Best Places to Work at 16 (Real Companies, Real Wages)
These are not made-up suggestions — these are real national employers with official hiring policies that include 16-year-olds. We’ve listed starting pay ranges based on current data.
McDonald’s
$12 – $15/hrOne of the most teen-friendly employers in the country. Hires at 14 in some states, but 16 across the board. Flexible scheduling around school, paid training, and free meals during shifts.
Chick-fil-A
$13 – $16/hrKnown for being a great first job — professional environment, Sunday off, good management. Closed Sundays, which is rare in fast food. Strong culture and usually very clean workplaces.
Pizza Hut / Domino’s
$12 – $14/hrBoth hire at 16 for in-store team member roles. Delivery driving typically requires 18, but counter and prep work is open to 16-year-olds. Good for evening and weekend shifts.
Kroger / Fry’s
$13 – $16/hrOne of the most reliable places to work at 16. Grocery stores always need cashiers and stockers. Kroger also offers tuition assistance once you’ve worked there a while — a great long-term perk.
Target
$15/hrTarget pays a flat $15 starting wage nationwide. They hire 16-year-olds for cashier, cart attendant, and fulfillment roles. Clean stores, decent management, and employee discounts.
Walmart
$14 – $16/hrWalmart hires 16-year-olds for cashier and stocker positions. Hours are flexible and locations are everywhere. Not the most glamorous first job, but it pays consistently and looks great on a resume.
AMC / Regal Cinemas
$12 – $14/hrMovie theaters are one of the most popular places to work at 16. You get free or discounted movie tickets, fun coworkers, and mostly evening/weekend shifts that work great around school.
Community Pools / Lifeguarding
$13 – $18/hrIf you get your lifeguard certification (available at 15+), lifeguarding is one of the best paying places to work at 16. Many pools and parks hire 16-year-olds. Great for summer work.
Petco / PetSmart
$13 – $15/hrPerfect if you love animals. Both chains hire 16-year-olds for store associate roles. Tasks include helping customers, stocking, and caring for in-store animals. Discounts on pet supplies too.
Dairy Queen / Baskin-Robbins
$12 – $14/hrIce cream and dessert shops are classic first jobs. Low-pressure environment, fun product, and they almost always need help on nights and weekends. Great entry-level customer service experience.
QuikTrip / Wawa / Sheetz
$13 – $16/hrGas station convenience stores that pay above average. QuikTrip in particular is well known for treating employees well. All three hire at 16 for cashier and food prep roles.
Public Library
$12 – $15/hrA seriously underrated place to work at 16. Libraries hire teens as library pages — shelving books, assisting patrons, and processing materials. Quiet, low-stress, and great for students.
Can a 16-Year-Old Legally Work? Here’s What You Need to Know
Yes, 16-year-olds can absolutely work in the United States. Federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) allows 16 and 17-year-olds to work any job that isn’t considered hazardous, with no limit on hours. That’s a big deal — unlike 14 and 15-year-olds who are restricted to 18 hours a week during school, at 16 you have a lot more freedom.
That said, some states layer on extra restrictions. Always check your state’s labor laws, but in most of the country, working at 16 is totally legal and straightforward. Many employers will ask for a work permit (also called an employment certificate), which you can usually get from your school or local labor department.
Many 16-year-old job seekers lose out on offers because they don’t have a work permit ready. Visit your school’s guidance office or your state’s Department of Labor website — most permits are free and issued within 1–3 days.
At-a-Glance: Places to Work at 16 Compared
| Employer | Min. Age | Starting Pay | Teen-Friendly Hours? | Work Permit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | 14–16 (varies) | $12 – $15/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Chick-fil-A | 16 | $13 – $16/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Target | 16 | $15/hr flat | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Walmart | 16 | $14 – $16/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Kroger | 16 | $13 – $16/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| AMC Cinemas | 16 | $12 – $14/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Lifeguarding | 15–16 | $13 – $18/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| Public Library | 16 | $12 – $15/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
| QuikTrip / Wawa | 16 | $13 – $16/hr | ✅ Yes | Varies by state |
💰 What Does a Part-Time Job at 16 Actually Pay?
If you work 20 hours a week at $14/hr (a realistic average across these places to work at 16), here’s what your income looks like:
Based on 20 hrs/week × 52 weeks = 1,040 hours/year at $14/hr. See our $17/hr breakdown or $19/hr breakdown for full tax estimates at higher wages.
How to Get Hired at 16 – Step by Step
Getting your first job feels intimidating, but the process is simpler than most people make it. Here’s exactly what to do:
Get Your Work Permit (If Your State Requires It)
Check your state’s Department of Labor website or ask your school guidance counselor. Many states issue these same-day or within 48 hours. Some employers won’t even interview you without it.
Apply Online AND Walk In
Most big chains have online applications — fill those out. But also walk in, ask for a manager, and introduce yourself. Employers love a teen who shows initiative in person. It genuinely makes a difference.
