So you're 15 years old, and you're wondering, “What Places Hire at 15?” Today we're providing you with a list of employers who are happy to take on workers at just 15 years of age.
Let’s dive in!
Places That Hire at 15
At 15, many young people are eager to start earning money to support their families or have some spending money of their own. While it can be difficult for someone in that age range to find a job without prior work experience, there are plenty of places that will hire workers who are still in high school.
Some of the best places to work at 15 include retail stores, fast food restaurants, and entertainment venues. Since these businesses rely on their ability to attract customers with friendly and helpful staff members, high school students who have great customer service skills can be a valuable asset.
While it may not always be the most glamorous work, with a little bit of research and perseverance, any high school student should be able to find a job that is right for them.
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What Jobs Hire at 15?
Now that we’ve established that plenty of businesses hire young people, it’s only fair for us to write down the most famous restaurants, grocery stores, and entertainment venues that offer jobs that hire at 15. We’ll also mention some businesses you can start at that young age.
Restaurants
Let's see some of the most popular restaurant jobs that hire at 15.
1. Arby’s
Arby’s is a fast-food chain that hires workers as young as 15. One of the requirements is that you must have experience handling money and dealing with customers (both in-person and over the phone).
Arby's is a restaurant with over 3,000 branches in the US. They offer job opportunities for people who are willing to work.
If you are interested in applying, visit their website to view available positions and submit your application.
2. Culver's
Culver's is a chain of fast-casual restaurants that hires workers at 15 years old.
Some of the positions available to minors include cashier, guest service representative, and drive-thru operator. You may also be able to find work in the kitchen, preparing food or cleaning dishes.
Culver's is a fast-food restaurant with nearly 700 locations in about half of the US.
3. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is a fast-food chain that makes ice cream and other frozen treats. You have to be at least 14 years old to work there.
The most common job offers for young people are as cleaners or cashiers. There are more than 4,000 branches, so it's worth trying.
4. McDonald's
McDonald's is one of the largest fast-food chains globally, and they hire workers as young as 15. The number of branches in the US is over 13,000. This makes it a popular place for 15-year-olds or younger people looking for work.
You can work at McDonald's when you are 14 years old, but it depends on the state you live in. You can work as a cook, cleaner, or crew person.
5. Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins is a popular ice cream chain with locations worldwide. Individual franchises hire teens as young as 14.
The restaurant has almost 3,000 outlets in nearly all of the US, so there is probably an outlet near you.
Working in an ice cream shop can be a fantastic experience. You'll likely begin serving up fresh ice cream, cakes, sherbet, and frozen yogurt in this position.
Overall, there are many opportunities for teens looking for part-time work. Whether you're interested in a job with a flexible schedule that allows you to hang out with your friends after school, or you want a more structured environment where you get to interact directly with customers, there is always something you can find.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are a great place to start looking for a job when you're 15 years old. You may be able to find a job in the stock room, on the cash register, or even as a bagger. See some of your options below:
1. Giant Eagle
The Giant Eagle grocery store chain has over 400 supermarkets in five states throughout the US. They will hire people as young as 14 for various positions, such as shopping cart attendants, and bakery clerks.
If you live in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, or West Virginia and want to work for Giant Eagle, you might be eligible.
2. Kroger
Another grocery store with stores all over the US is Kroger. You must be 16 years old to work for them, but they offer a variety of positions, such as baggers, cashiers, and deli clerks.
However, some of these companies employ people as young as 14 years old. To see whether they hire at 14, you'll have to check with your local store. This is due to the variance in hiring ages across states.
3. Publix
Publix is a grocery store with over 1,100 stores and operates in seven states. Some of the entry-level positions they offer include people who bag groceries and stock shelves.
At 15 years old, you may look for work as a bagger, service desk clerk, or cashier. However, these occupations are not always available because they depend on state legislation and the number of job openings.
4. Fareway
Fareway is another grocery store chain with around 120 stores located in the Midwest. You may work as a cashier, bagger, or courtesy clerk once you turn 16 years of age.
At Fareway, they offer jobs for 15-year-olds to work in their grocery departments, and you must be aged 18 or older to work in the meat department or the bakery department.
