Jobs for 15-Year-Olds: Best Jobs, Pay & Work Laws

Many teenagers start looking for jobs for 15-year-olds to earn their own money and get first-hand work experience. In the United States, 15-year-olds are legally allowed to work, but federal and state laws set clear limits on when, how long, and where they can work.

At this age, most jobs are limited to safe environments such as retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Work involving heavy machinery, hazardous materials, or unsafe conditions is not allowed. In most states, a work permit (sometimes called an “age certificate”) is also required before a 15-year-old can start a job.

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Work Laws for 15-Year-Olds in the United States

Work laws for 15-year-olds in the United States are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor. The FLSA sets a federal floor, specifically the minimum protection every state must follow. States can set stricter rules on top of it, and several do, so it’s always worth checking your state’s labor department before scheduling a teen’s first shift.

Under the FLSA, 14- and 15-year-olds may only work outside school hours and are subject to certain hour limits. 

School Year Work Rules

During the school year, 15-year-olds can work up to 3 hours on a school day and up to 18 hours total in a school week, only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. They cannot work during school hours, even if they’re homeschooled or attend a school with a different schedule. The FLSA uses the local public school district’s calendar as the benchmark.

This is why most employers schedule teens for short after-school shifts (roughly 2–3 hours), so students can balance schoolwork with a part-time job.

Summer and Holiday Work Rules

Once school is out, 15-year-olds can work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. You can only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on any day. However, these hours are extended from 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. between June 1st and Labor Day (the first Monday of September).

This is when most teens pick up meaningfully more income, since full daytime shifts (and more of them) become possible.

Work Laws Vary by State: Check Before Applying

Federal law is the baseline, but many states add extra protections. A few examples:

California: One of the strictest states. A work permit is required for every minor under 18, hour limits match or exceed the federal caps, and violations are actively enforced by the state’s Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.

Florida: Slightly stricter than federal law during the school year. 15-year-olds are capped at 15 hours per school week (versus the federal 18-hour cap) and 8 hours on non-school days.

New York: Also layers on additional restrictions for older teens and requires working papers for anyone under 18.

Washington: Caps school-week hours for 14- and 15-year-olds at 16 hours per week, below the 18-hour federal limit.

Idaho: One of the few states that is looser than federal law on paper. But federal FLSA limits still legally apply to any employer covered by the FLSA (which is most employers), so the federal cap wins in practice.

Because state rules shift from year to year, the most reliable move is to check your state Department of Labor’s youth employment page, or ask about a work permit requirement when applying. 

There’s no federal limit on how many days per week a 15-year-old can work, but more than a third of states cap it, commonly at six days. Always confirm your state’s rule, since the stricter of federal or state law always applies.

Here’s a snapshot of work hours for 15-year-olds:

When	Max hours per day	Max hours per week	Allowed work hours
School is in session	3 hours on a school day	18 hours	7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
School is not in session (summer, holidays)	8 hours	40 hours	7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (June 1 – Labor Day)

Restricted Job Types

Federal law blocks 15-year-olds from certain jobs because of safety risks. Minors under 18 cannot work in any of the 17 “Hazardous Occupations” designated by the Department of Labor, which include:

• Operating power-driven machinery (meat slicers, dough mixers, bakery or woodworking equipment)
• Roofing, excavation, or construction work
• Mining, logging, or sawmill work
• Driving a motor vehicle as part of the job, or working as an outside helper on one
• Working with hoisting apparatus, forklifts, or other power-driven equipment

Employers must assign 15-year-olds safe, low-risk tasks. This can include cashiering, bagging, hosting, running food, stocking shelves, or basic food prep that doesn’t involve open flames or slicers. This protects teens as they enter their first jobs and learn workplace skills without unnecessary risk.

Do You Need a Work Permit at 15?

In most U.S. states, yes. A work permit (also called an employment certificate or age certificate) is required before a 15-year-old can legally start a job. 

It’s usually issued by your school based on parental consent and confirms that the job and schedule comply with child labor law. A handful of states don’t require one, so it’s worth a quick check with your school counselor’s office or your state labor department before applying.

How Much Do 15-Year-Olds Get Paid?

Pay for 15-year-olds depends on the job type, employer, and location. Most entry-level roles pay around the applicable minimum wage, while some positions offer higher hourly rates based on skills and responsibilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the youth labor force grows sharply between April and July each year as many high school students take on summer and part-time jobs. This seasonal increase creates more opportunities for teenagers to gain work experience and earn income.

Average Hourly Pay Range

Most teen jobs fall into these ranges. Retail roles often pay between $10 and $14 per hour, while food service jobs may pay around $10 to $15 per hour. Entertainment-based roles such as cinemas or amusement parks usually fall in a similar range.

Skill-based jobs such as tutoring or babysitting can pay more, sometimes reaching $15 to $20 per hour depending on experience and responsibility level.

Monthly Income Example

If a 15-year-old works 15 hours per week at $12 per hour during the school year (within the 18-hour weekly cap), weekly earnings would be around $180. Over a month, this becomes approximately $700–$750. During summer, when the weekly cap rises to 40 hours, income can increase significantly.

Best Jobs for 15-Year-Olds

There are many entry-level jobs available for 15-year-olds across different industries. Most of these roles are simple, flexible, and designed for beginners with no experience.

