Jobs Hiring Teens Near Me
You are 15 or 16, you want your own money, and every job posting seems to ask for “experience.” Here is some good news. Late fall is one of the best times of year to look for jobs hiring teens near me, because stores, restaurants, and warehouses are staffing up for the holiday rush. Many of them need people for evenings and weekends, which fits a school schedule.
This guide covers who is hiring right now, what age you need to be for each type of job, the rules about how many hours you can work, and how to stand out even if this is your first application.
Hiring Right Now: Late October 2026
Seasonal hiring is in full swing. Here are some of the employers with active holiday hiring this year. Openings vary by store, and some roles require you to be 18, so always check the posting.
| Employer | What They Announced for 2026 | Common Teen-Friendly Roles | Typical Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michaels | 10,000+ seasonal workers in the U.S. and Canada | Cashier, stock, custom framing helper | 16 in many locations |
| Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker | 11,000+ seasonal workers combined | Sales associate, cashier, stock | 16 in many locations |
| Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s | Seasonal hiring event held October 22, with another on November 19 | Seasonal sales associate, fragrance, stock | 16 in many locations |
| Target | Seasonal hiring at stores (about 100,000 in recent years) | Guest advocate, fulfillment, style | 16 in most locations |
| Kroger family of stores | Seasonal hiring for cashiers and baggers (18,000 in 2025) | Courtesy clerk, bagger, cashier | 14 to 16, depending on state |
| Amazon | 300,000+ seasonal, part-time, and full-time roles | Warehouse associate | 18 |
| UPS | About 100,000 seasonal workers | Package handler, driver helper | 18 |
Amazon and UPS are listed because they are among the biggest holiday employers this year, but most of their roles require you to be 18. If you are 18 and still in high school, they are worth a look. Amazon says seasonal workers average about $20 an hour.
Year-Round Employers Known for Hiring Teens
Beyond the holiday rush, these employers hire teens all year in many areas. Minimum ages vary by location and state law.
Ages 14 and 15
- Fast food chains: McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and Dairy Queen often hire at 14 or 15 in many locations.
- Grocery stores: Publix, Kroger, and some regional chains hire baggers and courtesy clerks at 14 or 15 in many areas.
- Ice cream shops and smoothie bars: Local shops often hire young teens for counter work.
- Movie theaters: Some independent theaters hire at 15. Larger chains often start at 16.
- Recreation centers and camps: Junior counselor and aide roles, especially in summer.
Ages 16 and 17
- Retail stores: Target, Kohl’s, TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and many mall stores.
- Restaurants: Host, busser, dishwasher, and food runner roles at sit-down chains like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse.
- Coffee shops: Starbucks generally hires at 16 in most states.
- Theme parks and family entertainment centers: Ride operators, game attendants, and ticket sellers.
- Lifeguarding: Many pools hire certified lifeguards at 15 or 16.
Flexible and Self-Started Work
- Babysitting and pet sitting
- Dog walking
- Lawn care and leaf raking (perfect for fall)
- Snow shoveling in winter
- Tutoring younger kids
- Holiday gift wrapping for neighbors
These jobs do not usually have age limits and let you set your own schedule.
What the Law Says About Teen Work Hours
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act sets the basic rules. Your state may have stricter rules, and the stricter rule always applies.
If You Are 14 or 15
- Up to 3 hours on a school day
- Up to 18 hours in a school week
- Up to 8 hours on a non-school day
- Up to 40 hours in a non-school week
- Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year (until 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day)
- No hazardous jobs, such as operating heavy machinery or most cooking jobs that use certain equipment
If You Are 16 or 17
- No federal limit on hours
- Still barred from jobs the government considers hazardous, like driving as a main job duty or using certain power equipment
Work Permits
Many states require minors to get working papers or a work permit before starting a job. These are usually available through your school’s guidance office or your state labor department website. Ask your employer what they need.
How to Find Jobs Hiring Teens Near Me
- Walk in and ask. Many local stores and restaurants still hire people who show up, smile, and ask for the manager. Go during slow hours, like mid-afternoon on a weekday.
- Check company career sites. Big chains post openings by store on their own websites.
- Use job apps. Indeed, Snagajob, and similar apps let you search jobs hiring teens near me by ZIP code. Filter for “part-time” and “entry level.”
- Ask your school. Guidance counselors often know local businesses that hire students.
