Jobs for 15 Year Olds Hiring Now Across the United States
1,458 positions available
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McDonald's
14/15 year old
McDonald's
14/15 year old
McDonald's
14/15 year old
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Lifeguard, 15 years old
Six Flags
Lifeguard, 15 years old
Culver's
Kitchen 14 &15 Years Old
McDonald's
HIRING 14 AND 15 YEAR OLDS
Culver's
Crew Member - 14 & 15 year old
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A 14/15 Year Old
Chick-fil-A
Team Member 14/15 Year Old
Culver's
Crew Member (14-15 years old)
McDonald's
Crew Team Member - 14/15 Years Old
McDonald's
Crew Team Member - 14/15 Years Old
McDonald's
Crew Team Member - 14/15 Years Old
McDonald's
14-15 Year Old - Crew Team Member
Chick-fil-A
Front of House Team Member - 15 Years Old
Chick-fil-A
Back of House Team Member- 15 Years Old
Chick-fil-A
Back of House Team Member- 15 Years Old
All Career
15 Year Old Limited Positions- Summer Season Host
All Career
Lifeguard - Dollywood's Splash Country - Seasonal (15 Year Olds)
Super 1 Foods
Grocery - Helper Clerk 14 or 15 years old only
Super 1 Foods
Grocery - Helper Clerk 14 or 15 years old only
Mcdonald's
Crew Team Member 14 or 15 year olds $12
Mcdonald's
Crew Team Member 14 and 15 year olds $12
Lagoon Corporation
Merchandise Sales Associate - Seasonal (14/15 Year Old Applicants)
Super 1 Foods
City Center - Helper Clerk 14 or 15 years old only
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
15 year olds Admissions Team Member- Source SFFT 2026 Spring
Chick-fil-A
Hwy 54 Front of House Team Member- 14 and 15 year old
Culver's
Part Time Front of House Crew Member (14/15 year old)
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
15 year olds Food and Beverage Team Member- Source SFFT 2026 Spring
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What a Working Week Looks Like at 15
The amount of time a 15 year old can spend working shifts depends on whether school is in session. Below is what those boundaries look like mapped onto a real schedule, rather than listed as abstract rules.
School Year Schedule
Max 18 hours/week · Max 3 hours on school days · Evening cutoff at 7:00 PM
7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
School
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
After-school shift (3-hour daily cap on school days)
7:00 PM
Federal evening cutoff during the school year
Saturday
Full shift available (up to 8 hours on non-school days)
Summer Break Schedule
Max 40 hours/week · Max 8 hours/day · Evening cutoff at 9:00 PM (June 1 – Labor Day)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Morning shift
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Break
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Afternoon shift (up to 8 hours total per day)
9:00 PM
Extended evening cutoff (June 1 through Labor Day)
Federal limits shown. Some states cap hours below these levels or extend the evening window differently. Verify your state rules before committing to a schedule.
Where 15 Year Olds Are Getting Hired Right Now
The range of jobs open to a 15 year old is broader than most teens realize. Each category below represents a distinct working environment with its own pace, pay structure, and skill set. Choosing between them is less about which pays the most and more about which experience prepares you for what you want to do next.
Retail and Customer-Facing
Typical roles
Clothing store associate, department store cashier, sporting goods floor staff, bookstore clerk
What you learn
How to interact with customers under pressure, operate a point-of-sale system, manage inventory on a basic level, and work within a team schedule.
Food Service (Front-of-House and Prep)
Typical roles
Taking orders at a register, clearing and resetting tables, assembling cold menu items, scooping ice cream, running a smoothie bar, working stadium or event concessions
What you learn
How to keep pace during a rush, basic hygiene protocols for handling food, counting back change accurately, and functioning in a workspace where standing still means falling behind.
Grocery and Supermarket
Typical roles
Bagging, cart collection, shelf stocking, produce section upkeep, customer carry-out
What you learn
Physical endurance, attention to detail in product placement, and how to work a shift that involves both customer interaction and independent tasks.
Recreation and Entertainment
Typical roles
Movie theater attendant, bowling alley counter staff, amusement park ride operator (age permitting), mini-golf or batting cage attendant
What you learn
Customer service in a high-energy environment, managing crowds, and maintaining composure during peak-traffic hours.
Community and Self-Directed
Typical roles
Babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, lawn care, tutoring younger students, car detailing, house cleaning
What you learn
Client management, pricing your own services, building a referral network, and delivering consistent quality without a supervisor present.
What Changes Between 14 and 15
On paper, 14 and 15 year olds share the same federal classification and the same hour restrictions. In practice, turning 15 opens doors that were technically available a year earlier but rarely accessible. Here is what actually shifts.
Wider employer acceptance
Many national chains that technically hire at 14 only begin actively recruiting at 15. Managers tend to be more comfortable scheduling a 15 year old for closing shifts and weekend coverage.
More restaurant doors open
At 15, national fast food and quick-service chains are significantly more willing to bring you on board. Several of these brands set their own internal hiring floor at 15 even though the law technically allows 14.
