Top 10 Jobs For 14 Year Olds And 15 Year Olds

Still in school but need to start earning? You are in a bit of a unique situation, but there is no need to panic. Some kids out there have to start working and earning at a younger age than most. While it may have its challenges, some opportunities lie in these circumstances.

Going to school can be tough enough with all the academic pressure, parent’s expectations, co-curricular activities, etc. Not to mention the physical changes during this age due to puberty. It can be a turbulent phase for many youngsters. Despite all of these, it is nonetheless a crucial part of one’s development. Working at this age can help them learn many things.

Laws Regarding Teenage Labor

The United States has strict laws against child labor. Individuals below the age of 14 are not permitted to work as per the law. Teenagers between 14-18 can work but are subject to various regulations that must be strictly adhered to by employers.

Minors under the age of 16 have restrictions on the hours they can work. On school days, they can work a maximum of 3 hours. They are not permitted to work more than 8 hours a day or work overtime. They are also not permitted to work more than 18 hours a week while still in school.

Minors who are 16 or older are not subject to any hourly working restrictions. They may even work overtime if they please. However, they cannot be deployed in any line of work that may be deemed hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Hence, an employer must ensure the work environment is safe and healthy.

Why 14 And 15 Year Olds Might Want A Job?

There are numerous reasons why minors below 16 or teenagers in general may want jobs. Every individual’s circumstances vary, and not all have the luxury of being able to focus solely on their schooling. Let's go through some reasons below.

Financial Struggles At Home

Some young teenagers may come from poor family backgrounds where their parents are struggling to make ends meet. This may force them to take up work at an earlier stage than most in life. The pressure to contribute to their household forces many who come from poverty-stricken areas to enter the workforce.

Desire To Earn Their Own Money

Many teenagers are at a phase in their lives where they crave independence and desire to break free to form their own identity. This drives some to act rebellious or engage in other attention-seeking behaviors. Many develop a desire to earn their own money to fuel this urge for independence.

Get Real-World Exposure

Entering the workforce and earning our own money teaches us many important values. It makes us more responsible and disciplined. It helps us acquire various hard and soft skills related to the job. We also learn from experience how to spend our money more wisely. This can be immensely beneficial down the road when we have to deal with larger amounts.

Top Jobs That Hire at 14 and 15

Most minor workers below 16 tend to pursue their jobs as side hustles along with their schooling. The government has put in several efforts to reduce school dropout rates in the USA. These methods have proven effective in curbing the issue. This is great, as it allows minors to continue their education and acquire more qualifications while working.

1. Barista

Average National Salary: $16/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

A barista is a good option for individuals below the age of 16 aspiring to kickstart their careers. Many companies require barista applicants to at least be high school graduates, but there are smaller shops that do offer jobs for 14 year olds and 15 year olds who have not completed high school.

They still, however, need to prove they are capable of performing their task well and can fit the job description. It is an interesting career path for those with interests in the consumer services industry.

A barista must have a good knowledge of caffeine and the various beverages it can be used to make. They must possess good communication skills to interact with customers and understand their needs.

2. Busser

Average National Salary: $14/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

Being a busser is a hands-on job and is a good option for those who are not high school graduates. Being a high school graduate does give you more opportunities, but it is not a must to enter this field. They mainly operate in the food services industry.

They are primarily responsible for cleaning utensils and other items. They must ensure that the dining and kitchen environments are clean and tidy. They may even be required to perform janitorial tasks in the facility. They are typically required to report to the chef.

Bussers must possess good people skills, interact well with customers, and keep track of hygiene and safety. They are required to update supervisors if there are any issues in the dining or kitchen environment as well. It may require a bit of on-the-job training to understand organizational practices.

3. Headhunter

Average National Salary: $35/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

The recruitment marketing industry is on the rise. There is a lot more scope in the field now than a few years ago. The 'Headhunter’ role has grown greatly over recent years. It has remote work options and flexible work schedules as well.

