HiringAgePanda Express' hiring age policy
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 by job
14
15
16
17
18+
16Service team / cashier / counter help
| Job | Age | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Service team / cashier / counter help | 16+ | some restaurants list 18+ |
| Kitchen team / cook | ? | some listings say 18+ |
How much does Panda Express pay teens?
$14–$25.5 an hour
How to apply at Panda Express
Search restaurant jobs on Panda's careers site and apply online. Under-18s may need a work permit.
- Free meals during your shift
- Educational assistance
Panda Express hiring age by state
Show the table for all states
| State | Youngest age | Work permit | Hours at 14–15 (school week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Other places that hire at 16
- 16+SubwayFast food & restaurants
- 16+Taco BellFast food & restaurants
- 16+Sonic Drive-InFast food & restaurants
- 16+Raising Cane'sFast food & restaurants
- 16+ChipotleFast food & restaurants
- 16+PopeyesFast food & restaurants
- 16+WhataburgerFast food & restaurants
- 16+Papa John'sFast food & restaurants
Sources
- Cashier, Panda Express Scottsdale, AZ (Seasoned) —
- Cashier, Panda Express Cedar Park, TX (Seasoned) —
- Drive-Thru, Panda Express Flower Mound, TX (Seasoned) —
- Front of House, Panda Express McKinney, TX (Seasoned) —
- Cashier, Panda Express Southlake, TX (Seasoned) —
- Restaurant Careers - Panda Express Careers —
- Service Team, Oakland, CA - Panda Express Careers —
- Service Team, Seattle, WA - Panda Express Careers —
- Total Rewards - Panda Express Careers —