30+ Places That Hire at 15 (Legit Teen Jobs in 2026)

Once you turn 15, a lot of well-known companies will actually hire you. Most people don’t realize how many options there are.

The tricky part is that not every business takes workers under 16, and the rules change depending on your state. So I put together this list of over 30 companies that hire 15-year-olds for part-time work.

We’re talking McDonald’s, AMC Theaters, grocery stores, ice cream shops, and more. Below, I’ll cover each one, what they pay, and what you should know before you apply.

What Jobs Hire at 15?

More industries hire 15-year-olds than you’d think. Here’s where most of the jobs are:

• Fast food and quick-service restaurants - cashier, crew member, food prep
• Grocery stores - bagger, cashier, stock clerk
• Entertainment venues - usher, concession stand worker, ride attendant
• Ice cream shops and cafes - counter server, smoothie maker
• Seasonal and outdoor work - lifeguarding, camp counselor, lawn care

Most of these are part-time only because of federal hour limits for minors. But even part-time at 15 gets you real work experience and your own money, which puts you ahead of a lot of people your age.

As you get older, even more options open up - here are some fun jobs that don’t require a college degree.

If you don’t have a bank account yet, there are also money-making apps that don’t require one.

Federal Labor Laws for 15-Year-Olds

Before you apply anywhere, you need to know the rules. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the federal baseline for what 14- and 15-year-olds can and can’t do at work.

Hours you can work:

• School days: No more than 3 hours per day
• Non-school days: Up to 8 hours per day
• School weeks: Maximum of 18 hours per week
• Summer and breaks: Up to 40 hours per week
• Time restrictions: Only between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM from June 1 through Labor Day)

Jobs you can’t do at 15:

• Operating heavy machinery or power-driven equipment
• Baking or cooking over open flames (you can cook on grills and fryers at certain restaurants with proper training)
• Working in construction, mining, or manufacturing
• Driving a motor vehicle for work purposes

Individual states may have stricter rules on top of federal law, so always check your state’s labor department website before applying. The U.S. Department of Labor’s YouthRules! page is also a helpful resource.

Many states also require a work permit or employment certificate, which your school’s guidance counselor can help you obtain.

Fast Food Restaurants That Hire at 15

Fast food is where most 15-year-olds end up getting their first job. These places are everywhere, they’re used to hiring teens, and applying is pretty simple.

McDonald’s

Minimum hiring age: 14–15 (varies by location)

McDonald’s is one of the biggest employers of teens in the country. Many franchise locations hire as young as 14 or 15 for crew member positions.

Your duties would include taking orders, running the register, and keeping the dining area clean.

Pay: $10–$15 per hour depending on your state and location. You can check McDonald’s current openings by location to see what’s available near you.

Burger King

Minimum hiring age: 15 (some locations 16)

Burger King hires 15-year-olds at many franchise locations. You’ll work as a team member handling food prep, customer service, and cleaning.

A work permit may be required depending on your state.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

Chick-fil-A

Minimum hiring age: 14–15 (varies by franchise)

Chick-fil-A runs a tighter ship than most fast food places, and their training is more structured. Positions include front-of-house team member and kitchen helper.

Pay: $10–$16 per hour

Taco Bell

Minimum hiring age: 15 (some locations 16)

Taco Bell takes 15-year-olds at select locations. You’d be taking orders, prepping food, and cleaning.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

Dairy Queen

Minimum hiring age: 14–15

Dairy Queen has locations in almost every state and regularly hires teens. You’ll scoop ice cream, work the register, and do basic food prep.

Pay: $9–$13 per hour

Culver’s

Minimum hiring age: 14

Culver’s is one of the few chains that actively promotes hiring 14- and 15-year-olds. Positions include dining room attendant, custodial team member, and kitchen helper.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

Wendy’s

Minimum hiring age: 15 (some locations 16)

Wendy’s franchise locations in many states welcome 15-year-old applicants. You’ll handle customer orders, clean the dining area, and assist with food prep tasks.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food service has some of the lowest barriers to entry of any industry, which is why so many teens start here.

Grocery Stores That Hire at 15

Grocery stores are a solid bet for 15-year-olds. The hours tend to be flexible around school, and the work is pretty straightforward.

Kroger

Minimum hiring age: 15 (14 in some states)

Kroger and its family of stores (including Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and King Soopers) hire teens for courtesy clerk and bagger positions. It’s solid, steady work with consistent scheduling.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

Publix

Minimum hiring age: 14

Publix is one of the most teen-friendly grocery chains in the Southeast. They hire 14- and 15-year-olds as front service clerks (baggers).

Publix is also known for promoting from within, so starting young can lead to a long career.

Pay: $10–$13 per hour (plus tips in some locations for carryout)

Winn-Dixie

Minimum hiring age: 14

Winn-Dixie hires teens as young as 14 for bagging groceries and helping customers in the southeastern United States.

