As one of the largest discount retailers in the United States, Dollar General is a popular choice for teenagers seeking their first job. With over 18,000 stores in 47 states, the company is a major employer that frequently hires for entry-level positions. But what is Dollar General‘s official policy on hiring teenagers? And how does it compare to other retail chains?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into Dollar General‘s hiring age requirements, the specific jobs available for teens, and how young applicants can increase their chances of landing a role. We‘ll also explore the broader landscape of teenage employment in the retail sector, with input from industry experts and data-driven insights.
Whether you‘re a teen looking for your first gig or a parent supporting your child‘s job search, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about working at Dollar General as a young adult. Let‘s get started!
Minimum Age Requirements at Dollar General
Before we examine Dollar General‘s specific policies, it‘s important to understand the broader context of child labor laws in the United States. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum age for non-agricultural employment at 14 years old. However, there are strict limitations on the types of jobs that 14 and 15-year-olds can perform and the hours they can work.
According to the FLSA, 14 and 15-year-olds can only work in the following conditions:
- Outside of school hours
- No more than 3 hours on a school day
- No more than 18 hours in a school week
- No more than 8 hours on a non-school day
- No more than 40 hours in a non-school week
- Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m.)
Additionally, 14 and 15-year-olds are prohibited from working in hazardous occupations such as operating heavy machinery, using power tools, working on ladders or scaffolds, or handling hazardous materials.
At age 16, the FLSA no longer limits the number of hours that minors can work, but there are still restrictions on hazardous job duties until age 18. It‘s also important to note that some states have additional child labor laws that may be more stringent than Federal regulations.
So where does Dollar General fall within this framework? According to the company‘s official hiring policy, as outlined in their employee handbook, the minimum age to work at any Dollar General store is 18 years old. This requirement applies to all entry-level positions, including sales associates, stockers, and cashiers.
Dollar General cites several reasons for maintaining a strict 18+ policy for store employees:
-
Safety concerns: Many of the job duties involved in working at Dollar General, such as operating the cash register, climbing ladders, and using box cutters, are considered hazardous for younger teens under Federal law. By only hiring adults, the company minimizes the risk of accidents or injuries on the job.
-
Legal compliance: Dollar General stores sell age-restricted products like tobacco, alcohol, and lottery tickets. Employees must be at least 18 years old to legally handle these items during transactions. Setting the minimum hiring age at 18 ensures that the company is in full compliance with all regulations.
-
Simplified scheduling: Younger teens have stricter limitations on the number of hours and times of day they can legally work. Keeping the hiring age at 18 streamlines the scheduling process and allows store managers to staff their team without navigating multiple sets of labor rules.
-
Maturity and reliability: Retail jobs involve a great deal of responsibility, from handling customer complaints to securing large amounts of cash. Dollar General prefers candidates with a high school diploma who can demonstrate the maturity and reliability needed to meet these challenges.
While some teenagers may be disappointed to learn that they can‘t work at Dollar General until they are legally an adult, the company‘s policy is not unique among major retailers. Competitors like Family Dollar and Dollar Tree also have a minimum hiring age of 18 for most store positions. However, there are some exceptions – Walmart and Target have a minimum age of 16 for entry-level roles, while Walgreens hires 16-year-olds as customer service associates in some states.
Jobs for 18-Year-Olds at Dollar General
Once a teenager reaches Dollar General‘s hiring age of 18, what specific job opportunities are available? The most common entry-level positions for young adults at Dollar General stores include:
-
Sales Associate: The primary responsibilities of a sales associate at Dollar General include assisting customers on the sales floor, operating the cash register, stocking and organizing inventory, cleaning the store, and maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor. Sales associates typically work part-time hours and may be cross-trained to support multiple departments.
-
Lead Sales Associate: The lead sales associate role is a step up from the regular sales associate position, with added responsibilities in store opening and closing procedures, training new hires, and delegating tasks to team members. Lead sales associates often have prior retail experience and strong leadership skills.
-
Assistant Store Manager: While not a true entry-level role, some high-performing 18 or 19-year-olds may be promoted to assistant store manager after demonstrating their value in other positions. Assistant managers support the store manager in overseeing all day-to-day operations, managing inventory and financials, and coaching employees. This role requires a high level of responsibility and may involve full-time hours.
To land one of these coveted roles at Dollar General, teenage applicants will need to demonstrate their qualifications and potential. While a high school diploma or GED is not always required for entry-level positions, it is strongly preferred. Candidates should also highlight any previous work experience, even if it is not in the retail sector. Volunteering, extracurricular activities, and academic achievements can also help young applicants stand out.
According to hiring managers, some of the top qualities that Dollar General looks for in teenage employees include:
- Reliability and punctuality
- Positive attitude and friendliness
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and ability to multitask
- Willingness to learn and take on new challenges
- Physical stamina and ability to lift up to 40 pounds
During the interview process, 18-year-old candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their availability, long-term career goals, and how they would handle common scenarios like an angry customer or a suspected shoplifter. Emphasizing your maturity, work ethic, and desire to grow with the company can help you stand out from other teenage applicants.
Dollar General Pay and Benefits for Teenage Workers
Another key consideration for teenagers seeking employment at Dollar General is the compensation and benefits offered. According to data from Payscale, the average hourly pay for a Dollar General sales associate is $9.28, with a range of about $7.25 to $12.15 depending on location and experience. This is slightly lower than the national median pay of $11.63 per hour for retail sales associates, but still above the Federal minimum wage of $7.25 (source).
