William Lipovsky
While the pay and available positions vary by location and season, there are plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, theaters, and amusement parks that hire 14- and 15-year-olds.
If you’re a 14- or 15-year-old hoping to work at a clothing store, however, you may have to wait for another year or two — we couldn’t find any clothing retailers that hire employees younger than 16.
Policies may also differ according to state laws, so it’s always a good idea to check with your local store to make sure it can accept your application.
As a teenager, you can head to the businesses listed below for part-time work in the summer, after school, or on weekends. If none of these businesses are local to you, we also list some other ways for entrepreneurial teenagers to make money.
Limitations for Working at 14 or 15
There are a few limitations to working as a minor. These rules apply to all employers, regardless of industry:
- The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for most employees, but federal law permits a youth minimum wage. This allows employers to pay employees under 20 years old wages as low as $4.25 for their first 90 days of employment or until they reach age 20 (whichever comes first).[1]
- You can’t work for more than three hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week. If it’s not a school day, you can work up to eight hours per day or 40 hours per week.[2]
- You can only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except for between June 1 and Labor Day, when those hours extend to 9 p.m. to accommodate for summer employment.[2]
- For more information on working at a grocery store as a minor, see the Department of Labor’s policies regarding youth employment at grocery stores.
- For more information on working in the food industry as a minor, see the Department of Labor’s policies on youth employment at food service stores.
Earnings
As a working teenager, it’s unlikely that you’ll be hired at a rate higher than the minimum wage established by the federal government and your state.
To find out if your state has set the minimum wage to something other than the federal minimum, check out the U.S. Department of Labor’s state-by-state minimum wage map. Currently, 29 states have rates higher than the federal minimum.
There are a few types of jobs in which 14- and 15-year-olds may earn more than minimum wage. While rates vary widely depending on where you are and the type of establishment, you’re most likely to earn more than minimum wage in the following positions:
- Lifeguard (Note: This requires special training and certifications.)
- Babysitter (Note: You may also want to earn additional certifications for this role.)
- Pet sitter
- Golf caddy (Note: This position also has the potential to earn tips.)
Comparison Table
You can use the following table for a brief comparison of the hiring ages at places that hire at 14 and/or 15.
Select any business or scroll to the list below for more information, and you can use the arrows at the top of each column to sort the table.
| Place | Type | Minimum Age | Available Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant Eagle | Grocery | 15 | Varies |
| Giant Food | Grocery | 14 | Courtesy Clerk, Bagger, Cashier, Team Member |
| Harvey's | Grocery | 15 | Vary by location |
| Hy-Vee | Grocery | 14 or 16 | Courtesy Clerk |
| King Soopers | Grocery | 14 with approval | Courtesy Clerk |
| Kroger | Grocery | 14 | Varies |
| Publix | Grocery | 14 | Cashier, Clerk |
| Safeway | Grocery | 14 | Varies |
| Stop & Shop | Grocery | 15 | Grocery clerk, floral clerk, bakery clerk, courtesy clerk, casheir |
| Wegmans | Grocery | 15 | Customer Service Associate |
| Winn-Dixie | Grocery | 15 | Bagger |
| Baskin-Robbins | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| Ben & Jerry's | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| Boston Market | Restaurant | 15 | Dishwasher, Server |
| Bruster's | Restaurant | 14 | Ice Cream Maker/Scooper |
| Chick-fil-A | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| Culver's | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| Dairy Queen | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| McDonald's | Restaurant | 14 | Crew Team Member |
| Rita's Italian Ice | Restaurant | 14 | Treat Team member |
| Runza | Restaurant | 14 | Varies |
| Starbucks | Restaurant | 14 in MT | Barista |
| AMC Theatres | Theaters & Amusement Parks | 14 | Usher, Concessionist |
| Canobie Lake Park | Theaters & Amusement Parks | 15 | Varies |
| Incline Village Recreation Center | Theaters & Amusement Parks | 14 | Varies |
| Lagoon | Theaters & Amusement Parks | 14 | Varies |
| Six Flags | Theaters & Amusement Parks | 14 | Varies |
The List
Grocery Stores
Typical grocery store positions available for a 14- to 15-year-old are stocker and front-end associate (bagging groceries and bringing in carts).
The list below includes stores where we could confirm, through speaking with corporate customer service, that at least some of the company’s locations hire 14- and 15-year-old employees.
