What Are the 15 Best Jobs for 14 Year Olds in 2026?

So you’re 14 and ready to earn your own money. That’s awesome.

The best jobs for 14 year olds combine legal compliance with skill development, letting you earn while learning workplace basics. Federal labor laws protect young workers through the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means there are specific jobs you can do and specific hours you can work.

At 14, you can legally work in most retail and food service positions, though you’ll face some restrictions. During the school year, you can work up to 3 hours on school days and 18 hours per week total. When school’s out, those limits expand to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Here’s what makes this exciting. Starting work at 14 gives you a huge advantage over peers who wait until 16 or 18. You’re building your resume, developing professional skills, and learning financial responsibility years earlier. Plus, you’re earning money for the things you want instead of always asking your parents.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which jobs are available to you, what they pay, and how to land them. We’ll cover traditional employment options and modern opportunities that didn’t exist for previous generations. Whether you want steady hours at an established business or flexible gigs that work around your schedule, there’s something here for you.

Let’s dive into the best jobs for teens that you can actually get at 14.

The 15 Best Jobs for 14 Year Olds

1. Restaurant Host or Hostess

Working as a host or hostess is one of the most accessible entry points into the workforce at 14. You’ll greet customers, manage waiting lists, and seat guests at their tables.

This job teaches customer service fundamentals and professional communication. You’ll learn to handle difficult customers gracefully, which is a skill that transfers to virtually any career path you choose later.

Pay typically ranges from $10 to $14 per hour depending on your location and the restaurant type. Many establishments offer flexible scheduling around school commitments.

2. Grocery Store Bagger

Bagging groceries might seem simple, but it’s an excellent first job that teaches attention to detail and efficiency. You’ll help customers at checkout by bagging their purchases and sometimes carrying bags to their cars.

The work builds physical stamina and teaches you how to interact professionally with diverse customers. You’ll also learn to work quickly during rush periods while maintaining quality.

Most grocery stores pay between $11 and $15 per hour for baggers, and many offer employee discounts that stretch your earnings further.

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3. Retail Sales Associate (Limited Duties)

Major retailers like Target, Walmart, and local stores often hire 14-year-olds for customer-facing roles. You won’t handle cash registers or operate heavy equipment, but you can help customers find products, restock shelves, and maintain store appearance.

Retail work teaches you product knowledge, sales basics, and inventory management. These skills translate directly to business understanding that benefits entrepreneurs and corporate employees alike.

Expect to earn $12 to $16 per hour depending on your location and the retailer’s pay scale.

Interview Guys Tip: When applying for retail positions, emphasize your reliability and willingness to work weekends or holidays when stores need extra help. This makes you more attractive than applicants who want limited availability.

4. Movie Theater Usher or Concession Worker

Movie theaters actively hire 14-year-olds for usher and concession positions. As an usher, you’ll tear tickets, direct customers to theaters, and keep common areas clean. At concessions, you’ll prepare and serve food and drinks.

The environment is typically fun with coworkers your age, and you often get free or discounted movies. You’ll develop multitasking abilities during busy premiere weekends when hundreds of customers need quick service.

Starting pay ranges from $10 to $14 per hour, with many theaters offering bonuses during peak seasons.

5. Tutoring Younger Students

If you excel in specific subjects, tutoring younger students provides excellent income and flexible scheduling. You can tutor elementary or middle school students in math, reading, science, or other subjects where you have strong skills.

Tutoring develops your teaching abilities, patience, and communication skills while reinforcing your own knowledge of the subject matter. It’s particularly valuable if you’re considering education or training careers later.

Private tutors can charge $15 to $30 per hour depending on subject matter and local market rates. Many parents prefer teen tutors because they’re more relatable to younger students and more affordable than adult tutors.

6. Babysitting

Babysitting remains one of the most common jobs for 14-year-olds, offering flexible hours that work around your schedule. You’ll supervise children, ensure their safety, prepare simple meals, and engage them in age-appropriate activities.

The job builds responsibility, problem-solving skills, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. These capabilities transfer to virtually every career path. You’ll also develop emotional intelligence by understanding and responding to children’s needs.

Experienced babysitters in most markets earn $12 to $20 per hour, with higher rates for multiple children or special requirements. Taking a babysitting safety course increases your credibility and earning potential.

7. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

If you love animals, pet sitting and dog walking offer flexible work that pays well. Services like Rover allow teens to create profiles and connect with pet owners needing care, though you may need parent permission to use the platform.

You can also build a client base through neighborhood connections and word of mouth. Regular dog walking clients provide steady income, while pet sitting during vacations brings larger payouts.

Dog walkers typically earn $15 to $25 per walk, while pet sitters can make $25 to $50 per day depending on the care requirements. According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent over $147 billion on pets in 2023, showing strong demand for pet care services.

8. Lawn Care and Yard Work

Starting a lawn care business teaches entrepreneurship while providing excellent outdoor exercise. You can offer mowing, weeding, leaf raking, and basic garden maintenance to neighbors and local families.

This work develops self-motivation, customer acquisition skills, and business management basics. You’ll learn to price services competitively, manage your schedule, and deliver consistent quality that earns repeat business.

Lawn care workers can earn $20 to $40 per yard depending on size and service complexity. Building a base of 5 to 10 regular customers provides steady income throughout growing seasons.

Interview Guys Tip: Create simple flyers with your contact information and services offered, then distribute them in your neighborhood. Door hangers work better than mailbox flyers since they’re more visible and less likely to be considered junk mail.

9. Camp Counselor or Junior Counselor

Many summer camps hire 14-year-olds as junior counselors or counselors-in-training. You’ll assist senior counselors with activities, supervise younger campers, and help create a positive camp environment.

