10 places that hire 14-15 year olds

Long ago, kids around the world seemed to be hopping in cars to the local burger restaurant, delivering newspapers, or rewinding VHS tapes at the video store. It was common and expected. It was also a time when children smoked cigarettes and stayed outside until the streetlights came on. Some may dispute that this was “the good old days” while others agree that this is a time for improvement. Fast forward 20 years. The world is very different and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), established in 1938, is enforced by the US Department of Labor

The FLSA has set the minimum age for working at 14. There are some deviations, but companies must adhere to these standards or face severe penalties.

Rules for working at 14-15 years old

14-15 year olds are legally able to work, but the fields they can work in, the hours they can work and the jobs they can do are more limited than those at 16.

At 14-15 years old, young people can

• work 3 hours or less per day from Monday to Friday
• work 18 hours or less per week while school is still in session
• work 8 hours or less per day or 40 hours or less per week during breaks and school holidays
• work between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. any day from the day after Labor Day through May 31
• work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily from June 1 to Labor Day

Reasons for working at 14-15 years old

There are many factors that go into a 14-15 year old’s decision to work. Sometimes young people want to contribute to their home while other times they want to get away from their home. Some want to earn money to save for a larger purchase, while others want money to be spent on smaller items.

Whatever the reason, there are legal requirements that he or she and the company must adhere to. In addition, parents or guardians must sign, often with a permit from the school attended by the youth. It takes a bit of work, but ambitious 14-15 year olds who want a job can find jobs that will hire them.

Warnings (and reality) for working at 14-15 years old

• There are many places that are able hire at 14-15 but habit rental until 16-17.
  • Many franchises fall into this category.
  • Franchises are usually locally owned, so they have a bit of leeway, but they also have to follow a lot of company policies.
• It is also important to keep the competition in mind.
  • If the region has a high unemployment rate, adults will take on jobs for which young people between the ages of 14 and 15 could be hired.
  • If the area has a low level of education, adults can only be qualified for jobs that would otherwise be awarded to a 14-15 year old.
• Another factor is the time of year.
  • Every summer and winter, college youth return home looking for temporary jobs that might be suitable for 14 to 15 year olds as well.
  • During the school year, a young person aged 14 to 15 can only work fewer hours than during breaks.

Outside of family businesses (which operate under a different set of rules), it’s often difficult to find a job at 14-15, so I’ve compiled a list of 10 places that Actually hire after going through the process with my own kids.

Industry Jobs

Jobs in certain industries are available. These jobs and their interest in hiring young people between the ages of 14 and 15 vary.

Farms

In the Midwest we have a ton of farms. Farmers are looking for farm workers to do odd jobs around the farm such as feeding animals, cleaning and clearing areas, scooping hay, harvesting produce and selling at the market. Not only are farmers looking for farm laborers, but here in corn country (Indiana), farmers are looking for youth to demolish. Most of these jobs are manual intensive jobs that cultivate a lot of collaboration, babysitting, and persistence.

To find a job on a farm, start at the local market, produce stand, FFAs, or farm monitors to find a farmer who needs help. Even if this farmer is not hiring, he may know or meet someone in need later.

Newspapers

The good old delivery men and girls still exist in the world where there are newspapers. Newspapers are looking for delivery people who roll, ring, wrap (in rainy weather) and deliver the newspaper to individuals and businesses. In many newspapers, the delivery man continues to fundraise from customers. Delivery can be done on foot, by bike or by scooter. This work is tedious and repetitive, but it fosters a sense of speed, integrity and socialization.

To find a job at the local newspaper, start at the newspaper office. If the newspaper itself isn’t recruiting, current delivery people may want an intern to watch or get back on the road.

Food service

Many restaurants hire bussers, hosts, dishwashers, and clerks at ages 14 to 15. While the majority of places won’t allow someone this young to wait for tables or work online (as a cook), some will hire young people for jobs that are less likely to have an accident. Whether it’s a restaurant or an ice cream parlor, food service workers need to be cautious, aware, and cautious to do their jobs safely. Three of my four children have worked in the restaurant business, as have I for many years. It’s a unique culture that some people are not ready for, but the industry leads to tolerance, patience and socialization like no other.

To find a job in the restaurant business, contact local restaurants first before registering with franchises like Dairy Queen, Culver’s, Wendy’s, McDonald’s or Burger King. My kids have never had any luck with franchises, but it will vary everywhere. Also be sure to check multiple franchises. They could have different owners!

