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Looking for jobs for 15 year olds to make some extra cash?
Or maybe you’re a parent to a 15-year-old and trying to help them make some extra money?
There are plenty of opportunities for teenagers to find employment – it’s all about knowing where to look and what’s available.
We’ve done the heavy lifting and researched jobs that 15-year-olds can apply for, as well as some things to think about when deciding which job is best for you.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Start Working at a Young Age
There are many good reasons to start working at a young age.
Personal Responsibility
Several strong reasons for parents revolve around helping your teen learn about personal responsibility, and start their careers off on the right foot.
Getting a job at 14 or 15 can help you teach your children important lessons about responsibility in the workplace, with finances, with scheduling, and more.
It can also help teens learn the value of earning their own money.
They can also begin setting up their own personal budget for saving and spending habits.
Earning a paycheck can help them save for a major purchase, like shopping for the holidays or buying their first car.
Future Benefits
There are additional benefits to teenagers for starting work early that go beyond putting some extra money in your pockets.
You can open your own bank account, and learn about personal finance.
You can start to learn about how to build good credit, which will be important when you open your first credit card.
Future employers will see that you have taken initiative early, and you will have better prospects when applying for jobs later.
Career Longevity
Another key benefit to starting early is career longevity.
Some people can work for a single company throughout their entire career – and it all began with the job they took as a teenager.
If you choose the right company, you can be assured of your job security if you stick with it and move up the corporate ladder over time.
Many companies provide perks like tuition reimbursement for college courses, stock options, priority hiring for management positions, and more to those that have been with the company the longest.
You might consider starting this career path if you have a family member or a close friend that is already working at that company, and could tell you the reasons to start working there.
Working Helps Your Chances When Applying to College
Colleges also keep an eye on your activities all through high school.
They will take note of your community service, social club memberships, and volunteer activities in addition to your grades.
Another important part of your resume and college application will be the jobs that you have worked while you were a student.
Showing that you can juggle a part-time job while completing high school can really help your chances of getting into your college of choice.
Keep this in mind when deciding if you should get a part-time job; there are lots of great reasons to start early.
Limitations on Working at a Young Age
Before you start applying for any job you can find, you should know that there are limitations on the type of work you are legally allowed to do at age 14 or 15.
There are even stricter limitations than jobs that 16 and 17 year olds can apply for.
We’ve highlighted the major points to consider here.
Understanding Child Labor Laws
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a set of federal laws and statutes that ensures fair workplace practices in areas like overtime pay, minimum wage, and youth employment standards.
FLSA standards are in place for the private sector as well as federal, state, and local government jobs.
Minimum Age for Employment
Fourteen is the minimum hiring age for non-agricultural employment, which means that no company can hire anyone under the age of 14 for employment in non-agricultural positions.
(Non-agricultural positions covers jobs that are not related to farm work – there are other federal standards that apply to those kinds of jobs).
There are also some jobs that do not have a minimum age, such as babysitting, delivering newspapers, or any kind of acting job (like in a theater production, movies, or commercials).
Many of the limitations are also removed if you are working at a business your parents own (as long as it is not a manufacturing job or one that deals with hazardous materials).
Limits on Hours Worked for 14 and 15 Year Olds
In addition to the age limits for working, there are limitations to when a 14 or 15 year old can work a shift.
Fourteen or fifteen year olds must ensure that they are present for regular school hours, which means that you cannot take any shift of work during school hours.
There are also limitations on how much work a young teenager may be scheduled for.
You are not allowed to work more than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday.
You are not allowed to work more than 8 hours a day when school is not in session (including weekends, holidays, or seasonal breaks).
You are not allowed to work more than 18 hours a week when school is in session (for example, if you were to work all 5 school days a week, you could only work one additional 3 hour shift on the weekend).
You are not allowed to work more than 40 hours a week when school is not in session (including holiday or seasonal breaks).
A teenager cannot start work earlier than 7:00 a.m. and must be finished with work no later than 7:00 p.m. on any day that they are scheduled to work.
The exception to this is during the summer (June 1 through Labor Day), when labor hours are extended in the evenings to 9:00 p.m.
Keep in mind that these work time limitations are removed once you turn 16, which means that if you start a job at lower hours, you can prove your ability to do good work and could be given longer shifts once you turn 16.
Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; all states must pay all workers at least this much for most positions.
Some states do have a higher minimum wage, and this may also change depending on the type of company you work for – check to see what the minimum wage is in your state.
The FLSA does state that employers can be paid a minimum wage of $4.25 for their first 90 days of work, then they must be paid the minimum wage (federal or state) after that.
Be sure to check with the company you are applying to in order to find out what their practices are for minimum wages paid.
Other Requirements
Some states may require a particular kind of paperwork in order to get a job when you are a teenager.
These certifications will confirm your eligibility to work, and will also confirm your age.
Some positions may even require the permission of a parent or guardian for employment.
