McDonald's Careers: Salary, Perks, Job Types, and More
With 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald's is undoubtedly one of the world's most well-known fast food chains. In addition, the company employed nearly 200,000 employees in 2021. It is an ideal place for most inexperienced people to find their standing in the job market.
But before you apply for McDonald's careers, you need to know about the company's eligibility requirements, employee benefits, average salary, and more. Plus, we'll also tell you how to apply so that you can get a step closer to your first job at McDonald's.
Keep reading to learn about careers at McDonald's and how you can find a job at the company.
Types of jobs at McDonald's
One of the significant benefits of starting your career at McDonald's is the opportunity for growth and advancement.
While you might start as a crew member or a cashier, you can move up to restaurant manager, regional manager, and even director-level positions as your experience increases.
Restaurant jobs
McDonald's restaurant jobs are some of the most popular positions in the fast food industry. These jobs are ideal for inexperienced workers as they provide on-the-job training and the opportunity to learn new skills. Entry-level positions at McDonald's restaurants include:
Crew member: Crew members may be responsible for greeting customers, taking orders, preparing food, cleaning the restaurant, and more.
Cashier: As a cashier, you will be responsible for handling money and providing customer service. Some of your major duties may include scanning items, logging orders, and operating the cash register.
Cook: McDonald's cooks prepare food items according to company recipes and specifications. They also maintain the cleanliness of their work areas. Plus, they keep accurate inventories of supplies.
Shift manager: Shift managers at McDonald's oversee the restaurant's daily operations. They may be responsible for managing a team of employees, overseeing the kitchen, or handling customer complaints. Sometimes, they may also be responsible for opening and closing the restaurant.
Assistant manager: As an assistant manager at McDonald's, your job is to help the store run smoothly. This includes everything from handling customer complaints to training new employees. Customer service and management skills are a must, as is the ability to stay calm under pressure.
- Restaurant manager: A McDonald's restaurant manager supervises the restaurant's daily operations. They ensure that the restaurant meets or exceeds standards in all areas. These include customer satisfaction, food quality, and a clean environment.
Restaurant crew members are also supported by cleaning and maintenance workers. Cleaners ensure that the restaurant, kitchen, and bathroom areas are kept clean and meet hygiene standards. Maintenance workers may complete a variety of tasks to make sure the restaurant can keeping operating.
You can start your career at McDonald's with a restaurant job. Then you may pave your way upward with the company's Archway to Opportunity.
Independent McDonald's franchisees help employees achieve their dreams by furthering their education. They also help employees improve their English skills. You can get a high school diploma or create long-term career plans.
Corporate McDonald's careers
If you have prior business experience or education, there are many corporate McDonald's careers for you.
These positions are typically based at the company's headquarters, but some remote work may be possible. Popular corporate McDonald's careers include:
Financial analyst: A financial analyst provides insights to help businesses make informed decisions. They use data to understand trends, assess opportunities, and identify risks.
Marketing coordinator: A marketing coordinator at McDonald's works with the marketing team to ensure that promotional materials are accurate and sent to the right locations on time. For example, a marketing coordinator might help create a TV commercial or an online ad campaign.
Public relations specialist: McDonald's public relations specialists ensure the company is represented in a positive light. They work with the media to promote positive stories and manage negative publicity. They also develop relationships with community groups and sponsor events.
Human resources specialist: Human resources specialists help companies plan for future staffing needs and manage employee records. They also work with employees on issues like benefits and help resolve workplace disagreements.
McDonald's corporate career areas
When searching for a job on the McDonald's website, you can filter the results based on a few categories. Here are some of them:
Accounting and auditing: McDonald's hires accountants to support the company in all aspects of financial reporting. These positions offer the chance to develop your skills in a global environment.
Administrative: Examples of such jobs include administrative coordinator and senior solutions analyst. You will support the company's business functions. You can also find a job as a senior customer service representative, assisting customers with questions and complaints.
Consulting: McDonald's consultants advise the company on improving its menu and making it more appealing to customers. They also work on marketing campaigns and help with franchise growth.
