How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack?

Well, fortunately, the answer is as young as 16 years old!

So, this is a great opportunity for young people who want to enter employment for the first time with an entry-level job.

Students in fashion and retail-related fields can also massively benefit as Nordstrom offers a paid internship program that helps you to perfectly balance work and study. But what else makes Nordstrom a great place to work for teens?

Let’s take a look at the company’s philosophy, the jobs currently available to teens, and how you can apply in my in-depth look at How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack?

What Is Nordstrom’s Working Philosophy?

Nordstrom is one of the oldest department store chains in American and was initially founded in 1902. They currently have 369 stores in operation throughout the US and have at least one store in every major American city.

Eighty-eight of those stores are located in California alone. In 2019, they had 35 million in-store customers. They seamlessly blend traditional style departments stores with a massive online store that has over 800 million online visitors annually.

Working philosophy…

Their working philosophy is “Our mission is to continue our dedication to providing a unique range of products, exceptional customer service, great experiences.”

How Much Do Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack Pay Part-Time Workers?

Most of Nordstrom’s ‘associate’ jobs are largely part-time positions and do not offer the same employment benefits as a full-time job. And although this might seem a bit unfair, part-time workers do have way more flexibility. And you can also be just 16 years old to apply for associate positions.

Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack pays their part-time workers slightly above minimum wage. Their associate part-time job hourly rates start at $8 per hour, but there are ways to raise that number through performance. Although the start rate is barely above minimum wage, these jobs are routinely for teens and younger people.

Best Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack Teen Jobs And Age Requirements

If you are a young person or a student looking for an entry-level job, Nordstrom is a great starting point. So, here are a handpicked selection of Nordstrom Jobs for teens that need little to no prior work experience.

Retail Sales Associate Jobs

If you have a passion for fashion and enjoy communicating, this is your perfect job. Retail Sales Associate jobs at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack are exciting, fun, action-packed, and high-paced. It’s a high-octane sales environment where you will need to be comfortable selling products to members of the public.

You need to be able to answer all the customer’s questions about the products and offer any assistance or advice in terms of fittings and recommendations.

Sell, Sell, Sell!

Selling Nordstrom items and getting customers to open Nordstrom Rewards program accounts are your main duties. Other duties will include restocking, keeping the store tidy, setting up promotional displays, and transferring merchandise around the store.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

It’s important to mention that this retail sales associate job is not a commission-based salary like many other sales jobs. Because it’s an entry-level position that will need in-store training, you are paid a set wage.

These positions pay in the realms of $8 to $13 per hour, with the average rate being $11 per hour. If you do have prior sales experience, it will help you in this job, but your salary will stay within that bracket for the time being.

Increase your hourly rate…

If you do manage to achieve a high level of sales and perform exceptionally, you can massively increase your hourly rate. Some high-level sales associates have been known to make up to $27 per hour, but they were highly trained and doing the job for a while.

It’s definitely something to aim towards. You will need to be at least 16 years old to apply for a Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack retail sales associate position, though.

Stock Associate Jobs

Stock Associate jobs at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack are the most practical positions if you have little to no qualifications. They are the easiest entry-level job to obtain at the company and represent a great way to get your first foot on the employment ladder.

If you’re a teen right out of school, this job was created with you in mind. The main requirements are to keep most parts of the store organized and clean. You’ll be expected to take care of the stockrooms and sales areas, while also restocking merchandise, keeping an eye on the inventory, and making sure that all items are properly ticketed.

On your feet all day…

You will also provide support to other areas if needed or to help out during special sales events, general sales, and to help with any moving of items. Although you don’t need to be super-fit to do this job, it’s quite active, and you’ll be on your feet all day long.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

The standard wage for a stock associate at Nordstrom is $10 to $14 per hour, with the average rate sitting around $11 per hour. It’s an entry-level position that you need no prior work experience to apply for.

And if you have no work experience in a related field, you will be paid the lowest level to start. But if you do, you will get paid higher than the minimum amount.

