Does Costco Hire Seasonal Workers? (All You Need To Know)

During high-traffic seasons like holidays, most retailers hire seasonal employees to meet the demands of their customers.

If you are looking for a seasonal job during this period, you might be wondering whether a retailer like Costco hires seasonal workers. I did some research, and here’s what I discovered!

Does Costco Hire Seasonal Workers In 2024?

Costco does hire seasonal workers as of 2024. This retailer starts employing people for seasonal jobs from Thanksgiving in November to January. However, this can vary depending on the location and job position. Seasonal employees usually work 20 to 30 hours per week, but this might also vary depending on the store’s needs.

Read on for more information about whether Costco hires seasonal workers, how much they make, and when you can apply for the jobs!

Does Costco Employ Workers Seasonally?

If you are looking for a job during the holiday season, you can apply for seasonal jobs at Costco.

Costco hires seasonal workers to help meet customer demands during the busy season such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Seasonal jobs are good if you are looking for your first job out of high school.

When Can You Apply for a Seasonal Job at Costco?

You can apply for these jobs as soon as they are advertised. Costco usually uploads the available seasonal jobs on the website careers page.

Although most of the jobs are available ahead of the holiday rush towards the end of the year, you can also check the website.

In addition, you can also inquire from the store managers about any open positions at your nearest store in person.

How Long Do Costco Seasonal Employees Work?

Once you’re employed at Costco as a seasonal employee, your working hours could vary according to location, job position, and the respective store.

Generally, seasonal employees work fewer hours than full-time workers. This period can be as little as three hours or 30 hours per week.

On top of the hours, seasonal employees don’t work that long. You could work for a few weeks or months depending on the terms of your employment and the store’s needs.

If the busy season is longer, the retailer might keep you for an extended period.

How Much Does a Costco Seasonal Job Pay?

According to a former Costco seasonal employee, the standard starting pay is per hour.

However, this rate might go up depending on your level of experience or if you get a full-time position.

In 2021, Costco announced that it had adjusted the starting hourly wages.

New employees now earn $17 an hour for Service Assistants, $18.50 per hour for Meat Cutters, and $18 an hour for Service Clerks.

What Hours Do Costco Seasonal Employees Work?

Seasonal employees usually work in the morning or afternoon hours since they’re not full-time. Once employed, some workers say they work from 12.30 PM to 9.00 PM.

In most cases, seasonal workers don’t have a regular schedule; they’re not guaranteed a certain number of hours per week.

Who Is Eligible for Seasonal Work at Costco?

If you’re looking for a seasonal job at Costco, you have a higher chance of getting one since the retailer has a variety of jobs.

To apply for this job, you should at least be above 18, have a high school diploma, and pass the background and drug test.

However, Costco might ask for several years of professional experience or a college degree if you’re looking to work in senior positions.

Fortunately, Costco has seasonal jobs for entry-level positions and experienced professionals.

Can a Seasonal Costco Job Become Permanent?

According to some current and past employees, Costco doesn’t hire so often because most seasonal employees are moved to permanent positions.

Additionally, Costco has a low turnover because the current employees tend to stay for longer.

Therefore, if you get an opportunity to work at any of their stores temporarily during the holiday season, you have a better chance of getting a permanent position than new applicants.

Is It Hard to Get Hired by Costco?

While there are complaints about Costco rarely hiring new employees, you can get some opportunities if you keep checking for available open positions.

Getting a job at Costco is not hard; however, there are several interviews that you have to go through.

Visit the Costco website and search for these opportunities to apply for a seasonal job.

If you’re successful, the manager will reach out to schedule an interview. In addition, they might conduct two to three interviews and post-interview drug tests and background checks.

During the busy season, the retailer has several open positions; therefore, it’s the best time to keep track of job advertisements on the website.

How Long Does It Take for Costco to Contact Seasonal Workers After an Interview?

If you are successful in your interview, Costco might contact you within a few days. This can be much faster if the store needs a lot of help during the busy season.

You can also follow up on the progress of your application by going to your local store and talking to the front-end manager.

What Questions Do They Ask Seasonal Workers at Costco?

If you are applying to work as a seasonal employee at Costco, here are some of the questions you can expect:

• Why do you want to work at Costco?
• Can you lift heavy objects?
• Can you handle large crowds during the busy holiday shopping season?
• Have you worked in retail before?
• Are you available to work extra hours?
• Can you work long hours on your feet?

To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Costco hires felons, does Costco hire part-time, and Costco hiring process.

Conclusion

Costco does hire seasonal workers in 2024. This retailer starts employing people for seasonal jobs from Thanksgiving in November to January. However, this can vary depending on the location and job position.

Seasonal employees usually work 20 to 30 hours per week, but this might also vary depending on the store’s needs. On most occasions, Costco will retain the seasonal employees in permanent positions; therefore, it’s an excellent starting point if you need a job.