Does Walmart Hire 14-Year-Olds In 2026? (Try This Instead)

I know you‘re eager to start earning your own money. Getting your first job is a rite of passage. You probably dream of working at a popular store like Walmart with your friends. But here‘s the deal – Walmart does not actually hire 14-year-olds.

I know, it‘s disappointing to hear. But don‘t worry! I‘ve got you covered. In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about Walmart‘s hiring policies. I‘ll also share plenty of other great options for landing your first job at 14.

The Truth About Walmart‘s Minimum Age Requirements

Let‘s start by talking about Walmart‘s rules on hiring ages:

• Walmart requires you to be at least 16 years old to work as an associate in their stores. This applies to any position – cashier, stocker, electronics, lawn and garden, etc.

• Some specialty jobs require an older minimum age of 18 years old. This includes operating heavy machinery like forklifts, balers, or lift equipment.

• The minimum age applies across all Walmart locations nationwide. It is firm policy.

• There are absolutely no exceptions made for 14 or 15 year olds. I know you want to get working as soon as possible, but Walmart won‘t budge on this policy.

Why is Walmart so strict about age requirements? There are a few reasons:

• Federal and state labor laws restrict how many hours teenagers under 16 can work. Walmart doesn‘t want to deal with these restrictions.

• Liability concerns around minor-aged employees operating equipment or working late shifts factor in.

• Maturity and experience to provide good customer service is needed. Walmart believes teens under 16 may lack these qualities.

I know it‘s frustrating being told you‘re too young. But don‘t take it personally! Walmart still encourages teens to apply for jobs once they turn 16.

Plenty of Other Companies Eager to Hire 14-Year-Olds

Don‘t let Walmart‘s policy discourage you. The good news is that dozens of other major retailers, restaurants, grocery stores, and movie theaters are extremely eager to hire teens aged 14 and 15.

These businesses are experienced at training and working with young employees. Many actually prefer to hire teenagers over older adults!

Here is a chart showing some of the top companies you should consider for your first job at 14:

Company	Sample Entry-Level Roles
Movie Theaters	Usher, Concessions Clerk, Box Office Cashier
Fast Food	Cashier, Drive Thru Attendant, Dining Room Cleaner
Grocery Stores	Courtesy Clerk, Bakery Assistant, Stocker
Retail Stores	Sales Floor Associate, Cashier, Stock Room Helper
Ice Cream Shops	Scooper, Cashier, Customer Service
Amusement Parks	Ride Attendant, Food Service, Games Attendant
Restaurants	Host, Busser, Dishwasher

As you can see, you‘ve got options! Here is some more detail about the kinds of job duties and perks you can expect with each of these employers:

Movie Theater Jobs

Working at movie theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark is a classic first job for teens. Typical roles and tasks include:

• Usher – Tear tickets, help customers find seats, clean up theaters after shows
• Concessions – Work at snack counters selling popcorn, candy, and drinks
• Box office – Sell tickets and deal with customer questions

The biggest perks of working at a theater are the free movies and concession stand snacks! Scheduling is also super flexible with more shifts on nights and weekends.

Fast Food Restaurant Jobs

Fast food joints like McDonald‘s, Burger King, Wendy‘s, Subway, and Taco Bell are used to hiring teens as young as 14. Common jobs include:

• Cashier – Take customer orders at registers, handle payments
• Drive thru attendant – Take orders and money at drive thru windows
• Dining room cleaner – Clear tables, take out trash, sweep, mop floors
• Food prep – Prepare ingredients (your state may restrict use of certain equipment at 14)

Fast food experience teaches valuable customer service skills and time management. Hours are part-time with many evening and weekend shifts ideal for students.

Grocery Store Jobs

Major supermarkets like Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Publix, and Winn-Dixie need teenage employees year-round. Typical roles for 14-year-olds include:

• Courtesy clerk – Bag groceries, collect carts from parking lots, assist customers
• Stocker – Stock shelves, organize backroom inventory, price items
• Bakery or deli clerk – Prepare baked goods, slice meats, package foods

Grocery work helps build responsibility and introduces you to culinary arts. Stores often hire teens under 16 only for certain positions, so ask about restrictions.

