How old do you have to be to work at Costco?

The minimum hiring age at Costco is 18. Many warehouse roles involve operating equipment or lifting heavy items, which is why the age floor is 18 rather than 16.

How much does Costco pay?

Costco set a national starting minimum of $19.50 per hour in July 2024. Pay rises with tenure and role; top-of-scale clerks reach about $31.90 per hour in 2026, and starting rates are higher in states with higher minimum wages.

Do you need experience to work at Costco?

No. Most people are hired into part-time, entry-level roles such as front end assistant, food court, member service, and stocking, which do not require prior experience. Reliable availability and good customer service matter most.

How long does the Costco hiring process take?

It varies by location and demand. Many applicants hear back within a few days to a few weeks, and the process usually includes an assessment or skills test, one or two interviews, and a background check and drug screening before starting.

How do I check my Costco application status?

Costco does not send application updates by email or messaging. To check your status, contact the specific warehouse you applied to directly using the phone number from Costco's location finder.

Does Costco hire year-round or only for the holidays?

Costco hires throughout the year, not only during seasonal periods. Hiring often increases around new warehouse openings and the Q4 holiday season, and you can apply to a new location roughly 12 weeks before it opens.

Retail Store Jobs

Costco Jobs

One of the largest retail employers in the US, known for above-average pay and strong benefits.

By Marcus ReedCareers & Hiring EditorPublished July 16, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026

Updated for 2026 · Independent & ad-supported

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Overview

Costco is one of the largest retail employers in the US, with 900-plus warehouses and hundreds of thousands of employees. It is known for paying above the retail average and for promoting from within, with the majority of warehouse managers rising through the ranks. Most people start in part-time, entry-level warehouse jobs and apply online through Costco's official careers site for a specific location.

Typical pay	$19.50–$31.90/hr
Minimum age	18+
Where they hire	Nationwide. Costco operates warehouses in 47 states (it does not currently operate in Wyoming, West Virginia, or Rhode Island).
Hiring	Hires year-round, not just during seasonal periods. Hiring picks up around new warehouse openings and the Q4 holiday season, and applications can go in about 12 weeks before a new location opens.

Costco set a company-wide starting minimum of $19.50/hr in July 2024. Top-of-scale clerks reach about $31.90/hr in 2026. Starting pay runs higher in states with higher minimum wages such as California and Washington.

Common roles & pay

Front End AssistantBags and carts merchandise and helps cashiers; one of the most common entry points.	Starts around $19.50/hr
Cashier / Cashier Assistant (Clerk)Rings up members at the register; pay rises with tenure toward the top of the clerk scale.	About $21–$31.90/hr
Food Court AssistantPrepares and serves food court items; fast-paced, entry-level role.	Starts around $19.50/hr
Stocker / Merchandise StockerStocks and displays merchandise on the floor; day and overnight shifts available.	Starts around $19.50/hr
Member Service AssistantHandles memberships, returns, and member questions at the front of the warehouse.	Starts around $19.50/hr
Gas Station AttendantAssists members at the Costco fuel station; outdoor role, often flexible shifts.	Starts around $19.50/hr
Warehouse / Stocking Associate (overnight)Receives and stocks freight before opening; typically overnight hours.	Starts around $19.50/hr

Benefits

Healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy) for eligible full-time and part-time employees
401(k) retirement plan with company contributions
Employee stock purchase plan
Paid sick and vacation time, eight paid holidays, plus one paid floating holiday
Life insurance and AD&D, plus short-term and long-term disability coverage
Free Costco membership for employees (including additional memberships to share)
Scholarship funds and education programs, including a college student retention program
Employee assistance and emotional well-being programs

What it's like to work at Costco

Most openings are hourly warehouse jobs such as front end assistant, cashier assistant, food court, member service, and stocking. The work is physical and customer-facing: expect long periods on your feet, moving merchandise, and busy weekends. Full and open availability makes you a much stronger candidate, and many roles include evening, weekend, or overnight shifts.

Costco's pay is a big draw. The company set a national starting minimum of $19.50 per hour in July 2024, and experienced clerks reach roughly $31.90 per hour at the top of the scale in 2026, with assistants topping out near $30.20. Tenured hourly employees also receive additional compensation twice a year based on years of service, and starting rates run higher in states with higher minimum wages such as California and Washington.

The hiring process starts with an online application to a specific warehouse. Costco may ask you to complete a short assessment or demonstrate job-related skills, then follow up with one or two interviews, often with a supervisor or assistant manager, focused on your availability and customer-service approach. A background check and drug screening typically come before you start. Timelines vary widely by location and demand, but candidates commonly hear back within a few days to a few weeks.

Tips to get hired: apply for the exact location where you want to work, list truly open availability, and reapply if you do not hear back, since online applications expire after 90 days. Costco hires throughout the year, not just seasonally, so applying near a new-warehouse opening or during the busy Q4 season can help. Introducing yourself in person to management after applying is a commonly recommended way to stand out.

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Weigh Costco against other retail store jobs.

CVS HealthPay Most hourly store roles average about $15 to $23 per hourView jobs →Dollar GeneralPay ~$9–$15/hr for most store roles; Store Managers ~$42,880/yrView jobs →

Lowe'sPay $15–$22/hr for common store rolesView jobs →

See how to apply → See all retail store jobs

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