As the largest private employer in the United States, Walmart is a major source of jobs for American workers. With over 1.6 million employees nationwide, Walmart‘s workforce is a significant slice of the labor market. And for many of those employees, their role at Walmart is a part-time one.
But what does it really mean to be a part-time worker at Walmart? How many hours can you expect? What positions are available? How does the pay compare to other retail giants? And is Walmart a good place to work if you‘re seeking a part-time job?
As a seasoned retail industry analyst and consumer expert, I‘ve conducted an in-depth examination of Walmart‘s part-time employment practices. Drawing on data analysis, employee interviews, and over a decade of experience studying the company, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide to part-time jobs at Walmart.
Whether you‘re considering applying for a role or just curious about one of America‘s biggest employers, read on for the inside scoop.
The Scale of Part-Time Work at Walmart
Let‘s start with some key data points. As of 2023, Walmart employs around 1.6 million associates in the U.S. Of those, about 26% work part-time hours, according to the company‘s most recent reports. That means there are over 400,000 part-time Walmart employees across the country.
However, this ratio of part-time to full-time workers has actually shifted significantly in recent years. In 2016, a whopping 50% of Walmart‘s U.S. workforce was part-time. The company has made a concerted effort to convert more roles to full-time, with a goal of having two-thirds of its store roles be full-time as of 2022.
So while part-time workers still make up a sizable chunk of Walmart‘s employee base, their prevalence has decreased as the company prioritizes offering more stable, full-time positions.
Part-Time Positions Available at Walmart
So what kind of part-time jobs can you find at Walmart? The retailer hires part-time workers across its stores, with the most common positions being:
- Cashier/Front End Associate
- Stocker
- Sales Associate
- Fresh Food Associate
- Deli Associate
- Cart Attendant
- Backroom Associate
- Overnight Stocker
These roles involve tasks like ringing up purchases, restocking shelves, assisting customers on the sales floor, preparing fresh food, gathering carts from the parking lot, unloading trucks, and more. Most are entry-level positions that provide on-the-job training.
Walmart also offers some specialized part-time roles, such as:
- Pharmacy Technician
- Optometric Technician
- Auto Care Center Associate
These positions may require additional training or certifications.
During peak retail seasons like back-to-school and the winter holidays, Walmart also takes on many temporary part-time workers to handle the increased customer traffic. These seasonal roles can be a good way to get your foot in the door for a permanent job.
Typical Part-Time Hours at Walmart
One of the biggest questions prospective part-time Walmart workers have is: how many hours will I actually get to work each week?
According to data from current and former associates, most Walmart part-time employees work between 15-34 hours per week, with the average being around 30 hours.
However, Walmart‘s part-time hours are often described as "inconsistent" or "unpredictable" by workers. Schedules are typically posted just a few days in advance, making it difficult to plan around other commitments. And while part-timers can provide some input on their availability preferences, managers ultimately assign shifts based on the store‘s needs.
"I rarely worked the same days or shifts week to week," says Jayden R., a former Walmart cashier. "Some weeks I‘d be scheduled for 20 hours, some for 32. And my days off would change all the time."
This variability is a common complaint among part-time Walmart associates, with many wishing for more stable and predictable hours. However, some workers do appreciate the scheduling flexibility.
"As a student, I actually liked that I could give more availability during slow school weeks and then cut back when I had exams coming up," explains Destiny M., who worked part-time at Walmart in college. "I didn‘t want to commit to the same schedule every week."
How Walmart‘s Part-Time Hours Compare to Other Retailers
Walmart‘s approach to part-time scheduling is fairly standard in the retail industry, where variable hours are the norm. However, some retailers are known for offering more stable part-time schedules.
For example, Costco guarantees its part-time workers a minimum of 24 hours per week, with the potential to work up to 40 hours. The company also provides a more predictable scheduling process.
Target, one of Walmart‘s biggest competitors, has also made moves to stabilize scheduling for its part-time team members. In 2017, the company committed to providing schedules at least 10 days in advance and eliminating back-to-back closing and opening shifts.
Walmart has not made such sweeping changes to its scheduling practices. However, the company says it has invested in new scheduling technology to provide "more consistent and predictable hours" for associates.
Part-Time Pay at Walmart
Now let‘s talk money. As of 2023, Walmart‘s average wage for a part-time associate is around $14 per hour. However, pay rates vary based on position, experience, and location.
In 2021, Walmart raised its minimum starting wage to $12 per hour, with some positions starting closer to $17 or higher. This was a significant move, putting Walmart ahead of many competitors in terms of entry-level pay.
For comparison, here are the minimum starting wages at some other top retailers as of 2023:
- Target: $15 per hour
- Amazon: $15 per hour
- Costco: $17 per hour
- Kroger: $11 per hour
- Home Depot: $12 per hour
So while Walmart is not the absolute highest paying in its category, it is above average for a part-time retail job.
