Did you know that more than 250,000 teens found jobs in 2022 compared to before the pandemic? This shows how many job opportunities are out there for 14-year-olds. They can earn money and get work experience in many fields, from babysitting to online jobs.
The minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25 an hour, but some places pay more, up to $15. Also, 14- and 15-year-olds can work up to three hours a day in school and eight hours on days off. It’s important to know these rules when looking for a job.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. has seen a surge in youth employment, with 250,000 more teenagers working in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but some states/cities have set higher local minimums up to $15 per hour.
- 14- and 15-year-olds are limited to working no more than 3 hours per school day and 8 hours per non-school day.
- Exploring job options like babysitting, lawn care, and online gigs can provide valuable work experience for 14-year-olds.
- Understanding legal requirements for minor employment is crucial when searching for a first job.
Introduction to Jobs for Teens
Finding a job as a teenager can be rewarding, but it’s key to balance work and school. The legal age for employment and the need for working papers for minors differ by state. It’s vital to know the local laws before looking for jobs.
Balancing Work and School
As a teen, it’s crucial to find a job that fits your school schedule and helps you keep good grades. Many employers value teen job seekers and offer flexible or part-time jobs. These jobs are designed to fit around your school needs.
Legal Requirements for Minor Employment
In some states, you might need working papers for minors or an employment certificate before starting a job. The U.S. Department of Labor website has info on the legal age for work and what documents you need in your area.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Young Floridians, ages 14-24, participated in 2023 Summer Youth Employment Programs | Nearly 7,000 |
| Duration of summer career exploration and employment programs | 3 to 9 weeks |
| Sectors where youth gained work experience | Aviation, healthcare, IT, manufacturing, hospitality, financial services, government, and nonprofits |
| CareerSource Florida network career centers | 100 |
These programs offer career education and chances for young people, especially those facing economic challenges. They help gain new skills and knowledge that can last a lifetime.
“One-third of current store managers and nearly half of pharmacists at Publix started working for the company as teenagers.”
Popular Summer Jobs for 14-Year-Olds
As summer comes, many 14-year-olds want to find their first job and get work experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and Monster show that babysitting and child care and lawn care are top choices for them.
Babysitting and Child Care
Babysitting shows you’re responsible and patient. It also needs a good sense of humor and CPR skills. Teens who like kids can work in local areas, making about $18 an hour. This job is great for building a career in childcare or education.
Lawn Care and Gardening
For teens who love the outdoors, lawn care and gardening jobs are perfect. They can work for a lawn care company and make $21 an hour. Or, they can do it on their own for $50 to $250 per task. This job keeps teens active and teaches them important skills like managing time and solving problems.
More employment opportunities for young workers are opening up for 14-year-olds this summer. By taking part-time jobs for teenagers, they can make money and learn valuable skills. These summer jobs for teens help them prepare for their future careers.
Customer Service and Retail Jobs for 14 Year Olds
Retail and food service businesses often hire teens for entry-level jobs. These jobs are great for youth employment and teen job search. 14-year-olds can work part-time as cashiers, store clerks, or food service workers. They get to learn on the job and improve their customer service skills.
Cashier and Store Clerk Positions
Stores like Giant Eagle, Kroger, and Safeway hire 14-year-olds. They offer experience in retail and customer service. These jobs need attention to detail and good people skills. 14-year-olds will work directly with customers.
Food Service Jobs for Teens
In food service, places like AMC Theatres, Arby’s, Chick-fil-A, and McDonald’s hire 14-year-olds. These teen jobs help young workers learn customer service in a busy place.
| Job Title | Employer | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Clerk (Stocker) | Giant Eagle, Kroger, Safeway | 14 years old |
| Cake Decorator | Giant Eagle, Kroger, Safeway | 14 years old |
| Pharmacy Technician | Giant Eagle, Kroger, Safeway | 14 years old |
| Deli Clerk | Giant Eagle, Kroger, Safeway | 14 years old |
Local amusement and entertainment places also hire 14-year-olds. They offer chances to learn customer service in a fun setting. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) says 14 is the minimum age to work most jobs in the U.S. This opens up many entry-level positions for adolescents.
Jobs for 14 Year Olds: Outdoor and Physical Labor
Finding jobs for 14-year-olds can be tough, but there are outdoor and physically demanding roles they might like. These jobs offer employment opportunities for young workers and help build important skills and experience.
