You are ready to earn your own money, but every job posting seems to require applicants to be 16 or older. So, what jobs can you get at 15? More options may be available than you think, including positions in restaurants, stores, offices, recreation facilities and neighborhood-based services. The important part is finding work that fits federal and state rules for young employees.
This article focuses on employment in the United States. Laws can differ by state, and an employer may set a higher minimum hiring age even when a job is legally permitted for a 15-year-old.
What jobs can you get at 15?
Federal law generally allows 15-year-olds to perform nonhazardous, nonmanufacturing work outside school hours. Common possibilities include the following.
Restaurant and food-service jobs
- Cashier or counter attendant
- Host or hostess
- Busser
- Dishwasher
- Dining-room cleaner
- Food preparation assistant
- Ice cream or beverage server
Food-service work can build communication, teamwork and time-management skills. However, employees who are 14 or 15 may perform only limited cooking duties. Baking, cooking over open flames and operating many types of powered food-processing equipment are prohibited. A restaurant may therefore hire a 15-year-old for the front counter or dining room but not for every kitchen position.
Retail and grocery positions
- Cashier
- Grocery bagger
- Shelf stocker
- Sales-floor assistant
- Price marker
- Order packer
- Cart or store-area attendant
Retail work is a practical introduction to customer service, inventory and sales. Ask the employer to explain each task because some equipment, loading duties and work inside freezers or meat coolers may be off-limits.
Recreation and entertainment jobs
Amusement parks, community centers, camps and recreation departments may hire 15-year-olds as ticket attendants, concession workers, game attendants or recreation assistants. Some tasks involving powered rides or machinery are prohibited.
A properly trained and certified 15-year-old may also work as a lifeguard at a traditional swimming pool or certain areas of a water amusement park. This exception does not generally cover natural settings such as lakes, rivers or ocean beaches. Swim instructors need appropriate instructor certification as well.
Office, tutoring and creative work
- Office assistant
- File clerk
- Reception or scheduling helper
- Computer or data-entry assistant
- Tutor
- Music instructor
- Performer or creative assistant
These positions can be especially valuable if you already have a strong academic, technical or artistic skill. A student who enjoys mathematics might tutor younger children, while someone interested in business could help a local organization with filing, basic computer work or customer communications.
Neighborhood and seasonal services
- Babysitting
- Pet sitting or dog walking
- Hand car washing
- Leaf raking and basic yard cleanup
- Plant watering
- House sitting
- Running errands by foot or bicycle
Informal neighborhood work can offer more control over your schedule, but it still requires planning and adult involvement. Agree on the duties, payment and hours before beginning. Yard work must not involve prohibited power-driven equipment such as powered mowers, trimmers or cutters.
For additional ideas, see this guide to places where teenagers can work at 15.
How many hours can a 15-year-old work?
Under the standard federal rules, 14- and 15-year-olds may work only outside school hours. They generally cannot work:
- More than three hours on a school day, including Friday
- More than 18 hours during a week when school is in session
- More than eight hours on a nonschool day
- More than 40 hours during a week when school is not in session
- Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
From June 1 through Labor Day, evening work may continue until 9 p.m. Certain approved school programs have different rules. The U.S. Department of Labor provides the complete federal rules for jobs available to workers ages 14 and 15.
State law may impose shorter hours, earlier stopping times or required breaks. When state and federal standards differ, the rule offering the young worker greater protection generally applies.
What jobs are usually prohibited?
At 15, you generally cannot work in manufacturing, mining, construction, warehousing or other occupations considered too hazardous. Prohibited duties commonly include:
- Operating most power-driven machinery
- Using meat slicers, grinders, compactors or bakery machines
- Working on ladders, scaffolds or roofs
- Driving as part of the job
- Performing most loading and unloading of trucks
- Working in freezers or meat coolers
- Door-to-door youth sales or sign waving
- Using powered lawn mowers, trimmers or cutting equipment
A job title alone does not determine whether the work is legal. A grocery clerk position may be allowed, for example, while one of its assigned duties may not be. Ask for a clear description of what you will actually do during each shift.
What do you need before applying?
Requirements vary, but many employers ask for proof of age, contact information, school availability and permission from a parent or guardian. Some states require an employment certificate or work permit, often obtained through a school or state labor agency. Federal law does not itself require a work permit, but state rules may.
A simple one-page resume can help even if you have never held a formal job. Include your education, volunteer activities, clubs, awards, useful skills and responsible projects. Coaches, teachers, volunteer supervisors and longtime family contacts may be suitable references if they have agreed to be contacted.
Before accepting an offer, confirm the hourly pay, schedule, duties, dress code, supervision and method of payment. Legitimate employers should explain workplace safety and keep accurate records of your hours. Be cautious if someone asks you to pay for a job, meet alone in a private location or hide the work from a parent.
How a first job can shape your career
Your first position does not have to determine your future, but it can reveal what kind of work you enjoy. Restaurant and retail jobs can lead toward hospitality, management, marketing or sales. Tutoring may introduce you to education or child development. Lifeguarding can build a foundation for recreation, coaching, public safety or emergency-response work.
Even basic responsibilities matter. Arriving on time, communicating respectfully, following safety rules and solving small problems are transferable skills valued in nearly every career. Keep track of your accomplishments, such as training a new team member, receiving positive customer feedback or balancing school and work successfully. Those examples can strengthen future applications.
Finding the right opportunity
Start with businesses within safe traveling distance and ask whether they hire at age 15. School counselors, community centers, libraries, parks departments and family contacts may know of suitable openings. Apply to several places rather than waiting for one response, and follow up politely after a few days.
The best job at 15 is not simply the one that pays the most. Look for safe duties, responsible supervision and a schedule that leaves enough time for school, sleep and family life. A well-chosen first job can provide spending money while helping you develop confidence, independence and skills that support your next career step.
