Where Can You Work at 16? Top Companies Hiring Teens in 2024

Finding your first job at 16 can feel like a big step towards independence and financial freedom. It’s a chance to gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and start saving for your future goals, whether that’s college, a car, or just having some spending money. If you’re wondering, “Where Can You Work At 16?”, you’re in the right place. While employment laws can vary by state, many companies across the United States are happy to hire motivated and enthusiastic 16-year-olds.

This guide will walk you through some of the top companies that commonly hire teenagers aged 16 and 17. We’ll explore the types of jobs they offer, what you can expect, and how to get started on your job search. Get ready to discover exciting opportunities and take the first step in your career journey!

Companies Eager to Hire 16-Year-Olds

Many national and local businesses recognize the value and potential of young workers. Here’s a list of companies known for hiring 16 and 17-year-olds, offering a range of positions to suit different interests and skills:

AMC Theatres

If you’re a movie buff, working at AMC Theatres could be your dream first job. AMC often hires 16 and 17-year-olds for various roles, including:

Concession Stand Staff: Selling popcorn, drinks, and snacks to moviegoers.
Ticket Sales: Assisting customers with ticket purchases.
Usher/Theater Maintenance: Helping maintain the cleanliness of theaters and assisting guests.

Working at AMC provides a fun and fast-paced environment, often with perks like free movie tickets! To find out if your local AMC is hiring 16-year-olds, it’s best to contact the specific theater directly or check their online careers page. Don’t forget to also explore independent movie theaters in your area, as they might also offer opportunities for teens.

Chick-fil-A

With its focus on customer service and positive work environment, Chick-fil-A is a popular choice for first-time job seekers. This fast-food chain, with over 2,000 locations nationwide, frequently hires 16-year-olds for Front of House (FOH) positions. These roles include:

Cashier: Taking orders and handling payments with a smile.
Order Taker: Assisting customers in the dining area or drive-thru.
Dining Room Host: Ensuring a clean and welcoming environment for guests.

Due to safety regulations regarding hot cooking equipment, minors typically start in FOH roles. Chick-fil-A is known for its strong training programs and opportunities for advancement, making it a great place to develop customer service and teamwork skills.

Chipotle

Chipotle is not only a popular fast-casual restaurant but also a company that values its employees. They hire individuals aged 16 and older and offer appealing benefits, including:

Competitive Pay: Earning a regular income.
Tuition Assistance: Support for further education.
Free Meals: Enjoying delicious Chipotle food during your shifts.
Career Growth Opportunities: Potential to move into leadership roles.

Common positions for 16-year-olds at Chipotle include Crew Member, involving food preparation, customer service, and maintaining a clean workspace. Working at Chipotle can teach you valuable skills in food handling, customer interaction, and working efficiently in a team.

Community Centers and Parks & Recreation Departments

Don’t overlook your local community centers and parks and recreation departments. These organizations often have a variety of job openings for 16 and 17-year-olds, especially during the summer months. Potential roles can include:

Front Desk Support: Greeting visitors and providing information.
After-School Program Assistant: Helping with activities for younger children.
Program Coordinator Assistant: Supporting the organization of community events.
Tutor: Providing academic assistance to students.
Lifeguard (with certification): Ensuring safety at pools and recreational areas.
Recreation Aide: Assisting with sports programs or recreational activities.

These positions offer a chance to give back to your community, develop leadership skills, and work in a positive and supportive environment. Check your city or town’s website or visit your local community center to inquire about job opportunities.

CVS Health

If you’re interested in the healthcare or retail field, CVS Health, with its vast network of over 10,000 locations, could be a great starting point. CVS frequently hires 16-year-olds for entry-level positions such as:

Cashier: Processing transactions and providing customer service.
Sales Associate: Stocking shelves, assisting customers in finding products, and maintaining store appearance.
Beauty Advisor: Providing product recommendations in the beauty section.
Stock Associate: Unloading deliveries and organizing inventory.