Flexible hours for students…

To apply for one of these jobs, you need to be at least 16 years old. It can be difficult sometimes for teens to obtain a decent-paying job from the start, but this is a great opportunity. This is a job that can also suit a student who needs to work flexible hours over the weekend to support their studies.

Paid Intern Jobs For Students

If you are a massive fashion addict and love everything about the industry, a Paid Intern job at Nordstrom might be a better match. A paid management intern role is a specifically designed job to help those interested in fashion and retail to further their career prospects in the industry.

This program will help to kick-start a fledgling career in fashion or retail that is designed to propel you quickly into an assistant manager job.

Must be enrolled in college…

You will get to learn directly from Nordstrom’s top company performers to give you a crash course to help get you to the top. But to apply for this paid intern position, you already need to be enrolled in college. It’s a great way to make some money, learn everything you need to, and keep studying at the same time.

Age Requirements and Pay Scale

There are no age requirements with this paid internship role because it largely depends upon you already being in college. But in terms of the pay scale, the standard bracket for a paid intern job at Nordstrom is between $9 and $19 per hour.

The level you are paid will depend upon the location of the store and the college level you are currently at. The average hourly rate for an entry-level paid intern is $11 per hour.

Do I Need Prior Experience To Work At Nordstrom?

In order to fill one of the ‘associate’ part-time jobs at Nordstrom, you generally don’t need any prior experience. These are entry-level jobs. Although, it does always come in handy if you have previously worked in a related field. For instance, if you have a proven history of working in sales, you might be eligible to be paid $13 per hour instead of the $8 per hour starting wage.

Can 15-Year-Olds Work At Nordstrom?

Although part-time jobs for 15-year-olds are legal, you won’t be able to apply for a position at Nordstrom quite yet. But don’t worry, because as soon are you’ve turned 16 years old, you can apply right away.

How To Apply?

There are three main ways to apply for a teen associate job at Nordstrom. You can apply directly to the official Nordstrom Careers website and fill out the online application forms. You could alternatively search on major online jobs websites like ‘Glassdoor’ and ‘Indeed’ for any info on current Nordstrom positions.

If you live in a major city or somewhere in California, you might have numerous Nordstrom department stores nearby. You could personally visit your closest store and apply in person. Although this is becoming an ‘older’ way to apply for a job, it can be quite effective if you have a bubbly and friendly personality. And you might make a great first impression that gives you an advantage over other applicants.

A Future In Fashion Retail?

Why not try applying using one of the endless fashion applications found on our website, such as our Ralph Lauren Application, Neiman Marcus Application, and Saks Fifth Avenue Application, or how about our Express Application, DressBarn Application, or New York and Company Application, as well as our Zara Application, and Barneys New York Application in 2023.

Like I said, endless! I also have opportunities, including their interview guides, to make sure you land your dream job! So, check out my Levis Application and Levis Strauss Interview Questions, Forever 21 Application, and Forever 21 Interview Questions, or my Five Below Application, and Five Below Interview Questions, and of course, the ever popular Guess Application and Guess Jeans Interview Questions.

Retail associates need to reach monthly targets. So, your sales techniques need to be top-notch. Why not try reading up on The Sales Development Framework: How to Build and Scale a Highly Productive Sales Development Program, or the Every Job Is a Sales Job: How to Use the Art of Selling to Win at Work, as well as Sales Secrets: The World’s Top Salespeople Share Their Secrets to Success which is my favorite, and finally Objections: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering the Art and Science of Getting past No all available online today.

If you’re still job-hunting, check out How To Get A Sales Job. Or perhaps you’re working remotely, then the LinkedIn Riches: How To Use LinkedIn For Business, Sales and Marketing! is a must-read for you.

Final Thoughts

Time waits for no man, or woman, and you need to act right away. Apply for a Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack job now while the iron is hot.

And if you happen to be a college student whose future career path is in fashion or retail, applying for a paid internship will get you on the right path from the beginning. Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack has a great reputation for hiring 16-year-olds right out of school who are looking for entry-level jobs.

You’ll get some quick money in your pocket while giving you the opportunity to start a career in retail.

All the very best Working at Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack!