Jobs for teens
Jobs for 15 year olds.
At 15 the federal rules are the same as at 14, but more employers will hire you, and you can lifeguard. Here are the jobs, the hour limits and how to land one.
By Lokesh Pampatti, founder of Clarity Prep · Updated October 18, 2026
Jobs 15 year olds can get
| Job | How students find it |
|---|---|
| Lifeguard | Allowed at 15 at pools and amusement parks with certification. Pools hire for summer starting in spring. |
| Restaurant host, busser or dishwasher | Within the 14–15 limits: no slicers, mixers or baking. |
| Ice cream, smoothie or snack counters | Seasonal, often summer only, and common first jobs. |
| Retail cashier or stocking | Smaller and local stores are often more flexible about age. |
| Swim or sports instructor assistant | Rec centers and summer programs. |
| Tutoring and music lessons | Pays better than most first jobs if you’re strong in a subject. |
| Camp counselor in training | Leads to a paid counselor job at 16 at many camps. |
How many hours you can work
Federal law sets the same limits for 14- and 15-year-olds, and you can only work outside school hours:
| School day (including Friday) | 3 hours |
|---|---|
| School week | 18 hours |
| Non-school day | 8 hours |
| Non-school week (summer, breaks) | 40 hours |
| Time of day | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day) |
What you can and can’t do
At 15, a job has to be on the allowed list. If it isn’t specifically permitted, it isn’t allowed.
Allowed
- Most retail work: cashier, stocking shelves, bagging
- Some food service: washing dishes, cleaning, reheating food and limited cooking
- Tutoring, music lessons and other creative or teaching work
- Errands and deliveries on foot, by bike or by public transit
- Yard work and cleanup without power-driven equipment
- Pumping gas and car washing
- Office work and office machines
- Lifeguarding at traditional pools and amusement parks, with the right certification
Not allowed
- Running power-driven machinery (other than office machines), including most kitchen slicers and mixers
- Baking, and working in freezers or meat coolers
- Working on ladders or scaffolds
- Most jobs in construction, warehouses, transportation and manufacturing
- Door-to-door sales and sign waving
Pay and paperwork
- Minimum wage: the federal minimum is $7.25 an hour. Employers may pay workers under 20 as little as $4.25 for their first 90 days, but many states and cities set a higher minimum that applies to teens.
- Work permits: federal law doesn’t require one, but many states do for workers under 16 or 18. Your school counselor usually knows the process.
- Taxes: you’ll fill out a W-4. Most teens earn little enough to get any federal income tax that was withheld back by filing a return.
How a job looks to colleges
Better than most students think. The Common App has its own Work (Paid) activity type, and a job you keep for a year shows responsibility, time management and that you can show up. Write down your hours, what you’re trusted with and anything you improved, because those details make a strong activity description later.
Questions
What jobs can you get at 15?
Under federal law, 15-year-olds can do most retail work, some food service (dishwashing, reheating food, limited cooking), tutoring, office work and, with certification, lifeguarding at pools and amusement parks. Jobs with power-driven machinery, baking, ladders or driving are off limits.
How late can a 15 year old work?
Until 7 p.m. during the school year and until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day, under federal law. States can set earlier limits.
Can a 15 year old be a lifeguard?
Yes. Federal rules allow 15-year-olds who meet certain requirements, including certification, to work as lifeguards at traditional pools and amusement parks.
Is $7.25 the minimum wage for 15 year olds?
The federal minimum is $7.25 an hour, and employers may pay workers under 20 as little as $4.25 for their first 90 days. Many states and cities set a higher minimum that applies to teens too.
Fitting work into the bigger plan?
A Clarity Prep mentor helps you balance a job with classes and activities, and shows you how to write about work on college applications, with a weekly check-in until they’re in.