How to Get One of the 140,000 Seasonal Jobs at Walmart and Target

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Shoppers in checkout lines at a Target store
QualityHD / Shutterstock.com

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.

In holiday hiring news, Target and Walmart are planning to add a total of 140,000 temporary workers for the upcoming holiday shopping season. But if you had a Walmart holiday job last year and were planning to work there again this year, you shouldn’t necessarily count on it.

That’s because Walmart is going to hire only 40,000 workers for this holiday season — far fewer than the 150,000 workers it brought in for the holidays last year.

Meanwhile, Target plans to pick up 100,000 seasonal employees for the holidays, the same number it hired for the 2021 shopping season.

When to Apply

Young woman with clock
Masson / Shutterstock.com

Both companies announced their holiday hiring plans in late September. It’s not clear exactly when the holiday hiring will start. Target and Walmart say they’ll start hiring seasonal workers after their current employees are given a chance to set their holiday shifts.

“We’ll begin, as usual, by offering additional hours to current associates who want them,” Walmart said in its announcement. “After that, we’ll offer the opportunity for those who want to earn extra money working on a temporary basis.”

Where to Apply

Women shopping online
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

People interested in picking up holiday shifts at Target should apply here.

Those interested in working holiday shifts at Walmart should keep an eye on its website’s careers page.

Seasonal Jobs at Target

Target store
Syda Productions / Shutterstock.com

Target’s seasonal job openings span a variety of in-store and distribution center roles.

In-store roles include cashiers; general managers; Starbucks baristas; tech, style, grocery and beauty department associates; general merchandise associates; and shelf stockers. These in-store positions will be trained to staff pickup and drive-up orders.

Jobs at Target’s distribution centers include general warehouse workers, packers and fulfillment center and operations workers. These positions require frequently lifting and carrying items up to 60 pounds.

Starting wages range from $15 to $24 an hour, Target says. On average, more than 30% of workers who are hired as seasonal employees stay on after the holiday season.

Seasonal Jobs at Walmart

Walmart
Sundry Photography / Shutterstock.com

Walmart will hire temporary help in three categories:

  • Seasonal store associates who work in the store and also for Walmart’s pickup and delivery services
  • Customer care associates who work in the retailer’s customer call centers
  • Full-time truck drivers

Walmart doesn’t have a companywide minimum wage, but it says its average U.S. wage is more than $17 an hour.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.