HiringAgeStarbucks' hiring age policy
Starbucks runs its own US stores (not franchised), but its official careers FAQ does not publish a minimum age. Employee answers and postings consistently say baristas start at 16 and shift supervisors at 18. Starbucks counters inside grocery stores, airports and Targets are 'licensed stores' run by those companies, which set their own rules.
Minimum age by job
| Job | Age | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Barista | 16+ | Reported by employees and postings; not stated in Starbucks' official FAQ |
| Shift supervisor | 18+ | Reported by employees; not officially published |
How much does Starbucks pay teens?
$15.75–$22.14 an hour
How to apply at Starbucks
Apply online at apply.starbucks.com for a specific store; under-18s may need a work permit depending on the state.
- Starbucks College Achievement Plan (for eligible partners)
Starbucks 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 Starbucks?
You have to be at least 16 to work at Starbucks. State law can raise the age.
Can you work at Starbucks at 14 or 15?
Usually not. We could not find any Starbucks source showing it hires under 16. Some websites say Montana stores hire at 14, but Starbucks hasn't confirmed this anywhere we could find.
How old do you have to be to be a Starbucks barista?
16 is the age employees and job postings usually give. Starbucks doesn't put an official minimum on its careers FAQ, so check the posting for the store you want. State law can also limit hours and tasks for anyone under 18.
What about the Starbucks inside Target or a grocery store?
Those are licensed stores run by that company (for example the grocery chain), not by Starbucks. Their age rules come from that employer, so read that posting.
How do I apply?
Apply online at apply.starbucks.com and pick the store you want. Baristas are often asked to be available for a set number of hours each week.
Other places that hire at 16
- 16+Cold Stone CreameryCoffee, ice cream & snacks
- 16+Krispy KremeCoffee, ice cream & snacks
- 16+SubwayFast food & restaurants
- 16+CVS PharmacyPharmacies
- 16+WalgreensPharmacies
- 16+Five BelowRetail stores
- 16+Barnes & NobleRetail stores
- 16+Ulta BeautyRetail stores