Other Thoughts on Starting Work Early
Your options may be limited if you start working at 14 or 15 years old, but keep in mind that you are learning valuable lessons about how to be a good employee.
Learning how to manage your schedule and finances will come in handy when you get closer to graduation, or when you start college.
These good habits will also come into play when you begin a full-time position as well.
Also, while you may not enjoy every day at your new job, remember that you are providing a valuable service to your managers and the companies you work for.
If you meet and exceed their expectations, you could receive official recognition, or even get a raise as a reward for your efforts.
Tips on Getting Your First Job
There are several important things to keep in mind when you are applying for your first job.
Even though you have limitations on the types of jobs you can apply for, you should still take it very seriously – your first job is an important part of your career.
Be sure to have your parents work with you when completing your application, in case you have any questions.
If you get an interview, dress appropriately and professionally – your managers want to see that you will handle yourself responsibly, including how you dress and talk during the interview.
When you get your job, make sure that school remains a priority (remember, you can’t work during school hours for any position).
Make sure you have reliable transportation to and from your job so that you can show up for your scheduled shifts on time.
If your job has a uniform, make sure you have your uniform ready before each shift; this applies to other areas of the dress code, like personal grooming.
What to Do Once You’ve Started Working
Even though you may not have landed your first job yet, chances are you have decided to start working in order to serve your career or your chances at getting into college.
Here are some things you might want to consider once you are hired:
Professional References
Once you have worked someplace for a while, ask your manager if you can use their name as a professional reference.
Colleges, and even future employers, will ask you for several professional references to help them make a decision on whether or not to accept you.
If you have consistently done good work at your first job, your boss will be happy to give his or her name as a reference to help you grow and do more.
Build Your Resume
Your resume will help you get into colleges and other jobs down the road, so start now with your first job.
Your school guidance counselor can help you find the best way to summarize your work experience, as well as how to incorporate your academic performance and extracurricular activities into your resume.
Be sure to include your best contact information, and talk about what you actually did during your work – lying on a resume will seriously hurt your chances of finding a job in the future, and can even get you fired.
Don’t Forget About Tax Returns
Remember that you will need to file a tax return for every year that you work.
Your employer will automatically deduct your taxes and other withholdings from each paycheck.
They will also give you paperwork after each year that you work so that you can file your tax returns.
You will always need to file a federal tax return for each year that you work, and some states require you to file a state tax return as well.
Look for Ways to Stay with the Company
Many companies offer perks and benefits for those that stick around for several years, or who make an entire career with them.
You could get access to positions that hire from within, which means that they may give priority to people that already work there.
You could also take advantage of increases in pay, and could be awarded bonuses or other special awards based on how long you have been with the company.
Some businesses will host career fairs, or attend others at your school or in the community to talk about the career paths they offer – many of which can start with jobs offered to teenagers.
Companies That Will Hire 14 or 15 Year Olds
Most people think that it’s quite difficult to find jobs for 15 year olds, but there’s actually more positions available than you think.
There are three major categories of companies that will hire 14 or 15 year olds.
Restaurant Chains
Many restaurant chains will hire younger workers for service-related positions.
Typical jobs at these companies are servers, bussers, and food prep staff.
Other duties may include cleaning and washing dishes.
Keep in mind that some locations may not hire those under 16 or even under 18; this will depend on the rules the franchise owner puts in place.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores often hire younger workers as front-line employees.
You can usually be employed as a bagger or cashier, or some other front service employee role.
Many grocery stores are regional, so job availability may depend on what chains are present in your area.
Entertainment Venues
Entertainment venues may include movie theaters, amusement parks, or other live entertainment venues.
Work responsibilities may include food service, ushering, directing guests on or off rides, or gift shop cashiers.
60 Legit Jobs For 15 Year Olds
Below is a selection of 30 companies that frequently hire 14 or 15 year olds.
Please check each company’s website to see what jobs are available.
Remember that job availability will vary by location and season.
With that said, let’s dive right in.
1. AMC Theaters
AMC Theaters is a movie theater chain with more than 600 locations across the country.
Some locations will hire workers as young as 14, but not all – check with your local theater to see what jobs are available for 14 or 15 year olds.
Jobs that teenagers can apply for include usher and concession worker.
Typical duties may include directing guests to their theater, taking or selling tickets, selling and preparing concessions, and cleaning theaters after each movie showing.
Check out job opportunities with AMC Theaters.
2. Arby’s
Arby’s is a national fast food restaurant chain with more than 3300 locations across the United States.
You can apply to become a crew member at Arby’s at age 15.
Typical duties would include working a cashier, food preparation, and cleaning the restaurant and service area.
This company would be a good opportunity for career longevity, since you can advance relatively quickly to high positions in the restaurant.
You can become a shift manager at 16, and even apply to become a store assistant manager at 18.
Check out job opportunities with Arby’s.
3. Bahama Breeze
Bahama Breeze is a table service restaurant that operates primarily in Florida, but also has locations in other locations in the eastern United States.