These are only some examples of stores that hire at 15. Many other grocery stores and retailers hire younger workers, so it is important to research and contact local businesses to determine if they have openings for young people.
Entertainment Venues
Younger individuals are in high demand in certain entertainment industries. Check out this list to see if any companies near you need workers aged 14 and up:
1. AMC Theaters
With over 600 theater locations across the US, most AMC Theaters hire 14 and 15-year-olds. Over there, you might end up working as a cashier, concessionist, or usher.
However, because state labor regulations differ, it's crucial to check with your local theater to see if you're legally allowed to work there.
2. Six Flags
This is another great choice for those looking for a summer job. You can work as a ride operator, in-park entertainer, cashier, or food service crew member.
Some positions require you to be at least 16 years old, while others allow 14 or 15-year-olds.
3. Paper Route
If you are looking for a job that will allow you to work outside and make extra money, a paper route might be ideal.
Many local newspapers hire workers as young as 14–15 years old, and you can use your bike or scooter to deliver the papers in your neighborhood.
Businesses You Can Start at 15
You can start many businesses at the age of 15, as long as you have a great idea and a lot of drive and determination. There are 30.7 million small businesses in the US. Let's see some examples:
1. Babysitting
If you love kids and feel capable of taking care of them, babysitting can be a great way to make extra money. If you Google "teen jobs near me," you'll probably stumble upon many babysitting jobs. Just check with your parents first and get their permission before you start babysitting for other families.
2. Dog Walking
Do you adore animals? You can offer to walk dogs for busy families who don't have time to walk their dogs. This can be a great way to make some extra money, and you'll get to spend time with adorable puppies too!
3. App Development
If you're tech-savvy, you could create your own app. Many young entrepreneurs have created successful businesses by developing popular apps. If you have a great idea for an app, start researching the development process and see if it's something you think you could do.
4. Influencer on Social Media
Do you enjoy spending time on social media? If you're good at promoting products or brands on social media, you could become an influencer. Companies will pay you to promote their products or services on social media channels like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
5. Blogging
Many successful teen bloggers make money by promoting products and services on their blogs. Starting a blog could be a great business venture if you enjoy writing and sharing your ideas with others. Remember that it takes some time to build up an audience, so you need to be patient as you start your blogging journey.
There are many different businesses that you can start at 15, but it all depends on what kind of ideas you have! Interestingly, 69% of entrepreneurs in America start their business at home. Regardless of which business you choose to pursue, just remember to work hard and stay motivated.
Read more: 24 Hobbies That Make Money [20+ Resources Included].
Labor Law Information
Labor law is a complex and nuanced area of law that governs issues related to working conditions, wages, and benefits. In general, labor laws are designed to protect the rights and interests of workers while also ensuring that businesses can operate efficiently and profitably.
Several factors affect how much you should be paid for your work, including the type of work you perform, your level of experience, and the market demand for your services. Additionally, labor laws may dictate certain minimum wage requirements or overtime pay policies.
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Number of Hours You Can Work
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) says that 14 and 15-year-olds can only work a certain number of hours per day and week. They are allowed to work three hours on school days, 18 hours total in a school week, eight hours on non-school days, and a maximum of 40 hours per week on non-school weeks.
Some laws restrict how many hours 14 and 15-year-olds can work. The limit is 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, but it is 9:00 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day.
To learn more about the restrictions on working as a 14 or 15-year-old, go to the federal government's FLSA website.
How Much Should You Get Paid?
As a 14 or 15-year-old employee, you will be paid according to several criteria. You must be paid the federal minimum wage for employees, which is currently $7.25 per hour. All states must pay their workers at least this much per hour.
However, there are several distinct minimum wage rules for young people. The FLSA allows employers to pay people under the age of 20 a $4.25 minimum wage for the first 90 days of employment.
Workers must be paid the federal minimum wage at least 90 days after starting work. However, some states have a higher minimum wage than the FLSA requires. For example, most states have a higher minimum wage than the FLSA demands.
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Bottom Line
So, what places hire at 15? You may be surprised that many businesses will consider hiring someone at such a young age. You have plenty to choose from, from restaurants to retail stores to amusement parks.
Take a look at the list we put together and see if any of these locations sound like a good fit for you.
