You have to be at least 16 to work at Dutch Bros as a broista at most shops, though some locations set the floor at 18 depending on state labor law and the manager. That 16 minimum shows up over and over in employee answers on the Indeed Dutch Bros hiring-age FAQ, and Dutch Bros points applicants to its own shop careers page to apply.
Why the answer is 16 and not one clean number
Dutch Bros calls its baristas broistas, and the entry-level shop job is the one most teenagers are asking about. Across the employee-submitted answers on Indeed, the pattern is consistent: 16 is the age most shops will hire at, no coffee experience or high school diploma required. A few answers name 18 instead, tied to specific stores or states, which is the part that trips people up. There is no single national age gate. Each shop hires under the labor laws of its own state, so the honest answer is 16 in most places and 18 in some.
The role also matters. A broista pulling shots and running the window can start at 16 where state law allows it. Supervisory roles like shift lead and assistant manager sit higher, usually 18, because they handle cash reconciliation, scheduling, and opening or closing a shop. If your goal is a management track, plan on being 18 regardless of the state.
Dutch Bros hiring age by role
| Role | Typical minimum age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broista (barista) | 16 | Most shops; some states and stores require 18 |
| Shift lead | 18 | Supervisory duties, cash handling |
| Assistant manager | 18+ | Scheduling, opening and closing |
| Shop manager | 18+ | Full shop operations |
Sources: broista minimum from the Indeed hiring-age FAQ; roles and application flow from the Dutch Bros shop careers page. Ages are typical, not guaranteed. Confirm with the specific shop before you apply.
What the law says under 18
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act sets 14 as the youngest age for most non-farm work and limits how many hours you can work if you are under 16, per the U.S. Department of Labor. Dutch Bros starts hiring at 16, which sits above that federal floor, but the hour limits still bite. If you are 16 or 17, you can generally work more hours than a 14 or 15 year old, though hazardous-work rules still apply and states layer their own limits on top.
The DOL is clear that when state law and federal law overlap, the more protective rule wins. That is why a shop in one state might schedule a 16 year old differently than a shop two states over. School-night hour caps, late-shift cutoffs, and required work permits are all state-level details. If you are under 18, expect the shop to ask for a work permit where your state requires one, and expect your schedule to dodge late closes on school nights.
Applying at 16 or 17
You do not need barista experience to get hired. The qualities Dutch Bros screens for are the ones that survive a busy drive-thru line: an outgoing personality, clear communication, reliable transportation to get to shifts, and the stamina to stand and move fast for a full shift. Applications go through the careers site, a manager reviews them, and interviews usually follow within about a week according to the employee answers on Indeed.
If you are 16 and your local shop lists 18 as the minimum, do not assume every Dutch Bros near you does the same. The floor moves by location. Call or check two or three shops before you decide the door is closed. And if you are aiming for a shift lead role or eventual management, know that the 18 line there is real across the board.
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FAQ
Can a 15 year old work at Dutch Bros? Generally no. Most shops start hiring at 16, and while federal law allows some work at 14 to 15, Dutch Bros sets its own floor higher.
Do you need experience to be a broista? No. Dutch Bros hires with no prior coffee experience and no diploma requirement for the entry-level shop role.
Why do some Dutch Bros locations require 18? State labor laws and individual store policy vary, so the minimum age is 16 in most places and 18 in some. Confirm with the shop you want.