Teenagers can apply to be a host or server, which includes duties such as welcoming guests, placing them at a table, taking orders from guests and delivering their orders once ready, and taking care of guest needs.
You can also apply to be a line or prep cook, but this may require some prior kitchen experience.
With table service restaurants, the pay structure may be different because most restaurant jobs in this area can accept tips from guests.
The base pay may be less than minimum wage, but if you work enough hours you can more than make up the difference with tips.
Check out job opportunities with Bahama Breeze.
4. Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins is famous for their 31 flavors of ice cream, and have thousands of locations across the country.
This company may hire as young as 14 years old in many of their stores.
You would be responsible for welcoming and taking orders from guests, as well as serving and preparing their food.
You may also be responsible for restocking food supplies at the front counter and cleaning the store.
Check out job opportunities with Baskin Robbins.
5. Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s is another well-known ice cream store chain with locations across the United States.
They can hire younger workers as well.
You would be responsible for welcoming and taking orders from guests, as well as serving and preparing their food.
You may also be responsible for restocking food supplies at the front counter and cleaning the store.
Check out job opportunities with Ben & Jerry’s.
6. Boston Market
Boston Market is a fast casual restaurant with more than 450 locations across the United States.
They are known for rotisserie chicken and home-cooked sides and entrees.
The minimum age to work at Boston Market is 15.
You would be hired to be a dishwasher or server at that age.
Job duties include washing dishes, serving food from the counter or delivering it to the guests’ table, and cleaning the restaurant and service area.
Check out job opportunities with Boston Market.
7. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is another ice cream restaurant chain with locations across 20 states.
You can apply to work as an ice cream scooper at age 14.
You would be responsible for taking guests’ orders and preparing their food for them as well.
Check out job opportunities with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream.
8. California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen is a table service restaurant chain with locations across the country.
They are known for their variety of specialty pizzas, including comfort recipes as well as healthier alternatives.
The minimum age to work at California Pizza Kitchen is 15, although you would be limited to a host position.
Servers must be at least 18 because they would be eligible to serve alcohol to guests.
Check out job opportunities with California Pizza Kitchen.
9. Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A is a popular fast food restaurant with locations across the country.
They specialize in chicken sandwiches, along with many Southern favorites and healthful alternatives to traditional fast food.
They are also known for their customer service and welcoming atmosphere.
You can apply to work at Chick-fil-A starting at age 14, and you will typically be hired as a service team member.
Responsibilities include welcoming guests, taking their orders, delivering orders to guests’ tables, and cleaning the restaurant.
There are also opportunities for advancement within the store.
One added benefit to working at Chick-fil-A is that the company is closed on Sundays, which guarantees one day off each week.
Check out job opportunities with Chick-fil-A.
10. Culver’s
Culver’s is a regional fast food restaurant that is currently expanding the number of locations around the country.
They serve fast food such as hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and frozen custards.
You can apply to work at Culver’s starting at age 14.
Jobs include cashiering, serving food, and cleaning the restaurant.
Check out job opportunities with Culver’s.
11. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is known for their soft serve ice cream and frozen treats, but also serves other fast food fare.
They have thousands of locations across the United States, and will hire workers as young as 14.
You could be employed as a cashier, cook, server, or another similar team member.
Check out job opportunities with Dairy Queen.
12. Fareway
Fareway is a grocery store chain that is rapidly expanding in the Midwest.
The minimum age to apply for a job is 14 years old.
Jobs available for younger teenagers include the grocery and market departments.
Responsibilities include stocking shelves, processing products in the back of the store, checking out customers at the cashier station, and maintaining the service areas of the store.
Check out job opportunities with Fareway.
13. Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle is another regional grocery store chain with locations in the northwestern United States (they have stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia).
You can apply for a job at Giant Eagle when you are as young as 14.
Typical grocery store positions would be available here, including front service clerks, baggers, and cashiers.
You could also be hired as a shopping cart attendant or a bakery clerk.
Check out job opportunities with Giant Eagle.
14. Giant Food
Giant Food is another northeastern United States grocery store chain.
You can apply at age 14 for certain positions.
Typical positions may include front service clerks or cashiers.
Check with each individual store to see what positions are available, and the minimum age for hiring.
Check out job opportunities with Giant Food.
15. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is a grocery store chain the midwestern United States.
Each store is independently operated, which means that the minimum hiring age is determined by the management of each location.
Some will hire as young as 14, but some may have an older hiring age.
Positions for younger workers will vary by location, but will likely include cashiers, baggers, and front service clerks.
Check out job opportunities with Hy-Vee.
16. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is known for their fried chicken and other Southern comfort dishes.
They are the world’s second largest restaurant chain, with numerous locations across the country.
You can begin work at KFC as young as 14.
Basic restaurant jobs for younger hires include cashier, food preparation, cleaning the restaurant, and serving guests.
Check out job opportunities with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
17. Kroger
Kroger is a supermarket chain that operates grocery stores across the country.