1. Publix
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[3]
- Jobs available: Cashier, floral clerk, or front service clerk[3]
- Average pay: $10 per hour[3]
- Search for openings
2. Wegmans
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old (at some locations)[4]
- Jobs available: Customer service associate[4]
- Average pay: $10 per hour[4]
- Search for openings
3. Safeway
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old (at some locations)[5]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[5]
- Average pay: $9 per hour[5]
- Search for openings
4. Giant Food
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[6]
- Jobs available: Courtesy clerk, bagger, cashier, hourly team member[6]
- Average pay: $9 per hour[6]
- Search for openings
5. Hy-Vee
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old, though most stores won’t hire until age 16. We confirmed with a live chat representative on Hy-Vee’s website that each Hy-Vee store is independently owned and operated, so check with your nearest location.[7]
- Jobs available: Courtesy clerk[7]
- Average pay: $9 per hour[7]
- Search for openings
6. Stop & Shop
- Minimum age requirement: 15 in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; 16 in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey[8]
- Jobs available: Grocery clerk, floral clerk, bakery clerk, courtesy clerk, cashier[8]
- Average pay: $9 per hour[8]
- Search for openings
7. Harveys
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old[9]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[9]
- Average pay: $8 to $9 per hour[9]
- Search for openings
8. Kroger
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old in some states at some locations[10]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[10]
- Average pay: $8 per hour[10]
- Search for openings
9. Giant Eagle
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old (at some locations)[11]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[11]
- Average pay: $8 per hour[11]
- Search for openings
10. King Soopers
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old with district manager’s approval[12]
- Jobs available: Courtesy clerk[12]
- Average pay: $8 per hour[12]
- Search for openings
11. Winn-Dixie
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old. However, the age requirement for your desired position may be higher.[13]
- Jobs available: Bagger[14]
- Average pay: $8 per hour[14]
- Search for openings
Restaurants
Fast-food chains are known for hiring teenagers to do simple tasks like food prep or scooping ice cream. The starting wage for these positions is typically minimum wage.
At franchised locations, minimum age requirements will be subject to each franchise owner’s discretion. You may want to contact your nearest location to confirm its minimum hiring age.
If you don’t see your favorite restaurant on our list, you can contact the manager to determine if it’ll hire 14- and 15-year-old employees.
12. Baskin-Robbins/Dunkin’ Donuts
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[15]
- Jobs available: Varies by location and franchise[15]
- Average pay: About $9 to $10 per hour[15]
- Search for openings
13. McDonald’s
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[16]
- Jobs available: Crew team member (which includes taking orders, running the drive-thru, cooking the food, cleaning, etc.)[16]
- Average pay: About $10 per hour[16]
- Search for openings
14. Chick-fil-A
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[17]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[17]
- Average pay: About $9 per hour[17]
- Search for openings
15. Ben & Jerry’s
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[18]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[18]
- Average pay: About $8 per hour[18]
- Search for openings
16. Bruster’s
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[19]
- Jobs available: Ice cream maker/scooper[19]
- Average pay: About $8 per hour[19]
- Search for openings
17. Culver’s
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[20]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[20]
- Average pay: About $8 per hour[20]
- Search for openings
18. Dairy Queen
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[21]
- Jobs available: Varies by location[21]
- Average pay: About $8 per hour[21]
- Search for openings
19. Boston Market
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old[22]
- Jobs available: Dishwasher, server[22]
- Average pay: About $8 to $9 per hour[22]
- Search for openings
20. Rita’s Italian Ice
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[23]
- Jobs available: Treat team member[23]
- Average pay: About $8 per hour[23]
- Search for openings
21. Runza
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[24]
- Jobs available: Varies by season[24]
- Average pay: About $10 per hour[24]
- Search for openings
22. Starbucks
- Minimum age requirement: Generally the age is 16, but in Montana, you can become a barista at 14[25]
- Jobs available: Barista[25]
- Average pay: About $9 per hour[25]
- Search for openings
Theaters and Amusement Parks
23. AMC Theatres
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[26]
- Jobs available: Usher, concessionist[26]
- Average pay: $8 per hour[26]
- Search for openings
24. Six Flags
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[27]
- Jobs available: Varies by location and season[27]
- Average pay: About $8 to $9 for food preparation worker[27]
- Search for openings
25. Incline Village Recreation Center (Nevada)
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[28]
- Jobs available: Varies by season[28]
- Average pay: Varies[28]
- Search for openings
26. Canobie Lake Park (New Hampshire)
- Minimum age requirement: 15 years old; a parental consent form is required
- Jobs available: Food service positions[29]
- Average pay: $10 to $11 per hour[29]
- Search for openings
27. Lagoon (Utah)
- Minimum age requirement: 14 years old[30]
- Jobs available: Varies by season[30]
- Average pay: $8 to $9 per hour[30]
- Search for openings
Places That Don’t Hire at 14 and/or 15
In the course of our research, we found that the following places don’t hire at 14 or 15 — most set their hiring ages at 16 or 18:
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Aeropostale
- Albertsons
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Banana Republic
- Barnes & Noble
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Charlotte Russe
- CVS
- Food Lion
- Forever 21
- Gap
- GUESS
- H&M
- Harris Teeter
- Hollister
- HomeGoods
- Hot Topic
- JCPenney
- Justice
- Kmart
- Kohl’s
- Levi’s
- Marshalls
- Meijer
- Old Navy
- PacSun
- Ralph Lauren
- Target
- T.J.Maxx
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- Walgreens
Other Ways to Earn Money at 14
Just because you may be too young to be hired at your favorite business doesn’t mean you can’t earn money. What skills do you have that others would be willing to pay you for?
