Jobs that hire at 14 or 15 may be limited, but there are ways for young teens to get job experience and improve their career skills. Teens in some states can find jobs through formal employment or create their own opportunities through working for private clients.
Jobs that hire at 14 or 15 aren't as common as jobs for older teens, but some companies hire teenagers as young as 14. Employment laws vary by state, so location affects whether you can get a job as a 14- or 15-year-old.
It is also helpful to have a resume before beginning a job search.
“Having a resume in high school gives you a leg up because … most kids don't have them,” resume writer Virginia Franco shared with LinkedIn News.
High school students might have more difficulty crafting a resume due to a lack of professional work experience. However, they can leverage other skills and extracurricular activities to help land a job.
Top 10 Jobs That Hire at 14 and 15
Salaries for 14- and 15-year-olds typically start at minimum wage. The federal minimum wage as of 2022 is $7.25 per hour, though some cities and states have set local minimum wage as high as $15 per hour.
Because federal law limits 14- and 15-year-olds from working more than three hours per school day and more than eight hours per non-school day, a young teen cannot work full time.
When considering what jobs hire at age 14, young teens might also look for a job that is not offered by a formal employer, such as freelance work.
1. Barista
A barista prepares coffee and espresso beverages for customers at a cafe, coffee shop or restaurant. There are limits to the types of machinery and equipment a 14- or 15-year-old can operate at work, but this does not include the equipment used in coffee preparation. The national average pay for baristas is $12 hourly.
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2. Busser
A busser clears away dishes and cleans tables at a restaurant or cafe after the customers finish dining. Bussers make an average of $12.49 per hour but are subject to local and federal labor and minimum wage regulations. In some establishments, tips collected by the servers are shared with bussers and kitchen staff.
3. Cashier
A cashier works at the register of a store or restaurant, checking out customers when they are ready to pay for their purchases. They may also perform duties not directly related to retail sales, such as custodial tasks or stocking shelves. Cashiers earn an average of $13.11 per hour.
4. Dog Walker
A dog walker takes other people's dogs on walks on a specific schedule. This job is typically an independent business, so young teens can find their own clients and set their own rates. Teens charge an average of $13.81 per hour for dog walking.
5. Grocery Bagger
A grocery bagger works in a grocery store or supermarket assisting the cashier with packing purchases into bags. Baggers may also help carry bags or bulky items to the customer's car. This job typically pays an average hourly wage of $14.58.
6. Restaurant Host
A restaurant host greets diners entering the restaurant and directs them to their tables. They’re also in charge of ensuring each server gets a fair number of customers each night. Restaurant hosts and hostesses make an average of $11.83 an hour, although wage varies based on location.
7. Lifeguard
A lifeguard works at a swimming pool or water park to monitor pool patrons and ensure their safety. Some of the job expectations include rescuing swimmers who need help and teaching swimming lessons. Federal law prohibits anyone under 15 from working as a lifeguard, and specific training is required before getting a job as a lifeguard.Lifeguards earn an average hourly wage of $14.27.
8. Tutor
A tutor helps students with subjects they are having difficulty with. Tutors might assist school children or teens with homework or test preparation. They often set their own hours and pay, so young teens can charge upwards of $15 per hour to tutor. However, prices do vary based on subject and location.
9. Camp Counselor
A camp counselor monitors children participating in a day camp or overnight camp, plans the daily activity schedule and leads camper activities. Younger teens may get jobs as junior camp counselors under the supervision of an older camp leader or senior counselor. Camp counselors and junior camp counselors earn an average of $14.27 per hour, but this pay rate may go up in subsequent years as the counselor moves into a senior position at the camp.
10. Babysitter
Babysitters watch young children when the parents or caregivers are away. Parents typically hire a babysitter directly, so this job lets young teens set their own pay level and schedule. Babysitting may take place at either the client's or the babysitter's home. Rates for babysitting average at $13.22 per hour, but top earners charge more than $17.99 per hour.
Companies Offering Jobs to 14- and 15-Year-Old Teens
Some national and regional companies offer job opportunities in states where employing 14- and 15-year-olds is allowed. However, employment law varies between states.
Even in locations where 14 or 15 is the legal minimum age for work, many companies still limit hiring to those above the age of 16 or 18.
Here are some employers that hire at 14 and 15 in areas where local laws permit the hiring of young teens:
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10 Jobs that Hire 14- and 15-Year Olds