They also operate stores under several other names, such as Smith’s, Fry’s, and King Soopers.
Some stores will hire workers as young as age 14, but you will need to check with your local store to confirm.
Depending on the state you hope to work in, you may need employment paperwork certifying that you are eligible to work.
Jobs for 15 year olds include typical grocery store positions as cashiers, baggers, and front service clerks.
Check out job opportunities with Kroger and their affiliate brands.
18. McDonald’s
McDonald’s is the largest restaurant chain in the world, known for fast food fare like hamburgers, French fries, breakfast sandwiches, and more.
Crew members may be hired as young as age 14, although some franchises may have different hiring standards.
Younger crew members will work as cashiers, food preparers, and restaurant cleaners.
Check out job opportunities with McDonald’s.
19. Palace Entertainment
Palace Entertainment operate a number of theme parks, water parks, marine life parks, and family entertainment centers across the country.
They may hire team members as young as age 14 depending on the location and type of establishment.
Establishments like this are great opportunities for younger workers since peak tourism season usually hits during the summer months, when work regulations are loosened slightly.
This means that you can earn a bit more money than you normally would with a typical job.
You can be hired by Palace Entertainment locations in positions like park service attendant, parking attendant, food and beverage cashier, and admissions clerk.
Duties include directing guests to designated parking areas, selling and taking tickets, performing food service duties like taking orders and delivering food, and other positions around the park.
Check out job opportunities with Palace Entertainment.
20. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is the world’s largest pizza chain, with tens of thousands of locations worldwide.
They hire for positions that do not require driving (for example, pizza delivery person) at age 14 depending on location.
You would likely be hired as a cashier or food preparation staff.
Typical duties would include welcoming guests, taking orders, delivering food to their tables, or cleaning the restaurant.
If you do decide to stay with Pizza hut until you are old enough to drive, you would have the opportunity to earn more money in tips as a delivery driver.
Check out job opportunities with Pizza Hut.
21. Publix Supermarkets
Publix Supermarkets is a grocery store chain that started in Florida and now has locations throughout the southeastern United States.
They have excellent opportunities for career longevity and future job prospects within the store management structure.
You can be hired to work at Publix as young as 14 years old.
Job titles include cashier, front service clerk, or floral clerk.
Responsibilities include bagging groceries, checking out customers at the cashier station, collecting shopping carts from the parking lot, and stocking the floral counter.
Check out job opportunities with Publix Supermarkets.
22. Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice is a fast food restaurant that serves Italian ice, ice cream, gelato, and other frozen treats.
The minimum age to work at most locations is 14, although you should check with your local store to see what their requirements are.
Jobs may include food service and cashiering.
You would be responsible for serving and preparing food, taking guests’ orders and cashing them out, and cleaning the restaurant.
Check out job opportunities with Rita’s Italian Ice.
23. Safeway
Safeway is a supermarket chain that operates throughout the United States.
They are a part of the Albertsons chain of companies, which also operates Albertsons supermarkets, as well as a number of other supermarket brand names and chains.
With a work permit, you could be hired as a bagger or front service clerk at age 14.
If your local Safeway or Albertsons will not hire you at age 15, consider working for one of their other brands if you have a location near you.
Check out job opportunities with Albertsons Companies and Safeway.
24. Six Flags Theme Parks
Six Flags Theme Parks are regional theme parks found across the United States.
Job positions will vary by location and season, since some locations are strictly water parks while others operate year-round as amusement parks.
You could be hired as a ticket taker, parking attendant, guest services representative, food and beverage cashier, or other service-related position.
Responsibilities while working for Six Flags Theme parks may include selling and taking admission tickets, directing guests to parking areas, cashiering and food preparation at park restaurants and gift shops, cleaning and maintaining the park, and other service related duties.
Check out job opportunities with Six Flags Theme Parks.
25. SuperValu Pharmacies
SuperValu Pharmacies and Grocery Stores are locally owned and operated, with thousands of locations across the country.
They are part of the Unfi corporate family, which operates several retail brands as well as the store locations.
You can apply to some locations for certain positions at age 14.
Jobs would likely include cashiers, baggers, and front service clerks.
Check out job opportunities with SuperValu Pharmacies.
26. Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a fast food restaurant specializing in Mexican-inspired food like tacos, burritos, nachos, and more.
They will hire team members at age 14 or older.
You could work in food preparation, or be a cashier that welcomes guests and takes their orders.
Check out job opportunities with Taco Bell.
27. The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company creates lots of candy favorites, including the world-famous Hershey’s chocolate bar.
They also own and operate Hershey Park, an amusement park and entertainment complex that also features sister properties.
Perks of employment include free admission to the park, discounts at other area businesses, opportunities for pay raises and career advancement, and more.
You can start working in the theme park as young as 14 years old – they even have a section of job listings specifically for 14 and 15 year olds.
You can be hired as a utility team member or food service team member, which includes duties such as food service, cleaning the park, and greeting guests.
