Have a teen? These 20 Legit Companies Offer 14 and 15 Year-Olds a Decent Paycheck!

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Calling all parents with young teens!

Are you raising a fourteen or fifteen year-old teenager and wondering how they can earn money with a job after school or over the summer to help pay for clothes, entertainment, etc? Aside from the usual babysitting, dog walking, and lawn mowing jobs that teens often do, did you know that young teens can actually earn a paycheck?

They can! According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, 14 is the minimum age for non-agricultural employment with limits to the number of hours they can work and jobs they can do. For 14 and 15 year-old employees, ALL work must be performed outside of school hours and they may not work:

More than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday.
More than 18 hours per week when school is in session.
More than 8 hours per day when school is not in session.
More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session.
Before 7AM or after 7PM on any day, except from June 1st through Labor Day, when night-time work hours are extended to 9PM.

In some states, teens may need to obtain a work permit to legally be able to work. The best place to find out if they’ll need working papers is via the school guidance office or the state department of labor. Also, although some exceptions may apply, in most circumstances teens must be paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, but this will depend on what they do and where they work.

Wondering which companies hire young teens?

The following businesses are known to hire motivated 14 and 15 year-old employees*, however, please note the hiring process will vary by store and region. Contact your local store/restaurant to inquire about their hiring process and requirements. Also, there may not be as many spots available for young workers, so inquire early.

AMC Theaters (hires ushers and concession workers 14 and older)
Baskin-Robbins (hires team members 14 and older; select locations)
Ben & Jerry’s (hires team members 14 and older)
Burger King (hires team members 14 and older)
Chick-fil-A (hires team members 14 and older; select locations)
Culver’s (hires team members 14 and older)
Dairy Queen (hires team members 14 and older)
Giant Eagle (hires bakery clerks or shopping cart attendants as young as 14)
Harvey’s (hires team members 14 and older)
KFC (hires 14-year-olds for basic restaurant jobs)
Kroger & affiliates (hires baggers or stockers with proper work permit – as young as 14)
McDonald’s (hires crew members as young as 14)
Pizza Hut (hires team members 14 and older for non driving positions)
Publix (hires cashiers and clerks 14 and older)
Rita’s Italian Ice (hires treat team members 14 and older)
Safeway & affiliates (hires baggers with work permits as young as 14)
Six Flags (hires young teens for part-time work as a skill game operator or to fill roles in food or ice cream trucks)
Taco Bell (hires team members 14 and older)
Winn-Dixie (hires baggers 14 and older)

*May vary by region. Be sure to contact your local company for specific details and pay rate.

Another option: Visit Care.com and check out the available jobs in your area, including babysitting, pet care, house sitting, lawn maintenance and more! Teens between the ages of 14 and 17 can create a parent-monitored account on Care.com (a parent will approve your account and be notified about any activity).

Need a few more ideas? The following jobs listed below are great first jobs for teens as they require minimal experience and are great for building up resumes. Also, be sure to think outside the box as some local Delis, Pizzerias, Car Washes, Pools, Parks, etc. may be willing to hire 14- and 15-year-olds.