Working as a Walmart cart pusher is a great entry-level job that requires no skills or experience.
Maybe getting into a trade career is something you are considering but you are not ready to make the commitment just yet. But of course, you still need a job, and maybe you need one with little or no experience required.
Like most entry-level positions, cart pushers have lower pay and fewer responsibilities, but that does not make the job any less important. It is a decent paying job for teenagers, and can offer flexible hours which is great if you are in school.
Cart pushers after all are the people who give customers the first impression of the store!
So, if you are looking for a job with no experience required, a cart pusher or Member Assist Cart Attendant as Walmart calls them might be a good option for you. Many existing employees do say it is a great company to work for. For full-time positions, they do offer benefits like vacation time, health insurance, employee discount, and other additional benefits.
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While it may not be a great choice for a lifetime career, it is a good solid job opportunity that can offer growth with the company.
How To Become a Cart Pusher At Walmart
Becoming a cart pusher is one of the easier jobs to get.
The requirements and educational requirements are minimal.
- High school or GED recommended
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Customer service experience preferred
Applying For A Job As A Cart Pusher
Applying for a job as a cart pusher is also pretty easy.
You can go to any Walmart near you and fill out an application or use their online application. Once the application is submitted it will be reviewed and you may either be called in for an interview or be offered a position.
The typical timeframe to hear back once you submit your application could be 1 day to 2 weeks.
The Interview
While some cart pushers noted they were hired without an interview, it is more common that you will in fact be called in for one.
Below are a few questions you may be asked during your interview. These were actually questions found that current or past cart pushers said they were asked!
- Why do you want to work with us?
- Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond to meet a deadline.
- Give a short description of yourself.
- What have you liked or disliked about previous jobs?
Some employees noted they were hired on the spot pending a drug test and background check. Others were called just a couple of days later.
In some stores, you may be required to attend a Walmart orientation to complete all of your paperwork and go through some training.
Walmart Cart Pusher Duties
The primary responsibility of a Walmart cart pusher is to keep the parking lot clean and clear. You will find any carts that are not in the cart corral and place them in there, pick up trash and help customers.
All of the responsibilities that may come with being a Member Assist Cart Attendant include:
- Retrieve carts that are in the parking lot.
- Ensure all loose carts are returned to the designated cart storage area so customers always have them available.
- Emptying trash receptacles regularly or when you notice they are full.
- Inspecting carts for damage to ensure customers are safe and informing management of any damages.
- Possibly assist customers with loading large purchases into their vehicles.
- Answer basic customer questions about products or services and help them find the right personnel to assist them inside the store.
- Pick up loose trash from the parking lot
While customer interaction is not a core part of the job, you will occasionally have to assist customers with basic customer questions or refer them to co-workers who can help them.
If you are an introvert looking for a job, this one may not be a perfect fit. It is not an overwhelming amount of customer contact, but enough that you super shy folks may not enjoy it.
Skills a Cart Pusher Should Have
No matter what job you do there will be some need for specific skills to be successful. It is no different for a cart pusher job.
Below are a few of the skills you should have to knock your new boss off their feet!
- Customer Service: One of the most important ones for sure! Dealing with people in a positive way and being helpful no matter what the question will get you far with Walmart.
- Multitasker: You might have to push carts, clear garbage, and help customers all at one time! Being a multitasker will set you apart and make the boss take notice.
- Detail Oriented: Keeping the parking lot and outdoor area clean is the main part of the job. Being detail-oriented and seeing every piece of garbage or cart out of place will be critical to doing your job well. Noting issues with broken carts is also important to keep customers safe.
- Strength: This job is not for the weak! It can be a highly physical environment. You might be pushing dozens of carts at one time into the cart corrals, emptying heavy bags of garbage, or assisting customers with extremely heavy items. You must be physically fit and able to lift and push large items.
Some Walmart stores have mechanical devices that can help push full cart loads. So, it is also important that you have confidence in working with basic mechanical equipment to ensure you can manage the device.
Job Schedule
Most Walmart cart pushers will work an average of 20-30 hours per week. This is considered part-time.
You can ask for additional hours, but it is rare that they will have a full-time cart pusher position.
The hours you work will depend on your location. Since some Walmart stores are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, there is the chance you will work overnights in addition to early mornings and afternoons.
Walmart Member Assist Cart Attendant Pros + Cons
Like any job, there are some good and some bad things you should know about if you are interested in being a cart pusher at a Walmart store.
Below is a summary of the pros and cons based on what other Walmart cart pushers have talked about in various forums and communities.
PROS
- Fair pay for a job with no experience required
- Good for introverts
- Possibility to move up in a career
CONS
- Work in all weather conditions
- Hard work that requires physical strength
Walmart Cart Pusher Pay
The average hourly base pay of a cart pusher is approximately $11.00. This will depend on your location as some areas pay higher and some are lower.
Employee Thoughts
We scoured the web to try and find what prior – or existing Walmart cart pushers were saying about their jobs. Below are some comments from real cart pushers so you can learn a bit more about what to expect before making the decision to apply.
The job itself is easy. It is the weather conditions, the customers, asshole management and being understaffed that make it difficult. If you are by yourself in 100+ degree high humidity weather and it’s extremely busy and your store is understaffed and your front end managers are assholes, then it is literally hell mode.
reddit user
Actual cart pusher here! If you live in a southern state or a state that gets really hot, you’ll probably hate it! But it’s not a difficult job it’s just tiring. Take it if you want some money in your account. If you work full time you’ll get about 900 a check, 6 hour days probably 600. you’ll need a sun hat, sunscreen, loose and open long sleeves and lots of water. If you’re the only one just half ass and don’t rush. Try sucking up to management and getting switched after about 5 or 6 months in. You’ll be fine just don’t take any shit and be safe. Pm me if you have any questions about pushing.
reddit user
I liked it because it gave me more relative freedom while working like taking bathroom breaks whenever I needed and taking short breaks scattered through out the day on top of the usual 15 minutes and hour lunch. Though this was my personal experience and so long as I had the parking lot taken care of and the carts stocked I was given a lot of leeway by management.
reddit user
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do cart pushers make at Walmart?
The typical pay for a Walmart Cart Pusher is $11 per hour depending on your location. The range averages $7-$16 per hour.
What does Walmart call their cart pushers?
Walmart calls their cart pushers Member Assist Cart Attendants.
Is it hard to be a cart pusher at Walmart?
It is not hard to be a cart pusher, but can be physically demanding and have to take place in not so great weather.
Is cart pushing at Walmart a good job?
Yes! Cart pushing can be a good job for those that are looking an entry-level position with no experience or degree.
While a cart pusher job may not be your forever career, it can be a great first job or even retirement job. This job may not have a lot of experience or skill requirements, you will need to enjoy working outdoors and be dedicated to helping customers!