You generally need to be at least 16 years old to work at Target in a regular in‑store job like cashier, sales floor, or front‑end roles in the United States. Some roles, especially in distribution centers or jobs that involve certain equipment or higher responsibility, usually require you to be 18 or older.

Basic age requirements

  • Minimum age for most in‑store positions: 16 years old.
  • Minimum age for many warehouse/distribution center roles: 18 years old.
  • A few departments (like some equipment-heavy or safety-sensitive areas) are restricted to 18+ even inside the store.

What jobs can teens do at Target?

For 16–17 year olds, common entry-level roles include:

  • Cashier / guest services
  • Sales floor team member (helping guests, stocking shelves on the floor)
  • Some specialty sales roles that do not require operating restricted equipment

Minors usually face extra rules around:

  • How late they can work
  • Required breaks
  • Which equipment they can use (many powered machines are 18+ only)

Quick note on location and laws

  • Exact options can vary by state, because local labor laws affect teen work hours and duties.
  • Stores also have some discretion, so one location might offer slightly different roles than another for 16–17 year olds.

If you’re 15 or younger

  • Target does not typically hire 15‑year‑olds; most sources state the minimum hiring age is 16.
  • If you’re under 16, you’ll usually need to wait or look at other teen-friendly employers in your area.

Bottom line

If you’re asking “how old do you have to be to work at Target,” the practical answer for most store jobs is 16 , with more physically demanding or equipment-heavy roles kicking in at 18.