# How old do you have to be to work at Panda Express?

You have to be at least 16 to work at Panda Express. State law can raise the age.

Panda Express restaurants are mostly company-run by Panda Restaurant Group. Its official job postings do not state a minimum age. Job-board listings for individual restaurants vary: some say they hire at 16 and others at 18.

- Minimum age: 16
- Most locations: unknown
- Franchised: no
- Pay: $14–$25.5/hour (Service/kitchen team, 2026 postings ($14-$16 in TX up to $22.50-$25.50 in Seattle))
- Confidence: Mixed reports
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## By job

- Service team / cashier / counter help: 16+ (some restaurants list 18+)
- Kitchen team / cook: null+ (some listings say 18+)

## By state (youngest possible age)

| State | Age | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 | needed |
| Alaska | 16 | needed |
| Arizona | 16 | no |
| Arkansas | 16 | no |
| California | 16 | needed |
| Colorado | 16 | no |
| Connecticut | 16 | needed |
| Delaware | 16 | needed |
| District of Columbia | 16 | needed |
| Florida | 16 | no |
| Georgia | 16 | no |
| Hawaii | 16 | needed |
| Idaho | 16 | no |
| Illinois | 16 | no |
| Indiana | 16 | no |
| Iowa | 16 | no |
| Kansas | 16 | no |
| Kentucky | 16 | no |
| Louisiana | 16 | needed |
| Maine | 16 | no |
| Maryland | 16 | needed |
| Massachusetts | 16 | needed |
| Michigan | 16 | needed |
| Minnesota | 16 | no |
| Mississippi | 16 | no |
| Missouri | 16 | no |
| Montana | 16 | no |
| Nebraska | 16 | no |
| Nevada | 16 | no |
| New Hampshire | 16 | no |
| New Jersey | 16 | needed |
| New Mexico | 16 | no |
| New York | 16 | needed |
| North Carolina | 16 | needed |
| North Dakota | 16 | no |
| Ohio | 16 | needed |
| Oklahoma | 16 | no |
| Oregon | 16 | no |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | needed |
| Rhode Island | 16 | needed |
| South Carolina | 16 | no |
| South Dakota | 16 | no |
| Tennessee | 16 | no |
| Texas | 16 | no |
| Utah | 16 | no |
| Vermont | 16 | no |
| Virginia | 16 | no |
| Washington | 16 | needed |
| West Virginia | 16 | no |
| Wisconsin | 16 | no |
| Wyoming | 16 | no |

## Questions

**How old do you have to be to work at Panda Express?**
You have to be at least 16 to work at Panda Express. State law can raise the age.

**Does Panda Express hire 14- or 15-year-olds?**
We couldn't find a Panda Express posting that accepts 14- or 15-year-olds.

**How much does Panda Express pay?**
2026 postings range from about $14-$16 an hour in Texas to $22-$25.50 in Seattle and the Bay Area.

**What perks do Panda workers get?**
Panda's careers site lists free meals during your shift, hands-on paid training and educational assistance. Some benefits have eligibility rules.

## Sources

- Cashier, Panda Express Scottsdale, AZ (Seasoned): https://seasoned.co/job/cashier-panda-express-scottsdale-az_3d4fd65e-95dd-4d5a-aaa1-3276ea1de11e
- Cashier, Panda Express Cedar Park, TX (Seasoned): https://www.seasoned.co/job/cashier-panda-express-cedar-park-tx_7186bbb5-9d51-4312-86ee-f22d3e0e743f
- Drive-Thru, Panda Express Flower Mound, TX (Seasoned): https://seasoned.co/job/drive-thru-panda-express-long-prairie-road-flower-mound-tx_3e25be2b-cdc0-4fff-ab22-13bf351ea2db
- Front of House, Panda Express McKinney, TX (Seasoned): https://www.seasoned.co/job/front-of-house-panda-express-mckinney-tx_d6c666da-f31e-46ed-b0a0-a55da44cdaa0
- Cashier, Panda Express Southlake, TX (Seasoned): https://www.seasoned.co/job/cashier-panda-express-southlake-tx_4b7526d8-35b2-4437-957c-6db735650906
- Restaurant Careers - Panda Express Careers: https://www.pandacareers.com/restaurant-careers
- Service Team, Oakland, CA - Panda Express Careers: https://www.pandacareers.com/job/P1-1348534-0
- Service Team, Seattle, WA - Panda Express Careers: https://www.pandacareers.com/job/P1-1348539-0
- Total Rewards - Panda Express Careers: https://www.pandacareers.com/total-rewards

Page: https://hiringage.com/panda-express/ — please cite with a link.