What are good jobs for teens?

When my kids hit their teen years, they began to express an interest in getting a job. Of course, they weren't really sure what they wanted to do - only that they wanted to earn a little extra cash.

I was all for it - as long as it didn't compromise their schoolwork, and as long as they understood that I wasn’t looking for a new job driving them back and forth to theirs!

I also wasn't really sure what the rules were around working as a teenager, and honestly didn’t feel like spending too much time trying to figure it out for them. I knew teenagers could work, but I also knew there were some limits to what they could do based on their age - I just did not know what those were.

Types of Jobs Teens Can Work

I've since discovered this helpful resource from the Department of Labor with general information about the types of jobs teens are (and are not) allowed to do. In particular, teens under 14 years of age are fairly limited in the types of jobs they can work. The main jobs available for these younger teens are babysitting, delivering newspapers, and acting, though they can also take some jobs in agriculture or in a business owned entirely by their parents. 

Teens that are 14 or 15 have a much broader range of job types to choose from, including jobs in retail, and jobs that are creative or intellectual in nature, such as programming, tutoring, acting, or playing an instrument. However, they have limitations around when and how many hours they can work, primarily to ensure it doesn’t interfere with school. Each state also has different requirements about whether (and when) teens need to get a work permit. My teens’ high schools help students get work permits when they want one, so it's easy to do - once you know you need to do it!

Job Ideas for Teens

The biggest challenge by far, however, has been figuring out what jobs my teens might actually want to do, and have a chance at getting. When my daughter first applied to a few jobs the summer before her junior year, she was disappointed that she submitted applications only to never hear from anyone - even when she was applying to work at a fast food restaurant or coffee shop.

It can be hard to know which jobs are flexible enough to allow for student schedules, and which are willing to take a chance on student employees with limited to no work experience. And that’s where you come in, fellow parents!

Any tips or advice you can share from your own teens’ job searches can really help other families trying to figure this out. What do you think are good jobs for teens? Can you recommend any places that are especially welcoming of young people, or which offer flexible hours during the school year, or summer jobs for teens? If you can recommend particular retailers, fast-food restaurants or other specific (larger or more well-known) employers that is especially helpful!

Join the conversation to help your fellow parents!