The Ultimate List: 25+ Places That Hire 15-Year-Olds For Part-Time & Summer Jobs In 2025

Landing your first job at 15 years old is an exciting milestone, offering a taste of financial independence and valuable work experience. As of December 2025, the job market for young teens remains robust, particularly in sectors like quick-service restaurants, retail, and entertainment, which are actively seeking part-time and summer help. While federal and state child labor laws impose certain restrictions on the types of work and hours you can clock in, there is a surprising number of major national chains and local businesses that welcome applications from motivated 15-year-olds, providing excellent first job opportunities.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the latest information on where 15-year-olds can legally work, the essential federal labor law restrictions you must know, and the specific companies that are actively hiring. The key to securing a position is understanding your legal limitations and targeting businesses that have a proven track record of employing young teens, especially as the summer hiring season approaches. We'll show you exactly which companies are the most teen-friendly and the steps to take to submit a winning application.

The Legal Landscape: Understanding Federal Child Labor Laws for Young Workers

Before you start applying for a job, it is crucial to understand the rules governing employment for 14- and 15-year-olds under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These federal child labor laws are in place to ensure your work experience is positive, safe, and does not interfere with your education.

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It is important to remember that state labor laws can be stricter than federal law, but never less restrictive. Always check your local state's specific regulations, as they may impose tighter limits on working hours or the types of jobs you can hold.

• Maximum Daily Hours (School Day): You cannot work more than 3 hours on a school day.
• Maximum Daily Hours (Non-School Day): You cannot work more than 8 hours on a non-school day.
• Maximum Weekly Hours (School Week): You cannot work more than 18 hours per week during a school week.
• Maximum Weekly Hours (Non-School Week/Summer): You cannot work more than 40 hours per week when school is not in session (e.g., summer break).
• Time Restrictions (School Year): Work must be performed between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Time Restrictions (Summer): From June 1st through Labor Day, the evening restriction is extended, and you can work until 9:00 p.m.

Jobs that are generally prohibited for 15-year-olds include operating power-driven machinery, working with hazardous materials, and any job involving meat processing or manufacturing. Most available positions will be in retail, food service, or office work.

The Ultimate List: 25+ Companies That Hire 15-Year-Olds in 2025

Many of the largest national chains and local businesses have established programs for hiring 15-year-olds, particularly for entry-level roles like cashier, host, or team member. These companies are accustomed to navigating the necessary work permit requirements and scheduling around school hours, making them ideal targets for your job search.

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Fast Food & Restaurants (The Most Common First Jobs)

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are often the most reliable source of part-time work for 15 year olds. They offer flexible hours and are constantly hiring for crew members.

• McDonald's: Many franchised locations hire 15-year-olds for roles like Crew Member, focusing on non-hazardous tasks such as front counter or dining room attendant.
• Chick-fil-A: Known for its teen-friendly environment, many locations hire for Team Member positions, often as cashiers or dining room hosts.
• Wendy's: Similar to other QSRs, many Wendy's locations hire 15-year-olds for general crew and customer service roles.
• Baskin-Robbins / Dairy Queen: Ice cream parlors are classic summer jobs for teens, hiring for scooping, cashiering, and general cleaning.
• Chuck E. Cheese: This entertainment venue hires 15-year-olds for roles like Party Host, Kid Check Attendant, and Game Room Attendant.
• Pizza Hut / Domino's: Some locations hire for kitchen help or counter service (non-driving roles).
• Local Coffee Shops: While some national chains require age 16+, many independent, local coffee shops are open to hiring 15-year-olds as baristas or counter staff.

Grocery & Retail Stores (Steady Year-Round Work)

Grocery stores offer excellent opportunities for year-round employment, often hiring for roles that involve stocking or bagging.

• Publix: A major grocery chain that hires 15-year-olds for positions like Front Service Clerk (bagging groceries) or custodial work.
• Kroger and Affiliates: This includes chains like City Market, Mariano's, and King Soopers. They frequently hire for courtesy clerk or similar entry-level roles.
• Hy-Vee: A popular Midwest grocery store that hires young teens for various positions.
• Fareway: Known for hiring teens, often for bagging and carry-out service.
• Giant Eagle / Giant Foods: These regional chains are known to hire 15-year-olds for entry-level positions.

Entertainment & Recreation (Great Summer Opportunities)

These venues are perfect for highest-paying teen jobs during the summer, as they often pay a premium for seasonal help.

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• Amusement Parks & Water Parks: These are huge seasonal employers, hiring for ride operators (non-mechanical), ticket sales, game attendants, and concession staff.
• Movie Theaters: Many local and national cinemas hire 15-year-olds for concession stand work and ushering.
• Mini-Golf / Batting Cages: Local entertainment centers often look for staff to manage games and clean equipment.
• Local Community Pools: Positions like concessions worker, gate attendant, or general maintenance staff are common.

Beyond the Big Chains: Local & Alternative Job Opportunities

Don't limit your search to large corporations. Many of the best first jobs for teens come from local small businesses and entrepreneurial ventures that offer flexibility and hands-on experience. These roles often involve less formal application processes.

Service-Based and Local Jobs

These jobs often rely on word-of-mouth and are excellent for building a strong work ethic and client relationships.

• Babysitting/Nannying: A classic option. Certification in First Aid/CPR can increase your hourly rate and make you more competitive.
• Pet Sitting/Dog Walking: Offering services to neighbors is a flexible way to earn money.
• Lawn Care/Landscaping: Mowing lawns, raking leaves, or shoveling snow for multiple clients can be a highly lucrative part-time job.
• Tutoring: If you excel in a particular subject (math, science, or a foreign language), you can offer tutoring services to younger students.
• Camp Counselor (Counselor-in-Training): Many summer camps offer "CIT" or junior counselor programs for 15-year-olds, which are paid or stipended positions.
• Library Assistant: Local public libraries sometimes hire teens for shelving, organizing, and general administrative tasks.
• Office Assistant: Helping a local small business (dentist, accountant, real estate agent) with filing, answering phones, and data entry can be a great experience.

How to Apply: Tips for Landing a Job at 15

Applying for your first job requires preparation, especially when competing against older teens. Follow these steps to maximize your chances of success:

1. Obtain a Work Permit: In most states, a 15-year-old will need an employment certificate (or "work permit") before they can legally start working. You typically get this from your school's guidance counselor or your state's Department of Labor website. Employers will require this.

2. Prepare a Simple Resume: Even without formal work experience, you can list:

• Volunteer work or community service.
• School activities, clubs, or sports teams.
• Any informal jobs (babysitting, lawn mowing).
• Academic achievements (high GPA, honor roll).

3. Highlight Soft Skills: Employers hiring young workers look for reliability, a positive attitude, and eagerness to learn. Emphasize your punctuality, organization, and strong communication skills during the interview.

4. Apply In-Person: For local businesses and many QSRs, dressing neatly and applying in person shows initiative. Ask to speak to the hiring manager and hand them your application directly. This is a crucial step that sets you apart from online-only applicants.

Starting your job search at 15 is an excellent way to prepare for the future. By focusing on the companies listed above, understanding the legal working hours for teens, and presenting yourself as a responsible and enthusiastic candidate, you are well on your way to securing your first paycheck in 2025.