Shaw’s Supermarkets generally hires workers as young as 14 or 15 for entry-level positions, though certain departments and tasks require you to be at least 16 or 18. The exact minimum can depend on your state’s child labor laws and the specific role you’re applying for.
Age Requirements by Role
Shaw’s operates across New England, and its age requirements vary by department. The youngest workers, typically 14 and 15 year olds, are limited to basic tasks like bagging groceries, stocking shelves, and light cleaning. At this age, you won’t be allowed to operate a cash register, work in the back rooms, or handle any equipment considered hazardous under federal child labor rules.
Once you turn 16, more of the store opens up. You can run a register, work in departments like floral or bakery sales, handle alcoholic beverage transactions, load cardboard into balers, and work in the store’s Drive Up & Go (DUG) pickup department. Positions in the deli, meat, and seafood departments generally require you to be at least 18 because they involve commercial slicers, ovens, and other equipment that federal law restricts to adult workers.
Hour Limits for Minors
Even after you’re hired, your state sets strict limits on when and how much you can work if you’re under 18. Shaw’s stores are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, and each state has its own rules. The details vary, but a few patterns hold across the region.
If you’re under 16, expect to be limited to roughly 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours during a school week. On non-school days and during summer, the cap rises to around 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, depending on your state. You also can’t work late at night. Most states cut off work for under-16 workers at 7 p.m. during the school year, extending to 9 p.m. during summer vacation. Morning start times are typically no earlier than 6:30 or 7 a.m.
At 16 and 17, the restrictions loosen but don’t disappear. Weekly hour caps range from 30 to 48 hours depending on your state and whether school is in session. Nightwork cutoffs move later, often to 10 or 10:15 p.m. on school nights and 11:30 p.m. or midnight on weekends and non-school nights. Shaw’s scheduling managers are generally familiar with these rules and will build your shifts around them.
Work Permits
Most New England states require minors to obtain a work permit (sometimes called an employment certificate) before starting a job. You typically get one through your school’s guidance office or main office. The process usually involves filling out a short form, getting a parent or guardian’s signature, and having the school sign off. Some states also require a signature from the employer. Plan to take care of this before your first scheduled shift, since Shaw’s can’t legally put you on the schedule without it.
What the Hiring Process Looks Like
Shaw’s posts openings on its careers page and on job boards like Indeed. Entry-level positions are often listed as “courtesy clerk” (bagger), “store associate,” or department-specific roles. When you apply, you’ll enter your date of birth, which the system uses to determine which positions you’re eligible for.
If you’re called in for an interview, it’s usually a brief, in-person conversation with a store manager or department manager. For minors, the manager may ask about your availability during school weeks to make sure your schedule can work within legal hour limits. Bring your work permit if your state requires one, or be ready to get one quickly. You’ll also need standard hiring documents: a form of ID and, if you have one, a Social Security card for tax paperwork.
Pay and Typical Hours
Entry-level positions at Shaw’s pay at or slightly above the state minimum wage. Because Shaw’s operates in states with some of the higher minimum wages in the country, starting pay tends to be more competitive than national grocery averages. Your exact rate depends on the store’s location and the role.
As a minor, especially during the school year, expect to be scheduled for short shifts of 3 to 5 hours, often after school on weekdays and longer blocks on weekends. Summer and school breaks bring more available hours. Many young workers at Shaw’s start with 10 to 20 hours per week during the school year and pick up closer to 30 or more during breaks.