Headhunters typically act as middlemen between job seekers and employers. They help find suitable matches.

SynkdUp offers an innovative referral program called "SynkdUp Headhunter." As a SynkdUp Headhunter, you have the opportunity to monetize your social media traffic. It is a commission-based model that can allow you to earn up to $25 per successful application. The best part is that we offer commissions just on application submissions. There is no need to wait for a successful hire.

It helps the community as well by reducing unemployment within the economy. It is satisfying on a human level to help others improve their lives and provide for their families. It is good for society in general as well.

4. Grocery Bagger

Average National Salary: $15/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

This job usually does not have any educational requirements, making it a good choice when it comes to jobs for 14 year olds and 15 year olds. It is a hands-on job that can be a bit repetitive in terms of its functions. It requires good concentration abilities, too. It helps to have a general understanding of how things usually work in a retail setting.

Good social skills and customer service abilities can be a plus. You must know how to handle items with care and be able to pack them appropriately without causing any damage. You may be required to lift heavy items occasionally. They must possess a calm head and a good temperament too, as they may be required to deal with rude customers now and then.

5. Caddie

Average National Salary: $20/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

This is a well-paying job that does not require any formal education, making it suitable for minors. One mainly requires good knowledge and understanding of the sport of golf. It is a good fit for sporting enthusiasts out there.

They have a variety of tasks, which include handing golf clubs to golfers, carrying golf equipment, calculating scores, maintaining the cleanliness of golf clubs, etc. They must develop a good knowledge of the golf course they work on as well.

6. Tutor

Average National Salary: $18/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

This is a good option for bright students in school. However, it is important to note that there is a difference between being a good teacher and a good student. Typically, a 9th or 10th grader can tutor juniors who are a few classes behind them, like 6th or 7th grade.

Being a good tutor requires great communication skills. This applies to both active listening and speaking abilities. They must both be able to understand the needs of their students and also be able to articulate their ideas well to their pupils. A good understanding of communication styles also helps.

A good tutor also possesses a good understanding of the subject itself. He must know the academic content well to be able to respond to any queries from the students. It also helps if they are a bit familiar with the test patterns that are conducted for the students.

7. Cashier

Average National Salary: $14/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

Legally, there is no requirement for any formal education to be a cashier. However, many employers do require candidates to at least be high school graduates. This does not mean the end of the road for young teenagers. If they can showcase their talents and prove they can handle the job, they have every chance of landing the job.

They need to learn and master using the cash register to handle transactions, and they also have to scan goods to confirm prices are accurate. For this, cashiers are also required to have a good idea of the price ranges for various items. They must also be responsible while collecting cash and credit payments, along with other tasks.

They must also be able to greet customers well and have good manners. They must provide good customer service and be able to handle unhappy customers calmly. Good arithmetic abilities are also a plus. They must also be able to execute tasks quickly to avoid delays for customers.

8. Theater Usher

Average National Salary: $16/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

Legally, there are no minimum formal education requirements for becoming an usher. They must have good communication skills and be able to enhance the quality of the customer experience with their services if needed. They need to know the theater well and understand its operations on a basic level, at least.

Theater ushers also monitor crowd behavior to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable environment is created for all present. Activities like picture-taking and recording are prohibited, and ushers must pay attention to these. They must ensure inappropriate conduct from individuals is prevented and, if needed, penalized.

9. Ice Cream Scooper

Average National Salary: $13/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

It is a job that requires no formal education to perform. This makes them ideal jobs for 14 year olds and 15 year olds. It is a hands-on job that can be a bit repetitive. It requires a good understanding of the various types of ice cream flavors. They should know their ingredients and other relevant details.

Ice cream scoopers need to have good customer service skills and be able to communicate well with buyers. They must know all the prices and other aspects, such as special offers and discounts, and know a bit about inventory management and how to manage items well to avoid running out. Workers must be able to execute this quickly and smoothly.

