Finding your first job at 15 can feel like a challenge, but it’s definitely not impossible. Many companies are open to hiring young teens, offering valuable experience and a first step into the working world. While there are legal regulations set by the U.S. Department of Labor concerning working hours and types of jobs for 14 and 15-year-olds, numerous opportunities still exist. These regulations are in place to protect young workers, ensuring work doesn’t interfere with school and is age-appropriate.
Understanding these restrictions is the first step in your job search. For teens aged 14 and 15, key limitations include: not working during school hours, limited work hours on school days and weeks, restrictions on start and end times (especially during the school year), and prohibitions on hazardous jobs. It’s also worth checking your state’s specific rules, as some require work permits for younger teens. You can find a state-by-state guide on the Department of Labor website.
Despite these rules, many businesses actively hire 15-year-olds. Often, these are in sectors like grocery stores, ice cream parlors, and fast food restaurants. However, don’t rule out other exciting options like amusement parks or even government programs. Here’s a guide to some of the top places where a 15-year-old can find work.
Grocery Stores: Your Local First Job Hotspot
Grocery stores offer a fantastic entry point into the job market for 15-year-olds. Roles like bagging groceries, stocking shelves, and assisting customers provide valuable skills in customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. These positions are often well-suited to the schedules and capabilities of younger teens.
Wegmans
Known for its excellent customer service and employee satisfaction, Wegmans is a supermarket chain that hires 15-year-olds for roles like cashiers and customer service positions. With over 100 stores across the northeastern United States, Wegmans offers a structured and supportive work environment for young employees.
Kroger
Kroger, a massive supermarket company operating under various names including City Market and Food 4 Less, generally targets hiring at 16. However, in certain states, 15-year-olds with work permits can secure positions as courtesy clerks. These roles, involving tasks like cart retrieval and bagging, are great for learning the basics of retail and customer interaction.
Publix
Publix, a popular supermarket chain in the southern U.S., is known for being very welcoming to young teens. Publix starts hiring at 14, offering roles such as baggers, cart attendants, and cashiers. With a strong emphasis on employee development, Publix can be a great place to start a long-term career, even from a young age.
Fareway
Primarily located in the Midwest, Fareway operates over 130 grocery stores. While certain departments like meat and bakery have an 18-year-old age requirement, Fareway hires 14-year-olds to work in their grocery departments. This provides a solid opportunity for teens in the Midwest to gain retail experience.
Hy-Vee
Another Midwestern supermarket chain, Hy-Vee, typically has a hiring age of 16. However, due to individual store ownership, some Hy-Vee locations do hire 14-year-olds. It’s worth checking with your local Hy-Vee to see if they offer opportunities for 15-year-olds in your community.
Ice Cream Shops: Sweet Summer Jobs for Teens
Ice cream shops are classic summer employers for teenagers. The seasonal nature of the business aligns perfectly with school breaks, and the often lively and cheerful atmosphere can make it an enjoyable first job experience. Plus, who doesn’t love ice cream?
Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice, with hundreds of locations across nearly 30 states, generally hires from age 16. However, many Rita’s locations start hiring at 14. For 15-year-olds, this offers a fun, fast-paced environment where customer interaction and quick service are key. Work permits may be required for younger teens.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen, a ubiquitous ice cream and fast-food chain, mostly hires from age 16. Yet, many locations lower their hiring age to 15. With thousands of stores, Dairy Queen offers widespread opportunities for 15-year-olds seeking flexible, part-time work, often with the chance to build friendships with coworkers.
Baskin-Robbins
As the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, Baskin-Robbins generally hires those 16 and older. However, minimum age requirements can vary significantly by state and franchise. It’s recommended to check with your local Baskin-Robbins, as some locations do hire as young as 14.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s, a chain with nearly 200 locations, openly hires young teens. The minimum age to work at Bruster’s is 14, contingent on state laws allowing minors under 16 to work. This makes Bruster’s a particularly teen-friendly option for a first job in the ice cream industry.
