This guide is for teens looking for work. The best first jobs match your age, your schedule and something you already like: younger teens often start with babysitting, pet care, yard work or tutoring younger kids, while older teens can add store, restaurant, camp and office jobs. Work-hour rules for workers under 18 vary by state, so check yours before you say yes to a schedule.
Know the rules before you apply
Federal law sets a floor for teen workers, and states add their own rules on top. In general, the youngest teens are limited in which jobs they can do and how many hours they can work on school days, and some states require a work permit signed by a parent or school. Rules also change between the school year and summer.
- Search your state labor department’s website for its rules on minors.
- Ask your school office whether you need a work permit and how to get one.
- If an employer asks you to work hours that seem past the limit, ask about it. Following the rules protects you.
Ideas by age
Around 13 to 15
- Babysitting or being a parent’s helper for neighbors.
- Pet sitting and dog walking.
- Yard work, snow shoveling and washing cars.
- Helping younger kids with reading or homework.
- Junior camp counselor or assistant at a local rec program.
- Selling something you make, with a parent’s help.
Around 16 and 17
- Retail, grocery and pharmacy store work.
- Restaurant host, busser, barista or counter staff.
- Lifeguard, swim instructor or summer camp counselor (training is usually required).
- Movie theater, recreation center or golf course staff.
- Front desk or filing work at a local office.
- Stock or errand work for a local shop (federal rules sharply limit driving as part of a job before 18).
Ideas by interest
A job you are curious about is easier to show up for. Try matching work to what you already like:
- Kids and teaching: camps, after-school programs, swim lessons, tutoring younger students.
- Animals: dog walking, pet sitting, helping at a groomer or boarding kennel.
- Food: cafes, bakeries, restaurants, farmers markets.
- Building and fixing: helping a contractor or landscaper, bike shop work. See how to choose a trade if this is a real interest.
- Tech and design: helping a small business with its social posts or simple website, setting up devices for older neighbors.
- Sports and outdoors: referee for youth leagues, rec center staff, outdoor camps.
- Business: retail, or a small venture of your own. Our guide for young entrepreneurs has more.
Pick one that fits your life
- Count your free hours. Write out a normal school week, including practice, homework and sleep. What is truly left?
- Choose school year or summer. Many teens do best working weekends during school and more hours in summer. See planning a teen summer.
- Think about getting there. A job you cannot reach without a ride every shift will get hard fast.
- Talk it through with a parent. Agree on how much you will work, how the money will be handled and what happens if grades slip.
How to land it
- Tell adults you know that you are looking. Many first jobs come from neighbors, family friends and coaches.
- Walk into local businesses at quiet times, ask for the manager and ask if they are hiring.
- Make a simple one-page resume with school, activities, volunteering and any odd jobs. Our resume with no experience guide shows how.
- Practice a few answers out loud, like why you want the job and when you can work. See job interview prep.
- Follow up once, politely, if you have not heard back in a week.
For the full step-by-step on applying and your first weeks, read getting a teen first job. When the paychecks arrive, teen money management covers what to do with them.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor does not find jobs for you, but can help you figure out what kind of work fits, practice what to say to a manager, and plan a week that holds school, work and sleep. Mentors check in by text between sessions, so the plan does not fall apart by Thursday. Through mentoring for high school students, a parent joins the intro call and gets regular updates. If a parent is reading because their teen is avoiding work altogether, see when a teen will not get a job.
Related
Common questions
What is the youngest age to get a job?
Under federal rules, most non-farm jobs start at 14, with exceptions like babysitting and yard work for neighbors. Your state may add more limits, so check its labor department.
How many hours can a teen work?
It depends on your age, your state and whether school is in session. Younger teens usually have tighter limits on school days, so look up your state’s rules.
Do I need a work permit?
Some states require one for workers under 18, often signed by a parent or the school. Ask your school office.
Will a job hurt my grades?
It can if the hours are too heavy. Start with a few hours a week, check how school is going after a month and adjust.
Get started
Want help planning school, work and everything else in one week? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.