10. Dishwasher

Average National Salary: $15/hour - (Source: Glassdoor)

In most cases, particularly at the entry-level, individuals employed as dishwashers do not need any formal education to work. It is a hands-on job that is repetitive in terms of its functions.

Dishwashers must possess a good understanding of cleanliness and hygiene, understand how to use dish-cleaning liquids appropriately and maintain a tidy kitchen environment for work. Their duties also include cleaning kitchen items and dishes manually if needed. They must report sanitation issues or machine issues to their supervisors.

Places That Hire At 14 and 15

There are certain companies and places too that are known for providing job opportunities, even to young teenagers. Knowing where to look for work can help teenage job seekers save time and find employment quickly.

AMC Theaters

It is a prominent theater chain based in the United States. It is the largest theater chain in the world. The company is known for looking beyond age and is willing to employ minors. They are mainly involved in ticket sales, concessions, maintenance, etc.

Not just AMC, but many local theaters are willing to bet on young blood. It may not be a bad idea to get in touch with local theater officials and see if there are any job openings available. A lot of roles in theater do not require much formal education either. Hence, it can be worth giving it a shot.

Baskin Robbins

The firm is a globally recognized brand and is a chain of ice cream and cake specialty shops owned by Inspire Brands. Jobs like a team member, cake decorator, or ice cream scooper are good options when it comes to jobs for 14 year olds and 15 year olds. Not just reputed brands, but even local ice cream shops can be a good place to look out for jobs as a young teen and start earning.

Chick-fil-A

The company is a famous fast-food restaurant chain based in the United States. It is primarily known for its chicken sandwiches. It has thousands of outlets spread out across the country. Team member positions that are in Front of the House (FOH) are ideal. These are the best jobs for 14 year olds and 15 year olds as they will not be permitted to use hot equipment like deep fryers and grills.

Community Centers

Parks or recreational centers are great places that hire at 14 and 15 years of age. Minors under the age of 16 can try local community centers. Some posts for which they can apply include coaches, lifeguards, program coordinators, tutoring, after-school support for youth, desk support, etc.

Local Amusement/Entertainment Venues

State fairs, local carnivals, amusement parks, etc. often have openings that young teenagers can apply for. Some of these openings are even seasonal. Bowling alleys and arcades may offer jobs that hire 15 year olds and 14 year olds as well. Hence, checking out such places in the locality can be great for finding jobs.

How To Get Jobs For 14 and 15 Year Olds?

Understanding the application process is essential when it comes to finding a job. It will vary from place to place. Many jobs that hire 15 year olds and 14 year olds do not even require a cover letter or resume.

Understand The Application Process

In many companies, the process of hiring minors is not as well formalized. Hence, there may not be a need for a CV. Some companies require you to fill up an application form in person, while others have the option to do so online. Figure out these details and what suits you before proceeding further.

Compose A Resume And Cover Letter (Just In Case)

Knowing how to write an effective resume always helps, irrespective of your age. Mention your skills, which you feel may be relevant to the job description, along with other attributes you may feel are important. Write a cover letter as well if you feel it is necessary. It is important to get the format right for both of these documents to make you seem like a more serious candidate.

Job Interview

This is pretty much an inevitable step in the hiring process for any job you look for. Knowing how to conduct yourself appropriately during the interview helps greatly. It is important to be able to showcase your skills effectively to the employer and prove your worth.

It helps to do a bit of research about the organization beforehand and plan for questions that can be expected from them. Go through their websites and social media pages as well if you can before the interview, as you can learn many valuable details which may be handy during the interview.

Continue Learning And Networking

If you get the job, then it is important to keep hold of it and learn new skills while on the job. This will prepare you for bigger roles ahead. Also, it is crucial to build connections, as you never know when they may come in handy later on down the road. There are several useful things we can learn from them, and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)