What Age Does McDonald’s Hire? A State-by-State Breakdown
So you want to work at McDonald’s, but you’re not sure if you’re old enough? Let me break it down for you.
The minimum age for working at McDonald’s can be anywhere from 14 to 18 years old, depending on where you live and what you’ll be doing.
Most McDonald’s locations hire crew members starting at 16, but some will take you as young as 14 (with some strings attached).
How Old Do You Need to Be to Work at McDonald’s?
Age Requirements by Country
United States
In the US, most McDonald’s will hire you at 16 years old for general crew positions. However, some locations will take workers as young as 14 with a work permit from your school or local government.
But there’s a catch – if you’re under 18, you’ll be limited in what you can do:
- 14-15 year olds: Restricted hours (especially during school) and limited duties
- 16-17 year olds: Can work most positions but usually can’t operate cooking equipment
- 18+ years: Can work all positions including fryers and grills
As one former McDonald’s manager put it: “We’re not letting a 15-year-old near 350-degree fryer oil. That’s just common sense.”
United Kingdom & Ireland
The starting age is generally 16 years old, but when exactly you can start depends on:
- England & Wales: If you turn 16 during your last school year, you can start July 1st
- Scotland: Turn 16 between March-September? Start May 31st. October-February birthday? Start December 23rd.
- Northern Ireland: Similar to England, July 1st of last school year
- Republic of Ireland: Must be 16 or older, no exceptions
Some locations in the UK offer unpaid work experience programs for those 14 and up – great for your resume even if you’re not old enough for a paycheck yet!
What Jobs Can You Do Based on Your Age?
Your age doesn’t just determine if you can work – it determines what you can do at McDonald’s:
| Age | What You Can Do | What You Can’t Do |
|---|---|---|
| 14-15 | Take orders, clean, prepare simple foods | Work during school hours, operate cooking equipment, work late nights |
| 16-17 | Most positions including cashier, drive-thru, food prep | Operate fryers and grills in most locations |
| 18+ | Any position including grill, fryers, and management track | Nothing – you have full access! |
Why these restrictions? Safety and labor laws. McDonald’s isn’t just being mean – they’re following regulations designed to keep young workers safe.
One 17-year-old crew member told me: “I was bummed I couldn’t work the grill at first, but then I saw how many burns the grill cooks get. I’m cool waiting until I’m 18.”
How to Apply When You’re Young
Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know:
Check your local restaurant first – age requirements can vary by location since 95% of McDonald’s are owned by independent franchisees. Just because the McDonald’s in the next town hires 14-year-olds doesn’t mean yours will!
Prepare your paperwork – if you’re under 18, you’ll likely need:
- Work permit (for 14-15 year olds especially)
- School permission form
- Proof of age (birth certificate or ID)
- Social security card or equivalent
Apply online or in person – McDonald’s has an online application system, but walking in and asking to speak to a manager still works at many locations.
Be flexible about your position – you might want to work the drive-thru, but if you’re 14, you’ll need to start with cleaning or simple food prep.
Benefits of Working at McDonald’s When You’re Young
Despite the age restrictions, McDonald’s is actually one of the best first jobs you can get as a teenager:
- Flexible scheduling around school and activities (they’re used to working with students)
- Quick advancement – many managers started as teenage crew members
- Scholarship programs – McDonald’s offers education assistance to employees
- Life skills like customer service, teamwork, and handling money
One 16-year-old who started at McDonald’s told me: “I learned more about responsibility in my first month at McDonald’s than in my entire high school career.”
The Bottom Line
So, can you work at McDonald’s? If you’re 16 or older, the answer is almost certainly yes. If you’re 14-15, it depends on your location and local labor laws.
And if you’re not old enough yet? Start planning – McDonald’s will still be there when you’re ready, and they’re almost always hiring!
Remember that age restrictions aren’t there to exclude you – they’re there to protect you and ensure you have a positive first work experience. So whether you’re flipping burgers next month or next year, McDonald’s can be a great place to start your working life.
