Your teenager is at a point in their lives where they want to start making money of their own, which can be an exciting opportunity for them to gain independence and learn the world of work.
While this can be an exciting time, it can also be challenging to find places that hire at 14 and 15 years old with no experience.
Typically, it’s much easier to find jobs for a 16 year old than it is for teenagers younger than that.
This list will narrow down your search and help your 14 or 15 year old on their journey to finding meaningful work!
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List of Places that Hire at 14 and 15
There are plenty of ways for your teen to make money through remote work from home or traditional on-site jobs.
Here, I’ll outline where to find online jobs for teens, along with a list of job opportunities they can apply for right away.
1. Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club is where I worked my first job at 14 and a half years old. It’s one of the few places that hire at 14 part-time, and a great place for your teen to gain valuable work experience while also having fun.
I started as a homework helper in the education room, working a couple of hours each day after school. Later on, the Boys & Girls Club hired me as a summer program junior helper in my first ever full-time summer job at 15 years old.
In Boston, I needed to obtain a youth working permit in order to start. You may want to check and see if your city requires this as well.
2. National Park Service
Is your teen interested in finding paid summer work where they can enjoy the outdoors and work on conservation and environmental projects?
Working with the National Parks Service (NPS) through programs like the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) offers teens aged 14 and 15 an invaluable opportunity to contribute to conservation efforts while gaining practical skills.
They’ll work under the guidance of park rangers on projects such as trail maintenance and habitat restoration.
3. Chuck E. Cheese
Some Chuck E. Cheese locations hire teens as young as 15 years old as Cast Members and Kid Check Attendants.
As a Kid Check Attendant, teens are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of young guests by monitoring the entrance and exit of the Kid Check area.
This role offers teens the opportunity to interact with children and families, enhancing their communication and customer service skills. Plus, they get to have fun in a lively work environment!
4. YMCA LifeGuard
Other jobs hiring at 15 years old with no experience are lifeguard positions.
Many YMCA locations offer this type of employment opportunity. Teens must have Lifeguard, First Aid and CPR certifications or be willing to obtain one.
The good news is that many locations offer FREE certification classes, and some YMCA’s even offer a new employee sign-on bonus! If your teen loves to swim and enjoys working with children, then this is a summer job to consider.
5. YMCA Food Service / Cooks
Teens as young as 14 years old can also prepare and serve meals at places such as the YMCA of Greater Erie.
Of course, this would have to adhere to the safety guidelines as outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
But a working environment where your teen can help other kids living with food insecurity is a solid choice to help build their character and instill a sense of empathy and compassion from an early age.
6. AMC
The AMC movie theater chain offers employment for teens 14 – 17 years old with proper work permits. Additionally, AMC associates get free passes to see movies and take a guest along with them.
The number of free movie passes given to each associate is based on their position. Still, it’s an awesome way for your teen to make money at a place where they most likely go to often.
An added perk for you as a parent is that your teen will no longer be asking you for money to go see a movie with their friends. They’ll be getting movie passes for free as an AMC employee!
7. McDonald’s
McDonald’s offers part-time employment opportunities for teens aged 14 and 15, typically in roles such as crew members or customer service associates.
Teens will learn essential skills in customer service, teamwork, and time management. These positions also offer flexibility in scheduling to help teenagers balance work with their academic and extracurricular commitments.
Additionally, they’ll get a free meal for each shift they work!
8. Aquarium
When I search ‘local jobs near me for 14 year olds no experience,’ the New England Aquarium Summer Teen Internship program shows up as a paid opportunity.
According to program details, teens 14 years and older can apply and learn useful skills related to ocean conservation, marine biology and more.
It’s worth checking your local aquarium to see if there are similar opportunities that exist for your teen to apply.
9. Artists for Humanity
Art jobs for teens exist for 14 and 15 year old youth interested in painting, graphic design, video production, photography and more.
These are generally paid internships offered through sponsors and donors who wish to support artists in their journey to meaningful careers.
To find these specific job opportunities in your area, try searching for ‘art jobs for highschool students’ + your city or state.
In Boston we have the Artists for Humanity program, which hires teens 14 years and older for art related internships and volunteer positions.
10. MITRE
Students interested in the STEM field will find paid summer research positions with the MITRE High School Student program.
Eligibility requirements for the 8-week paid summer position is that you must be at least 14 years old before work commences in June.
As a student researcher, your teen will collaborate with the MITRE team of expert mentors to help them realize their maximum potential.
11. Publix
One of the few companies that hire at 14 years old is Publix. The grocery store chain is mainly located in the Southeastern region of the United States.
According to Publix, they begin hiring for front service clerk (bagger), floral clerk and cashier positions at 14 years old.
At 16 years old, teens can work as a bakery clerk, grocery clerk and produce clerk at Publix.
12. Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice serves up a cool assortment of frozen delights from Italian ice to creamy custards.