Retail Store Jobs

Retail giants like Target, Old Navy, Marshalls, and Gap are excellent places for teens to gain work experience. Usual roles for 14-year-olds:

• Sales associate – Greet customers, answer questions, assist with purchases
• Cashier – Scan items, process transactions, give discounts
• Stock room – Unload trucks with new merchandise, open boxes, organize inventory
• Dressing room attendant – Manage the dressing room, restock items, clean

You‘ll learn all about providing great customer experiences. Hours are part-time with more availability on weekends.

Ice Cream Shop Jobs

Local ice cream parlors and chains like Baskin-Robbins, Carvel, and Cold Stone Creamery often hire young teens. Duties may include:

• Ice cream scooper – Scoop and prepare ice cream orders for customers
• Cashier – Greet customers, take orders, operate register
• Customer service – Answering questions, provide samples, take phone orders
• Cleaning – Clean counters, tables, sweep floors, take out trash

Who wouldn‘t want to work surrounded by ice cream all day? These jobs teach you food service basics while satisfying your sweet tooth!

Amusement Park Jobs

Theme parks and local amusement parks frequently hire teens 14 and up. Expect roles like:

• Ride attendant – Make safety checks, operate controls, assist riders
• Games attendant – Explain game rules, take payment, distribute prizes
• Food service – Prepare food, work registers, clean eating areas
• Parking attendant – Direct cars, provide information to guests

Amusement park jobs are especially fun in the summer. Perks include free or discounted park admission!

Restaurant Jobs

Family restaurants like Applebee‘s, Chili‘s, Olive Garden, IHOP and Denny‘s often bring on teens as:

• Host/Hostess – Greet guests, manage wait lists, seat tables
• Busser – Clear dishes, set tables, fill water glasses
• Dishwasher – Clean dishes, utensils, and cookware

You‘ll learn about high-volume food service operations and providing excellent hospitality. Hours allow for school and activities.

How to Get Hired at Age 14

Okay, you know the best places to apply for jobs at 14. But how do you actually land your first gig? Follow these tips:

1. Check Your State‘s Labor Laws

• Make sure 14-year-olds are allowed to work and what rules apply. For example, most states limit the daily and weekly hours teens under 16 can work.

• Get familiar with prohibited tasks for young workers involving heavy equipment. You‘ll need to avoid certain jobs.

2. Obtain Your Work Permit

• Almost every state requires 14 and 15-year-olds to get a work permit before starting a job.

• Work permits are issued by your school district or a state education agency. Forms are available from guidance counselors.

• Bring the work permit to your job interviews as proof you can legally be employed at 14.

3. Apply and Interview In-Person

• The best way to get hired at 14 is to directly visit or apply at your local stores. This shows motivation and initiative.

• Ask to speak with the hiring manager. Introduce yourself and inquire if they hire 14-year-olds.

• If yes – ask if they have any openings and if you can interview now or schedule a time.

4. Highlight Your Strengths

• In interviews, emphasize positive traits like responsibility, independence, organization, and eagerness to work.

• Share examples of household chores you do reliably. Mention involvement in school clubs or teams.

• Discuss any previous volunteer work or completing babysitting certification to showcase maturity.

5. Provide Strong References

• References help back up your great qualities. Get recommendations from teachers, coaches, religious leaders, or family friends.

• Choose references who can vouch for your character, motivation, people skills, and work ethic.

• Reach out to them in advance and provide them with a copy of your resume.

6. Come Prepared to Interview

• Research the business ahead of time so you can ask informed questions and show interest.

• Rehearse responses to common interview questions about your schedule availability, reasons for wanting the job, strengths and weaknesses.

• Dress professionally in clean, neat clothing. Arrive early. Make eye contact and have confident posture.

Do these things, and you‘ll prove you have what it takes to thrive as an employee, even at just 14!

Setting Yourself Up for Success on the Job

Congratulations, you landed your first job at 14! Now it‘s time to make sure you succeed in your new role. Follow this advice for impressing as a young worker:

• Show up on time every day – Set multiple alarm clocks if needed. Tardiness does not make a good impression.