Computers and technology: Jobs in this field include software engineer, global information security manager, and data warehouse developer. You must have experience with the relevant technology and a desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
Legal: From employment law to product liability, the lawyers at McDonald's are responsible for ensuring that the company complies with the law.
Communications: The communications team promotes McDonald's brand and business. They do this through news releases, social media, and other channels. Examples of these jobs are social media manager and public relations specialist.
Business development: Business development professionals are involved in the planning and execution of strategies designed to grow a business. They are often responsible for identifying new business opportunities and developing relationships with potential partners.
Marketing: As a marketer at McDonald's, you will create and execute marketing initiatives to drive business results. You will also run creative campaigns to drive digital engagement. Marketers play a critical role in how the company connects with its customers.
Does McDonald's offer part-time jobs?
Yes, you can find part-time work at McDonald's. The most common positions for part-time work are crew members or cashiers. The following candidates may appreciate access to part-time jobs:
Seasonal job seekers
People with eldercare or childcare duties
People who want to build their resumes
Students
Search for part-time McDonald’s jobs on Jobcase.
How much does McDonald's pay its employees?
McDonald's pays its employees an average of $10.93 per hour. Compared to other fast food chains, this is relatively low.
However, you can expect to earn slightly more if you work in higher positions, such as the swing manager or restaurant manager.
Besides, many factors affect how much you get paid as a McDonald's employee:
Geographical location: Since McDonald's restaurants are located in different parts of the country, the pay scale differs from one region to another. For instance, the average hourly wage for McDonald's employees in New York City will be higher than that of a McDonald's employee in rural areas.
Rank: If you are a manager or supervisor, you will obviously get paid more than regular crew members.
Experience: The longer you have worked at McDonald's, the higher your pay will be.
Incentives: If you meet or exceed your sales targets, you may be eligible for bonuses and other incentives. For example, in some restaurants, crew members who sell the most Happy Meals will receive a prize at the end of the month.
Which employee benefits does McDonald's provide?
Mcdonald's offers many employee benefits, ensuring its workers are taken care of. Some benefits are health insurance, paid time off, and dental insurance. Here's a detailed description of notable McDonald's employee benefits.
3-week vacation
The fast food giant offers a 3-week vacation package to its employees. It is a significant amount of time off, especially compared to the 2-week industry standard.
On top of that, employees get paid personal and sick time that they can use to supplement their 3-week vacation.
Summer hours
McDonald's follows a compressed work week. The restaurant ends the shift early on summer Fridays. It gives the employees a chance to enjoy their summer weekends.
Sabbatical programs
A sabbatical program is a break that allows employees to take extended periods off. It could be for traveling, pursuing a creative project, or caring for their mental health.
The company sponsors this break.
Note that this is different from a vacation. A vacation is mostly for leisure, but a sabbatical could be for academic or similar reasons.
The company offers an eight-week sabbatical leave for every decade of continuous service. The paid sabbatical allows employees to recharge and return to work refreshed.
Recognition programs
McDonald's recognizes its employees' hard work with different programs and rewards given to outstanding leaders who exemplify McDonald's values.
Health programs
Mcdonald's employees can benefit from the company's health, dental, and vision perks. For instance, the company covers the cost of eyeglasses, contact lenses, or eye exams for its employees.
401(k)
You should start saving for retirement as soon as you start earning. Luckily, McDonald's helps its employees do just that. The company offers a 401(k) program with matching contributions from the company.
Target Incentive Plan (TIP)
McDonald's has a Target Incentive Plan (TIP) that allows employees to earn annual bonuses. The bonus depends on how well the company performs overall and how well the employee meets their individual targets.
It's important to note that Target Incentive Plan (TIP) is not a guaranteed benefit since the compensation depends on the company's performance.
To learn more about the benefits of working at McDonald’s, check out our complete guide to McDonald's employee benefits.
Does McDonald's conduct background checks?
Many employers conduct a background check to determine whether an applicant's criminal history, work history, or personal life may interfere with their ability to perform their duties safely and effectively.