Lead sales associates at Dollar General earn an average of $10.21 per hour, with a range of about $8.50 to $13.00. For assistant store managers, Glassdoor data shows an average annual salary of around $31,000, which equates to about $15 per hour for full-time work. This is on par with the national average salary for retail assistant managers of $32,000 per year (source).
It‘s important to note that pay rates at Dollar General may vary based on several factors, including:
- Store location and cost of living in the area
- Employee‘s relevant experience and tenure with the company
- Performance and meeting sales goals
- Shift differentials for working early mornings, evenings, or weekends
- Annual merit raises and promotional increases
In addition to competitive pay, Dollar General offers a range of benefits for both full-time and part-time employees. Some of the key perks that may be available to teenage workers include:
- Employee discounts on store merchandise
- Flexible scheduling and paid time off
- 401(k) retirement savings plans with company match
- Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Tuition reimbursement programs for college students
- Career advancement opportunities and leadership training
However, the specific benefits offered may vary based on an employee‘s age, tenure with the company, and average weekly hours worked. Teenage applicants should inquire about the current benefits package during the hiring process to ensure they are making an informed decision.
The Pros and Cons of Retail Jobs for Teenagers
Working in retail as a teenager can be a valuable experience that teaches important life skills and provides a source of income. However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider before applying for a job at Dollar General or another retail chain. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of retail work for young adults:
Pros:
- Gain work experience and build a resume for future opportunities
- Develop customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Learn responsibility, time management, and work ethic
- Earn money for personal expenses, savings goals, or college tuition
- Receive employee discounts and benefits
- Opportunities for advancement into leadership roles
Cons:
- May interfere with school work or extracurricular activities
- Can be physically demanding with long shifts spent on your feet
- Dealing with difficult customers or stressful situations
- Lower pay compared to other industries
- Unpredictable scheduling and weekend/holiday shifts
- Limited long-term career prospects without additional education
Ultimately, the decision to work in retail as a teenager depends on individual circumstances and priorities. Some young adults may thrive in the fast-paced, customer-focused environment of a Dollar General store, while others may prefer a different industry or delaying employment until after graduation.
For employers like Dollar General, hiring teenagers can also have its own set of benefits and challenges. On one hand, young workers may bring energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives to the job. They can also be more flexible with their schedules and willing to work for lower wages than older adults.
On the other hand, teenagers may require more training and supervision than experienced workers, and have higher turnover rates as they leave for school or other opportunities. Employers must also navigate complex child labor laws and ensure that young employees are not assigned hazardous tasks or overworked.
Despite these challenges, many retailers recognize the value of providing job opportunities for young people in their communities. Dollar General frequently partners with local schools and youth organizations to offer career fairs, job shadowing programs, and scholarships for teenage employees.
The Future of Teenage Retail Jobs
As the retail industry continues to evolve with the rise of e-commerce and automation, what does the future hold for teenage job seekers? While some traditional retail roles may be declining, experts predict that there will still be demand for entry-level positions that require human interaction and customer service skills.
However, the nature of these jobs may shift as retailers adopt new technologies and business models. For example, some stores are experimenting with mobile checkouts and self-service kiosks that reduce the need for cashiers. Others are investing in online ordering and curbside pickup, which may create new roles for workers to fulfill and deliver orders.
Teenagers who are interested in retail careers may need to develop a broader set of skills beyond basic sales and customer service. Some areas of growth in the industry include:
- Social media marketing and online customer engagement
- Data analytics and inventory management
- Technical support for mobile apps and digital platforms
- Personal styling and product curation
- Multilingual customer service for diverse communities
Fortunately, Dollar General and many other retailers offer on-the-job training and development programs to help entry-level workers build these in-demand skills. By gaining experience in a variety of roles and staying adaptable to change, teenage employees can position themselves for long-term success in the retail industry and beyond.
Another trend that may impact teenage retail workers is the growing focus on labor rights and unionization efforts. In recent years, some Dollar General employees have joined with workers‘ rights groups to advocate for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. While union membership is still relatively rare in the retail sector, especially among teenage workers, it is an issue that employers and employees alike will need to navigate going forward.
Conclusion
In summary, Dollar General does hire teenagers – but only those who are at least 18 years old and meet the company‘s other qualifications. For younger teens, there may be opportunities to gain work experience at other retail chains or through alternative jobs like babysitting, tutoring, or starting an online business.
As with any job, working at Dollar General as a teenager has its own pros and cons to consider. While the pay may be lower than some industries, retail jobs offer valuable skills, flexible scheduling, employee discounts, and opportunities for advancement. However, young workers should also be aware of the physical demands, emotional challenges, and potential impact on their academic and personal lives.
For employers like Dollar General, hiring and managing teenage workers requires a delicate balance of providing opportunity and support while also ensuring compliance with labor laws and business needs. As the retail industry evolves, companies will need to continue adapting their hiring practices and job roles to attract and retain young talent.
Whether you‘re a teenager looking for your first job or a parent guiding your child‘s career path, we hope this comprehensive guide has provided helpful insights and information. By understanding the landscape of teenage employment at Dollar General and beyond, you can make informed decisions and set yourself up for long-term success in the workforce.