Food and Restaurant Jobs

Food service is one of the most common industries hiring teens. These jobs are available in fast food chains, cafes, and small restaurants. Typical roles include:

• Helping with customer orders
• Basic food preparation
• Cleaning
• Cashier support

These are tasks that stay within the “safe task” limits described above (no fryers, slicers, or open-flame cooking for most 15-year-olds).

Retail and Grocery Store Jobs

Retail stores often hire young workers for simple support tasks. These include:

• Bagging groceries
• Stocking shelves
• Assisting customers
• Maintaining store cleanliness

These jobs help teens learn customer service and teamwork skills in a structured environment.

Entertainment and Leisure Jobs

Entertainment venues such as movie theaters, bowling alleys, and amusement parks often hire teens for entry-level roles. Responsibilities may include:

• Ticket checking
• Assisting guests
• Cleaning
• Basic operational support

These jobs are social and usually have flexible shifts.

Outdoor and Local Service Jobs

Outdoor jobs are ideal for teens who prefer physical activity. Common roles include:

• Lawn mowing
• Gardening assistance
• Car washing
• Dog walking

These jobs are often local and flexible, making them easy to start without formal requirements. Some, like informal babysitting or yard work, fall outside FLSA coverage entirely.

Online and Skill-Based Jobs

Some teens explore online opportunities such as:

• Tutoring younger students
• Creating basic content
• Offering simple freelance services

These jobs require basic skills but can offer higher pay compared to traditional entry-level work.

Best Companies That Hire 15-Year-Olds

Many well-known companies hire teenagers for entry-level positions. Fast food chains are among the most common employers. Examples include:

• McDonald’s
• Chick-fil-A
• Subway
• Dairy Queen

These companies often provide training and structured schedules built around school hours.

Retail and grocery chains come next, including:

• Kroger
• Publix
• Wegmans
• Safeway

They hire teens for support roles like stocking and cashier assistance. 

Entertainment companies like AMC Theatres and local amusement parks also offer seasonal and part-time jobs.

These employers are popular because they offer simple responsibilities, flexible hours, and a good starting point for first-time job seekers. Above all, their hiring systems are set up to handle work permits and FLSA scheduling rules routinely.

Easy Jobs vs Higher Paying Teen Jobs

Not all teen jobs require the same level of effort or skill. Some are easier to start, while others pay more due to added responsibility.

Easy Entry Level Jobs

Easy jobs usually require minimal training. These include roles like fast food crew member, grocery bagger, movie theater staff, and car wash assistant. These jobs are ideal for first-time workers because they focus on simple tasks and basic communication.

Higher Paying Teen Jobs

Higher-paying roles usually require more responsibility or skills. Babysitting, tutoring, and freelance work fall into this category. These jobs often pay more per hour because they require trust, communication skills, or subject knowledge. Notably, many of them (informal babysitting, tutoring as an independent arrangement) fall outside FLSA hour limits, giving more scheduling flexibility.

How to Get Hired at 15

Getting a job at 15 becomes much easier with the right approach and a resume that makes up for a lack of formal work history.

Confirm you’re eligible to work. Check your state’s minimum age and work-permit requirements first. Most school counselor offices can issue the paperwork in a day or two.

Build a simple, honest resume. Even without job experience, school achievements, volunteering, sports, and basic skills all belong on a first resume. Our student resume examples and templates show exactly how to lay this out. Tools like the Jump Resume Builder can turn a blank page into a clean, professional resume in minutes. 

Apply to the right places. Target nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and entertainment venues that frequently hire entry-level workers, since they’re set up to onboard minors and manage FLSA-compliant schedules.

Apply in person, not just online. Speaking with a manager directly, showing clear availability (especially weekends and evenings), and following up a few days later noticeably improves response rates.

Ready to Apply?

Finding jobs for 15-year-olds is realistic and achievable when you understand the rules. How many hours you can legally work, which jobs are off-limits, and whether your state requires a work permit. Moreover, target entry-level roles in retail, food service, and entertainment.

Ready to apply? Build your first resume free with Jump Resume Builder. Just answer a few questions about school, activities, and skills, and get a hiring-ready resume in minutes.

With the right preparation, you can successfully land your first job and start building a solid career foundation.

FAQs

How many hours can a 15-year-old legally work?

Under federal law (FLSA), a 15-year-old can work up to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours total in a school week, only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. When school isn’t in session (during summer break or holidays), that limit rises to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, with the allowed working window extending to 9:00 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day.

Can a 15-year-old work at McDonald’s?

Yes. McDonald’s is one of the most common first employers for 15-year-olds in the U.S., along with chains like Chick-fil-A, Subway, and Dairy Queen. Individual franchise locations set their own minimum hiring age (often 14, 15, or 16 depending on the franchisee and state), so it’s best to check with your local restaurant directly or ask when applying. 

Do 15-year-olds need a permit to work in the United States?

Yes, in most U.S. states, a work permit is required for 15-year-olds before starting a job. It’s part of state child labor law and typically requires approval from a parent or guardian and, often, the school. 

What are the highest paying jobs for 15-year-olds?

Some of the highest-paying jobs for 15-year-olds are usually skill-based or responsibility-based roles. Babysitting, tutoring younger students, pet sitting, and lawn care work often pay more than regular entry-level jobs, sometimes $15–$20/hour.

What is the easiest first job for a 15-year-old?

The easiest first jobs are usually those that require no experience and provide basic training. Fast food crew members, grocery store baggers, movie theater staff, and car wash helpers are common first job options. Many employers also prefer hiring beginners for these positions because training is built into the job.