Medical institutions

Medical facilities like nursing homes and hospitals sometimes hire between 14 and 15 years. It is not possible to get a position that requires a license (CNA, QMA, IA), but it is possible to get other jobs in medical institutions. Nursing homes and hospitals provide laundry services, dietetic (food) services, reception services and cleaning services. Jobs in these fields vary widely, but my brother and I grew up working in the retirement home where my mother worked. We both worked in activities (setting up for bowling, BINGO, etc.). I also read letters to the elderly and my brother cleaned the equipment (wheelchairs, walkers). I was also a hospital candy tracer for years. It is very useful to work in a medical establishment. Empathy learned on its own is worth it, but it also builds social skills and thick skin.

To find a job at a medical facility, contact a nursing home or the human resources department of a hospital, or just ask someone who works there.

Grocery

Many people start their first job in a grocery store. Baggers and storers are often young, even between 14 and 15 years old. A bagger will bag groceries and collect carts while a storekeeper will rotate and store shelves. Krogers stores generally prefer to hire at 16, but they hire at 14-15. Local grocery stores are a better place to get hired than chain grocery stores. Working in a grocery store teaches speed, agility and coordination.

To find a job in a grocery store, check out local stores before heading to the local chain.

Sports facilities / parks

Sports centers and parks hire young people between the ages of 14 and 15 for various tasks. Concessions are one of the most popular places to work for young people, but 14-15 year olds can also collect a gate / gate fee and write down points. Sometimes these jobs are held by other teams, but they can be great positions, especially for sports fanatics. My daughter worked at a local sports facility for the past 2.5 years and now works at a sports complex at the university. Precision and quick thinking are skills that young people learn in a sports facility or park.

To find a job at a sports facility, contact the facility itself or even a coach whose team participates in one.

Site work

Labor jobs consist of jobs with manual labor: roofing, flooring, construction, landscaping. These jobs require many safety precautions, which may include a higher age range. For good 14-15 year olds, work is a great place to start. Labeled grumpy work in the labor industry, the work tends to be very physical and very demanding. Usually this involves preparation, placement, maintenance of needs, supply of materials and cleanup. This is the job that many skilled workers don’t want to do, or it saves them time and effort. As well as being a physically demanding job, this work teaches endurance and balance.

To find employment, contact a local construction company that will have connections in all other areas.

Entrepreneur Jobs

The last three areas are all areas specifically designed for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs will come out and be successful, which takes a lot of persistence and confidence, but it creates huge profit when done right. Some tips that will help a budding entrepreneur aged 14 to 15:

• Display. (Consider creating flyers and business cards to attract your customers!)
• Be fair in the prices. (If your price is right, you will probably get bigger tips!)
• Do every job well. (You are building your reputation, so get these recommendations!)
• Arrive. (Always be on time and show up when you’re supposed to!)
• Finish early. (Set a schedule to complete and do your best to complete it before this time to impress customers!)
• Avoid overbooking. (Be careful not to overbook and disappoint a customer!)
• Save money for taxes. (Check with your local tax advisor for details!)

Cleaning

From cars to animals, the cleaning industry is one area where entrepreneurs between the ages of 14 and 15 can really make a lot of money if they do it right. A bucket, soap, water, and a sponge can go a long way in cleaning something, but elbow grease and time are more important to most customers. Consider cleaning vehicles (find those that are especially dirty), cleaning houses (find new parents who might enjoy a break), and even cleaning animals (find those big dogs that do big messes).

Yard maintenance

Mowing lawns is a proven method of making money. Two of my sons have (and continue) to earn money by mowing small gardens for our elderly neighbors. One of my two sons was making close to $ 1,000 a month mowing classes at once! Yard maintenance can also include cleaning fences, shoveling snow, and even maintenance of garbage collection.

Meeting

Baby sitting. Sit Dog. House session. Taking care of others or the property of others is a task built around trust. For the most trusted 14-15 year olds, looking after and caring for a child, pet, or client’s home is an honor that should be taken very seriously. These jobs should be taken seriously, but they can also be extremely fun. Playing with kids and animals or staying in someone’s house might not even seem like work.

Education should always be the top priority for 14-15 year olds, but cultivating a strong work ethic is also important. Jobs are there for the motivated mind who is willing to work there. Jobs don’t come to the door. It takes a lot of work to get out and find a job without giving up. The 14 to 15 year old who really wants to work will find a job and maybe even a path to a new career.

Martha Warner is a writer, editor and educator. As a single mom for many years, Martha knows the value of money, how to work hard, and how to push each other. Her freelance career started out as a sideline (to support her love of travel) and quickly grew into the most lucrative career she’s ever had. Martha still teaches at college as well as other online and in-person courses including Money-Making Writing, College Scholarship Writing, and Grant Writing. Know more about her on her website.