Here are some ideas if you’re ready to embrace freelancing or entrepreneurship:
- Babysitting: If you like kids, babysitting is a great way to earn money. Ask family friends if they need a babysitter, or put up posters at school or around town. You may want to get some additional CPR certifications to boost your credibility.
- House cleaning: House cleaning is a great job for those who are naturally inclined to keep their things tidy. You can do this service for your friends and neighbors, or post ads on sites like Facebook or Craigslist.
- Pool services: If you live in a neighborhood where people have pools, offer to clean pools. People will usually already have skimming, vacuums, and chlorine, so you’ll just need to supply the labor.
- Lawn services: If you can push a lawnmower and use a rake and you enjoy being outdoors, this could be the perfect job for you. In the winter, consider shoveling snow.
- Tutoring: Turn your English or math skills into cash by becoming an after-school tutor for students who are struggling with subjects where you excel.
- Car washing: Go door-to-door in your neighborhood and ask if there are any cars that need washing. Many people may prefer to have their cars hand-washed, but not have the time to do it themselves.
- Dog walking: You most likely know which of your neighbors have dogs. Find out if that dog’s owner needs their dog walked or cared for. Adults are busy with jobs, kids, and after-school activities. They don’t always have time to walk the dog as much as they should. Take advantage of that fact and charge money for it.
- Garage or yard sale: Garage sales are great if you have a lot of old stuff that you can part with. Take your inventory and set your prices, and advertise around your neighborhood.
You can check out our related research for the list of retailers that hire at 15.
If you want to search again in a year or two, we also have the lists of retail stores that hire at 16 and retail stores that hire at 17.
Hi my name nyah and I just turned 14 im looking for a job so I can make some money. I the thing i really want to know is it true that they hire 14 year olds because i’m
looking for a job asap..
Can u work at Amc if ur 14?
Hi Chance,
As per the AMC website: “AMC follows all local and federal guidelines for employing minors in the workplace. We often provide offers for employment to persons between the ages of 14-17, based on the times that they can work as indicated by their school work permits. Because the labor laws can vary from state to state, we’d encourage you to contact your local theatre and speak with the manager. He or she will be the best person to ask about age requirements for employment.”
Good luck!
Is it correct that krogers hire starting at 14 , I will be 15 soon and i want to start job searching i have applied to krogers but i wanted to know is it a fact that they hire at 14 ?
Mya,
Kroger does hire starting at age 14 for some positions, at some store locations, in some states. I confirmed this information with a customer service representative. You’ll want to check with the store location(s) at which you hope to obtain employment and ask about their store-specific hiring policies. I appreciate your comment and have added this information to our article. I hope this helps!
I am 14 years old and looking for my first job. I live in huntingtown, Maryland and need a job for the summer.
Hi Danny,
I see that there’s a McDonald’s in Prince Frederick, MD a few miles away from you that would be a great place to start looking. (You can visit that link and click “Apply for Job” to see what positions are available.) For other options, I recommend you glance through our list of confirmed and rumored companies that hire at 14 and look for restaurants or stores that you know are in your area. Then you can use the “Find out more about how to apply” link to help you get started with your application. You can also try a quick Google search for “places that hire 14 year olds near me”, or ask your neighbors and family friends if they know of any local places that may be looking to hire for the summer. Best of luck on the job search!
i am 14 and have never had a job before. what would i be able to do at AMC? also, are they likely to say no because of my age?
