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Some of the links on our website are sponsored, and we may earn money when you make a purchase or sign-up after clicking. Learn more about how we make money. In most states, 14 is the minimum age required to work in non-family, non-farm jobs. And although most companies start hiring at 16, there are a handful of jobs for 14 year olds available. Here’s a list of the 11 best options (organized alphabetically), along with tips for finding them and how much money you can expect to earn. To apply, you can click the links in each job’s “Companies that hire 14 year olds” section.
#1. Amusement Parks
Most amusement parks require you to be 16 or 18, but a few will hire 14 year olds for jobs like gift shop clerks, ticket cashier, or guest services. Apart from being a fun place to work, amusement parks may offer perks like free tickets and in-park discounts on food and merchandise. #2. Babysitter
If you’re 14 years old, talking to people you know is the best way to land a babysitting job. For one, they can put in a good word for you to their parents’ friends who need a sitter. For another, most companies, churches, hotels and websites that hire for childcare positions have to run background checks on their sitters, and you can’t do that on people who are under 18. #3. Dine-In Restaurants
If you hope to wait tables for your first job, you’ll probably have to wait a few years. While it is legal for a 14 year old to work as a waiter/waitress, most restaurants require you to be 18 (so that you can serve alcohol). However, many restaurants will hire 14 year olds for dishwashing or bussing tables. #4. Fast Food Restaurants
Unlike many other industries, it’s common for fast food restaurants to hire 14 year olds. These businesses are always looking for reliable workers, and a recent labor shortage means they’re more likely than ever to take a chance on hiring an inexperienced 14-year-old. #5. Farm Work/Farmer’s Market
As a 14 year old, you can’t legally operate heavy agricultural equipment, but there’s no shortage of work for teens on a farm. You can learn a wide range of skills working on a farm. Talk to a local farmer to see if he or she needs help; most farmers prize hard work and enthusiasm over skills and experience. #6. Golf Courses and Country Clubs
Being a golf caddy is one of the most lucrative jobs a 14 year old can have. To up your chances of getting hired, watch a few YouTube videos about golf, how it’s scored, and so on — particularly if you’re not a golfer. Go to the country club or golf course in person to apply, and be sure to dress in golf attire — khakis, a belt, a polo shirt, and white shoes. #7. Grocery Stores
Many grocery chains (particularly HyVee and Publix) openly advertise that they hire 14 year olds, and most others don’t state a minimum age. You may need to be 16 to run the register, but there are plenty of positions for baggers, cart wranglers and stockers at a grocery store. #8. Ice Cream Shops
Your local ice cream parlor is a great spot for a summer job (thanks to air conditioning and free ice cream!). Many chains hire 14 year olds, and others (Cold Stone, Baskin Robbins) don’t have a company-wide policy, so you just have to convince the local store manager that you can scoop with the big boys. #9. Marinas
If you enjoy boating and working around water, ask if you can be a dockhand at the local marina. Some of these jobs will require a boat license, while others just require a strong back and the ability to get the boats squeaky clean. #10. Movie Theaters
AMC has dozens of locations across the U.S. that will hire crew members at 14, though most other theaters require you to be 16. As a crew member, you’ll sell and scan tickets, control access to the theater, clean, stock supplies, and check IDs. The best part of this job is, of course, free movie tickets! #11. Sports Referee
If you’re an assertive person (or want to become one), becoming a referee or umpire for youth sports will cultivate your decision-making skills and your ability to stand your ground under pressure from people who disagree with you. You may be paid by the hour or by the game, depending on your local sports association. Correcting the Record: Jobs That Do Not Hire At 14Times have changed and so has the labor market. Some of the most popular “first jobs” of past decades have changed their hiring practices and have raised their minimum ages — often, for legal and liability reasons. Here’s a list of commonly-cited first jobs that our research for this article suggests are not available to 14 year olds.