Check out job opportunities with The Hershey Company.
28. Wegmans
Wegmans is a family-owned regional supermarket chain.
They will hire workers as young as 15.
Job responsibilities will likely include front service work, cleaning the store, cashiering and checking out customer orders, and collecting shopping carts.
Check out job opportunities with Wegmans.
29. Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie is a supermarket grocery store chain in the southeastern United States.
They are part of the Southeastern Grocer group, which includes other grocery store brands like Bi-Lo, Fresco, and Harvey’s.
Many of these supermarkets will hire younger workers at 14 or 15 years old.
You can be hired as a bagger or front service clerk at these stores.
Check out job opportunities with Winn-Dixie and Southeastern Grocers.
30. Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s is a fast food restaurant chain that serves chicken tenders and other similar dishes.
They will hire younger workers who are at least 15 years old.
Crew members and cooks are the likeliest positions you can apply for at 15.
Duties would include welcoming guests and taking their orders, delivering meals, food preparation, and cleaning the restaurant.
Check out job opportunities with Zaxby’s.
Other Job Opportunities
Remember that many grocery store chains, restaurant chains, and amusement parks will hire younger workers.
Just because you don’t see them on our list here doesn’t mean that the perfect first job isn’t out there where you live!
Many of these chains or local or regional, which means that you may not have a location nearby – but if one isn’t available in your area, look through the list again to find one that is.
And keep in mind that this list is by no means complete – there are lots of other restaurant chains, grocery stores, and more that will hire younger workers!
Other Work Opportunities for 15 Year Olds
What if you are not able to find a job with a regional or national chain?
There are still a number of ways that you can get a good job in your area.
Some may involve an official job application working with an established company or local business; others may require you to talk with family, friends, and neighbors for jobs in your community; and others you can even work on from home that do not require you to be “employed” anywhere.
Here are a number of other job opportunities that are perfect for younger workers.
31. Artist / Craft Creator
There are lots of options for you if you have creative talents and like to make things.
You could paint, draw, sculpt, or craft other artwork with a variety of materials.
You can also make jewelry, clothing, wood crafts, seasonal decorations, woodworking products, and more.
You can sell these items from your home, on a website, at local craft fairs and art festivals, and other creative cooperative sites.
You can join an artists’ guild or follow art and creative festival organizations to see when these kinds of events would take place throughout the year, then plan to participate if your products are ready.
You can even place your products in local stores; the store will earn a commission on every sale, so be sure that you price your items appropriately.
This may require you to file paperwork with your city or county government in order to collect and file the appropriate sales taxes, and if you are legally a minor you may need to get a parent or guardian to file with you.
However, if you have a talent and are able to find an audience who wants to buy it, you can create nearly anything at home and sell it throughout your community.
32. Babysitter / Nanny
Many teenagers will work as a babysitter or nanny for friends and neighbors.
This is a great way to earn extra money while helping your neighbors out and not having to travel very far to work.
Some families only want a babysitter for a short period of time, while others may be willing to hire you as a nanny with longer hours each day and more responsibilities.
You do not even need to have a business license to be a babysitter; this is one of the most common jobs for young workers since the constraints are low and the hours are very flexible.
If you have proven that you are responsible, you can talk with the families you work with and negotiate longer hours, or offer your services for special events or to let the parents take a longer date night or even an extended vacation while you take care of the house and children.
Being a nanny usually involves a larger commitment, but it can be worth it if you are able to devote the time and energy to it.
33. Blogger / Content Creator
If you can write, or are savvy with social media, you can start earning money as a blogger, influencer, or content creator.
Bloggers can write their own work on a personal blog, or start one based on a specific topic.
You can even become a guest blogger if you know a lot about a topic, and can find a website or company that hires freelance writers.
You can also become a content creator on sites like YouTube, or leverage your friend list and followers into becoming an influencer on sites like Instagram.
If you have a large enough following, companies may pay you to feature their brands on your page, or may send you samples to review.
At the very least, once your audience reaches a certain threshold you can monetize your channels, which involves ad placement on your videos or content that turns into extra money deposited to your account.
It can be difficult to build an audience and a content library that will bring in big money, but it’s always worth a shot!
34. Camp Counselor
Local camps will often hire younger workers to be camp counselors and staff during busy seasons.
Most of the time, this includes summer camps for children and families, church camps, and other independent camp sites.
Many jobs are available during the summer months, when families are out of school and looking for fun activities to do together – this also means that you will have greater availability to work because you will be out of school.
You could work as a camp counselor and work directly with the campers, which could also lead to jobs like working the supply cabin, maintaining the camp, staffing the camp gift shop, and more.
This is a great opportunity as a summer job that you might not be able to get when camps are closed off season.
35. Car Washer
If one of your chores is washing the car at home, you might consider walking door to door in your neighborhood and offering to wash your neighbors’ vehicles.
