Does Trader Joe’s Hire 14, 15 or 16 Year Olds In 2024?
Understanding the legal working age requirements for teens is key if you or your child hopes to land a part-time job. This article provides definitive insight into Trader Joe‘s minimum hiring age and job opportunities for 14-16 year olds in 2024.
Federal vs. State Legal Working Ages
The Fair Labor Standards Act sets a minimum employment age of 14 for non-hazardous jobs in the United States. However, state laws can raise this baseline age higher.
For example, in 2024 only 5 states stick to the federal 14 year old minimum working age:
| State | Legal Working Age |
| -------------- |------------------ |
| Idaho | 14 |
| Minnesota | 14 |
| New Mexico | 14 |
| South Dakota | 14 |
| Wyoming | 14 |Most states, including populous ones like California, set the minimum hire age at 15 or 16 years old. Always check your specific state labor laws before applying for jobs as a 14 or 15 year old.
Trader Joe‘s Minimum Hiring Age: 16
Trader Joe‘s explicitly requires employees to be at least 16 years old across all store locations. They do not make exceptions for 14 or 15 year old applicants, even if state law permits hiring at a younger age.
Trader Joe‘s Job Postings
Hiring Age: "Must be at least 16 years old" So while Trader Joe’s won’t hire 14 year olds due to corporate policy, some grocery/retail chains do open their doors to mature working teens.
Jobs Available for 14-16 Year Olds
Plenty of nationwide retailers gladly accept job applications from 14-16 year olds seeking part-time work, including:
- Fast Food: Burger King, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s
- Grocery: Albertsons, Kroger, Safeway, Winn-Dixie
- Entertainment: AMC Theaters, Six Flags Theme Parks
Your success landing a job ultimately depends on your reliability and professionalism as an applicant. Highlight any volunteer work, babysitting jobs, or lawn mowing gigs when applying to demonstrate responsibility.
State and federal labor laws restrict the hours and workplace conditions for minor-aged workers, so also research rules about maximum shifts and hazardous equipment usage based on your age.
Final Thoughts
While ambitious workers may seek jobs as early as 14 years old, most major corporations wait until age 16 to onboard new staff. Verify the minimum hiring age before applying and emphasize maturity during interviews to get a leg up against older applicants.
With preparation and diligence, motivated teens can successfully land part-time jobs to gain valuable skills, income, and work experience.
