be frustrating news if you‘re an eager young worker. But Amazon has sensible reasons for sticking to the 18+ age policy.

Legal Restrictions Around Minor Employees

First, there are strict federal and state labor laws regarding the employment of minors under 18.

For example, federal regulations state:

• 15 year olds can only work limited hours, no later than 7pm on school nights.
• 16 and 17 year olds can work longer hours, but still have restrictions on late night work.
• Minors under 18 have limits on the types of work that is considered hazardous.

Amazon operates 24/7, so these types of regulations don‘t align with their typical long shifts and overnight hours.

State laws also have complex restrictions on employing minors, including requiring work permits and other special regulations.

Rather than navigating this patchwork of state and federal laws around minor workers, Amazon simply opts to only hire 18 and older. This gives them maximum flexibility with shifts and roles.

Safety Concerns Around Younger Teens

In addition to legal restrictions, Amazon also cites safety as a reason they don‘t hire young teens under 18.

Their large warehouses contain heavy machinery, moving robotic drives, high shelving, and more. There are real risks of accidents and injuries, especially for younger teens who lack experience working in industrial settings.

Amazon also doesn‘t want the liability associated with 15 to 17 year olds handling power equipment. Their insurance carriers likely prohibit it as well.

The company believes legal adult workers are mature enough to handle all equipment and technology safely.

Scheduling Conflicts with School

Most teenagers under 18 are still in high school and can only work part-time hours.

But Amazon needs people who can work longer daytime shifts, overnight hours, and mandatory overtime during peak seasons.

Warehouse associates often work 10 to 12 hour shifts at Amazon fulfillment centers. This just wouldn‘t align with school schedules for high school students.

That‘s why Amazon sticks with hiring adults who have graduated high school and have open availability.

Will Amazon Hire 17 Year Olds? What About Those Turning 18 Soon?

I sometimes get questions from 17 year olds finishing up their senior year of high school:

"I‘ll be 18 in just a few months – will Amazon hire me?"

Unfortunately, the answer is still no – Amazon will not hire 17 year olds, even those about to turn 18.

Their job postings clearly state you must be 18 years or older to be considered for employment. No exceptions for those turning 18 soon.

Here‘s why Amazon is strict about the 18+ policy:

• Labor laws for minors under 18 are still a headache, especially depending on your state. Amazon avoids this by only hiring adults.

• Maturity – Some 17 year olds still lack the maturity Amazon expects in their workers. They often don‘t have full-time job experience yet either.

• School schedules – Even seniors in high school have classes and sports commitments that prevent working full availability.

My advice is be patient and wait until your 18th birthday! I know the waiting is hard, but the good news is Amazon will hire you as soon as you turn 18.

What‘s the Minimum Age to Work in an Amazon Warehouse?

Once you turn 18 years old, you can immediately apply for thousands of Amazon warehouse job openings across the country.

The minimum age to work in any Amazon fulfillment or sortation center is 18 years old – no exceptions.

This applies to all entry-level warehouse team member roles, including:

• Warehouse associates
• Pickers
• Packers
• Shippers
• Receivers
• Equipment operators
• Janitorial staff

And higher level supervisory and manager positions of course also require you to be 18+.

To be eligible for a warehouse job, in addition to meeting the minimum age, Amazon also requires:

• High school diploma or GED
• Legal authorization to work in the US
• Ability to pass a background check
• Ability to understand and follow safety procedures

Overall, the requirements are quite basic for 18+ adults finishing up high school.

As long as you meet these few qualifications, you have a strong chance of getting hired due to Amazon‘s huge appetite for warehouse workers.

In 2021 alone, Amazon hired over 500,000 people globally, primarily for fulfillment center roles.

So if you‘re 18+ and looking for a solid entry-level job, you should absolutely consider applying for Amazon warehouse work. The $15 minimum wage and ample overtime provide a good income.

Why Amazon Prefers Hiring Adults for Warehousing Roles

You may be wondering – why exactly is 18 the magic minimum number?

There are a few reasons why Amazon decided adulthood is required for their warehouse teams:

Legal Compliance

Once you turn 18, labor laws are far less strict regarding work hours and duties. This gives Amazon the flexibility they need for 24/7 operations.

Maturity and Safety

By 18, most people have the mental maturity and physical capability to perform warehousing work safely. The risks decrease compared to with minors.

Reliability

Adult workers over 18 are considered more reliable than school-age teens in showing up on time every day.

Insurance Requirements

Amazon‘s policies likely prohibit insured workers under 18 in their warehouses based on liability risks.

Cost Efficiency

It‘s cheaper and easier for Amazon to screen adult workers only, rather than monitor special regulations for minor employees.

By limiting their warehouse hiring to adults, Amazon avoids headaches and risks while gaining a dependable workforce able to handle the demands.

What‘s the Minimum Age to Be an Amazon Delivery Driver?

If you want to deliver smiles in an Amazon van, there‘s an age minimum you must meet:

The minimum age to work as an Amazon Flex delivery driver is 21 years old in most regions.

For Amazon Delivery Service Partners, the minimum age is also 21 years old in most areas. However, some locations like Tucson, AZ advertise a minimum age of just 18 years old.

Here are the main reasons Amazon set 21 as the standard minimum delivery driver age:

• Insurance Requirements – Amazon‘s insurance likely prohibits coverage for drivers under 21.

• Maturity – Handling packages professionally and safely takes competence gained from years of driving experience. Amazon wants to ensure mature, responsible drivers.

• Risk Reduction – Older drivers are less likely to get in accidents or get traffic violations.

• Customer Perception – Customers may feel more comfortable with deliveries from professional adult drivers rather than teenagers.

The bottom line is you‘ll need to be 21+ to drive for Amazon in most regions. The exceptions are a couple cities like Tucson that will hire driver at 18.

My advice if you‘re under 21 but want a driving gig – try pizza delivery, UberEats, Instacart, or a local courier company. Get a few years of experience under your belt.

Then when you turn 21, you‘ll be a top candidate for Amazon delivery driver roles in your area.

Tips for Ambitious Teens Hoping to Work at Amazon Someday

I hope this guide has cleared up Amazon‘s age policies around warehouse workers and delivery drivers.

I know it‘s frustrating as an eager teenager to be rejected simply because of your age.

Here are my tips to set yourself up for success when you do turn 18:

Get your high school diploma – This is required by Amazon, so focus on graduating if you haven‘t yet.

Build your resume – Apply for any local part-time jobs to gain valuable experience that looks good on a resume.

Learn warehouse skills – Take vocational classes related to warehousing, forklift operation, OSHA safety, etc.

Master driving skills – If you want to deliver for Amazon someday, get licensed as soon as eligible and practice safe driving.

Apply early! – You can actually submit your application up to 3 months before turning 18. Be ready to apply on your 18th birthday.

Stay hungry and keep preparing yourself for the future. Before you know it, you‘ll be eligible to start an exciting entry-level career working for one of the world‘s most powerful companies!

I hope this guide provided all the details on age requirements for Amazon warehouse and delivery jobs. Let me know if you have any other questions!