Pay: $9–$12 per hour

Safeway & Albertsons

Minimum hiring age: 14–16 (varies by state)

Safeway and its parent company Albertsons hire teens for courtesy clerk positions at select locations. These stores are mostly found in western and mid-Atlantic states.

Pay: $10–$15 per hour

Stop & Shop

Minimum hiring age: 15

Stop & Shop hires 15-year-olds for cashier and courtesy clerk roles, primarily in the northeastern U.S. You could work in the grocery, bakery, or floral departments.

Pay: $11–$15 per hour

Entertainment and Recreation Places That Hire at 15

Entertainment jobs are worth looking into because the perks are actually good. Free movie tickets, theme park passes, that kind of thing.

AMC Theaters

Minimum hiring age: 14

AMC Theaters hires teens as young as 14 as crew members. You could work as an usher, at the concession stand, or at the box office.

The best perk? Free movies and discounted snacks.

Pay: $10–$14 per hour

Six Flags

Minimum hiring age: 14 (seasonal)

Six Flags theme parks hire 14- and 15-year-olds for seasonal positions like game attendants, food service workers, and merchandise sellers. You basically get paid to hang out at a theme park all summer.

Pay: $10–$15 per hour (plus free park admission)

Goldfish Swim School

Minimum hiring age: 15

Goldfish Swim School hires 15-year-olds as front desk associates and swim instructors (with proper certification). Worth looking into if you’re already a strong swimmer.

Pay: $10–$15 per hour

YMCA

Minimum hiring age: 15 (some positions 16)

Your local YMCA often hires 15-year-olds for roles like camp counselor, front desk assistant, and child watch attendant. Bonus: these look solid on a college application down the road.

Pay: $9–$13 per hour

Restaurants and Ice Cream Shops That Hire at 15

Outside of fast food, there are sit-down restaurants and dessert shops that also hire at 15.

Baskin-Robbins

Minimum hiring age: 14

Baskin-Robbins is one of the easiest places for a 15-year-old to get hired. You scoop ice cream, serve customers, and keep the shop clean.

Not complicated.

Pay: $9–$13 per hour

Boston Market

Minimum hiring age: 15

Boston Market hires 15-year-olds as cashiers and dining room attendants. You’ll keep tables clean, serve customers, and assist with front-of-house duties.

Pay: $10–$13 per hour

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream

Minimum hiring age: 14

Bruster’s is a chain across the eastern U.S. that hires teens to scoop ice cream and handle customer orders. Mostly seasonal work, and the pace is pretty relaxed.

Pay: $9–$12 per hour

Rita’s Italian Ice

Minimum hiring age: 14

Rita’s hires teens for seasonal positions serving Italian ice, frozen custard, and gelato. If you live near a Rita’s location, this is an easy first job to get.

Pay: $9–$12 per hour

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Minimum hiring age: 15 (some locations 16)

Tropical Smoothie Cafe hires teens to make smoothies, prep food, and work the register. It’s a step up from typical fast food in terms of vibe.

Pay: $9–$13 per hour

Other Places Where You Can Work at 15

Some of the best-paying work for 15-year-olds isn’t at a company at all. These are jobs you can find on your own.

Babysitting

Average pay: $12–$20 per hour

Babysitting is one of the highest-paying jobs available to 15-year-olds, and nobody needs to hire you. You just find clients.

Getting Red Cross babysitting certified helps you charge more and makes parents feel better about hiring you.

You can find families through Care.com or Sittercity once you’re old enough, or simply ask around your neighborhood.

Lawn Care and Yard Work

Average pay: $15–$25 per hour

Mowing lawns, raking leaves, pulling weeds. It’s not glamorous, but you set your own hours and rates.

Most teens doing yard work make more per hour than their friends at McDonald’s.

Here are some ways to raise money fast if you need cash sooner.

Tutoring

Average pay: $15–$30 per hour

If you’re good at math, science, or really any school subject, younger kids’ parents will pay you well to help their children. You can tutor in person at your local library or explore online tutoring jobs to connect with students remotely.

Platforms like Chegg and Wyzant let you set your own schedule and rates.

Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Average pay: $10–$20 per walk

Apps like Rover and Wag! typically require you to be 18, but you can offer your services directly to neighbors through word of mouth, community boards, or Nextdoor. Many pet owners prefer local teens they know and trust.

How Much Do 15-Year-Olds Get Paid?

The pay for jobs for 15 year olds ranges from minimum wage to around $16 per hour depending on the company, location, and position.

Quick breakdown:

• Federal minimum wage: $7.25/hour (but most states and employers pay more)
• Average fast food pay: $10–$14/hour
• Average grocery store pay: $10–$15/hour
• Average entertainment venue pay: $10–$14/hour
• Average freelance/self-employed pay: $12–$25/hour

Some states like California ($16.50/hour), Washington ($16.66/hour), and New York ($15–$16/hour) have significantly higher minimum wages that apply to teen workers too. You can check your state’s minimum wage on the Department of Labor’s wage page.

One thing that catches a lot of teens off guard: your actual take-home pay will be less after taxes. Even at 15, federal and state income tax plus FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare) get deducted from every paycheck.