Lifeguarding and Camp Counseling
Lifeguarding is a great choice for active and responsible 14-year-olds. They need a lifeguard/CPR certification, which employers usually give during training. Lifeguards make about $12.48 per hour, making it a good summer job for teens.
Camp counseling is another outdoor job for 14-year-olds. They work with kids and share their love for different activities. Camp counselors earn $14.06 per hour and get to work with young people, gaining valuable experience.
Moving and Delivery Services
For 14-year-olds who like being active, moving and delivery services are good summer jobs. These jobs need strength and stamina for tasks like loading and moving items. Movers make about $15.34 per hour.
| Job Title | Median Hourly Pay | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguard | $12.48 | $24,000 |
| Camp Counselor | $14.06 | $27,000 |
| Mover | $15.34 | $29,000 |
Outdoor and physical labor jobs offer great chances for young workers to earn well and learn important skills. Whether it’s lifeguarding, camp counseling, or moving, 14-year-olds can find good jobs in these areas.
Freelancing and Online Jobs for Teenagers
Today, teenagers have more chances than ever to find freelancing and online jobs. These jobs offer a flexible way for 14-year-olds to make money and gain skills. They can do this while still keeping up with school.
Freelance writing is a popular choice for teens. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer let young writers show off their skills. They can find clients who need content, copywriting, or blog management. Teens can earn $10 to $35 an hour, based on their experience.
For teens who love tech, graphic design is a great option. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and 99designs help young designers find clients. Clients might need visual branding, social media content, or web design. Teens can earn $50 to $500 a month, depending on the project and their skills.
Teens who enjoy making videos or music can try video editing and music production. On Fiverr and Upwork, they can offer their services. They might earn $15 to $100 a month from video game reviews or $0.02 to $12 per song review.
Tutoring is another good choice for teens. Many platforms like TutorPeers let teens as young as 13 share what they know. They can teach subjects like algebra, biology, or languages. Tutoring can pay about $30 an hour.
| Online Job Type | Typical Earnings | Minimum Age Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance Writing | $10 to $35 per hour | 16 years old |
| Graphic Design | $50 to $500 per month | 13 years old |
| Video Editing/Music Production | $15 to $100 per month | 14 years old |
| Online Tutoring | $30 per hour on average | 13 years old |
The part-time jobs for teenagers and entry-level positions for adolescents have grown. This means more freelancing and online jobs for 14-year-olds and others. These jobs offer valuable experience, flexibility, and earnings.
Building Job Skills and Experience
For many teenagers, their first job is a big step towards learning valuable skills and gaining work experience. Even in simple jobs, young people can pick up important soft skills like talking well, solving problems, and working as a team. These skills are as crucial as knowing the technical stuff. By getting real-world experience, youth employment helps high school students build a resume that shows off their skills and hard work. This is super useful when they look for jobs later.
Importance of Soft Skills
Employers now look for soft skills in young workers, not just grades and technical skills. Skills like managing time, thinking critically, and being flexible can be learned through part-time jobs. These skills make teens ready for their future careers. By putting these skills on their resumes, teens show they’re ready to do well at work.
Creating a Resume for First-Time Workers
Writing a good resume can be tough for teens with no work history. But, there are ways for them to stand out. They can talk about volunteer work, school clubs, good grades, and any skills or knowledge they have. Showing they’re eager, hardworking, and eager to learn can make a big impact on employers.
| Soft Skills | Technical Skills |
|---|---|
| Communication | Computer Literacy |
| Problem-Solving | Foreign Language Proficiency |
| Teamwork | Industry-Specific Knowledge |
| Time Management | Certifications or Licenses |
| Adaptability | Relevant Coursework |
“Developing soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork can be just as valuable as technical abilities for teenagers entering the workforce.”
Finding Job Opportunities Near You
As a 14-year-old looking for a job, it’s smart to use local resources and your network. Asking family, friends, and neighbors can lead to job tips. They might know about openings or have connections in the area.
Networking and Word-of-Mouth
Teen job search success often comes from networking. Tell your friends and family you’re looking for entry-level positions for adolescents. They might know someone who can help you find employment opportunities for young workers.
Online Job Boards for Teens
Online job boards are also a great place to look for jobs. Sites like Monster and Snagajob have jobs for young people. They make it easy to find teen job search opportunities that fit your skills and schedule.
| Job Board | Description | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|
| Snagajob | Online job marketplace for hourly workers | 14 years old |
| Monster | Comprehensive job search engine with teen-friendly listings | 14 years old |
| Youth Central | Job board and resources specifically for young job seekers | 14 years old |
Using both local networking and online job search tools can help 14-year-olds find great entry-level positions for adolescents. This way, you can find jobs that match your interests and fit your schedule.
