How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Academy Sports + Outdoors?

If you want to get an entry-level job at Academy Sports + Outdoors as a cashier, sales team member, merchandising team member, or outdoor enthusiast, you must be at least 18 years old. 

You can get a job at Academy Sports + Outdoors without any work history, but if you have a year or more of previous retail or cash handling experienceㅡand you have earned your high school diploma or GEDㅡthat will give you an advantage in the hiring process.

Please be aware that Academy Sports + Outdoors sells firearms. If you are hired as a sales team member in the hunting & fishing department or an outdoor enthusiast, you will be required to process firearm sales in compliance with federal and state law, including properly completing ATF Form 4473 and conducting background checks.  You will also be required to complete Firearms Sales Certification training. 

Teen Jobs at Academy Sports + Outdoors and Age Requirements

Cashier  (Hourly)

As a cashier at Academy Sports + Outdoors, you are an essential part of customer service. You are responsible for ensuring a fast, friendly, and accurate checkout experience for all customers. Through this important work, the Cashier impacts customer service, profitability, and Academy’s Purpose, which  is to make it easier for everyone to enjoy more sports and outdoors.

Responsibilities include: 

• Provide prompt, friendly customer service, and operates cash register for all transaction types including returns, credit applications, hunting and fishing licenses and sales.
• Accurately balance transactions run through an assigned register.  
• Zones merchandise and maintains merchandising guidelines; stocks impulse racks and sets and maintains impulse/front end POGs.  
• Performs price/SKU look ups.  
• Supports incoming and outgoing merchandise transfers.  
• Performs housekeeping duties, including but not limited to: sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, picking up trash, emptying trash, and spot mopping.  
• Maintain and exhibits knowledge of cashier processes and procedures.  
• Reads, understands, and follows company policies, procedures, and safety rules  
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.  Duties may change and associates may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

To work as a cashier at Academy, you must be at least 18 years old.

Sales Team Member  (Hourly)

Sales Team Members at Academy Sports + Outdoors are divided up into different departments: apparel, hunting & fishing, footwear, and sports. No matter which department you work in, you are responsible for helping customers navigate the abundance of choices Academy has to offer, and you will suggest products based on activity and price point. There are specific responsibilities in each department, but here is a look at the general responsibilities for all sales team members. 

Responsibilities include:  

• Provide prompt and friendly service to all customers.  
• Drive sales through exceptional customer service skills, sales techniques and store knowledge to connect customers with the right products.  
• Zone your department’s merchandise.  
• Support customers in all segments of your department with requests such as SKU or price lookups.  Read, understand, and follow company policies, procedures, and safety rules. 
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.  Required to learn and follow company policies, procedures, and safety rules.  
• Duties may change and team members may be required to perform other duties or roles as assigned.

To work as a sales team member at Academy, you must be at least 18 years old.

Merchandising Team Member  (Hourly)

Merchandising Team Members at Academy Sports + Outdoors are responsible for supporting the logistics processes in an Academy store by ensuring the merchandise is available on the floor, displayed in an appealing way to drive sales in all categories. 

Responsibilities include:  

• Drive customer service through the integrity of merchandising and accuracy of store pricing and signage.  
• Execute planogram, pricing and signage as part of weekly Merchandising and Marketing plans to provide exceptional customer experiences.  
• Accurately and completely execute daily, weekly, and monthly price changes on time as scheduled.  Execute and audit store signage, displays and other visual merchandising elements according to company standards.  
• Provide continual feedback on processes and procedures; suggest methods to improve department operations, efficiency and service to both internal and external customers.  
• Complete tasks as delegated by Manager or Team Lead.  
• Read, understand, and follow company policies, procedures and rules governing professional staff behavior.  
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.  Duties may change and team members may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

To work as a merchandising team member at Academy, you must be at least 18 years old.

Outdoor Enthusiast  (Hourly)

An Outdoor Enthusiast  at Academy Sports + Outdoorsㅡ through an enthusiasm for the field & stream businessㅡis responsible for a premier customer experience in the outdoor categories. From the first fishing trip with dad to the avid hunter, this position provides knowledge and solutions to a diverse customer base.

Responsibilities include:  

• Enthusiastically delivers a premium customer experience for all who hunt, fish, camp or spend time in the great outdoors.  
• Complete position certification and maintain knowledge of trends and products in the outdoor industry.  
• Drive sales through exceptional customer service skills, sales techniques, and product knowledge to connect customers with the right products.  
• Engage with and provide consultative support for all outdoor customers, from the expert fly fisherman to the family going on their first camping trip together.  
• Trains Team Sports, Fishing and Hunting Team Members on new or special product specifications.  
• Provide feedback to Manager, Store Director and Regional Merchant on product assortments and customer demand as requested.  
• Process firearm sales in compliance with federal and state law, including properly completing ATF Form 4473 and conducting background checks.  
• Required to complete Firearms Sales Certification training.  
• Required to learn and follow company policies, procedures and safety rules.  
• Adhere to company work hours, policies, procedures, and rules governing professional staff behavior.  Duties may change and team members may be required to perform other duties or roles as assigned.

