What Age Does Amazon Hire? A Deep Dive for 2024

With over 1.6 million employees globally, Amazon is the second largest private employer in the United States. It‘s no surprise that many people dream of working for this iconic tech giant. But can you work there as a teenager? What age does Amazon actually hire?

I wanted answers, so I dug into the data and researched Amazon‘s current minimum age requirements for 2024. Keep reading for a detailed look at Amazon‘s hiring policies.

Why Do So Many People Want to Work for Amazon?

Amazon‘s popularity as an employer makes sense when you consider the key benefits:

• Competitive pay – Amazon raised their minimum wage to $15 per hour in 2018 for all employees, well above federal requirements.

• Advancement potential – With a wide range of roles across many business units, Amazon offers clear paths to move up.

• Education assistance – Amazon provides up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for degrees in high-demand fields.

• Health insurance – Full-time employees get comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, a rarity for entry-level retail and warehouse jobs.

In 2021 alone, Amazon received over 1.3 million job applications in the U.S. for corporate and tech roles according to LinkedIn data. For many, working for Amazon represents an exciting opportunity.

Minimum Age to Work at Amazon Is 18

According to Amazon‘s current employment documentation, the minimum age to work at any Amazon facility is 18 years old. This policy covers:

• In-person roles in Amazon warehouses and distribution centers
• Delivery stations for Amazon‘s transportation network
• Amazon-owned Whole Foods grocery stores
• Amazon Books and Amazon Go retail stores
• All corporate office positions

Amazon explicitly states they do not hire anyone younger than 18 across their businesses. Let‘s explore why.

Why Can‘t You Work at Amazon Under 18?

While many teens may want to earn money working for Amazon, the company maintains a blanket minimum age of 18 for compliance, safety, and insurance reasons:

• Labor laws regulating how many hours minors can work, what time of day, what machinery they can operate, and more create compliance hurdles for Amazon‘s 24/7 operations.

• Hazards in warehouses like heavy equipment and crowded spaces raise safety issues for those under 18.

• Insurance for workers compensation and liability risks likely prevents Amazon from hiring minors.

• Maturity concerns also arise given Amazon‘s fast-paced performance standards.

As a result, Amazon simply opts not to hire any employees younger than 18 years old rather than navigating complex state and federal labor regulations.

State-By-State Laws on Employing Minors

The table above summarizes minimum ages in each state. While most set the age at 14, restrictions apply limiting work hours and job duties. Given these complex regulations, Amazon avoids potential compliance issues and risks associated with minor employees by requiring applicants to be 18+.

Jobs Available to 18-Year-Olds at Amazon

Once someone turns 18, they open up eligibility for a wide range of roles within Amazon‘s various businesses:

Amazon Warehouses and Distribution Centers

For hands-on roles managing inventory and orders, key jobs accessible to 18+ high school grads include:

• Warehouse associates: Pick, pack, ship orders
• Process guides: Train new associates
• Inventory managers: Oversee stock levels
• Equipment operators: Operate forklifts, robots

In 2022, Amazon hired over 278,000 additional warehouse employees in the U.S. The company is almost always hiring for these hands-on roles.

Amazon Delivery Stations

With its vast logistics network, Amazon needs dedicated workers to keep deliveries moving smoothly. 18-year-olds can find openings as:

• Delivery station associates: Organize shipments
• Delivery support associates: Manage packages
• Yard marshals: Oversee vehicle flow

Amazon Stores

Amazon‘s acquisition of Whole Foods along with its new style of physical retail stores provide additional opportunities:

• Whole Foods team members: Cashiers, stockers, culinary staff
• Amazon Books booksellers: Assist customers
• Amazon Go associates: Manage checkout-free shopping

Amazon Corporate Roles

For ambitious 18-year-olds, Amazon also hires those with just a high school diploma into entry-level corporate positions:

• Customer service associates
• Data entry clerks
• Vendor support representatives
• Administrative assistants

The mix of hourly and salaried positions provides variety for applicants.

Higher Age Minimums for Select Positions

While 18 is the overall baseline age for employment at Amazon, they do require older applicants for certain jobs:

• Delivery drivers must be at least 21 years old to meet insurance requirements and have sufficient driving experience.

• Security guards at Amazon warehouses are often required to be 21+ as well.

• Liquor store associates for Whole Foods must comply with laws prohibiting selling alcohol to those under 21.

Meeting these higher minimums reduces risks and maintains legal compliance for Amazon. But most openings still welcome 18-year-olds.

Takeaway: Amazon Sticks to 18+ for Hiring

Hopefully this gives you a comprehensive overview of Amazon‘s minimum hiring age. While many teens wish they could land a job with Amazon, the company restricts applications to 18 and older across all business segments.

Warehouse, delivery, retail, and corporate roles offer exciting chances for advancement and education if you meet Amazon‘s baseline age requirement. Just be sure to also have your high school diploma or GED ready!