Fast Food Restaurants: Building Blocks for Future Careers
Fast food jobs offer teenagers invaluable skills applicable far beyond the food service industry. Teamwork, customer service, time management, and following instructions under pressure are all learned and honed in these roles. These skills are transferable and highly valued by employers in any field.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A, known for its customer service and popular menu, has nearly 3,000 independently owned franchises. Each franchise sets its own hiring age, with 16 being typical. However, some Chick-fil-A locations hire as young as 14, especially with a work permit. This can be a great opportunity to work for a highly regarded brand known for its positive work environment.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s, the global fast-food giant, with over 13,000 locations in the U.S., offers numerous job opportunities for young people. Hiring ages vary by location, but some McDonald’s restaurants hire crew members as young as 14. McDonald’s provides structured training and can be a stepping stone to various career paths.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s official minimum hiring age is 16. However, with the majority of Taco Bell stores being franchises, hiring ages depend on the specific location. Certain Taco Bell restaurants hire 14-year-olds with work permits. Taco Bell provides experience in quick-service environments and customer interaction.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s, another major fast-food chain, generally hires from age 16. Despite this, some Wendy’s locations do hire 14-year-olds. If you’re interested in working at Wendy’s, it’s worth inquiring at your local restaurant about their specific age requirements.
Arby’s
Arby’s allows 15-year-olds to work as crew members with a work permit. For those who prove themselves, opportunities to advance to shift leader positions at 16 exist. Arby’s can be a good option for teens interested in climbing the ranks in the fast-food industry.
Burger King
Burger King, known for its flame-broiled burgers, typically hires from age 16. Franchise policies influence hiring ages, meaning some Burger King locations hire as young as 14 or 15 with a work permit or parental consent. Burger King offers a dynamic work environment in the fast-paced food service sector.
California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), with over 150 U.S. locations, requires servers to be at least 18. However, in some states, 15-year-olds can work as hosts at CPK. For teens interested in the restaurant industry but not yet old enough to serve, hosting at CPK can be an excellent entry-level position.
Boston Market
Boston Market, specializing in rotisserie chicken, has a minimum hiring age of 15 for certain positions. While the chain has faced recent closures, locations still exist in over 20 states, offering job opportunities for 15-year-olds in the food service sector.
Subway
Subway, famous for its customizable sandwiches, usually hires “sandwich artists” starting at 16. However, Subway will hire 15-year-olds in states where the law permits minors of that age to work. Subway provides experience in food preparation and customer service in a casual dining setting.
Entertainment Venues: Fun Jobs at Amusement Parks and Movie Theaters
Entertainment venues like amusement parks and movie theaters are often seasonal employers, ramping up hiring during summer months and holidays. They frequently rely on teen workers to manage crowds and provide customer service, and some roles are perfectly suited for younger teens.
AMC Theaters
AMC Theaters, a major movie theater chain, hires teens as young as 14 for positions like ushers and concession stand workers. Beyond the paycheck, perks like free movies and discounts on concessions make working at AMC appealing to movie-loving teens.
Palace Entertainment
Palace Entertainment, operating over 25 amusement parks and entertainment venues, typically has a hiring age of 16. However, some of their parks, like Story Land in New Hampshire, hire team members starting at 14. Working at an amusement park offers a dynamic and exciting work environment, especially for teens who enjoy being active and outdoors.
Six Flags
Six Flags theme parks officially set their minimum hiring age at 16. Despite this, 14 and 15-year-olds can find roles at Six Flags as game attendants, merchandise sellers, or food vendors. Working at Six Flags can be a thrilling summer job experience, providing customer interaction and teamwork skills in a fun setting.
Miscellaneous Opportunities: Unique First Jobs
Youth Conservation Corps, U.S. Park Service
For teens interested in the outdoors and conservation, the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) with the U.S. Park Service is an exceptional opportunity. Teens as young as 15 can apply to work in national parks, engaging in trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and invasive species removal. This paid program offers a chance to contribute to environmental conservation while earning minimum wage and experiencing the beauty of national parks.
Starting your work journey at 15 is achievable with the right approach. Focus on companies and industries known to hire young teens, understand the legal guidelines, and prepare to highlight your enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Your first job is a significant step towards building your future, providing invaluable experience and skills that will benefit you for years to come. Good luck with your job search!