This is usually a chore that people are happy to pay others for, and it can be a great side hustle if it is something you enjoy (or just don’t mind getting wet).
In many cases, school or community groups can raise money by doing a community car wash for a specific event or organization; while this may not bring you money directly, it can be a great idea if you are trying to raise money for your student club or group.
Working in your neighborhood washing cars can be as simple as a quick wash, or you can offer to detail cars with work like vacuuming, waxing, and polishing – you can earn extra money this way, too!
Be sure that you have plenty of supplies on hand, and also check to make sure that you can manage your schedule with the cars you have committed to wash; this kind of job teaches you lessons in time management and supply management.
36. Cashier
Many family businesses may hire you as a cashier to help you get your first job.
This can be a great way to learn a family business, as well as meet new people that can help you later in life.
Because many businesses are family owned, you can even start younger than 14 years old in some cases.
37. Child Care Assistant / After School Care Worker
Schools, after school camps, and some churches offer after school care services for families that are not able to pick up their children immediately after the school day is done.
Working at an after school care location can be a great way to start your first job.
You would usually be working directly with the kids, running activities or monitoring them as they play outside.
Most organizations will offer these jobs to former students or those that are already part of the group (for example, an after school care center run by a church may visit the youth group to advertise for these kinds of jobs, or a high school may offer their students jobs for the local elementary school).
There are also other after school programs throughout the community that may hire younger workers with flexible schedules, like gymnastics centers, martial arts centers, and more.
38. Concession Worker
Some families or student groups will work as concessionaires at local theater, music, or entertainment events.
Concessionaires run the concession stands at civic center, sports stadiums, theaters, and other entertainment venues.
They are sometimes run by corporate companies, but many are available for student and community groups to staff throughout the year.
If your family or student organization is willing to run such a stand, you could earn extra money by selling concessions or gifts at special events.
39. Crop Picker
Many farms will hire younger workers to pick crops when they are in season.
Sometimes they will rely on industrial equipment for larger crops, but smaller crops or those that require gentle handling may need a personal touch, and some farmers may reach out to their neighbors and others in the community to help them collect their harvest.
This may be a fruit or vegetable harvest, with seasonal availability depending on what has been planted or what is available for picking.
Another option is a fall festival or hayride that farmers may host during the autumn months – you could work as an amusement ride staff, corn maze guide, or ticket taker.
40. Dishwasher
Some local restaurants may hire younger workers as dishwashers in order to keep business flowing smoothly.
This may require you to work for a family member, as some restaurants may only accept workers over the age of 16 or 18.
However, washing dishes is a great way to earn some extra money for relatively little effort.
41. Dog Walker
Some families will pay good money for you to walk their dogs.
Owning a dog is a big responsibility, and walking someone else’s dog can help prepare you for owning your own pet as well.
Responsibilities for dog walkers would include showing up at scheduled times to take others’ pets for a walk.
You may have a predetermined route, or it may vary day by day; you can also take dogs to a local dog park to give them some extra play and activity time.
If you have multiple dogs that you walk at the same time, that can help your own pet to socialize with other animals.
42. Farm Stand Helper
Even if you are not picking and harvesting produce yourself, you could help a family member or local farmer manage a farm stand where they live.
Some farmers may run a sale stand at their home or farm in order to sell their produce directly to members of the community.
They may also participate in farmer’s markets, which meet regularly to offer a neighborhood or community a place to buy locally-sourced produce and food products.
This could include fruits, vegetables, herbs, eggs, dairy products, and even livestock.
You can even sell your own produce at such a market, or operate your own stand if you have enough of a harvest to sell.
43. Garden / Nursery Assistant
Some local gardens or nurseries may hire younger workers to care for their products and assist their customers.
You can work as a garden or nursery assistant performing duties like watering plants, ensuring they have proper sunlight, pruning larger plants, and directing customers to their chosen product.
44. Golf Caddy
Some golf clubs will hire younger workers to be caddies and valets for their patrons.
You would be responsible for greeting guests as they arrive, taking care of their clubs and supplies, and providing other similar guest services.
45. Greeter
Some stores or businesses may hire younger workers and greeters and hosts for their establishments.
Duties for this role are relatively simple, as you would be responsible for greeting all guests and customers that arrive.
This may be limited to social clubs and other local organizations, but larger chains may also hire younger workers as greeters as well.
46. House Cleaner
You could work for your neighbors or friends as a house cleaner.
You could use their cleaning supplies, or bring your own at a premium price to make some extra money.
Duties would include various cleaning jobs, including, vacumming, cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, sweeping and mopping floors, washing dishes, or other house-related chores.
You could also offer to organize closets or storage spaces, or help neighbors empty out their attics or sheds of unwanted items.
47. Lifeguard
Many local groups will hire younger workers as lifeguards.
You could work as a lifeguard at a community pool, a sleepaway camp that has a pool or other swimming site, or at a local or state park.
You could also work at a water park or beach as a lifeguard as well.