Hi Risha,
AMC does hire as young as 14 for the usher and concessionist positions, meaning that you’d be taking people’s tickets, directing them to the correct theater, and serving drinks and snacks at the concessions booth. As far as whether you’ll have trouble getting a job there because of your age, it will really depend on the location in your particular town, their hiring needs, and the number of other applications they have for the job opening. It is possible that the hiring managers might give preference to slightly older employees who can drive, for example, but they also might be shorthanded and happy to have any help they can get. The only way to find out for sure is to apply. Best of luck!
Does anyone know a good job I am 15 years old and need a job
Hi Heather,
If you recognize any of the companies we have listed in our article as having locations in your town, the best bet is to use the location finders for those companies, and then call or visit your local stores to ask if there are any open positions available. Many places that hire 15-year-olds are hiring often, so there’s a good chance you can find somewhere that will at least give you an interview. Best of luck!
Im turning 14 and there is a local fish store near me. Do you think I they might hire me so i might know before i look like a fool?
Hi Jake,
Local stores will have widely varying policies, so it’s hard to say if the fish store near you will hire 14-year-olds — although local stores are likely to have more lenient age restrictions on hiring young employees than large corporations. There’s no way to know for sure if the local fish store near you might hire 14-year-olds unless you ask. Most likely, the store manager will be impressed by your initiative, regardless of the store’s hiring policies. The worst the store manager can say is to ask you to come back in a year or two, so it’s definitely worth stopping by to ask!
hey my names teneesha and im 14 years old and looking for a job for example like – cleaning , baby sitting , looking after animals or even being a assistant but unfortunately i cant find a job anywhere please help me out ? & i live in sydney (macqurie fields )
Hi Teneesha,
For jobs like house cleaning, babysitting, or pet-sitting, the best way to find work is just by talking with neighbors, relatives, and family friends. You can post flyers around you neighborhood or ask your parents if any of their friends or coworkers have young kids to watch, yard work to do, etc. If you’re really good at a school subject, you may be able to get paid for tutoring other students as well. A school counselor can be a great resource to help you find a job, so if you have one at your school you can consider asking them for recommendations about jobs in your area. Best of luck!
I am 14 during 15 next Friday where can I find a job in (Lewiston Maine)?
Hi Kelsie,
It looks like there are three McDonald’s locations near Lewiston, Maine. McDonald’s is known to hire employees as young as 14, so this would be a great place to start. If the McDonald’s near you are not hiring, you can also take a look at our lists of places that are confirmed and rumored to hire employees at 14 or 15 years old. If you recognize any of those companies as having locations in your area, you can follow the links for where to start an application or how to learn more about applying. Best of luck on the job search!
Does adventureland hire at age 15? If not is there any other grocery stores that hire 15?
Hi Kasandra,
There have been reports of Adventureland hiring employees as young as 14 — but it will, of course, depend on the seasonal need for employees. It’s definitely worth a try to get in touch with your local Adventureland and see if you can apply as a 15-year-old. I wasn’t able to find any major grocery stores that hire at 15 outside of the ones covered in the article, but it’s definitely possible that a local “mom and pop” type grocery store in your area might be willing to hire 15-year-old employees. If you have any smaller local groceries in your area, you can always try giving them a call to see if they’re looking to hire on new employees. Best of luck with the job search!
I don’t live in a safe area, and the few trustworthy stores we have around here hire at at least 16. What should I do? I’m only 15. I tried babysitting but my parents don’t want me to watch strangers kids especially since as I mentioned I don’t live in a safe place.
Hi Em,
That’s a tough situation to be in! Unfortunately, if there aren’t any stores in your area that will hire 15-year-old employees, you may just have to wait it out until you turn 16 to get an “official” paycheck. In the meantime, you might be able to try some of the other strategies we suggested in the article — I know you said babysitting was off the table, but maybe you could consider running a car wash, or offering your tutoring services to other students at your school. There are also some online options for earning money; for example, if you’re artistically inclined, you could consider making jewelry or other handmade crafts to sell on Etsy. Your school counselor might be able to provide you with some additional local options for earning money at 15. Best of luck!