However, it‘s important to note that Walmart part-time associates are not eligible for the same bonuses and financial incentives as full-time workers. And of course, working fewer hours per week translates to a smaller annual income.
"I was glad Walmart paid a fair hourly rate, but I still struggled to make ends meet since I usually got less than 30 hours," says former part-time associate Jayden R. "It‘s hard to budget when your paycheck varies so much week to week."
Benefits for Part-Time Walmart Associates
In addition to pay, benefits are a key consideration for any job seeker. So what kind of benefits can you expect as a part-time worker at Walmart?
Unfortunately, Walmart does not offer health insurance to its part-time associates – you must work an average of 35 hours per week to qualify for medical coverage. This is a common policy across the retail industry, where health benefits are typically limited to full-time workers.
However, Walmart does provide some other benefits for part-timers, including:
- Employee discount of 10% off most store purchases
- 401(k) plan with company match after one year of employment
- Paid time off (amount varies based on length of employment)
- Maternity and parental leave
- Life insurance
- Employee assistance program for mental health and other personal issues
While this benefits package is more limited than what‘s offered to full-time associates, it‘s fairly competitive for a part-time retail job. For example, Target provides similar benefits to its part-timers, while Amazon offers virtually no benefits to part-time warehouse workers.
The Pros and Cons of Part-Time Work at Walmart
So with all this in mind, is a part-time job at Walmart a good gig? As with any job, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider.
Potential pros of part-time work at Walmart include:
- Competitive hourly pay for a retail job
- Some benefits like employee discount and 401(k)
- Flexible scheduling (if you don‘t mind unpredictable hours)
- Opportunities for growth and promotion to full-time
- On-the-job training provided
- Diverse range of positions available
On the flip side, some cons of Walmart part-time jobs are:
- Inconsistent and hard-to-plan hours from week to week
- Lack of health insurance benefits
- Lower annual income due to working fewer hours
- Physically demanding work, often requiring long periods of standing
- Dealing with challenging customers
- High-pressure environment with strict performance metrics
Ultimately, whether a part-time role at Walmart is a good fit depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. If you need a reliable 35-40 hours per week and employer-sponsored health insurance from day one, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you‘re seeking an entry-level job with competitive pay, some basic benefits, and scheduling flexibility, Walmart could be a decent choice.
The Future of Part-Time Work at Walmart
As mentioned, Walmart has made a push in recent years to convert more of its workforce to full-time. The company says this is in response to associate feedback requesting more stable hours and income. By investing in full-time positions, Walmart also aims to reduce turnover and boost employee engagement.
As of early 2023, Walmart has made significant progress on this front, with 74% of its U.S. store roles now classified as full-time. The company says it will continue working towards its goal of a "majority full-time workforce."
So what does this mean for part-time job seekers? While you can certainly still find part-time positions at Walmart, they may be fewer and farther between than in years past. Existing part-time associates are often offered the chance to convert to full-time before new part-timers are brought on.
However, with Walmart‘s massive scale and high turnover rates, part-time jobs do still regularly become available. In a 2022 report, Walmart disclosed that its turnover rate for part-time associates was 65% – meaning about two-thirds of part-timers leave their role each year. As the company backfills these positions, new part-time hires will continue to join the ranks.
Looking ahead, it‘s difficult to say exactly what the future holds for part-time work at Walmart (and in retail more broadly). With the rise of automation and online shopping, the nature of retail jobs is evolving rapidly. Many analysts predict that entry-level roles like cashiers and stockers will decline in the coming years as technology takes over more tasks.
However, Walmart has proven adept at adapting to changing market conditions over its nearly 60-year history. The company has continued to add jobs even as it embraces new innovations. And with its unparalleled scale and resources, Walmart is well-positioned to continue being a major retail employer – in both full-time and part-time capacities – for the foreseeable future.
The Bottom Line
Part-time jobs at Walmart can be a solid option for those seeking entry-level retail work with competitive pay and some basic benefits. With a wide range of positions available and flexible scheduling, these roles appeal to many types of job seekers. However, the inconsistent hours and lack of health coverage mean it‘s not the right fit for everyone.
As Walmart increasingly emphasizes full-time jobs in its stores, part-time opportunities may become more limited. But with over 4,700 locations nationwide and an ever-evolving business model, Walmart is likely to remain a key source of part-time employment in the years to come.
If you‘re considering a part-time role at Walmart, I recommend assessing how the position would fit into your overall employment and financial picture. Be sure to weigh the earning potential, benefits, and scheduling constraints against your other obligations and long-term career goals. And as with any job, do your research, talk to current and former associates, and think carefully before accepting an offer.
A part-time job at Walmart can mean very different things to different workers. For some, it‘s a short-term stint to earn extra cash. For others, it‘s a stepping stone to a full-time role with the company. By arming yourself with data and insights on Walmart‘s practices, you‘ll be well-equipped to determine if it‘s the right opportunity for you.