You would be expected to know how to swim, and there may be other certifications (such as CPR) that are required to work as a lifeguard, or they may be offered through job training.
48. Mother’s Helper
This is different than a babysitter or nanny, and functions more like an assistant to a mother who needs additional help around the house.
The parents would care for the children while you take care of other chores around the house, including cleaning the house, washing dishes, or even preparing food.
The parents’ priorities will vary greatly based on their needs, but you could offer your services to a family that you know is frequently busy and may need some additional help.
49. Music Teacher
If you are proficient in a musical instrument, you could work as a music teacher at a school, music shop, or even in your own home.
Many children and younger teenagers need music lessons to succeed in arts festivals, marching bands, or to develop their own skills and passions.
Start by asking parents in your neighborhood if any of their children want to learn the instrument you play, then you could expand into others in your community through the groups you participate in.
You could also offer your services to a local music store as a way to cross-promote your services with their business, or you could post your abilities on a school bulletin board so your classmates could learn from you.
Make sure that you are knowledgeable enough in your own playing in order to teach others the basics.
50. Paper Delivery Person
Some smaller newspapers or printers may offer jobs to younger workers as delivery persons.
This usually requires getting up very early in the morning to deliver morning papers, or may be later in the day for an evening edition.
You would not necessarily have to drive if you live in a small town; a bicycle and a bag would be all that is needed.
51. Personal Assistant
This kind of job is similar to a babysitter or mother’s helper, but may still be different enough to ask about.
Some parents may want a personal assistant to handle chores, schedule appointments, or pick up orders; they may also need extra help in caring for their children if their schedules are very busy.
You might need prior knowledge or experience in certain areas, and you would probably already have to know the person you are assisting as a close family friend in order to gain their trust; however, personal assistants are becoming more popular, and can bring in extra money for those willing to put in the work.
52. Pet Sitter
This takes dog walking a step further, and allows you to care for others’ pets while they are away.
You would be responsible for feeding and caring for their pets, walking them if necessary, and also socializing with them.
This may require multiple visits a day, but many families will pay pet sitters based on how many visits they make.
You can realistically take care of several pets at once, which requires juggling responsibilities and care schedules, but can help you earn lots of extra money in a relatively short time.
53. Referee / Umpire
Some local sports organizations may hire you as a referee or umpire.
This can apply to a community little league group, soccer club, church group, or other organization that puts on tournaments and leagues for children throughout the year.
You would need to know the rules and regulations of your chosen sport very well, which means that you would be a great candidate if you already play that sport.
You would also need to make sure that you are willing to be fair and impartial, and apply the rules equally to everyone.
54. Resort Guest Services Assistant
Some hotels, resorts, bed and breakfast establishments, or other hoteliers can offer positions to younger workers as front service staff and attendants that work in guest service areas.
This could include wait staff, valet services, food preparation, or housekeeping staff.
Positions like this may only be available for smaller businesses or larger area resorts; other institutions that have an established corporate structure may have stricter age limits on workers.
This type of work would be great for a seasonal job when school is not in session.
55. Resort Housekeeping Staff
As with being a guest services attendant, joining a hotel or resort as housekeeping staff may not be available for everyone, but smaller inns or hotels may invite younger workers to apply.
You would be responsible for cleaning guest rooms and preparing them for the next guest.
You may also prepare other areas of the hotel for special events and gatherings.
56. Retail Clerk
Many small businesses will consider hiring younger workers as retail clerks and service staff.
This can be a great option if you know a family member or friend that runs their own business or has their own store, and you are willing to work for them to gain experience and extra money.
Depending on the type of business or store, you may be responsible for assisting customers with their purchases, cashing out their orders, stocking shelves and managing inventory in the back, and cleaning the store.
If you have specialized skills, some family businesses may ask you to perform other duties for additional pay.
57. Swim Instructor
You can teach others how to swim at community pools or camps that offer swimming lessons.
Work like this is great for students and younger seasonal workers, since most swim camps would be run during the summer when most younger workers have wider availability.
You would need to be a skilled swimmer in order to apply, and many requirements such as CPR certification that apply to lifeguards will likely apply to you as well.
However, many groups will welcome enthusiastic young workers who are willing to teach others
58. Theme Park or Tourist Attraction Employee
We’ve mentioned several theme parks, amusement parks, water parks, and other entertainment venues above.
But there may be other tourist attractions or theme parks in your area that could hire workers who are 14 or 15 years old.
Many local and regional attractions are owned and operated by families, which can ease some of the restrictions on hiring age for certain positions.
They can also help you better understand the family business if you know that you would like to hold a higher position in the future.
You would likely begin as a greeter, ticket taker, guest service assistant, food and beverage cashier, gift shop clerk, or park attendant.
59. Tutor
If you have good grades in a subject and want to help other improve their own grades, you could promote your services as a tutor.
Many children – or even teenagers – would benefit from a tutor to help them get better at certain subjects.
