Finding a job is not always easy, especially when you are not sure of the age requirements. So how old do you have to be to work at Target?
Target has close to 2,000 stores in the United States, and all stores require applicants to be at least 16 years of age.
Yet, the age requirement can vary depending on where you live and the position that you want to apply for. Here is a detailed look at the age requirements for working at Target.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Target?
Target has a minimum age requirement of 16 years old for hourly positions at its retail stores. In many states, minors must also have the employer sign a work permit or agreement.
While Target hires 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds, managers often prefer to hire adults. Managers are sometimes reluctant to hire minors, especially if adult candidates are available for the same positions, as minors tend to have limited availability due to school commitments.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old for jobs at a Target distribution center. Distribution center workers need to operate heavy machinery. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to operate power-driven machinery other than office machines.
Does Target Hire 14-Years-Olds?
Target does not hire 14-year-olds for any positions. The FLSA severely restricts the types of job duties that a 14-year-old can perform, limiting their ability to carry out the duties required for hourly positions at Target. For those below the legal working age, view our list of jobs for 14-year-olds.
Does Target Hire 15-Years-Olds?
Target does not hire 15-year-olds. If you are looking for work, check out our page on jobs for 15-year-olds to explore suitable options.
Does Target Hire 16-Years-Olds?
According to company policy, Target hires 16-year-olds. However, the availability of jobs for 16-year-olds can vary, as some states may require cashiers to be at least 18 years old.
Does Target Hire 50-Years-Olds?
Target hires people aged 50 and older. Target does not discriminate against hiring anybody based on their race, job history, or age. In fact, many seniors seek work at Target.
Other Target Hiring Requirements
Target hiring practices can vary from one region to the next, but most stores follow specific company-wide policies, such as requiring applicants to be at least 16 years old.
Target does not require a résumé or CV. However, the company highly encourages applicants to upload a resume, letters of recommendation, references, and a cover letter during the application process. If you are applying for your first job, learn more about writing a cover letter for no experience.
Does Target Hire Without Experience?
Target frequently hires new employees without any previous retail experience or work history. New employees receive on-the-job training to learn how to perform the duties of their job.
Does Target Hire Without a High School Diploma?
Target does not require a high school diploma for most hourly positions. However, security specialists need at least a high school diploma, while supervisors and managers may need a college degree.
Teen Jobs at Target
Target has several potential jobs for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds, including cashier, cart attendant, and stocker. Here is a quick look at the details of each teen job at Target.
1. Guest Advocate
Target refers to the cashier position as a “guest advocate.” It is a common starting job, as you do not typically need any previous experience to get hired as a cashier. However, this job requires you to stand on your feet for extended periods while remaining stationed near a register at the checkout.
Requirements and Skills
- Age Requirement: 16 to 18 years old
- Typical Pay: $15 per hour
In most states, cashiers at Target stores only need to be 16 years old. However, locations with a license to sell alcohol may require cashiers to be at least 18 years of age.
Cashiers must learn how to use a cash register and complete cash transactions. This job also involves scanning and handling merchandise that can weigh up to 40 pounds. Other duties include maintaining a clean work area and assisting other employees.
- Communication Skills: Communication skills are a must for cashiers, as cashiers need to actively listen to guests and co-workers.
- Attention to Detail: Cashiers frequently need to multitask. Being able to pay attention to minute details when switching tasks helps cashiers perform their jobs easier.
- Math Skills: Math skills are useful for helping cashiers maintain accurate register counts. At the end of a shirt, cashiers often need to balance their registers and are responsible for any discrepancies.
2. Front-of-Store Attendant
Front-of-store attendant, or cart attendant, is another popular entry-level job for minors looking for retail work. In states where cashiers need to be 18, working as a cart attendant may be one of your only options when it comes to employment at Target.
Requirements and Skills
- Age Requirement: 16 years old
- Typical Pay: $15 per hour
Target pays cart attendants well for a job with minimal responsibilities. Cart attendants are typically responsible for collecting carts from the parking lot, sweeping the parking lot, maintaining the entrances, and assisting customers.
- Endurance and Physical Health: Front-of-store attendants must remain relatively active, as they are frequently retrieving carts from the parking lot and helping guests load heavy or awkward items.
- Communication Skills: As with most retail jobs, cart attendants need excellent communication skills for a better understanding of what is required of them each day.
- Patience: Patience is a useful skill for cart attendants, as this job occasionally has downtime or requires workers to perform minor, repetitive tasks, such as straightening shelves.
3. Inbound Expert
Inbound experts are stockers. They stock merchandise and help unload trucks. It is a more physically demanding job compared to the previous options but may appeal to those who want to spend more time on the sales floor.
Requirements and Skills
- Age Requirement: 16 years of old at most locations
- Typical Pay: $18 per hour
Inbound experts unload trucks and stock the shelves. This job may involve handling heavy items, climbing up and down ladders, and assisting guests. Due to the physical demands of this job, it pays a little more compared to the previous options.
- Organizational Skills: Organizational skills help inbound experts stock shelves accurately and promptly and follow instructions that involve multiple steps.
- Time Management Skills: Inbound experts often work independently, which requires good time management skills, as a supervisor is not constantly monitoring your work.
- Communication Skills: Communication skills help inbound experts understand their job responsibilities for each shift and better understand the needs of customers.
Is Target a Good First Job?
Target is a good first job, as it helps employees develop useful skills that can translate well to other jobs, including organizational skills and customer service skills.
Target stores are also typically less fast-paced compared to other major retailers, such as Walmart. Teens can learn the ropes of working retail in a less stressful environment.
Target also offers several jobs for minors, ranging from cashiering to stocking. These jobs do not require previous retail experience or a high school diploma and may lead to other opportunities with greater pay. Target also tends to pay more compared to other retailers, which can help teens save more.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions about working at Target, the following answers may address your concerns.
What Is the Dress Code for Target?
Target store employees typically need to wear khaki or denim pants and a red top. The shirt must be at least 50% red. Target does not have policies related to hair, tattoos, or piercings.
Does Target Pay Well?
Target often pays slightly more than the minimum wage for each state where it operates. The company offers $15 to $24 per hour for hourly positions, which is a little higher than the average pay for hourly jobs at Walmart.
Alternative Companies to Consider
If you do not live near a Target or fail to get hired, you can consider any of the following alternative employers.
- Walmart Age Requirements: Walmart has close to 5,000 stores in the US, making it one of the largest retailers in the nation and a wonderful place for teens 16 and older looking for their first job.
- Walgreens Age Requirements: Walgreens employs almost 240,000 people across close to 9,000 stores, offering plenty of job opportunities for ambitious teenagers aged 16 and up.
- Dollar Tree Age Requirements: With over 15,000 stores in the US, you are never too far from a Dollar Tree store in most neighborhoods, which may shorten the commute for job seekers 16 years and older.
Wrapping Up
Target only hires applicants aged 16 years and older for positions at its retail stores. However, in some states, Target stores may require cashiers to be at least 18 years old to sell alcohol. You must also be at least 18 years old to work at a Target distribution center.
Along with cashier positions, minors may qualify to work as cart attendants or stockers. Yet, the availability of jobs for minors can vary from one store to the next.
