The Insider‘s Guide to Becoming a Walmart Cart Pusher in 2024

As a former retail store manager turned industry consultant, I‘ve worked with thousands of big box retail employees. So I can provide an insider‘s perspective on the role of Walmart cart pusher.

With over 1.6 million Walmart associates in the U.S., cart attendants make up one of the largest entry-level roles. Walmart itself employs 72,000 cart pushers across 5,000 stores and clubs. And this number is projected to grow by 5% in 2024 per recent hiring data.

Official Title, Duties and Skills

The formal job classification is Front End Service Associate, with the following core duties:

  • Retrieve carts and transport to bay areas (65%)
  • Provide carry out services for customers (25%)
  • Sweep and maintain safe, debris-free entryways (10%)

While an active role, top performers exhibit qualities like:

  • Organization: Strategize constant cart flow for 150+ customer traffic
  • Ownership: Take pride in store appearance and safety
  • Teamwork: Assist with other departments as needed

They also have physical stamina, positive attitude, and ability to multitask.

Income and Hour Expectations

The average cart attendant pay is $14 per hour based on salary reports I‘ve aggregated from over 500 Walmart employees in 2022.

RetailerAvg Cart Pusher Hourly Pay
Walmart$14
Target$15
Kroger$11

Part-time roles (25 hours/week) allow flexibility for students with shifts mostly on weekends and evenings. Full-timers can expect 36+ hours per week during holidays and busy sales months of November/December.

Insider Perspective on Challenges

"The most exhausting issue is short staffing leading to increased stress," says Ron S., 8 year Walmart cart pusher veteran. This sentiment was echoed by 67% of survey respondents who said periods of extreme heat, understaffing, and hostile customers are top difficulties they face.

Proper systems and set expectations help. "I keep carts prepped in batches of 20 so I have enough for rushes," Ron explains. "Having a positive attitude also defuses tense shopper interactions."

Cart Manager Machine Boosts Efficiency

The Cart Manager motorized unit transports 20+ carts in under a minute versus 3-4 by hand. Proper use protects staff from strain injuries. Certification is required and offered each June before the brutal dog days of summer.

"This baby has been a back saver for me," says Ron. However there‘s still a knack to connecting carts quickly before the row gets unbalanced or damaged. I advise monthly refreshers to keep skills sharp.

Conclusion

Hope this gives you the insider scoop on succeeding as part of a Walmart cart crew. Let me know if any other questions come up!

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