Costco Shifts and Part-Time Hours: What to Expect

Wondering what Costco shifts are like, or how many hours part-time Costco employees usually get? This guide brings together what Costco says publicly about scheduling, when it needs people most, and what the Teamsters agreement says for union-represented warehouses. It also covers how to present your availability so it helps your application. It's an independent guide. Costco schedules are set by each warehouse, so confirm the details with the location you apply to.

How Costco scheduling works

Costco makes two clear scheduling commitments on its careers site. It guarantees minimum scheduled hours for both full-time and part-time employees, and it posts weekly schedules at least three weeks in advance so employees can plan ahead^[1].

The three-week lead time matters if you're juggling classes, childcare or a second job. Costco doesn't publish the exact minimum number of hours on its careers site, and the number can depend on your role, your location and whether the warehouse is covered by a union agreement (see below). Ask the hiring manager what minimum applies to the position you're offered.

Costco also offers benefits to full-time and part-time employees^[1]. Eligibility rules can depend on hours worked, so ask about them too. Our Costco jobs guide covers benefits and the application process in more detail.

When Costco needs people most

Costco's "Resources for Applying" page is direct about availability^[2]:

You should generally be prepared to work during busy hours, which are typically nights and weekends.
Merchandise stocking takes place in the early morning hours.
Most candidates are hired for part-time, entry-level jobs, such as front end assistant, food court, member service and merchandise stocking.
Locations hire throughout the year, not only during seasonal periods.

In practice, that means shifts cluster around three windows: early mornings for stocking before the warehouse opens, opening hours for serving members, and evenings and weekends when the warehouse is busiest. Warehouse opening hours vary by location. You can check your nearest one with Costco's warehouse locator.

Costco shifts by role

Costco doesn't publish shift times by department, so treat the following as a general guide and confirm the details at your location:

Merchandise stocking: Costco says stocking happens in the early morning^[2], so expect starts before the warehouse opens to members.
Front end assistant and cashier: these roles serve members at checkout, so their shifts follow the warehouse's opening hours, including busy evenings and weekends.
Food court: shifts follow food court hours, which can differ from the main warehouse.
Member service: covers the membership and returns counters during opening hours.

Some roles may require you to demonstrate skills or pass a business-related test^[2]. If you're comparing Costco with other retailers, see our part-time jobs guide and Amazon warehouse shifts guide.

Part-time hours at union-represented Costco warehouses

Some Costco locations are covered by a national agreement between Costco and the Teamsters union. The agreement, as posted by the Teamsters for the 2025 to 2028 term, sets out these scheduling rules^[3]. They apply only to employees covered by that agreement, not to every Costco warehouse:

Part-time minimum: regular part-time employees are guaranteed a minimum work week of 25 hours in any five days. By written agreement, 24 hours is possible in some cases, and up to 20 people per warehouse can be excluded from the 25-hour guarantee.
Full-time: the basic full-time work week is 40 hours.
Posting the schedule: the schedule is posted three weeks before the workweek, and once posted it isn't changed without 48 hours' notice, except in emergencies.
Scheduled days: part-time employees are guaranteed at least four hours on a day they're scheduled or called in, unless they volunteer to leave early.
Rest between shifts: employees are off at least ten hours between consecutive shifts, with some exceptions such as inventory or emergencies.
Seniority: more senior employees are offered earlier start times and, as openings occur, first choice of workweek.

If you aren't sure whether a warehouse is union-represented, ask during the hiring process. Even where the agreement doesn't apply, Costco's own commitment to minimum scheduled hours and schedules posted three weeks ahead still applies^[1].

How to present your availability

Lead with the busy windows. If you can work evenings, weekends or early mornings, say so clearly. Costco says those are the times it needs people^[2].
Be specific and honest. "Weekdays after 3 p.m. and all day Saturday and Sunday" is more useful than "flexible."
Apply to more than one location if you can travel. Costco lets you apply to specific locations, and its online applications expire after 90 days, so reapply if you haven't heard back by then^[2].
Introduce yourself. Costco suggests introducing yourself to a manager at the location after you apply, since each warehouse receives hundreds of applications^[2].
Under 18? Federal and state child labor rules limit the hours younger workers can work. See the U.S. Department of Labor's YouthRules! site^[4] and our Costco hiring age section.

Availability usually comes up in the interview too. Our Costco interview questions guide covers how to answer it.

Questions to ask before you accept

"What's the minimum number of weekly hours for this position?"
"Which days and times does this department usually schedule new employees?"
"How early do stocking shifts start here?"
"Is this location covered by a union agreement?"
"How do employees pick up extra hours or move to full time?"

Never pay anyone to get a Costco job or a better schedule. The FTC says honest employers won't ask you to pay to get a job^[5]. Looking for early-morning or overnight work elsewhere? Our warehouse jobs guide covers more options, and our Domino's driver shifts guide covers evening delivery work.

Costco shifts FAQ

What shifts does Costco have?

Costco doesn't publish a list of shift times. Its careers site says applicants should generally be ready to work during busy hours, typically nights and weekends, and that merchandise stocking takes place in the early morning hours. Exact shifts vary by warehouse and department.

How many hours do part-time Costco employees get?

Costco says it guarantees minimum scheduled hours for full-time and part-time employees but doesn't publish the number on its careers site. At warehouses covered by Costco's national agreement with the Teamsters, the agreement sets a 25-hour weekly minimum for regular part-time employees, with some exceptions. Ask the hiring manager what applies at your location.

How far in advance does Costco post schedules?

Costco says it posts weekly schedules at least three weeks in advance.

Does Costco have early morning shifts?

Yes. Costco says merchandise stocking takes place in the early morning hours, so stocking roles often start before the warehouse opens.

Do I have to work weekends at Costco?

Costco says applicants should generally be prepared to work during busy hours, which are typically nights and weekends. Being available on weekends can make your application stronger.

What jobs do most new Costco employees start in?

Costco says most candidates are hired for part-time, entry-level jobs such as front end assistant, food court, member service and merchandise stocking.

Sources

Costco Careers: Why Costco (benefits and scheduling)
Costco Careers: Resources for Applying
Costco Wholesale and Teamsters national agreement, 2025 to 2028 (union final voting document, PDF posted by the Teamsters): Articles XX, XXIII and XXIV. Applies only to covered employees.
U.S. Department of Labor: YouthRules!
FTC Consumer Advice: Job Scams

Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Scheduling practices vary by warehouse, department and employment agreement. Confirm the details with the location you apply to. Costco is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify the company.