Working at CVS can expose you to the retail environment, develop customer service skills, and potentially spark an interest in the healthcare industry.

Dairy Queen

For those with a sweet tooth and a desire for a fun workplace, Dairy Queen is a classic option. Many Dairy Queen locations hire 16 and 17-year-olds for roles including:

Cashier: Taking orders and handling payments for ice cream treats and food items.
Food Preparation: Making ice cream cones, sundaes, and other menu items.
Restaurant Cleaner: Maintaining a clean and organized dining area and workspace.

Dairy Queen offers a lively and enjoyable work atmosphere, perfect for developing customer service skills and working as part of a team.

Kroger

Kroger, one of the largest grocery retailers in the U.S. with 29 brands across 42 states, offers numerous job opportunities for teenagers. If you’re 16 or 17, you might find positions like:

Cashier: Scanning groceries and processing payments.
Cart Attendant: Collecting shopping carts from the parking lot and assisting customers.
Online Order Puller: Gathering items for online grocery orders.
Bakery Assistant: Helping with baking and packaging bakery goods.
Floral Assistant: Assisting with flower arrangements and plant care.

Working at Kroger can provide experience in customer service, teamwork, and the fast-paced retail grocery environment.

Local Amusement and Entertainment Venues

Think beyond the big chains! Local fairs, carnivals, amusement parks, and entertainment venues are excellent places to look for seasonal jobs, especially for 16 and 17-year-olds. These venues often hire for roles such as:

Game Booth Operator: Managing game booths and interacting with guests.
Ride Operator Assistant: Assisting with the safe operation of amusement park rides.
Food and Beverage Vendor: Selling food and drinks at stands.
Ticket Sales: Selling tickets for entry or rides.

Seasonal entertainment jobs are typically fast-paced, fun, and offer a great way to earn money during school breaks and weekends.

Local Libraries

If you enjoy books and a quiet work environment, your local library might be the perfect place to start working. Libraries often hire teens as young as 16 for positions like:

Library Page/Aide: Shelving books and other materials in their correct locations.
Circulation Desk Assistant: Helping patrons check out and return books.
Program Assistant: Assisting with library events and programs.

Library jobs offer a calm and organized work setting, ideal for developing responsibility and attention to detail.

Malls and Retail Stores

Your local mall is a hub of retail activity and a treasure trove of job opportunities for 16 and 17-year-olds. Many department stores, clothing shops, shoe stores, and specialty retailers within malls are constantly seeking part-time help. Common mall jobs for teens include:

Sales Associate/Retail Associate: Assisting customers, processing sales, stocking shelves, and maintaining store displays.
Cashier: Handling transactions at the checkout.
Stock Associate: Managing inventory and restocking merchandise.

The best way to find a job at the mall is to visit stores you’re interested in and inquire about open positions directly. Mall jobs are excellent for developing customer service skills, salesmanship, and learning about the retail industry.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is a well-known first job provider, and many locations hire 16 and 17-year-olds. Crew member positions are typically divided into teams:

Kitchen Crew: Preparing food orders and maintaining kitchen cleanliness.
Counter Crew: Taking customer orders, handling payments, and serving food.
Maintenance Crew: Ensuring the restaurant is clean and well-maintained.

McDonald’s also offers the Archways to Opportunity Program, which provides educational support and resources to its employees, making it a company that invests in your future.

Publix

Publix, a popular supermarket chain in the southeastern U.S., is known for its employee-friendly environment and often hires 16 and 17-year-olds for roles like:

Cashier: Scanning groceries, processing payments, and providing friendly customer service.
Bagger: Packing groceries efficiently and assisting customers to their cars.

Publix is recognized for its strong customer service focus and employee training, offering a solid foundation for your work experience.