There is a Publix that just opened on November 30th. Do you think they will need workers during school hours? I am home schooled so I was going to try and work during school hours. Also, does Chick-fil-a hire at 15?
Hi Rebekah,
It’s very likely that the new Publix will need workers during school hours, so it’s definitely worth asking if the new location is still hiring. Due to state laws, you will most likely be able to work only limited hours during the normal school session, even if you’re home schooled. Most Chick-fil-A locations start hiring at 16, but certain locations (based on state laws and the needs of that restaurant) will hire employees as young as 14. The best way to find out is to call or visit the location and ask the manager if he or she is accepting applications and if 15-year-olds are able to apply — that way you’ll know for sure. Best of luck!
I have a subway in walmart in vineland, nj and I am 14 years old. Do they hire 14 year olds?
Hi Victoria,
To find out about the hiring policies at a specific location, the best bet is to call and ask. The manager at your local Subway will be able to tell you if there are any openings and whether 14-year-olds can apply. The phone number for the Subway on Landis Ave in Vineland, NJ is (856) 692-1930. Best of luck!
I’m 14 and I would like to work with skateboards, is there anywhere specific I should look?
Hi Ashley,
It looks like most of the major skate shops (Zumiez, Pac Sun, etc.) start hiring closer to 16, but it could still be worth a try if you have any smaller local skate shops where you’d like to work. Probably the best thing to do is to call up your local skate shop, or just walk in and ask if there are any open positions and what the age requirements are. Hopefully the manager will be impressed with your initiative and attitude (which is a big part of any job search, regardless of your age). Best of luck!
where can I find babysitting jobs, in Allen,TX ?
Hi Felcia,
Probably the best way to get babysitting jobs is through people you already know. Ask your parents if any of their friends or coworkers could use your babysitting services. Are there any families in your neighborhood with young kids? Maybe people in your school have younger siblings that need babysitting. A lot of the families who are looking for a local babysitter won’t necessarily post it online, so really, the best way to get started is word of mouth. You could also put up a flyer in a local coffee shop or library bulletin board to get the word out. Best of luck!
What type of work would mcdonalds have a 15 year old, the position doesnt give any detail. also, are you the guy who played robbie rotten from lazytown?! if so, can i have your autograph!!
Hi Nathan,
The crew member position at McDonald’s is a general position. It can mean you’ll be doing everything from running the drive-thru, operating the cash register, cooking the food, cleaning the restaurant and more.
And I’m afraid I did not play that role. I actually don’t see the resemblance.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Hi Zach,
Note that we cite our sources which means the information is correct. Though be sure to note the heading for the stores ‘rumored’ to hire at 14 or 15. These stores have not been cited but it is widely known that these stores hire at 14 or 15. If I can clear up anything specific – just let me know!
Umm you have to be 16 years or older to work at Mc donalds
Hi Adaja,
Franchised locations can set their own hiring rules, so not all McDonald’s hire at 14, but some do. Over 80% of McDonald’s restaurants are franchised, so there can be a lot of variety when it comes to this policy.
it varies with location
I’m going to be 14 in October and what would be the best paying and most involving jobs
Hi Jake,
The exact pay will differ based on your location. The best thing to do is add up all employers on this list that are close to you. Then call for wage information. Then apply to the top five highest paying positions. Also make sure you’ll be getting a decent amount of hours at your new employer. If you have any other questions, just leave another comment!
I have never heard of most of the things on this list. There is only one thing on this list within 30 minutes from where I live. Subway. It’s 20 minutes away. All the others are either don’t exist in my state or are 30 plus minutes away. I may never be able to get a Job unless I start my own business or something. LOL. Got any ideas for me?
Hi Makenzie,
You mean you don’t even have a McDonald’s close by?! I get it though. I grew up in BFE as well (our nearest Subway was 30 minutes away). You should research ways to make money online. Find a way that interests you and get going. It may be slow going and first but the income potential is infinite. Plus, you’ll be able to do the job wherever and often the income is at least partially passive. Look into opening an Etsy shop, starting a blog, freelance writing, coding, transcription, anything to get going. And if you’re a really good researcher, you can email me and maybe you can write for this site.
Thanks for sharing this. I have teens that want to work and frankly we haven’t investigated where. Does GameStop hire youth?
Hi Nita,
They must be 16 years old to apply, with some positions requiring them to be 18.