Benefits of Working as a Teen
Working as a teenager comes with many advantages. It lets teens earn money and learn about managing finances. They can budget, save, and invest their earnings, which helps with future financial success.
Having a job also teaches teens how to manage their time and be responsible. These skills are useful now and will help in their future careers.
Earning Money and Financial Literacy
Many teens want to make their own money and be financially independent. Working lets them feel accomplished and learn about managing money. They can budget, save for goals, and look into investments, preparing for a secure financial future.
Time Management and Responsibility
Handling a job while keeping up with school, activities, and life teaches teens a lot. It helps them develop good time management and responsibility. These skills are highly valued by employers, making early work experience very beneficial.
“Working as a teen teaches valuable life skills that can benefit you for years to come.”
The perks of working as a youth are more than just making money. Teens gain important skills for their future careers and personal lives.
Freelancing and Online Jobs for Teenagers
Today, teenagers have many chances to find part-time jobs and entry-level positions online and through freelancing. These jobs are flexible, fitting well with school and other activities.
Freelancing is a great choice for teens. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com offer many freelance jobs. You can find work in freelance writing, graphic design, video editing, and music production. These jobs let teens work on their own time.
Teens can also look for online jobs that don’t need special skills. Jobs like completing online surveys, playing video games, and reviewing songs can make money. These jobs are easy to start and can give teens a steady income.
| Job Type | Minimum Age | Earning Potential | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Assistant | Varies | 4 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Data Entry | 18 | 2 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Complete Online Surveys | 13 (with parental consent) | Low | 5 out of 5 |
| Play Video Games Online | 13 | Low | 5 out of 5 |
| Get Paid to Review Songs | 13 | 2 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Test Products | 16 | Low | 4 out of 5 |
| Get Paid to Take Pictures with Your Phone | 18 (under 18 with parent consent) | 2 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Selling Stuff Online | 13 | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
These online and freelance jobs might need some work upfront, but they offer teens freedom and skills. Skills like communication, time management, and digital literacy are valuable. These jobs help teens earn money and become more independent.
It’s important for teens to be careful and talk to their parents when looking for jobs. By checking out jobs carefully and staying open with their parents, teens can find great opportunities for growth.
Conclusion
Looking into jobs for 14 year olds opens up many chances for young people. Teens can find work in retail, food service, outdoor jobs, freelance, and online. These jobs help teens get work experience, learn important skills, and make extra money.
It’s important for teens to know the legal rules and what they like and are good at. They should use local resources to find the right job. This way, 14-year-olds can start their first job and have a good experience.
As more teens work, they need to be careful with their time. Working too much can hurt their grades and health. But, working the right amount can help them grow and do well in school.
There are many jobs for 14 year olds that teach them important lessons. They learn skills, become more responsible, and independent. By trying these jobs, teens can prepare for a future that is financially smart and career-focused.
FAQ
What legal requirements do 14-year-olds need to meet to work?
Teens under 18 (or 16 in some states) must get employment certificates or permits before they can work legally. These rules change by state. So, 14-year-olds should check their local laws.
What are some popular summer job options for 14-year-olds?
For 14-year-olds, babysitting and child care, and lawn care and gardening are top summer jobs. These jobs are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Monster.
What types of customer service and retail jobs can 14-year-olds consider?
14-year-olds can work part-time in retail and food service. They can be cashiers, store clerks, or food service workers. These jobs offer training and help improve customer service skills.
What outdoor and physical labor jobs are suitable for 14-year-olds?
Jobs like lifeguarding, camp counseling, and moving and delivery services are great for 14-year-olds. They involve outdoor and physical work.
What online and freelance opportunities are available for 14-year-olds?
14-year-olds can explore online and freelance work. This includes freelance writing, graphic design, video editing, music production, or starting an online business.
How can 14-year-olds build job skills and experience?
Working as a teen helps build job skills and experience. It teaches skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
How can 14-year-olds find job opportunities in their local area?
Asking family, friends, and neighbors can lead to job tips. Online job boards also list jobs for young workers.
What are the benefits of working as a teenager?
Teen jobs help teens earn money and learn about money management. They also teach time management and responsibility.