When a company conducts a background check on job applicants, it will typically check the following:
Criminal record: Your criminal record, if any, will be checked through county courthouses, state police agencies, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). McDonald's does this to ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
Work history: Your potential employer will likely contact your previous employers to verify the dates of your employment and confirm your job title and responsibilities. They may also ask for a reference from a previous supervisor.
Education: Many employers verify the education you've listed on your resume or job application. They may contact the schools you attended to confirm that you did indeed graduate from them and receive the degree or certificate you have submitted. However, you don't have to worry about this for entry-level McDonald's careers.
Drug screening: In some cases, employers may require applicants to take a drug test. This is particularly common for positions that involve safety-sensitive duties, such as machinery operation.
Whether McDonald's conducts background checks or not is a bit more complicated to answer. They may do so depending on the individual franchise owner's discretion and the state's requirements.
For example, some states require fast food restaurants to conduct background checks on all employees handling food. In these cases, McDonald's would have to run a background check.
However, if the state doesn't have this requirement or the franchise owner chooses not to follow it, McDonald's may not do a background check.
Requirements for a McDonald's job
Fortunately, most entry-level careers at McDonald's have little to no formal education requirements. However, because McDonald's is a customer service-oriented business, there are some basic skills you'll need to succeed in a job like that.
- Customer service skills: Regardless of the company, when you work a consumer-facing job, you must be able to deal with the public daily. It means staying calm under pressure, handling customers' complaints, and solving problems quickly.
Friendly attitude: McDonald's is seen as a family restaurant, so their employees must reflect that through customer interactions. Thus, you must be able to interact with customers in a friendly and respectful manner.
Patience: Customers can be demanding, especially when they're hungry. You should be able to remain calm under pressure and take the time to listen to customer requests.
Work ethic: McDonald's is a fast-paced environment. You should be able to work quickly and efficiently while still maintaining accuracy.
Listening skills: Listening is an important skill for any customer service job. It's essential to understand customer orders and requests to fulfill them accurately.
Basic math skills: If you land a job as a cashier, you'll need to be able to do basic math, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing.
On top of that, you should be at least 14 years of age to be hired by the company. However, this option is only available in some states, and you must have a work permit if you're only 14.
How to apply for a job at McDonald's?
The best way to apply for a job at McDonald's is to visit their website. You will see a search bar where you can find your nearest location. Search for a specific job by keyword, title, or category.
For example, if you're looking for a job as a cashier, you can type in “cashier” or “customer service.” Then, search for locations. Ideally, you want to apply for a job close to where you live, so you don't have to commute long hours.
The website also lets you filter out locations based on the radius, ranging from 5 to 50 miles. Once you've found the job you like, read the job description carefully and click on “Apply Now.”
You will have to create an account on the website. Then, you can start filling out the application. The process shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes to complete.
Check out our complete guide on applying for a job at McDonald's to learn more.
Frequently asked questions about careers at McDonald's
How can I find out if a certain McDonald's location has an open position?
You can go to the Restaurant Jobs page on the company's website to search for the location you're interested in and see what positions are currently available. If you're unsure of the exact location, you can use the Restaurant Locator feature. You can also use Jobcase to get started on your search.
What are the requirements for working at McDonald's?
The minimum age to work at McDonald's in the United States is 14 years old, although some states have higher minimum age requirements. You can visit the company's website and select your state in the location section to get more information about state-specific requirements.
What are some of the benefits of working at McDonald's?
Some of the benefits of working at McDonald's include flexible scheduling, competitive wages, and opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, employees receive discounts on food and merchandise.
What is the application process like?
The application process for most positions at McDonald's involves submitting an online application. The hiring managers will review your application. If you meet the requirements, they will call you for an interview.
Does McDonald's offer internship opportunities?
Yes, McDonald's has internships on its corporate site for fresh graduates. You can apply through the company website.
Land a job at McDonald's with Jobcase
Regardless of your geographical location, there's a high chance you have a McDonald's near you. Since there are almost no requirements for entry-level positions at the fast food chain, you can easily land a job at McDonald's even if you don't have much experience.
Start searching for McDonald's careers on Jobcase today. You can also learn more about working at McDonald's from Jobcase's resource center.