If you’re a young teen looking for a job, major grocery stores like Kroger are usually the best place to start because most entry-level positions here don’t require a degree or experience.
In this blog post, I’ll answer the question, “How old do you have to be to work at Kroger,” and share information to help you decide if this supermarket chain is a superb place to gain valuable work experience.
Let’s get started!
Kroger Age Requirement
Kroger hiring age depends on the job position. For instance, stocking associates must be at least 18 years old, while courtesy clerks like cashiers, baggers, and cart retrievers should be at least 16.
However, other states allow supermarkets to hire courtesy clerks as young as 14-15 years old as long as they have a work permit and work outside school hours.
On the other hand, positions involving the operation of heavy machinery and certain equipment require applicants to be at least 18 years old.
Kroger’s Job Opportunities for Young People
Check out these entry-level positions ideal for young teens finishing school and looking for a job.
Kroger Stocking Associate
Stocking associates are responsible for organizing and filling up shelves to make them look appealing to customers. You can find them in different departments, including groceries, pharmacies, natural foods, liquor, etc.
They are also responsible for keeping the stock room organized and tidy.
In this entry-level position, employees work several hours throughout the day and week, including early mornings, weekends, holidays, and night shifts.
Minimum Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to work as stocking associates.
Courtesy Clerk Position (Bakery Clerk, Bagger, Etc.)
These employees work as baggers, cashiers, or cart retrievers. Since these are all customer-facing positions, workers must have a pleasant personality for smooth customer transactions.
Courtesy clerks must also keep the store clean and organized and provide excellent customer service.
If you’re working at a cash register, you must have basic math and communication skills and be knowledgeable about new promotions and seasonal ads.
As a cashier, you must also be a trustworthy and reliable worker since you’ll handle large amounts of money.
Age Requirement: In most Kroger stores, applicants must be at least 16 years old to work as courtesy clerks. However, some locations accept 14- and 15-year-olds as long as they have a work permit and work outside school hours.
Coffee Shop Assistant
Coffee shop assistants must keep the kitchen clean and adhere to food safety standards. Also, they should keep the merchandise organized and presentable to customers.
As a customer-facing position, a coffee shop assistant must be comfortable greeting customers and knowledgeable about different coffee concoctions and other products.
Although Kroger jobs typically provide training, managers prefer applicants with previous knowledge or experience in a coffee shop.
Minimum Age Requirement: In Idaho, you must be at least 19 years old to apply for this position; in all other states, it’s 18. However, in Alaska, 16 is the minimum age.
Fresh Associate
Fresh associates help customers pack fresh goods, take out products past their sell-by-date, and keep on top of the stock. Since this is a customer-facing role, employees must have good communication skills.
These employees work early mornings, night shifts, holidays, and weekends.
Minimum Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to work in Kroger’s fresh department.
How to Apply for a Job at Kroger
Whether you’re looking for your first job or a managerial position, you can start the application process by visiting Kroger’s website. Click the Careers link to start your job hunting.
Using the site’s search functions, type in the positions you’re interested in and the location where you would like to work.
Kroger application process requires you to input your personal information, such as your complete name, address, date of birth, up-to-date education details, and work-related certificates and training.
Once you fill out Kroger job application form, the site will direct you to an employment exam, which consists of questions and statements with multiple-choice answers, such as strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree.
If a hiring manager calls you in for a job interview, you’re likely very close to being hired. Many Kroger employees say the interview is just a formality and a way to verify your background information.
Note that positions for minors are limited, meaning these are typically entry-level roles and don’t require the use of hazardous and heavy machinery typically found in Kroger’s food manufacturing plants.
In addition, Krogers can only hire minors for part-time roles.
What Is Kroger’s Hourly Pay for Part-Time Employees?
The hourly pay or minimum wage depends on where the local store is located. However, I can give you a general idea of the earnings for each job position at Kroger.
Stocking Associates
According to a Glassdoor report, the average pay for Kroger stocking associates is $16 per hour. However, the rate is lower in some states or higher for people with experience in the retail industry.
Fresh Associates
The hourly rate for fresh associates is between minimum wage and $15. Expect to receive the lower end of the pay range if you don’t have any prior work experience in the retail industry.
Pharmacy Technicians
A pharmacy technician at Kroger must be at least 18 years old and have a clean criminal record (no felonies).
Cashiers
In a recent report released by Indeed, the average hourly rate of Krogers’ cashiers is $12.10
Other Courtesy Clerks
Baggers, cart retrievers, and store greeters earn between minimum wage and $13/hour. Since all these positions are entry-level, expect to start closer to the minimum wage rate.
Baristas at Kroger
The average hourly rate of Baristas at Kroger stores is $11.74, according to a recent Indeed report.
The Bottom Line
As the third largest private employer in the US, Kroger offers competitive wages, associate discounts, growth opportunities, and other great benefits to its employees, including those with entry-level positions.
However, you may want to check out Target’s age requirements and available jobs for teens if you’re particularly interested in having flexible work hours.
Available jobs for young Target employees include stocking shelves, doing light cleaning (janitorial duties), working at cash registers, sorting items, assisting customers, and other similar tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kroger Hire at 14?
Not always. The grocery store prefers hiring people who are at least 16 years old. But in some states, 14-year-olds can work in non-hazardous positions, provided they have a work permit and work outside school hours.
Does Kroger Hire at 15?
In most states and job positions at Kroger, you need to be at least 16 years of age. However, some states allow 15-year-olds to take on jobs as long as they don’t require heavy machinery.
How Much Does Kroger Pay 16-Year-Olds?
Your age is not the factor that determines your pay rate. The position, your previous work experience, and the location of the Kroger store where you’ll work primarily dictate your hourly rate.
How Old Do You Have to Be a Cashier at Kroger?
You must be at least 16 years old to work as a cashier at Kroger. However, some states allow retailers to hire 14- to 15-year-old applicants if they have a work permit and will work outside school hours.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Kroger in Michigan?
You must be at least 14 years old and have an official work permit to work at Kroger in Michigan.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Kroger in Indiana?
You must be at least 14 years old to work at Kroger in Indiana.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Kroger in Ohio?
You should be at least 16 years old to work at Kroger in Ohio.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Kroger in Georgia?
You must be at least 16 years old to work at Kroger in Georgia.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Kroger in Texas?
You should be at least 16 years old to work in Kroger and other grocery and supermarket stores.