Safeway & Albertsons

Safeway and Albertsons grocery stores are other excellent options for teen job seekers. These chains frequently hire 16-year-olds for positions such as:

Cashier: Processing customer transactions.
Courtesy Clerk/Bagger: Assisting customers, bagging groceries, and returning shopping carts.
Cart Attendant: Collecting carts from the parking lot.

For 17-year-olds, there may be opportunities in specialty departments like floral, meat, bakery, and customer service, offering more specialized skills development.

Taco Bell

With over 7,000 locations, Taco Bell provides ample job opportunities for 16-year-olds. If you’re comfortable interacting with customers, consider roles like:

Cashier/Order Taker: Taking customer orders at the counter or drive-thru and handling cash transactions.
Food Preparation (entry-level): Preparing and assembling menu items (depending on location and regulations).
Restaurant Cleaning and Maintenance: Keeping the restaurant clean and organized.

Taco Bell offers a fast-paced environment and the chance to develop customer service and teamwork skills.

Target

Target is a popular retail destination and a great place for teens to start their careers. Most positions at Target are open to 16 and 17-year-olds, including:

Guest Advocate (Cashier and General Merchandise): Operating cash registers, assisting customers, and stocking merchandise in various departments.
Barista (at Starbucks locations within Target): Preparing and serving coffee and beverages.
Specialty Sales (Style, Beauty, and Tech): Providing customer service and product knowledge in specific departments.
Fulfillment Center Team Member (Online Order Pulling): Picking and packing items for online orders.

Target provides a structured work environment, opportunities to learn about retail operations, and develop customer service and sales skills.

U-Haul

U-Haul offers a unique opportunity for teens interested in customer service and logistics. They often hire 16 and 17-year-olds for Reservation Manager/Agent positions, which involve:

Customer Interaction: Answering phone calls, assisting customers with rental inquiries, and making reservations.
Customer Service: Providing excellent service and addressing customer needs.
Basic Computer Skills: Using computer systems to manage reservations and customer information.

If you have strong communication and customer service skills, U-Haul could be an interesting and less traditional first job option.

UPS

For a more physically active and fast-paced job, consider UPS. With the growth of online shopping, UPS frequently needs package handlers and warehouse workers, and many locations hire at 17 years old. Roles typically involve:

Package Handler: Loading and unloading packages from trucks, sorting packages, and preparing them for delivery.
Warehouse Worker: Assisting with warehouse operations, organizing packages, and maintaining a safe work environment.

UPS jobs are physically demanding but offer a chance to stay active, work in a team environment, and be part of a crucial logistics operation.

Walmart

Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., provides a wide range of job opportunities for 16 and 17-year-olds. Common roles include:

Cashier and Front-End Services: Operating cash registers, assisting customers at self-checkout, and providing customer service at the front of the store.
Food and Grocery Associate: Stocking shelves in grocery departments, assisting customers, and maintaining freshness standards.
General Merchandising Associate: Stocking shelves in various departments (clothing, home goods, electronics, etc.), creating displays, and assisting customers.

Walmart offers diverse roles and a structured work environment, providing a broad introduction to the retail industry.

Tips for Landing Your First Job at 16

Finding a job at 16 is definitely achievable! Here are a few tips to help you in your job search:

Prepare a Resume: Even for entry-level jobs, a simple resume showcasing your skills (even if they are from school or extracurricular activities), and any volunteer experience is helpful.
Practice Interview Skills: Prepare for common interview questions. Practice your answers with a friend or family member.
Be Persistent: Job searching can take time. Don’t get discouraged by rejections. Keep applying and following up.
Network: Let family, friends, and teachers know you’re looking for a job. They might have leads or connections.
Check State Labor Laws: Be aware of your state’s specific regulations regarding working hours and types of jobs for minors. The Department of Labor website is a good resource.
Start Local: Begin your search with businesses close to your home for easier commuting.

Getting a job at 16 is a fantastic way to build your resume, gain valuable skills, and start your journey towards financial independence. With so many companies willing to hire young talent, you’re well on your way to finding the perfect first job! Good luck with your job search!