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How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Starbucks?

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Finding a job as a minor is not easy, as many places only hire adults. Luckily, some stores are willing to hire teenagers for entry-level jobs. For example, you could explore job opportunities at a local Starbucks.

So how old do you have to be to work at Starbucks?

The age requirements vary depending on the position and the state where you live. Here is a detailed look at the age requirements for anyone wanting to work at Starbucks.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Starbucks?

You need to be at least 16 years old to work at most Starbucks stores in the United States other than in Montana, where the minimum age is 14.

State laws also often keep minors from working full-time. In most states, 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds only qualify to work as baristas at Starbucks, as supervisor positions require full-time employment.

Does Starbucks Hire 14-Year-Olds?

In Montana, 14-year-olds can apply for entry-level jobs at Starbucks. The age of 14 is the minimum age to work in this type of job in the state of Montana. However, 14-year-olds have additional restrictions, such as not working more than three hours on a school day.

Does Starbucks Hire 15-Year-Olds?

Montana Starbucks locations may hire 15-year-olds. The same restrictions that apply to 14-year-olds also apply to 15-year-olds. However, there are other jobs for 15-year-olds to explore.

Does Starbucks Hire 16-Year-Olds?

Starbucks hires 16-year-olds at most locations around the country. However, 16-year-olds are still minors but can work unlimited hours in any occupation not considered hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Restrictions on the number of hours minors can work come from the state.

For example, in the state of Michigan, minors aged 16 and 17 may work up to 24 hours during a school week and 48 hours when school is not in session. In California, minors aged 16 and 17 may work up to 4 hours on a school day and 8 hours on a non-school day.

Does Starbucks Hire 50-Year-Olds?

Starbucks hires 50-year-olds and older applicants, including senior citizens. Starbucks does not discriminate based on the age of an applicant as part of the hiring process. However, the average age of a barista is 23 years old.

Other Starbucks Hiring Requirements

Starbucks has simple hiring requirements for baristas. If you meet the age requirement and can pass a background check, you should qualify for the barista position. Other positions require experience and the ability to work full-time.

Does Starbucks Hire Without Experience?

Applicants do not need any previous experience to work as a barista at a Starbucks. It is an entry-level job. Other positions typically require one year or more of experience at Starbucks or another store in the food service industry.

Does Starbucks Hire without a High School Diploma?

Starbucks hires baristas without a high school diploma. Shift supervisors and assistant managers require a high school diploma or a GED.

Teen Jobs at Starbucks

The variety of jobs for 16-year-olds is limited at Starbucks, as many locations only hire minors as baristas. The typical location has one manager and several shift supervisors. The remaining employees are all baristas.

1. Barista

Barista is the most common Starbucks retail job and the most likely option for a teen, as it is the only part-time position available. Working as a barista also requires no previous experience, allowing almost anyone to qualify for the job.

Requirements and Skills

  • Age Requirement: 16 years and older (14 in Montana)
  • Typical Pay: $15 per hour

Baristas greet customers and fulfill their orders. This job involves preparing coffee drinks and other beverages, charging customers using a cash register, and performing basic cleaning and maintenance tasks.

  • Communication Skills: Good communication skills are critical for this job, as communicating with co-workers and customers involves active listening and the ability to remain friendly in stressful situations.
  • Math Skills: Math skills are useful for this job, as baristas handle money and are responsible for charging customers for their purchases.
  • Attention to Detail: Baristas occasionally need to follow detailed instructions when preparing coffee drinks for customers, which requires a high level of awareness and attention to detail.

2. Shift Supervisor

The shift supervisor is typically a full-time position, which excludes most teenagers. However, there are situations where a 17-year-old may qualify for a shift supervisor job, such as after completing high school or earning a GED.

A 17-year-old who has completed high school can work up to 48 hours in most states. Some Starbucks locations may also promote baristas with just a few months of work experience, depending on the turnover rate at the store.

