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Full Time Retail Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Full-Time Retail Store Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love ...

Hours & Schedules: * Full-Time (40 hours/week) * No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * This ...

Hours & Schedules: * Full-Time (40 hours/week) * No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * This ...

Hours & Schedules: * Full-Time (40 hours/week) * No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * This ...

Hours & Schedules: * Full-Time (40 hours/week) * No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * This ...

Hours & Schedules: * Full-Time (40 hours/week) * No retail holiday season! Shifts may be scheduled Monday - Saturday between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. * This ...

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Full Time Retail information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$14

$17

How much do full time retail jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for full time retail in Iowa is $14.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.75 and $15.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a full time retail job?

Full time retail jobs refer to positions in retail stores where employees work a standard number of hours per week, typically around 35 to 40 hours. These roles can include positions such as cashier, sales associate, stock clerk, or store manager. Full time retail employees are usually eligible for company benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, depending on the employer. The job often involves assisting customers, managing inventory, and maintaining the store’s appearance. Full time retail work can provide stable income and opportunities for advancement within the company.

What are some common challenges faced by full-time retail employees, and how can they be addressed?

Full-time retail employees often encounter challenges such as managing fluctuating customer demands, standing for extended periods, and handling complex transactions during peak hours. Building strong communication and teamwork skills can help address these issues, as collaborating with colleagues makes it easier to manage busy periods and resolve customer concerns efficiently. Many retailers also offer ongoing training and support to help employees adapt to new products, technologies, and store procedures, making it easier to stay prepared and thrive in a dynamic environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time retail associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Full Time Retail Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic math abilities, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and merchandising techniques is typically necessary. Outstanding communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help you engage customers and support your team effectively. These skills ensure efficient store operations, high customer satisfaction, and a positive shopping environment.

What is the difference between Full Time Retail vs Part Time Retail?

AspectFull Time RetailPart Time Retail
Work HoursTypically 35-40 hours per weekLess than 30 hours per week
CredentialsUsually no specific certifications requiredUsually no specific certifications required
Work EnvironmentRetail stores, shopping malls, supermarketsRetail stores, kiosks, pop-up shops
Employer UsageCommonly used by retail chains and supermarketsUsed by retail outlets needing flexible staffing

Full Time Retail positions involve longer hours and often provide benefits, while Part Time Retail offers more flexible scheduling with fewer hours. Both roles typically require minimal formal credentials and are found in similar retail environments. The choice depends on your availability and career goals in the retail industry.

What is the easiest full time retail job to get into?

Entry-level retail positions such as cashier, sales associate, or stock clerk are generally the easiest full-time retail jobs to obtain, as they often require minimal prior experience and focus on basic customer service and organizational skills. These roles typically involve working in a retail environment with standard schedules and may require a high school diploma or equivalent.

What are the most commonly searched types of Retail jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Retail jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Full Time Retail jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Full Time Retail job openings:

Infographic showing various Full Time Retail job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,816 per year, or $14.8 per hour.

Full-Time Retail Store Associate

Waukee, IA • On-site

$15/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods from the donation door to the sales floor.

  • Operate a cash register, practice safe cash handling, and respond to customer needs with excellent service.

  • Assist with maintaining store organization, cleanliness, and safety, including cleaning tasks and using equipment like dollies and carts.


Job description

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Full-Time RetailStore Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness, and respect.
Hours & Schedules:
  • Full-Time (38-40 hours/week) positions available
  • Shifts are scheduled Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
  • This position requires a flexible schedule which includes days, evenings, and weekends to support business needs.

Pay & Benefits:
  • Starting wage of $15.00/hour for Des Moines Metro stores.
  • An additional $1.00/hour on Saturday and Sunday shifts worked!
  • Monthly Retail Associate Bonus eligibility based on store production and revenue goals being met!
  • Annual merit increase eligibility based on individual job performance.
  • Full-Time Retail Store Associate benefits summary including medical, dental, vision insurance, retirement plan, PTO, and more!

Successful candidates have:
  • Excellent service skills for daily customer interactions
  • Prior experience in fast-paced environments is a plus!
  • Flexibility to work positively on a team within Goodwill of Central Iowa's values of treating others with love, kindness, & respect
  • Effective communication and basic math skills - point-of-sale (POS) system experience is a plus

Our Retail Store Associates serve as the first point of contact for Goodwill of Central Iowa's (GCI) retail customers at both the sales floor or at the donation door. This position will provide excellent customer service and respond to customer needs in a timely manner; operate a cash register, select and rotate merchandise, clean and organize fixtures, and merchandise donated goods. Store Clerks will receive, sort and process donated goods from the donation door to the sales floor.
What you'll do here:
  • Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner
  • Receive donations from the public
  • Sort donations, stack and organize sorted merchandise, ensure quality of goods processed meets standards
  • Work with supervisors to arrange and rotate items on the sales floor, keep merchandise organized and easily accessible to customers
  • Practice safe cash handling and operate the cash register, including calculating and balancing cash register as scheduled
  • Carryout general cleaning tasks, such as: sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, and mopping
  • Use a dolly, wheeled cart, pallet jack, and possibly riding or walk behind forklift
  • Meet daily production goals
  • Other duties as assigned

What you'll need:
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • A high school diploma or currently attending high school or GED classes, or a minimum of four years of any combination of military service, high school, or related full-time paid employment
  • Availability to work days, evenings, and weekends
  • Ability to carry, lift, push or pull 40 pounds
  • Ability to tolerate variations in work environment temperature
  • Ability to be stationary or mobile for long periods of time
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Effective communication and basic math skills
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check and a dependent adult and child abuse background check

Retail Career Development Pathways Could Look Like:
  • Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, & monitoring retail store operations and support employee training.
  • Engagement Coordinator - Assist with new employee onboarding, training, and coaching to successfully integrate employees into GCI's work culture, environment, and processes.
  • E-Commerce Coordinator - Identifies and processes trending/valuable donations to be sold on E-Commerce platforms & coaches in-store team members to do the same.
  • Assistant Store Manager - Manages day-to-day retail operations and assists with training, coaching, and performance management of store teams to achieve goals.
  • Store Manager-In-Training - Assists with directing store operations to train, lead, and manage store team members and learn how to achieve key performance metrics and manage revenue targets.
  • Store Manager - Directs store operations to lead, train, and develop employees, champion service excellence, and achieve key performance indicators and revenue targets in support of funding GCI's mission.
  • District Manager - Oversees multi-unit store operations management by leading teams to drive operational and service excellence, overall financial performance, loss control activities, customer service, inventory control, and quality standards within their assigned stores.

Goodwill of Central Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability) and E-Verify Participant.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
If you are ready to work for an organization that brings out the best in people, apply today!
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