You must be at least 18 years old to work as an Outdoor Enthusiast at Academy. They also prefer at least four years of personal (not work) experience with hunting, camping, and fishing.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at Academy Sports + Outdoors?

Because the minimum age to work at Academy Sports + Outdoors is 18, 15-year-olds can’t work here. We do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view instead.

Can a 16 Year Old Work at Academy Sports + Outdoors? 

The minimum age to work at Academy Sports + Outdoors is 18, so 16-year-olds can’t work there. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can view for other options.

How Much Does Academy Sports + Outdoors Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at Academy Sports + Outdoors vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.

Cashier (Hourly)

As a cashier at Academy Sports + Outdoors, you will be making somewhere between minimum wage and $11 per hour. If you are coming in at entry-level without any prior experience, then you will most likely be in the lower end of the range. 

The average hourly rate for an Academy Sports + Outdoors cashier is $9.

Sales Team Member (Hourly)

The rate of pay for sales team members is between $8 to $11 an hour. This is an entry-level position, so if you do not have any prior work experience, chances are you will be on the lower end of the range. If you have prior sales experience, there are sales team lead positions that offer a higher wage.

The average wage for a sales team member is $9 an hour.

Merchandising Team Member (Hourly)

The pay range for merchandising team members at Academy Sports + Outdoors is between $9 and $14 an hour. If this is your first job, you will most likely be at the lower end of the range.

The average hourly rate for a merchandising team member is $10.

Outdoor Enthusiast (Hourly)

The pay range for outdoor enthusiasts at Academy Sports + Outdoors is between $11 and $15 an hour. And, the average hourly rate for an outdoor enthusiast is $13 an hour.

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Academy Sports + Outdoors?

Academy Sports + Outdoors is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired. However, if you have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.

What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Academy Sports + Outdoors?

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a sports retailer, so when you show up for your interview, you will want to be dressed in business casual attire.  Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks or jeans and dress shoes. 

Yes, it is a sporting goods store, but you still don’t want to go too casual (like workout gear or hunting gear) because it comes across as being unprofessional. However, if you are interviewing for an outdoor enthusiast position, wearing some camo probably won’t hurt you.

Academy Sports + Outdoors Interview Questions

The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask. At an Academy Sports + Outdoors interview, you will most likely talk with an assistant manager first, followed by the store manager.  Here are some questions that they have been known to ask during interviews.

What kind of sports do you play or what outdoor activities are you involved in?

Why are they asking?  

Academy Sports + Outdoors is one of the top retail sporting goods chain in the midwest, and they pride themselves on being able to help their customersㅡwho are athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. They are asking you this question to find out what kind of sports and/or outdoor experience you have and what your interests are. The more sports/outdoor knowledge and experience that you have, the better customer service you can give.

What’s the ideal answer?

The interviewer wants to hear that you have some experience in sports or outdoor activities. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played on a team, enjoyed recreational sports, or have only gone hunting with your dad, the more experience and interest you have, the better. 

Be honest with your answer and let them know what your interests and experiences are. If you have a passion for a particular sport or activity, definitely let them know. Even if you aren’t the best athlete, interest and knowledge of sports can help you. Being a fan is OK, and knowledge is power.

What can you bring to the company over other candidates?

Why are they asking?  

If they are asking you this question they are wanting you to sell yourself. Academy Sports + Outdoors is a competitive environment, and they don’t hire just anyone who walks through the door. So, they are asking this question to see what makes you stand out over the others. 

What’s the ideal answer?

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a busy retail environment, so answer this question by telling them that you work well in a fast-paced environment and love interacting with customers. Another thing that can set you apart from others is letting them know that you have a flexible schedule, can work weekends, and you are a reliable person who will always show up for all scheduled shifts.

Also, if you have any career goals in the world of sporting goods retail, definitely let them know this. They have a lot of opportunities for advancement. If you are looking for a career opportunity instead of just a part-time job, that is valuable information. 

Do you work well with a team?

Why are they asking?  

There are a lot of different positions in the store, and each one has individual responsibilities that will make the store run efficiently and smoothly. They want to know if you can do your part and work well with the team. 

What’s the ideal answer?

Obviously, the ideal answer to this question is, yes. If you have examples from previous jobs or at school situations where you have worked successfully with a team, then definitely share those. 

Benefits of Working at Academy Sports + Outdoors 

Everyone who works at Academy Sports + Outdoors gets a merchandise discount.  However, the benefits they offer are for full-time workers only.

Benefits include:

• Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid sick days
• Performance Bonuses
• Vacation 
• 401K with company match
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

What it’s Like to Work at Academy Sports + Outdoors

How to Apply at Academy Sports + Outdoors

If you are interested in working at Academy Sports + Outdoors, you can apply directly on the company website, which is the most accurate source for up-to-date job listings for stores. Once you fill out your application online, check your email for the digital assessment from HireVue. This is a seven-question assessment that takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Once you fill out the assessment, you will get a phone and/or face-to-face interview with one of the managers if your background and experience align with the qualifications for the position.  It also helps to follow up with a visit to the store you are applying to and talking to the manager if you haven’t received a call for an interview.