Requirements and Skills

  • Age Requirement: 18 years and older (some 17-year-olds may qualify)
  • Typical Pay: $17 per hour

Shift supervisors gain a few added responsibilities compared to baristas. Shift supervisors assist the store manager with daily operations during their scheduled shifts. They delegate tasks to baristas and are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the store.

Shift supervisors still perform all the job duties of a barista, including preparing orders and assisting customers. However, they also oversee the work of baristas and ensure that a specific list of chores is completed during their shift.

  • Strong Interpersonal Skills: Interpersonal skills are important for shift supervisors, as they are often responsible for resolving customer complaints and conflicts between co-workers.
  • Organizational Skills: Organizational skills help shift supervisors maintain order throughout their shifts and complete the tasks on their lists.
  • Self-Motivated: Self-motivation is helpful for this role, as shift supervisors are not always directly monitored by store managers, which allows for greater independence.

3. Assistant Store Manager

A teen is unlikely to become an assistant store manager, as this position requires several years of experience and at least a high school diploma. Yet, the assistant store manager is the next step for teens who have already become shift supervisors.

A teenager that starts working as a barista at 16 may qualify to become an assistant manager by the time they turn 18 or 19.

Requirements and Skills

  • Age Requirement: 18 years and older
  • Typical Pay: $28 per hour

Starbucks assistant store managers typically need at least two years of retail experience. Assistant store managers support the store manager, which means that they need to be able to accomplish many of the same tasks, including setting schedules, coordinating with vendors, and looking for opportunities to improve the performance of the store.

  • Decisiveness and Leadership Skills: Assistant store managers need to be decisive and able to lead others. They often need to make decisions and follow through on them.
  • Conflict Resolution Skills: Assistant store managers may interact with customers less frequently compared to baristas and shift supervisors, but they still need to resolve conflicts when they arise.
  • Attention to Detail: Along with helping to fulfill complex coffee orders, attention to detail is necessary for finding ways to improve sales and the efficiency of the store.

Is Starbucks a Good First Job?

Working as a Starbucks barista is a great job to explore at 17 or 16, as it offers work experience in a fast-paced environment. Employees often state that working at Starbucks can be fun and rewarding. You get to meet new people and work with a diverse group of co-workers.

Starbucks also hires students with no experience or high school diplomas, making it a suitable option for teenagers who are still in high school. You can work part-time during the school year and up to 48 hours during the summer in most states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQ addresses some of the questions that you may still have about working at Starbucks.

What Is the Dress Code for Starbucks?

Starbucks has a casual dress code that allows employees to express their personalities. You can wear jeans, jeggings, shorts, or skirts. You can also wear almost any type of shoe with a closed heel. All clothes need to be wrinkle-free and clean.

Do You Need a Résumé to Work at Starbucks?

While Starbucks does not require a résumé for a barista position, including a résumé may help increase your chances of gaining employment. A teen résumé typically includes a cover letter, references, and work history.

Alternative Companies to Consider

If Starbucks fails to meet your employment needs, you may want to consider one of the following alternatives in the food service industry.

  • Dunkin Donuts Age Requirements: Dunkin Donuts hires 16-year-olds and older applicants for entry-level jobs with great starting pay and flexible hours at any of its 8,500 restaurants.
  • Subway Age Requirements: Subway also hires teenagers aged 16 and older in most states and offers a few perks, including free drinks, meal discounts, and a casual atmosphere.
  • McDonald’s Age Requirements: McDonald’s often hires younger teens, including 14-year-olds, making it a popular first-time job for teenagers in any state in the US.

Wrapping Up

Starbucks has close to 16,000 stores in the United States, offering teens and adults in every state potential job opportunities. However, the company only hires people aged 16 and older, other than in Montana, where stores can hire employees as young as 14.

Most teens who work for Starbucks will work as baristas, as the only other positions include shift supervisor, assistant store manager, and store manager. Supervisor and manager jobs require full-time employment, which is not an option when still attending high school.

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