• Follow instructions carefully – Listen closely to your manager‘s directions and clarify anything you don‘t understand. Write things down if needed.

• Limit distractions – Keep your cell phone put away during work. Avoid excessive chatting with coworkers.

• Ask for help when needed – Don‘t be afraid to ask coworkers or supervisors when you need guidance or don‘t know how to do something.

• Stay positive – Come to work with energy and enthusiasm. Keep complaining to a minimum even when doing tedious tasks.

• Communicate professionally – Always use proper manners with customers and coworkers. Say "please" and "thank you."

• Learn from experienced staff – Observe how veteran employees handle difficult situations or busy shifts. Take notes on their tips and tricks.

• Balance work and school – Make sure your job schedule leaves time for homework, studying, extracurriculars, and hanging out with friends. Talk to your boss if you are overwhelmed.

• Save up your earnings – Open a savings account and set aside a portion of each paycheck. Resist blowing it all on fun stuff. Think long term!

Follow this advice, and you‘ll prove to any employer that you have maturity beyond your years. Managers at your new job will be happy to have hired such a responsible, quick-learning 14-year-old employee like you!

Teen Employment Statistics and Trends

Nearly 2 million teenagers ages 14 and 15 are employed in the United States each year. Here are some interesting stats about working teens:

• The most common teen jobs are in food services (26%), retail (24%), and accommodation and recreation (amusement parks, movie theaters – 16%)

• About 43% of employed teens work in eating and drinking establishments like fast food or restaurants.

• 52% of teen workers are female, while 48% are male.

• The average hours worked per week by a teen is 17.8 hours.

• 45% of working teens are enrolled in school and work at the same time.

• Working teens earn an average of $376 per week, or $9.70 per hour.

• Top reasons teens want a job include earning extra spending money (76%), saving for future goals like college (62%), and gaining skills for a future career (26%).

• 92% of teens report positive experiences from working and gaining responsibility.

As you can see, working as a teen develops valuable skills and experience. With some guidance on finding employers, you can join the millions of 14 and 15-year-olds entering the workforce each year.

Alternative Ways to Make Money at 14

What if you aren‘t quite ready to dive into an official part-time job? Here are some other ideas for making money that you can do as a 14-year-old:

• Babysitting – Market yourself as a sitter to family, friends, neighbors, community centers, or through sites like SitterCity. Set competitive rates depending on your experience caring for kids.

• Lawn mowing or yard work – Offer to cut lawns or help neighbors with yard work like raking leaves, weeding, or shoveling snow. Expand beyond just your own block. Leave flyers in mailboxes.

• Pet sitting or dog walking – Take care of pets or walk dogs while owners are away at work or on vacation. Advertise your availability through online pet care sites.

• Tutoring – Tutor younger kids in academic subjects you excel in like math, science, English, or foreign languages. Print out flyers and promote yourself to parents.

• Freelance writing – Look for age-appropriate writing gigs based on your interests. Write product reviews, entertainment articles, or blog posts for extra income.

• Selling homemade goods – Sell homemade jewelry, candles, artwork, knitted items, baked goods, or anything else crafty through local craft fairs, online shops like Etsy, or to family and friends through social media.

The options are endless if you use your creativity! Building a business doing something you love can be very rewarding.

Final Thoughts – You Got This!

I hope this guide provided you with all the details on landing your first job at 14. While Walmart may be off the table, you now know dozens of other amazing companies that want to hire teens like you.

Don‘t feel discouraged if an interview or two doesn‘t work out right away. Persevere, keep applying, and emphasize your awesome strengths as a candidate. With determination and preparation, you can secure an exciting entry-level position in no time.

Working as a young teen teaches so many valuable lessons – responsibility, people skills, business operations, managing money, and more. Before you know it, you‘ll have that first paycheck in hand and a feeling of independence like never before.

Wishing you the best of luck on your job search! Believe in yourself. With the right motivation, you can and will find employers eager to hire a bright, enthusiastic 14-year-old like yourself. Now get out there and start applying, my friend. Your first job is waiting!