That’s why learning to save on everyday expenses matters, especially when you’re not making a ton yet.

There are also apps that pay surprisingly well you can use alongside your shifts for extra cash.

Tips for Getting Your First Job at 15

If you’ve never applied for a job before, here’s what actually helps:

1. Get your work permit first

Most states require 14- and 15-year-olds to obtain a work permit before starting a job. Visit your school’s front office or guidance counselor - they’ll have the forms and know the process for your state.

2. Create a simple resume

Even without formal work experience, you can highlight:

• Volunteer work - church, community service, school events
• Extracurricular activities - sports, clubs, student government
• Skills - customer service, communication, teamwork, basic computer skills
• Academic achievements - honor roll, awards, certifications

3. Apply online and in person

For chain restaurants and stores, start with the company’s online career page. Sites like Snagajob and Indeed also list teen-friendly positions by zip code.

For local businesses, walk in during a slow time (weekday afternoons), ask for the manager, and hand them your resume directly. Managers remember the kids who actually showed up in person.

4. Prepare for the interview

Practice answers to common questions like:

• “Why do you want to work here?”
• “What are your strengths?”
• “Are you available on weekends?”
• “How do you handle working with a team?”

Dress neatly, look people in the eye, and be polite. Managers already know you don’t have experience.

What they care about is whether you’ll actually show up on time and not be difficult to work with.

5. Be flexible with your schedule

If you can work evenings and weekends, say so upfront. That’s what most employers need from teens, especially during summer.

If none of these pan out right away, there are online side hustles you can start from home, including Fiverr gigs that need no experience and freelance writing. During the school year, you can also find creative ways to make money at school.

Other Ways Teens Can Make Money

Maybe you don’t want a traditional job right now, or there just aren’t many places hiring near you. Either way, there are other ways to make money as a teen:

• Take online surveys - Sites like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Survey Junkie, and Pinecone Research let teens earn gift cards or cash for sharing opinions. See our full list of the highest paying survey sites.
• Download money-making apps - Apps like FreeMyApps and InstaGC pay you for simple tasks like watching videos and completing offers. Here are the best earn money apps overall.
• Try passive income apps - Some passive income apps earn money just by running in the background. Here’s how one teen makes $30/month with Swagbucks alone.
• Complete online tasks - Microtask platforms are a solid option. Here are the best sites to make money doing online tasks.
• Play games for cash - You can actually make money playing games online in your free time.
• Find minimal-effort gigs - If school keeps you busy, these minimal-commitment ways to make money won’t eat into homework time.
• Earn free gift cards - Many apps pay in gift cards instead of cash. Here are 10 ways to get free gift cards and 35+ ways to earn free Amazon gift cards.

None of these will replace a real paycheck, but they add up. For even more ideas, explore higher-paying gig economy jobs you can grow into as you get older.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 15-year-old work at Walmart?

No, Walmart’s minimum hiring age is 16 years old for most positions. Walmart-owned stores like Sam’s Club also require applicants to be at least 16.

You’ll have to wait a year or try somewhere else on this list.

Do you need a work permit to get a job at 15?

In most states, yes. A work permit (also called an employment certificate) is typically required for anyone under 16.

You can usually get one from your school’s guidance office. It’s not a big deal.

Your parent or guardian and your employer both sign off, and you’re good.

What is the highest-paying job for a 15-year-old?

Self-employed gigs like tutoring ($15–$30/hour) and lawn care ($15–$25/hour) tend to pay the most. Among traditional employers, Chick-fil-A and Stop & Shop are on the higher end at $10–$16 per hour.

Your location and state minimum wage play a big role in what you’ll earn.

Can a 15-year-old work full-time in the summer?

Not exactly. Federal law caps 14- and 15-year-olds at 40 hours per week during summer break, which is close to full-time.

However, you still can’t work before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM during summer months. Some states have even stricter limits.

What are the easiest jobs to get at 15?

Fast food restaurants and ice cream shops like Dairy Queen, Baskin-Robbins, and Culver’s are among the easiest places to get hired at 15. They’re used to training teens with zero experience, and turnover is high so positions open up frequently.

How many hours can a 15-year-old work during the school year?

Under federal law, 15-year-olds can work a maximum of 3 hours on school days and 18 hours per school week. You can only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM during the school year.

Your state may have additional restrictions, so check with your local labor department.

Final Thoughts

There are way more places that hire at 15 than most people realize. McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Kroger, AMC, Six Flags, ice cream shops, and that’s not even counting what you can do on your own with babysitting or yard work.

Your first job probably won’t be anything special. That’s fine.

Nobody’s first job is. But having one at 15 means you’ll have actual work experience before most of your classmates even start looking.

Get your work permit, throw together a resume, and start applying. Pick a few places from this list and see who calls back first.

If you want to earn on the side too, check out apps that pay you to do nothing and ways to make $30 a day. You could also start putting small amounts away with an app like Acorns.

Even saving $1 a day adds up faster than you’d expect.