How many hours is a shift at McDonalds?

McDonald's shift lengths vary widely but are often 4-8 hours, depending on store needs, employee availability, and role, with part-timers typically working 4-6 hours and shifts covering all parts of the day from early morning (4 AM) to late night (closing at 1 AM/2 AM). Common shifts include 4-8 hour blocks for opening, mid-day, and closing, though shorter 3-4 hour shifts are also given, especially to younger workers or during slower periods.


How many hours do you work at McDonald's?

Can you choose to work more than 30-40 hours a week? No, you can't choose to work more than 30-40 hours a week. And if you do, you get in trouble and written up.

Does McDonald's do 5 hour shifts?

Of course! Yes. The minimal amount of hours the company can schedule is three hours and no more than twelve hours.


What are usually 2nd shift hours?

Second shift typically refers to the evening or afternoon shift where employees clock in between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and clock out between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. Common examples of second shift jobs include servers, bartenders, retail associates, personal trainers, and salon workers.

Is McDonald's a 9 to 5?

No, McDonald's is generally not a typical 9-to-5 job; it's known for varied, flexible, and often non-traditional hours (early mornings, late nights, weekends) to cover all operating times, though some corporate or manager roles might have more standard hours, with crew shifts ranging from 4 AM to 1:30 AM, often in 4-8 hour segments. 


Filming My First Day Working At McDonalds [MY EXPERIENCE]



Is McDonald's paying $15 an hour?

McDonalds Crew Member

Competitive starting pay, $15 an hour. Free family medical care for all employees (1-800Med) including free or low cost prescriptions. Flexible Scheduling for all your needs.

Is there a 2 for 6 at McDonald's?

Yes, McDonald's frequently offers "2 for $6" deals, but they are usually limited-time promotions or app-exclusive offers, often featuring items like Filet-O-Fish, Sausage McMuffins, or other budget-friendly sandwiches, varying by location and time, so check your local McDonald's app or deals page for current availability. 

Does 3rd shift pay more?

Yes, graveyard shifts often pay more due to "shift differentials" or extra pay for less desirable hours, but it's not always legally required and depends on the employer, industry (like healthcare or manufacturing), and location, with extra pay typically ranging from small hourly bumps to 5-20% more, to compensate for disrupting sleep and routines. 


Is it harder to get a 1st shift position?

First Shift is the Easiest to Fill

Whichever schedule works for you, one thing is for sure: You probably need people working first shift hours. The good news is that the first shift is the most common schedule, and you shouldn't have trouble finding people willing to work during the day.

What is the best shift to work?

The "best" shift is subjective, but First Shift (daytime) offers great work-life balance by aligning with society and giving evenings free, while Second Shift (afternoon/evening) provides mornings for errands and quieter work, and Third Shift (overnight) suits night owls and offers fewer distractions but can disrupt sleep. Early days like 6 AM - 2 PM are popular for avoiding traffic and getting afternoons free, but the ideal depends on your energy (morning person vs. night owl) and life needs (family, appointments). 

Can you choose your hours at McDonald's?

Make your schedule work for you!

Flexible Scheduling makes it easier to manage your schedule. You can use an app or go online to view your schedule, update availability, request time away, and post shifts for replacement or swapping.


What is the 24-2 rule at McDonald's?

Stock for 24 hours of paper and dry products. Stock for 2 hours of frozen products. Products 6" off the floor and 2" away from the wall.

Is it true that 1 in 8 people work at McDonald's?

Did You Know 1 in 8 Americans. Have Worked at McDonald's? From musicians to astronauts to entrepreneurs and even our very own McDonald's business leaders– 1 in 8 Americans have something in common. Connected by the unique skills and opportunities McDonald's provides, this community includes all current and former Crew.

What are McDonald's shifts?

McDonald's shifts are flexible, vary by location (some 24/7), and cover all dayparts: early morning (openings around 4-6 AM), mid-day, evening (closes around 10 PM-1 AM), and overnight (e.g., 10 PM-6 AM), with part-timers often working 4-9 hour blocks like 8 AM-1 PM or 4 PM-9 PM, depending on store needs and employee availability, focusing on peak rushes, cleaning, and prep work.
 


Do McDonald's workers make $20 an hour?

Average McDonald's hourly pay ranges from approximately $17.49 per hour for Office Assistant to $22.41 per hour for Chef. The average McDonald's salary ranges from approximately $27,842 per year for Fast Food Attendant to $76,423 per year for Software Engineer.

How long are McDonald's interviews?

McDonald's interviews are generally quick, often lasting 10 to 30 minutes, though some can be as short as 5 minutes or extend up to an hour depending on the location, manager, and if a personality test is included. Expect simple questions about availability, attitude, and customer service, with the whole process (application + test) sometimes taking around an hour total. 

What skill pays $100 an hour?

To earn $100 an hour, professionals typically need specialized expertise in high-demand fields such as executive consulting, advanced IT services, legal counsel, or medical specializations, often backed by advanced degrees or certifications.


What hours are 2nd shift?

What are second-shift hours? Second-shift hours are typically 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. People who work the second shift usually get early mornings off but work in the afternoon until late into the night.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Jobs that can pay $400K a year without a degree include commercial real estate brokers, successful YouTubers or influencers, self-employed software developers, high-stakes sales roles like enterprise tech sales, and business owners. These roles rely on skill, market demand, and performance rather than formal education.

Which shift pays the most?

Night shift jobs may pay 5-20% more thanks to shift differentials. Healthcare, emergency services, and tech industries offer some of the best-paying night roles. Working nights frees up your days for personal pursuits and family time. Night work can even fast-track your career by reducing competition for promotions.


How unhealthy is a 3rd shift?

Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body's circadian rhythms—the 24-hour internal “clock” that controls when you sleep and wake. Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body's metabolism.

Do you get paid more after 6pm?

Full time and part-time employees get paid 125% of their minimum hourly rate. Casuals get 150% (inclusive of their 25% casual loading). Fair Work Ombudsman so on the website the award states minimum is 33.19 hourly rate then after 6pm is 39.83.

What are McDonald's secret menu items?

McDonald's secret menu features custom creations like the Land, Air & Sea Burger (combining Big Mac, McChicken, Filet-O-Fish) or Monster Mac (Big Mac with extra patties), plus hacks like adding a hash brown to a McMuffin for the Hash Brown McMuffin, or mixing shakes for a Neapolitan Shake, but you must order by describing the modifications, not by name. Other popular options include the Mc10:35 (McDouble + McMuffin), Fries with Big Mac Sauce, and desserts like the Ice Cream Sandwich.
 


What's a daily double at McDonald's?

The McDonald's Daily Double is a double cheeseburger featuring two beef patties, a single slice of American cheese, shredded lettuce, slivered onions, two tomato slices, and mayonnaise, offering a fresher taste than the classic McDouble with its added veggies and mayo. It's often promoted as a value item, sometimes part of the McValue Meal Deal, and was added to the national menu in mid-2025 for a limited time, typically available through the end of the year.
 

How many free meals do you get at McDonald's?

All employees from crew to managers get one free meal per shift up to $12.00 in value. This meal can be taken home or eaten at the Restaurant. If working more than 8 hours, employee can take two free meals during their shift.