How old do you have to be to work at Dollar General?

In most locations you must be at least 18, partly because stores sell tobacco and other age-restricted items and because of liability insurance rules. Some states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to be hired for entry-level roles, so check the minimum age listed on the specific job posting.

How long does the Dollar General hiring process take?

For entry-level store jobs it is often about one to two weeks from application to offer. After you apply and pass a short assessment, you typically meet a store or district manager for a brief interview, then complete a background check and drug screen.

Can you apply with no experience?

Yes. Entry-level roles such as Sales Associate are meant for people new to retail, and the interview usually focuses on your availability, reliability, and customer service attitude rather than past experience.

How do I apply for a job at Dollar General?

Apply online at careers.dollargeneral.com by searching for jobs near you, or text DGJOBS to 25000. You create a profile, complete the online application (about 30 to 60 minutes) and a short assessment, then wait to be contacted for an interview.

How much does Dollar General pay?

Pay varies by role and by your state's minimum wage. Indeed reports store roles averaging roughly $9.49/hr for Sales Associates and about $14.64/hr for Assistant Store Managers, while Store Managers average around $42,880 per year.

Are Dollar General employees eligible for benefits?

Dollar General's careers site states that employees are benefits eligible on day one, with options that can include multiple health plans, a 401(k), zero-cost tuition for full-time employees, paid time off, and parental leave. Specific eligibility can depend on your role and hours.

Retail Store Jobs

Dollar General Jobs

One of the largest US discount retailers, hiring year-round across thousands of stores.

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

Updated for 2026 · Independent & ad-supported

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Overview

Dollar General is one of the largest discount retailers in the US, operating thousands of small-format stores and hiring year-round for store, distribution, and management roles. Most openings are entry-level positions like Sales Associate that require no prior experience, and you apply online through the company's official careers site. This page is an informational guide for job seekers and is not affiliated with, or an application portal for, Dollar General.

Typical pay	~$9–$15/hr for most store roles; Store Managers ~$42,880/yr
Minimum age	18+ in most locations (16 allowed in some states; check the job posting)
Where they hire	Nationwide across most US states (stores, distribution centers, and corporate offices)
Hiring	Hires year-round for store and distribution roles; frequent entry-level openings, with heavier seasonal hiring around the holidays.

Indeed reports Sales Associates averaging about $9.49/hr and Assistant Store Managers about $14.64/hr, while Store Managers average roughly $42,880/yr. Actual starting pay depends heavily on your state and local minimum wage, so it is often higher in states like California and New York.

Common roles & pay

Sales AssociateEntry-level role: rings up customers, stocks shelves, unloads trucks, and keeps the store clean. No experience needed.	~$9.49/hr average (Indeed)
Lead Sales AssociateKeyholder who handles registers and cash, and steps into a leadership role when a manager is not present.	~$11.04/hr average (Indeed)
Assistant Store ManagerSupervises associates, manages merchandise, and supports daily store operations.	~$14.64/hr average (Indeed)
Store ManagerRuns overall store operations, including hiring, training, scheduling, and inventory.	~$42,880/yr average (Indeed)
Warehouse / Distribution Center WorkerWorks in one of the company's distribution centers receiving, picking, and shipping merchandise.	~$19.48/hr average (Indeed)
District ManagerOversees store activity and performance across multiple locations in an assigned area.	Varies

Benefits

Benefits eligibility starting on day one of employment
Multiple health insurance plan options
Zero-cost tuition for full-time employees (education assistance)
401(k) retirement savings plan
Annual bonus opportunities
Paid vacation and holidays
Parental leave and adoption assistance

What it's like to work at Dollar General

Dollar General runs small-box stores with lean teams, so a Sales Associate typically covers several tasks in one shift: ringing up customers, stocking shelves, unloading trucks, and keeping the store tidy. Lead Sales Associates are keyholders who open and close and cover when a manager is out, while Assistant Store Managers and Store Managers handle scheduling, ordering, and overall store operations.

Pay depends heavily on your local minimum wage. Indeed's estimates put Sales Associates around $9.49/hr on average and Assistant Store Managers near $14.64/hr, with Store Managers averaging about $42,880/yr and distribution center workers around $19.48/hr. Hourly store roles can be part-time or full-time, and schedules commonly include evenings, weekends, and holidays, with hours that can vary week to week.

The online application takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes and includes a short assessment (about 10 to 15 minutes). If you pass, a store or district manager usually invites you to a brief, conversational interview about your availability and how you handle customers. Most entry-level candidates move through the process in about one to two weeks, followed by a background check and drug screening.

To improve your odds, apply to a specific nearby store (you can search by the 5-digit store number) and emphasize open availability, including nights and weekends. Show up to the interview on time, dress neatly, and be ready to talk about dependability and customer service. Because store managers often make the hiring decision locally, a polite follow-up can help.

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