You are ready to earn your own money, but every job listing seems to say either “must be 18” or “experience required.” So, where can you work at 16? The encouraging answer is that 16-year-olds can work in many restaurants, stores, offices, recreation facilities and service businesses. However, the tasks you perform—and sometimes the hours you work—are limited by federal and state child labor laws.
Turning 16 generally opens more opportunities than are available at 14 or 15. You may be allowed to work longer shifts and take on additional responsibilities, but you still cannot perform jobs the federal government considers hazardous for anyone under 18.
What places hire at 16?
Many entry-level employers consider applicants who are 16, although hiring ages can vary by company, location and job duties. A business that legally can hire minors may still establish an internal minimum age of 18.
Common places where a 16-year-old may find work include:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Fast-food and casual restaurants
- Coffee, ice cream and snack shops
- Clothing, department and specialty stores
- Movie theaters and entertainment centers
- Amusement parks, water parks and seasonal attractions
- Community pools and recreation facilities
- Hotels and resorts
- Day camps and youth programs
- Local offices and small businesses
- Pet-care, tutoring and childcare services
Typical positions include cashier, host, server assistant, dishwasher, grocery bagger, shelf stocker, sales associate, receptionist, office assistant, camp counselor and lifeguard. Lifeguard positions normally require recognized safety and rescue certification. Some employers may also require training before a teenager can handle food, operate a register or supervise children.
If you want more ideas, review these job opportunities for 16-year-olds, including options that can help you develop useful career skills.
How many hours can a 16-year-old work?
Federal rules allow 16- and 17-year-olds in nonagricultural employment to work unlimited hours in jobs that are not classified as hazardous. That means the strict federal limits applying to 14- and 15-year-olds—such as an 18-hour maximum during a school week—generally no longer apply once you turn 16.
This does not mean every 16-year-old can work at any time. State laws may limit daily hours, weekly hours, late-night shifts or work before a school day. A school district may also have attendance or academic requirements, and an employer may schedule minors for fewer hours as a matter of policy.
When federal and state rules differ, employers must follow the rule that provides greater protection to the young worker. Before accepting a schedule, check your state labor department’s current requirements. The U.S. Department of Labor’s guidance for workers ages 16 and 17 explains the federal rules and points readers toward state-specific information.
What jobs are off-limits until age 18?
At 16, the most important federal restriction concerns hazardous work. Even if you have experience or parental permission, you generally cannot perform tasks that fall under a federal hazardous occupation order.
Restricted work commonly includes:
- Manufacturing or storing explosives
- Most on-the-job driving on public roads
- Coal mining and many other mining jobs
- Logging, sawmilling and certain forestry work
- Roofing and demolition operations
- Excavation work
- Operating forklifts, cranes and similar hoisting equipment
- Using power-driven meat slicers, grinders or processing machines
- Operating certain bakery, woodworking or metal-forming machines
- Using power saws, wood chippers or abrasive cutting equipment
- Operating or unloading most compactors and balers
These restrictions can affect otherwise ordinary jobs. For example, a supermarket may hire a 16-year-old as a cashier or stocker but cannot assign that worker to operate a meat slicer. A restaurant may allow food preparation while prohibiting the use, cleaning or adjustment of certain commercial machines. A retail employee may collect cardboard but usually cannot operate the store’s compactor.
Some limited exceptions exist for properly registered apprentices or student-learners in approved vocational programs. A manager’s permission or informal workplace training alone does not create an exception.
Do you need a work permit at 16?
There is no single federal work permit required for every 16-year-old. Requirements are established mainly at the state level, so the process depends on where you live. Some states require an employment certificate, age certificate or school-issued permit for workers under 18. Others require the employer to keep proof of the worker’s age but do not require an individual permit.
If a permit is necessary, you may need a job offer before applying for it. The application may request proof of age, a parent or guardian’s signature, employer information and school approval. Your school guidance office, state labor department or prospective employer should be able to explain the local process.
How much can you earn at 16?
A 16-year-old is generally covered by the same applicable minimum-wage rules as other employees. The required rate may come from federal, state or local law, whichever standard applies to the workplace. Many states and cities have minimum wages above the federal rate.
Certain exceptions can affect pay, including rules for tipped workers, qualifying student workers and employees under age 20 during a limited initial employment period. An employer must explain your pay rate, and lawful deductions cannot reduce covered earnings below the applicable minimum wage.
Keep copies of your schedule and pay stubs, and record when you begin and end each shift. You should be paid for required training, closing duties and other time spent performing work for your employer. Never agree to work “off the clock.”
How to improve your chances of being hired
Begin with employers close enough for reliable transportation and ask whether the specific position accepts 16-year-old applicants. Availability after school, on weekends and during school breaks can make you a stronger candidate.
Create a simple one-page resume that includes your education, volunteer experience, activities and relevant abilities. Babysitting, helping with a family business, participating in clubs and completing community projects can demonstrate responsibility even if you have never held a formal job.
Before accepting an offer, ask which duties you will perform, how late shifts may run, whether you need a permit and who will provide training. The right first job should offer more than a paycheck: it should provide safe responsibilities, reasonable scheduling and experience you can use in future applications.