- Tell people you are looking. Neighbors, family friends, and coaches often hear about openings first.
How to Stand Out With No Experience
You do not need past jobs to get hired. You need to show you are reliable and willing to learn.
- Make a simple one-page resume. List school, grades if they are good, clubs, sports, volunteer work, and skills like “comfortable with computers” or “speaks Spanish.”
- List your availability clearly. Managers love to know exactly when you can work.
- Get a reference. A teacher, coach, or volunteer supervisor can vouch for you.
- Dress neatly for interviews. Clean, simple clothes work fine. You do not need a suit.
- Practice common questions. “Why do you want to work here?” “How would you handle an upset customer?” “What would you do if you were running late?”
- Follow up. A short call or visit a few days after applying shows real interest.
Pay You Can Expect
Teen pay depends on your state’s minimum wage and the employer. In many large retailers and chains, starting pay for entry-level roles runs from your state’s minimum wage up to the mid or high teens per hour. Big-city areas tend to pay more. For example, New York City’s minimum wage is $17 an hour in 2026.
Ask about tips if you work in food service, and about employee discounts, which can be a nice perk at retail stores.
Balancing Work and School
Your first job should help, not hurt, your grades. A few tips:
- Start with 8 to 12 hours a week and add more only if school is going well.
- Ask for weekend shifts during exam weeks.
- Use a calendar to track shifts, homework, and practices.
- Be honest with your manager if your schedule changes.
Most managers who hire teens expect school to come first and will work with you if you communicate early.
Common Questions
Can I work at 14? Yes, in many states, but only certain jobs and limited hours.
Do I need a Social Security card? Yes. Employers need your Social Security number to pay you and report taxes.
Will I pay taxes? You may have taxes withheld from your paycheck. If you earn below a certain amount, you may get it back when you file a tax return.
Is it okay to work two jobs? If you are 16 or older and can keep up with school, yes, but most teens do best with one.
A Simple First Resume Outline
Many teens skip applying because they think they have nothing to put on a resume. That is rarely true. Here is a simple outline that works for most jobs hiring teens near me:
1. Contact information. Your name, phone number, a professional email address, and your city.
2. Objective (optional). One sentence, such as: “Responsible high school junior seeking a part-time cashier role on evenings and weekends.”
3. Education. Your school, grade, and expected graduation year. Add your GPA if it is strong, plus honors like honor roll.
4. Experience. Include anything that shows responsibility:
- Babysitting or pet sitting for neighbors
- Volunteering at a food bank, church, or animal shelter
- Helping with a family business
- Team captain or club officer roles
5. Skills. List practical skills: cash handling, customer service from volunteering, comfortable with computers, bilingual, CPR certified, or good with kids.
6. Availability. Spell out the days and hours you can work. For example: “Weekdays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays any time.”
Keep it to one page, use a clean font, and save it as a PDF. Print a few copies to bring when you walk in to ask about jobs hiring teens near me.
What to Say When You Walk In
A short, confident script helps:
“Hi, my name is Jordan. I’m 16 and I’m looking for a part-time job. Are you hiring right now? I brought my resume, and I’m available after school and on weekends.”
Then smile, hand over your resume, and ask who you should follow up with. That small effort sets you apart from applicants who only apply online.
Ready to Apply?
The holiday season is a great time to start searching for jobs hiring teens near me, with retailers like Michaels, Dick’s, Macy’s, Target, and Kroger staffing up right now. Know your state’s age and hour rules, have a simple resume ready, and apply to several places at once. A seasonal job can turn into a year-round one, and many employers keep strong seasonal workers after the holidays. Start your search for jobs hiring teens near me this week, while stores are still filling their holiday schedules.
Key Takeaways
- Late October through November is one of the best times to find jobs hiring teens near me because of holiday hiring.
- Michaels plans 10,000+ seasonal hires, Dick’s and Foot Locker 11,000+, and Macy’s has another hiring event on November 19 after its October 22 event.
- Amazon (300,000+ roles) and UPS (about 100,000) are major holiday employers, but most roles require you to be 18.
- Fast food, grocery stores, and ice cream shops often hire at 14 or 15, while most retailers start at 16.
- Federal rules limit 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days and 18 hours in a school week.
- Many states require a work permit for minors, often available through your school.
- A one-page resume, clear availability, and a reference can make up for no work experience.
- Start with a modest number of hours so school stays on track.