Jobs That Hire 14 Year Olds – FAQsWhat’s the best job for a 14 year old? When you’re 14 years old, the best job is one that helps you accomplish your short-term goals — while keeping one eye ever so slightly on your future. In other words, the most important thing is picking a job that works with your schedule. You want to choose something that doesn’t impact your ability to study and get your school work done, because this is what will set you up for success. But just as importantly, you want to pick a job that doesn’t force you to abandon your extracurricular activities and/or social life. So, think about what you want to earn money for and how much you need, then find a job that pays that amount without too much stress or pressure. At the same time, if you have an idea about what you want to do in the future, choosing a job that gives you exposure to that occupation or industry can be an extremely worthwhile experience. For example, if you think you might want to be a business owner, opt to work at an independently-owned small business rather than a big national chain. You’ll get to know the owner, and you’ll get an inside glimpse into what it takes to build and run your own company. Of course, most 14 year olds have no idea what they want to do later in life. That’s completely normal. For many people, their first few jobs are an opportunity to explore and learn about things they may never have considered. Don’t be afraid to say “yes” to a position in a field you don’t know anything about. You don’t have to keep working there forever, and learning about different jobs and industries can help you figure out what does and doesn’t interest you. This knowledge is just as valuable as the money you earn. What are the best websites for finding jobs as a 14 year old? Indeed and Monster are two of the primary job search sites, and they’re a good place to start. However, not all jobs are posted on these sites, and the ones that are don’t always list the minimum age. We recommend that you make a short list of 5-10 places in your community that you would like to work, then go directly to their websites. Often, they have open positions listed under a tab called “Jobs” or “Work For Us” (or something similar). If you’re interested in an online job — like graphic design or making websites — Fiverr is a freelancing website that allows anyone over 13 to use the platform. With Fiverr, you have to create a service offering and wait for potential employers to come to you. You can learn more about it in our guide to making money on Fiverr. Can a 14 year old make money by taking online surveys? Paid online surveys are a real thing and a handful of paid survey sites are open to 14 year olds. However, you should be aware that this is a way to make a little bit of extra money, not a replacement for a traditional job. In most cases, the average pay for taking online surveys will come in below minimum wage. The big upside is that you can take surveys whenever you want, so you don’t have to commit to a schedule. If you’re interested, Survey Junkie is our choice as the best survey site for teenagers. Do you need a work permit to get a job as a 14 year old? Whether you need a work permit (sometimes called a work certificate) depends on the state you live in and/or plan to work in. While there is no federal requirement for a work certificate, 27 states require them as of June 2022. You can see a full list of states that require work certificates here, including whether the certificate is issue by your school or the state labor department. Are there special labor rules that apply to 14 year olds? A number of federal laws — notably one called the Fair Labor Standards Act — prohibits 14-year-olds and 15-year-olds from working during school hours. Additionally, you can work no more than three hours per school day, and no more than eight hours per day (40 hours per week) when school is out. You also can’t work past 10 p.m. on a school night, or past midnight on other nights. These labor laws are in place to help ensure that kids are focused on their education, and to prevent businesses from exploiting minors (who tend to command lower wages). There are a handful of exceptions to these child labor laws. For example, a 14 year old can work at a family-owned business with essentially no restrictions, so long as that work does not interfere with their schooling. Are there jobs for kids who haven’t turned 14 yet? Yes, though most of these are small businesses, like selling fruits or snacks at a stand, selling crafts on Etsy, washing cars or pulling weeds. A handful of jobs are available to kids under 14 (like farm work and acting/modeling), but they are few and far between. How to Get a Job at 14: Final ThoughtsIf you’re 14 years old and anxious to earn some money at your first real job, there’s no better time to get hired. Over the past few years, businesses have had a tough time finding staff for entry-level positions, leaving plenty of openings for you to fill. When looking for a job, focus your efforts on small businesses (i.e., not nationally-recognized brand names). Large corporations are more likely to have a policy that they will only hire at 16 and up, but independently owned shops can make the call to hire you if you are trustworthy and eager to work. Jenni Sisson is a freelance writer and editor focused on personal finance, technology and entrepreneurship. A serial side hustler, Sisson has started businesses selling maple syrup, teaching piano lessons, transcribing medical records, selling on eBay, mystery shopping and more. You can read more of her work on her blog, Family Size Finance. What job can I get for 14?You can work in people's homes as a babysitter, pet sitter, tutor, home organizer, or pool cleaner. You can also provide freelancer services as a programmer or online tutor. Alternatively, you can join the foodservice chains, a local amusement park, or a theme park as a cleaner, busser, cashier, or shop assistant.
Where is the best place to work at 14?AMC. Who loves going to the movie theater? ... . Baskin Robbins. If you love cake and ice cream, Baskin Robbins might be a good fit. ... . Chick-fil-A. With more than 2,000 stores across the US, Chick-fil-A may have an opportunity for you. ... . Community Centers. ... . Dairy Queen. ... . Kroger. ... . Local Amusement/Entertainment Venues. ... . McDonald's.. Where can a 14 year old work in NC?Youths 14-15 years of age: Work may be performed in retail businesses, food service establishments, service stations and offices of other businesses.
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