# How old do you have to be to work at PetSmart?

You have to be at least 18 to work at PetSmart. State law can raise the age.

PetSmart's careers portal says you must be at least 18 years old to work at PetSmart. Stores are company-run, so this applies to store jobs nationwide, including retail, pet care and grooming roles.

- Minimum age: 18
- Most locations: 18
- Franchised: no
- Confidence: Company-confirmed
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## By job

- Retail sales associate: 18+
- Pet groomer / groomer trainee: 18+

## By state (youngest possible age)

| State | Age | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 18 | no |
| Alaska | 18 | no |
| Arizona | 18 | no |
| Arkansas | 18 | no |
| California | 18 | no |
| Colorado | 18 | no |
| Connecticut | 18 | no |
| Delaware | 18 | no |
| District of Columbia | 18 | no |
| Florida | 18 | no |
| Georgia | 18 | no |
| Hawaii | 18 | no |
| Idaho | 18 | no |
| Illinois | 18 | no |
| Indiana | 18 | no |
| Iowa | 18 | no |
| Kansas | 18 | no |
| Kentucky | 18 | no |
| Louisiana | 18 | no |
| Maine | 18 | no |
| Maryland | 18 | no |
| Massachusetts | 18 | no |
| Michigan | 18 | no |
| Minnesota | 18 | no |
| Mississippi | 18 | no |
| Missouri | 18 | no |
| Montana | 18 | no |
| Nebraska | 18 | no |
| Nevada | 18 | no |
| New Hampshire | 18 | no |
| New Jersey | 18 | no |
| New Mexico | 18 | no |
| New York | 18 | no |
| North Carolina | 18 | no |
| North Dakota | 18 | no |
| Ohio | 18 | no |
| Oklahoma | 18 | no |
| Oregon | 18 | no |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | no |
| Rhode Island | 18 | no |
| South Carolina | 18 | no |
| South Dakota | 18 | no |
| Tennessee | 18 | no |
| Texas | 18 | no |
| Utah | 18 | no |
| Vermont | 18 | no |
| Virginia | 18 | no |
| Washington | 18 | no |
| West Virginia | 18 | no |
| Wisconsin | 18 | no |
| Wyoming | 18 | no |

## Questions

**How old do you have to be to work at PetSmart?**
You have to be at least 18 to work at PetSmart. State law can raise the age.

**Does PetSmart hire 16-year-olds?**
Generally no. PetSmart's own careers site says you must be at least 18 to work at PetSmart. If you're 16 or 17, look at other pet or retail jobs for now and apply after you turn 18.

**Can a 14- or 15-year-old work at PetSmart?**
No. PetSmart's minimum age is 18.

**What jobs can I get at PetSmart once I'm 18?**
Entry jobs include retail sales associate, pet care and grooming roles (including groomer trainee). Openings depend on the store.

**How do I apply to PetSmart?**
Apply online at careers.petsmart.com. Search by city or zip code for open jobs at stores near you.

## Sources

- PetSmart careers portal – Pet Groomer Trainee: https://cta.cadienttalent.com/index.jsp?POSTING_ID=102236528668&deviceMode=desktop&LOCATION_ID=1213338429&locale=en_US&SEQ=postingLocationDetails&applicationName=PetsmartNonReqExt

Page: https://hiringage.com/petsmart/ — please cite with a link.