Last Updated: April 9, 2026
Stater Bros Application Guide (2025): How to Apply for a Job Online
Stater Bros at a Glance
- Total Locations: 170+ stores
- Total Employees: 18,000+
- Careers portal: staterbros.com/careers
- Entry-level starting pay: $17–$20/hr (California minimum wage premium)
- Min age: 16 (courtesy/cashier); 18 (pharmacy, deli, management)
How to Apply at Stater Bros
Step 1: Visit staterbros.com/careers
The careers portal allows you to search by location and job type. Create an account and set up your profile with work history, availability, and contact information. Most entry-level grocery positions have rolling openings — cashier and stocker roles are consistently available.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete the online application. Key fields include your availability (hours and days you can work), any prior food service or retail experience, and your interest in specific departments (deli, produce, bakery, pharmacy). Being available for all shifts — including early mornings (6am–7am), evenings (until 9pm–10pm), and weekends — significantly improves your chances.
Step 3: Store Manager Interview
Grocery store interviews are typically brief (15–30 minutes) and focus on customer service scenarios, availability, and reliability. Common questions: “How would you handle a difficult customer?” and “What’s your availability on weekends and holidays?” Interviews are usually conducted by the Department Manager or Store Manager at the target location.
Step 4: Background Check and Onboarding
Most Stater Bros positions require a standard background check. Pharmacy Technician roles require a more thorough check. Drug screening policies vary by location. Onboarding typically includes food safety training, systems training, and department-specific orientation over your first 1–2 weeks.
Stater Bros Job Positions & Pay Rates
| Position | Starting Pay | Experienced Pay | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy Clerk / Bagger | $17–$19/hr | $18–$21/hr | Part-time |
| Checker / Cashier | $17–$20/hr | $19–$23/hr | Part-time / Full-time |
| Grocery Clerk / Stocker | $17–$20/hr | $19–$23/hr | Part-time / Full-time |
| Bakery / Deli Clerk | $18–$21/hr | $20–$25/hr | Full-time |
| Meat Cutter / Butcher | $22–$28/hr | $28–$35/hr | Full-time, Union |
| Store Manager | $80,000–$110,000/yr | $110,000–$140,000/yr | Salaried |
Application Requirements
- Minimum age: 16 for courtesy clerk/bagger; 18 for deli (knives/slicers), bakery oven operation, and pharmacy tech roles.
- Education: No minimum for store-level positions. Pharmacy technicians typically need a high school diploma and state pharmacy technician registration.
- Background check: Standard criminal background check required.
- Food handler certification: Required for deli, bakery, and prepared foods roles — most stores provide training during onboarding.
- Physical requirements: Ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs (for receiving/stocking), and work in cold environments (walk-in coolers, freezers).
Employee Benefits
- Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision available for full-time employees. Part-time employees may qualify for union healthcare (at union stores) at lower hour thresholds than non-union stores.
- 401(k) / Retirement: Retirement plan available for eligible full-time employees.
- Employee discount: Typically 10–15% off store purchases.
- Paid time off: Vacation and sick leave for full-time employees; varies by state for part-time.
- Tuition assistance: Many grocery chains offer $500–$5,250/year in tuition assistance for employees pursuing college degrees.
Key Note: Stater Bros. is employee-owned (similar to Hy-Vee)…
Stater Bros. is employee-owned (similar to Hy-Vee) and remains one of the few independently operated major grocery chains in Southern California. California’s high minimum wage ($16+/hr statewide in 2024, higher in many cities) means entry-level Stater Bros. wages are significantly higher than national averages — making it one of the better-compensated entry-level grocery employers in the country by default.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to work at Stater Bros?
16 years old for basic cashier and courtesy clerk (bagger) positions. Age 18 is required for roles involving deli slicers, bakery ovens, alcohol sales, and pharmacy technician work. Some states have additional work permit requirements for employees under 18, including limited evening hours and restrictions on certain equipment.
What do I need to know about Stater Bros’s service area?
Stater Bros. exclusively operates in Southern California. If you’re not in the Inland Empire (Riverside/San Bernardino counties), Los Angeles, Orange County, or San Diego area, Stater Bros. does not have locations near you. The chain does not operate outside California.
Does Stater Bros promote from within?
Yes — most major grocery chains including Stater Bros fill the majority of Department Manager and Store Manager positions through internal promotion. The typical path for a store-level career is Cashier/Clerk → Lead Cashier → Department Manager → Assistant Store Manager → Store Manager/Director. Store Director positions at major grocery chains pay $80,000–$140,000+/year and are frequently held by people who started as part-time cashiers or stockers.
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