Apply to 5–10 Places at Once
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to every realistic place near you at the same time. Many teens get their first offer within a week when they apply broadly.
Prepare for a Simple Interview
First-job interviews are very basic. Practice: “Why do you want to work here?”, “Are you available on weekends?”, “Tell me about yourself.” Dress neatly, show up on time, be friendly. That’s genuinely most of it.
Bring What They Need on Day One
Have your Social Security number, state ID or birth certificate, and work permit ready. Most employers need these for I-9 paperwork. Coming prepared shows maturity and gets you started faster.
Mid-morning on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday is the sweet spot. Managers are less stressed than on weekends, more likely to talk to you, and more likely to remember you. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays — it’s usually chaotic.
Places to Work at 16 That Most Teens Don’t Think About
Beyond the obvious fast food and retail options, there are some genuinely great places to work at 16 that fly under most teenagers’ radar:
🏕️ Camp Counselor or Day Camp Aide
If you’re good with kids, summer camps hire 16-year-olds as junior counselors or aides. Pay ranges from $10–$16/hr, and some residential camps include free room and board. Check YMCA, local parks departments, and Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts programs.
🌿 Landscaping and Lawn Care
Local landscaping companies hire 16-year-olds all the time, especially in spring and summer. Pay is often $13–$18/hr, hours are morning shifts (great if you hate working evenings), and you get a good workout. Look for “lawn crew” or “landscape helper” on Indeed or Craigslist.
🎨 Tutoring
If you did well in a subject, you can earn $15–$30/hr tutoring younger students. Advertise in your neighborhood, through your school, or on apps like Wyzant. This is one of the few places to work at 16 where your income grows rapidly based on your reputation.
🚗 Car Wash
Many car wash businesses hire at 16. It’s physical work but the tips can be excellent — some teen workers report earning $16–$20/hr with tips included. Automatic and hand-wash locations both hire, and hours are usually flexible.
🛍️ Farmers Markets
Local vendors at farmers markets often need help on weekends. Pay varies but it’s usually $12–$15/hr cash, and you often get to take home leftover produce or baked goods. Ask vendors directly at the market — most don’t post on job boards.
Avoid any “job” that asks you to pay upfront fees, sell products to friends and family (MLMs), or promises high income for vague “social media” work. Legitimate employers — including all the ones on this list — never ask you to pay to work.
What Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work?
Federal law does not restrict hours for 16 and 17-year-olds the way it does for younger teens. However, many states have their own rules. Here’s a general picture of what most places to work at 16 will offer:
| Period | Typical Hours Offered | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| School Weekdays | 3–8 hours/day (afternoons/evenings) | Most teen-friendly employers work around school schedules |
| Weekends | 6–10 hours/day | Saturday and Sunday are prime teen work days |
| Summer / School Breaks | Up to 40 hours/week | Many employers ramp up teen hours significantly in summer |
Most 16-year-olds working part-time average 15–25 hours per week during the school year. That translates to roughly $210–$350/week at $14/hr — solid money for a first job.
Frequently Asked Questions: Places to Work at 16
What is the best place to work at 16 with no experience?
McDonald’s and other fast food chains are the most beginner-friendly — they train you from scratch and hire almost anyone who shows up on time and has a good attitude. Grocery stores (Kroger, Walmart) are another great no-experience option.
How much can a 16-year-old realistically make per month?
Working 20 hours per week at $14/hr, a 16-year-old earns about $1,120–$1,200 per month before taxes. During summer, working full-time (35–40 hrs/week), you can realistically earn $1,800–$2,400/month.
Do 16-year-olds pay taxes on their job income?
Yes, but very little at part-time income levels. the standard deduction is $14,600 for a single filer. Most 16-year-olds working part-time earn well below that, meaning they owe $0 in federal income tax — though FICA (Social Security + Medicare at 7.65%) is still withheld.
Do I need a resume to apply for jobs at 16?
For most fast food and retail jobs, no — you just fill out their online application. But having a one-page resume (even with just school activities or volunteer work) makes you look more serious and is worth the effort, especially for walk-in applications.
What jobs can 16-year-olds NOT do?
Federal law prohibits 16 and 17-year-olds from working in hazardous occupations — operating most heavy machinery, roofing, coal mining, logging, and certain construction tasks. Most jobs on this page are completely fine. Check dol.gov if you’re unsure about a specific role.
Can a 16-year-old work at Starbucks?
Yes — Starbucks officially hires at age 16 in the U.S. It’s one of the more competitive places to work at 16 because of the starting pay ($15–$17/hr depending on location), free drinks during shifts, and tips. Apply online and follow up in person for the best shot.
Hey there! I’m Kumar, the owner of DollarHire. Alongside working as an Executive SEO Specialist, I studied at a finance institute to strengthen my skills in finance and marketing.
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