Parents may approach you directly if they know that you love a certain subject, and you could also offer to help your friends as a tutor.
Some community groups, nonprofit organizations, foster and adoption agencies, and other institutions may want to hire you as a tutor based on who they have available that needs assistance.
60. Yard Worker
Being a yard worker can mean many things, and you can find steady work in your neighborhood year round.
You could mow lawns for your neighbors in all seasons, although it is most common to do so in the spring and summer months.
You could also rake leaves in the autumn to help your neighbors who want to clear their lawns and keep them looking nice.
If you have the tools and the ability, you can clear out weeds, overgrown shrubs, and other plant growth.
During the winter, you can also shovel snow from sidewalks and driveways.
Look for Other Possibilities
The most important thing to remember with all of these job options is that this list is not complete.
You may be aware of other opportunities in your area, or even in your own neighborhood, that we haven’t listed here.
Your family may be able to offer you a job at their business, or they may be able to connect you with other opportunities elsewhere.
And just because a business may only be local does not mean that they would be completely opposed to hiring a younger worker if you are responsible, conscientious, courteous, and are willing to go above and beyond to provide good service to their customers or clients.
Ask your parents to brainstorm ideas on how you can earn extra money outside of your regular chores, and they may even be able to help you with startup resources if you show initiative and drive.
Start Your Own Business or Side Hustle
Any one of the above jobs could potentially turn into your own business or side hustle.
For the most part, cashiering and waiting tables may not lead to starting your own company, but you can take the skills that you have learned and apply them.
Most people who start their own business have a product or service that others want.
This can lead you to valuable opportunities and experiences that can teach you how to run a business, how to manage supply and demand, run your own schedule and budget, and more.
For example, you could offer to mow your neighborhood’s lawns, wash their cars, or shovel snow from their driveways.
You can sell your artwork, jewelry and craft designs, clothing, and more at local retailers.
You could also turn your writing and creative work into a book or other collection that can be marketed to publishers.
However, even if you don’t turn your work into a full-blown business, you can still earn good money from consistently sticking with a given job.
If you have several families that you provide babysitting services for, and are responsible enough to manage schedules and are willing to work longer hours, you can earn quite a bit of money over time.
Becoming a dog walker or pet sitter is another way to provide a helpful service to those around you, and families would certainly appreciate a long-term commitment to tutor their younger children or teaching them to swim through classes at a local pool.
If you have the dedication and are willing to put in the work, you can make good money with a side hustle on your off hours doing a variety of odd jobs or by creating and selling your merchandise.
What If You’re Not Ready for a Job?
If you are having trouble finding a job with an established company, can’t find a job that you are interested in, or do not have open opportunities for the kind of job that you want, don’t give up just yet.
You might not make any extra money from these options, but they can still help you gain professional experience, help you understand how a company works or the services it provides, or simply help you give back to others.
Consider these other opportunities to starting your career that may not require a job application.
Consider an internship or job shadowing
Internships are another valuable way to gain professional experience, even though you are not a full employee of a company.
Internships are typically unpaid, but they allow you to see the inner workings of a company, and may even let you experience decisions and behind-the-scenes work that you might not see if you were a front-line worker.
You can request connections from your family, friends, your place of worship, community organizations that you volunteer with, and more in order to find an internship.
Similar to an internship, you could also shadow a working professional at their job.
This is usually a more short-term engagement, and may only last for a day or a week – but job shadowing can still expose you to key business practices.
Any internship will help boost your resume, and job shadowing can help you build your network of professional contacts that can help you find a job down the road.
Volunteer at a clinic, shelter, animal hospital, retirement community, place of worship, and more
Many service and nonprofit organizations thrive on volunteers from the community to survive.
Explore opportunities within your community to perform volunteer work; this can help get you experience with an organization even though you are not technically working for them.
If you are interested in pursuing medicine as a career, you might volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, or free clinic.
If you enjoy working with animals, you could volunteer at an animal shelter, pet hospital, or veterinarian’s office.
You could assist with washing pets, playing and socializing with them, or managing donated supplies.
If you have elderly family, you could spend more time with them and serve other by volunteering at a retirement community or nursing home.
Many locations will accept help from teenagers as guest performers or sitters to work with guests.
You can volunteer in your place of worship by serving in a children’s ministry, summer camp program, technical and production staff, music team, or a staff internship.
Volunteers are also needed at service institutions such as food banks, women and children’s shelters, foster homes and adoption agencies, and other similar groups.
You can donate supplies, play with hosted children, hand out prepared food bags to those in need, and advocate within your community for those who accept their services.
If a disaster has hit your area and you are safely able to help, relief organizations frequently request help from local groups and the community.
You should only perform work that is not dangerous, and always under adult supervision.
However, disaster relief teams from faith-based organizations and other community groups would accept any help they can find for ground clearing, distribution of relief supplies, and directing those affected to the proper resources.
Do you have any job you’d like to add to this list of jobs for 15 year olds? Let us know in the comments below.