Stronger applicant profile
An extra year of school, extracurriculars, or informal work experience (even babysitting or volunteer hours) gives you more material to draw from in an interview or on a basic resume.
Closer to the 16-year threshold
At 16, most federal hour restrictions lift entirely. Employers who invest in training a 15 year old know that within a year, that worker will become significantly more schedulable.
Realistic Earning Scenarios at 15
Hourly rates alone do not tell you what you will actually take home. The number that matters is what lands in your pocket at the end of a month, given the hours you are allowed to work. These four scenarios reflect common setups for 15 year old workers.
School Year — Weekend Retail Shift Only
Hours
~8 hours/week
Rate
$12/hr
Weekly
~$96
Monthly
~$384
School Year — After-School + Saturday Mix
Hours
~16 hours/week
Rate
$13/hr
Weekly
~$208
Monthly
~$832
Summer — Steady Part-Time Schedule
Hours
~28 hours/week
Rate
$13/hr
Weekly
~$364
Monthly
~$1,456
Summer — Near Full-Time With Informal Gigs
Hours
~36 hours/week
Rate
$15/hr blended
Weekly
~$540
Monthly
~$2,160
Estimates are illustrative. Actual earnings depend on state minimum wage, job type, and hours worked. Federal minimum is $7.25/hr; most states set a higher floor.
Getting Your Work Permit
Most states require a permit for workers under 16 (some extend the requirement to 18). The process takes a few days and involves four steps. Having the permit in hand before you start applying removes the most common delay in the teen hiring process.
Four Steps to Approval
- 1Request the form from your school office or guidance counselor
- 2Complete your section and get a parent or guardian signature
- 3Bring the form to the prospective employer for their details and signature
- 4Submit the completed form for approval through the school or your state labor office
Documentation to Prepare
- Age verification (birth certificate, passport, or school ID with date of birth)
- Social Security number
- Proof of current school enrollment
- Written consent from a parent or guardian
What Hiring Managers Look for in a 15 Year Old Applicant
The criteria for hiring a 15 year old are not about credentials. They center on whether you will show up reliably, communicate your schedule clearly, and handle yourself professionally in a work environment. Here is what tips the balance in your favor.
Know Your Availability Before the Interview
Write down every day and time block you can work before you walk in. Managers scheduling teens need precision, not flexibility promises. "I can work Tuesdays, Thursdays 3:30 to 6:30, and Saturdays 9 to 5" is far more useful than "I am available most days."
Bring Something That Shows Consistency
No employer expects a resume from a 15 year old. What they want to see is evidence that you can commit to something and follow through. A school activity you stuck with for a year, a volunteer role, regular babysitting clients — anything that demonstrates you show up when expected.
Ask a Question at the End of the Interview
Most teen applicants sit quietly until the manager says they can leave. Asking one relevant question, such as "What does a typical shift look like?" or "How is the schedule communicated each week?" signals engagement and maturity that hiring managers remember.
Follow Up Within a Week
A brief, polite check-in by phone or in person one week after applying puts your name back in front of the decision-maker. Most teens never follow up. The ones who do are disproportionately likely to get the call.
Red Flags: When a Job Is Not Operating Within the Rules
The majority of employers who hire teens follow the law. But not all. The following situations indicate that a job either exceeds legal boundaries or creates conditions that are inappropriate for a 15 year old worker. If any of these apply, stop working and inform a parent or guardian.
Guidance for Parents and Guardians
A 15 year old entering the workforce is crossing a meaningful developmental threshold. The parental role at this stage is to confirm that the job meets legal requirements, that the schedule is sustainable alongside school, and that the experience builds rather than depletes.
Confirm the employer understands the rules
A brief conversation with the manager about scheduling limits is usually enough. An employer who does not know the hour restrictions for minors or who is evasive about them is a concern.
Verify your state's specific requirements
Some states cap hours below the federal maximum, restrict specific industries, or require documentation beyond the standard work permit. Your state labor department website has the definitive list.
Track the impact on school and sleep
Working 18 hours per week during school is manageable for most teens. The warning signs are grade decline, chronic fatigue, and withdrawal from activities that previously mattered to them. If those appear, the schedule needs adjustment.
Make it a financial learning opportunity
A first paycheck is the most effective introduction to saving, budgeting, and understanding payroll deductions. Setting up a bank account together and reviewing the first pay stub builds financial awareness that sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs for 15 Year Olds
Can a 15 year old legally work in the United States?
How many hours can a 15 year old actually work per week?
What types of work are available at 15?
Is 15 better than 14 for getting hired?
How much can a 15 year old realistically earn?
Does a 15 year old need a work permit?
Can working at 15 hurt academic performance?
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about teen employment and does not constitute legal advice. Child labor regulations vary by state. Some states enforce stricter requirements than the federal baseline. Before any minor begins work, verify the applicable rules through your state labor department. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant laws.