They have over 600 locations nationwide and welcome employees as young as 14 years old. Teens can work as an ice cream scooper, cashier, and flavor specialist.
Employee requirements, including minimum age to work, will vary by location.
Side Hustle Jobs for 14 Year Olds
Traditional jobs are one way for teens to make money after school and in the summer. But it’s not the only way.
There are also online jobs for teens that can be done from home, and other side hustle jobs to consider. These include things such as babysitting, tutoring, or leveraging special skills such as video editing for small business owners.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a website where teens 13 years and older can earn money by completing simple online tasks like taking surveys, playing video games, participating in sign up bonus offers and more.
It’s perfect for squeezing in some productive time after school or on weekends to make extra money right from their computer.
Plus, teens can redeem their earnings for gift cards or PayPal cash, giving them the freedom to treat themselves or save up for something special. Ultimately, Swagbucks is a fun and rewarding way to turn downtime into dollars!
Read my full Swagbucks review on how I earned over $2,000.
Fiverr Freelancer
If your 14 or 15 year old teen has an entrepreneurial spirit, then it may be worth it for them to offer creative services through Fiverr.
Fiverr is an online platform that connects freelancers with clients seeking various services, ranging from graphic design to video editing, voiceovers and more.
According to Fiverr, teens at least 13 years of age are permitted to use the site through an account owned by their parent or legal guardian and with their permission.
Teens can use AI tools such as Submagic to quickly edit short-form videos for clients. If they don’t have a defined skillset to where they can offer services, then sites like Skillshare will help them learn a new skill!
Blogging
For teens that love to write, blogging can be a great outlet for them to make money doing something they already enjoy!
Starting a site and writing about teen topics that interest them is not only rewarding, but also a way for teens to express themselves and share their thoughts and ideas.
Blogging costs less than $100 to start and can be done from home during their free time. All that is needed is a website hosting plan such as WPX, a domain, and WordPress!
Once set up, blogs can earn money through affiliate links on the site, through ad placements, sponsored posts and more.
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Babysitting
Babysitting is an excellent side hustle job for teens aged 14 and 15. It’s a chance to earn money while gaining valuable experience in responsibility and childcare.
To start, teens can reach out to family friends, neighbors, or local community groups to advertise their services.
It’s important to emphasize reliability, trustworthiness, and any relevant experience or certifications, such as CPR training when advertising services.
Setting clear expectations with parents regarding rates, availability, and responsibilities will ensure a smooth and successful babysitting experience.
With proper preparation and a caring attitude, teens can turn babysitting into a rewarding and lucrative side hustle opportunity versus getting a traditional job!
Can You Make Money at 14?
One question you may have asked yourself is whether your teen can even get a job at 14 years old and make money.
According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), youth 14 years of age can be employed, but there are restrictions in place to protect their safety and well-being.
For instance, a minor would not be able to work a hazardous job such as operating a meat slicer or saws. They are also restricted to the time of day and number of hours they can work.
This is in addition to individual state laws which also govern the work of minors.
What Jobs can 14 and 15 Year Olds Get?
Before your teen starts looking for work, it’s best to show them this list of jobs they are allowed to work at, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
- Most retail occupations, including cashiering, selling, price marking, packing and shelving
- Intellectual or creative work such as computer programming, teaching, tutoring, singing, acting, or playing an instrument
- Errands or delivery work by foot, bicycle and public transportation
- Clean-up and yard work which does not include using power-driven mowers, cutters, trimmers, edgers, or similar equipment
- Certain work in connection with cars and trucks, including dispensing gasoline or oil, and car washing or hand polishing
- Some kitchen and food service work including reheating food, washing dishes, cleaning equipment, and limited cooking
- Cleaning vegetables and fruits, wrapping sealing, and labeling, weighing, pricing, and stocking of items when performed in areas separate from a freezer or meat cooler
- Loading or unloading objects for use at a work site including rakes, hand-held clippers, and shovels
- 14- and 15-year-olds who meet certain requirements can perform limited tasks in sawmills and woodshops
- 15-year-olds who meet certain requirements can perform lifeguard duties at traditional swimming pools and amusement parks
Conclusion: Best Places that Hire at 14
Places that hire at 14 and 15 years old include Publix, AMC, the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and the Aquarium.
Restaurants that hire at 14 include McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese.
Work options are not robust for teens younger than 16 years old, but that doesn’t mean that opportunities don’t exist!
One of the best ways to find places that hire at 14 and 15 years old is to reach out directly to local businesses, community centers, and organizations that often hire young workers.
Ask school counselors for recommendations on finding work for your teen and follow-up on viable options.
If job opportunities for your teen are scarce in your area, then speak to your teen about starting a money making side hustle job!
They’ll learn valuable skills about making money, communication and budgeting that are often not taught in traditional school classrooms.
Next, you may be interested in reading about jobs that pay cash on the spot and one day a week jobs to earn extra money.
