Jobs For 14 Year Olds

What Jobs Are Available For 14 Year Olds?

If you are a 14 year old kid and are looking for a part time job, then you might be in luck. According to the US Department of Labor, 14 is the minimum age of employment, opening a whole other range of job opportunities beyond mowing and baby sitting.

Before starting that job search, the first thing you must do is ask your parents for permission to work. If they give you the OK, the next step is to talk to your school counselor. She can tell you if a work permit will be needed before searching for work. Work permits are required in some states, and without one you won't be able to get a job.

The final step is to check out this link which brings you to the "Youth Rules!" page from the Department of Labor. This site has information for parents and teens and will help you understand some of the limitations you may encounter while you search for a job. Even though the Fair Labor Standard Act permits 14 year olds to work, it does set standards for wages, the hours you can work, and even safety requirements.

It's important to understand that even though you are permitted by law to work, your hours are going to be a little restricted. 14 year olds can't work during school hours, nor work more than three hours on a school day. They also can't work before 7:00 in the morning nor later than 7:00 at night (9 pm in the summer). Under no circumstances will 14 year olds be permitted to do any job that involves driving, working around heavy machinery, construction, or anything remotely dangerous.

So what jobs are available for 14 year olds? According to the Department of Labor, you are allowed to work in these types of businesses:

Gas Station

Office

Retail Store

Movie Theater

Amusement Park

Baseball Park

Grocery Store, or

Restaurant.

Not all businesses will hire 14 years old because of the restricted hours, which unfortunately means that you will have to visit (or call) these places yourself and ask. In most cases, it will be easier to find work in the summer when are you are permitted to work 40 hours a week. So who to check with for jobs?

... Fast food restaurants (most won't hire younger than 15, but in a few states it is allowed. Check with McDonalds, Chik-a-Fil, Subway, A&W, and Burger King).

... Water parks and amusement parks.

... Your local grocery store as a bus boy.

... Local golf courses for a caddy job.

... Restaurant as a dishwasher or bus boy.

... Baseball park selling concessions.

... Small retail stores like the Dollar store or a neighborhood store.

... and if you live out in the country, check around with neighbors to see if any one will hire a kid to pick crops or help with farm work.