Jobs That Pay While You Train: Warehouse, Security, Retail and Healthcare

Plenty of jobs in Washington will train you from day one. Warehouse, security, retail and non-clinical healthcare jobs regularly hire people with no experience and teach them what they need on the job. Some of that training is required by state law, which means the employer has to provide it anyway.

Is training paid?

Usually, yes. Washington L&I's policy on hours worked says employers must pay employees for all "hours worked." Training the employer requires counts. Time spent in lectures, meetings, employee trial periods and similar activities required by the employer, or required by state regulations, is generally considered hours worked.

There's one exception to know about. Time spent in training programs required by state or federal regulation, but not by the employer, does not have to be paid if attendance is voluntary, the employee does no productive work during the training, and the training takes place outside normal working hours. That can apply to things like a security guard license or a food worker card if you get them on your own time. Ask the employer whether they cover it.

Here's what training looks like in each type of job.

Warehouse

Common jobs: picker, packer, loader, material handler, inventory associate, forklift operator.

Most warehouse work is learned on the floor: where things go, how the scanners work, how to lift and stack safely.

Forklifts: You don't need to show up certified. Washington requires the employer to make sure forklift operators are trained, and the employer must document operator training and an evaluation of the operator's performance on the forklift (L&I Forklift Safety Guide).

Even if you were trained somewhere else, your new employer is still responsible for site-specific, hands-on training on the specific forklift you'll use (L&I).

So if a posting says "forklift experience preferred," that's a preference, not a wall.

Security

Common jobs: unarmed security officer, patrol officer, front desk security, event security.

Washington requires a security guard license, but the training to get it is short. According to the Department of Licensing, a private security guard must attend eight hours of pre-assignment training and pass a test, and a set of fingerprints must be sent to the Department of Licensing for processing.

That's one day of training, not a school program. Look for postings that say "will train," "licensing assistance," or "we'll help you get licensed."

Armed security is a different license with firearms training on top. Most no-experience security jobs are unarmed.

Retail and grocery

Common jobs: cashier, stocker, sales associate, deli or bakery clerk, cart attendant.

Retail is one of the most common jobs to start with. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the typical entry-level education for retail sales workers as no formal educational credential, with no work experience in a related occupation required.

Training is usually on the job: the register, the stockroom, store policies, customer service. Grocery jobs that handle unwrapped food (deli, bakery, meat, produce prep) also need a food worker card, covered below.

Healthcare (non-clinical)

Common jobs: front desk, patient registration, scheduling, hospital food service, environmental services (cleaning), patient transport, supply and stocking.

Not every job in a hospital or clinic needs a medical license. These roles keep the building running and usually train you on the specific systems and procedures. They often come with the same benefits hospital staff get.

What to watch for: jobs like nursing assistant, medical assistant, phlebotomist, or pharmacy technician usually require a certification before you start. Read the requirements section to see whether a certificate is required or whether the employer will help you get one.

Also: food service

If a job involves handling unwrapped food, you'll need a Washington food worker card, but you don't need it before you're hired. According to the Washington State Department of Health, employees working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces must have a Washington Food Worker Card within 14 days of hire.

You get the card online through the state's official site. The only approved site for food worker card testing is www.foodworkercard.wa.gov. Watch out for other sites that charge for a "card" that isn't valid.

How to spot a "will train" posting

Look for these phrases in the job description or requirements:

• "No experience required" or "no experience necessary"
• "Will train" or "we'll train you"
• "Paid training"
• "On-the-job training provided"
• "Licensing assistance" (common in security)

Check where "paid training" shows up. If it's only in a benefits list at the bottom, read the requirements section too. Some postings use the same benefits list for every job, including ones that do ask for experience.