The experience builds leadership skills and teaches you to work effectively within a team structure. Camp counseling is particularly valuable if you’re interested in education, recreation management, or youth development careers.

Junior counselors typically earn $200 to $400 per week, and day camps often provide more flexible scheduling than overnight camps. The American Camp Association reports that camp experiences significantly boost youth confidence and social skills, and this applies to counselors as well as campers.

10. Car Washing

Starting a car washing service requires minimal investment and provides immediate income. You can wash cars at customers’ homes using their water and basic supplies you bring.

This entrepreneurial venture teaches you marketing, customer service, and work quality standards. You’ll learn to deliver consistent results that earn five-star reviews and referrals.

Mobile car washers can charge $20 to $50 per vehicle depending on size and service level. Offering package deals for regular customers stabilizes your income and builds a loyal client base.

11. Social Media Assistant for Local Businesses

Many small businesses need help managing their social media presence but can’t afford professional agencies. If you’re skilled with Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, you can offer content creation and posting services.

This modern opportunity builds digital marketing skills that are increasingly valuable across industries. You’ll learn content strategy, engagement tactics, and how businesses use social platforms to reach customers.

Social media assistants can earn $12 to $25 per hour depending on responsibilities and results. Creating measurable improvements in engagement or followers increases your value and justifies premium rates. Check out these best part-time jobs for more flexible opportunities.

12. Golf Caddy

Golf courses hire young caddies to carry clubs, provide yardages, and assist golfers during their rounds. The work combines outdoor activity with customer service in an upscale environment.

Caddying teaches etiquette, patience, and how to interact professionally with successful adults. Many successful business leaders started as caddies, and the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation has provided over $500 million in college scholarships to deserving caddies.

Caddies earn $40 to $80 per bag depending on the course and golfer generosity. Weekend and tournament opportunities often pay premium rates.

13. Freelance Content Creator

If you have skills in writing, graphic design, or video editing, freelance platforms like Fiverr (with parent permission) let you sell services globally. You can create logos, edit videos, write blog posts, or provide other digital services.

Content creation builds technical skills while teaching client management and project delivery. You’ll learn to scope work accurately, communicate professionally, and build a portfolio that supports future opportunities.

Teen freelancers can earn $10 to $50+ per project depending on complexity and expertise level. Building strong reviews and a diverse portfolio increases your rates and attracts better clients.

14. Farm or Agricultural Work

If you live in a rural area, farms often hire young workers for seasonal tasks like berry picking, vegetable harvesting, or egg collection. Agricultural work provides unique experiences and often pays by output rather than hourly.

You’ll develop strong work ethic, physical fitness, and appreciation for where food comes from. The U.S. Department of Labor allows agricultural employment for 14-year-olds with specific safety protections in place.

Farm workers typically earn $12 to $18 per hour, with piece-rate work sometimes offering higher effective wages for fast, efficient workers.

15. Dishwasher at Restaurants

While you can’t work near fryers or slicers at 14, dishwashing is perfectly legal and teaches restaurant operations from the ground up. You’ll clean dishes, utensils, and cooking equipment while learning how professional kitchens function.

Dishwashing builds speed, efficiency, and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. Many successful chefs and restaurant managers started as dishwashers, making it an excellent entry point to culinary careers.

Restaurants typically pay dishwashers $11 to $15 per hour, and many offer meal benefits that reduce your food expenses.

Interview Guys Tip: Whatever job you choose, create a simple resume that highlights your skills, school activities, and any volunteer experience. Even at 14, a professional resume sets you apart from applicants who just fill out applications. Our guide on how to make a resume for your first job walks you through exactly how to do this.

Understanding Labor Laws and Work Restrictions

Before accepting any job, understand the federal restrictions that protect young workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act limits when and how long 14-year-olds can work.

During school weeks, you can work a maximum of 3 hours on school days, up to 18 hours total per week. You can’t work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening work extends to 9 p.m.).

When school’s out for summer or extended breaks, these restrictions ease significantly. You can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, though the same time-of-day restrictions apply.

These laws exist to protect your education and wellbeing, not to limit your opportunities. Employers who violate these restrictions face serious penalties, so reputable businesses strictly follow them. If an employer asks you to work hours that seem to violate these rules, talk to your parents and contact your state labor department.

State laws sometimes add additional protections beyond federal requirements. Check your state’s Department of Labor website for specific regulations in your area.

How to Land Your First Job at 14

Getting hired at 14 requires a slightly different approach than adult job hunting. Start by identifying businesses in your area that commonly hire young teens. Major chains like McDonald’s, Target, and local grocery stores often have established programs for young workers.

Visit these businesses in person during non-peak hours (mid-morning or mid-afternoon on weekdays works best). Ask to speak with a manager about employment opportunities for 14-year-olds. This face-to-face approach demonstrates maturity and initiative that paper applications alone can’t convey.

Dress neatly when inquiring about jobs. You don’t need formal interview attire, but clean, well-fitted casual clothes make a positive first impression. Bring copies of a simple resume even though you don’t have extensive work history.

Emphasize your reliability, willingness to learn, and flexible availability. Employers hiring young teens care more about attitude and dependability than experience. Mention specific days and times you’re available, especially if you can work weekends when many teens want time off.

For opportunities like highest paying jobs for teens, research what similar positions pay in your area so you can negotiate confidently if offered the job.

Balancing Work and School

Your primary job at 14 is succeeding in school, and employment should support rather than hinder that goal. Before accepting any position, honestly assess how many hours you can work without compromising grades or important activities.

Most educational experts recommend limiting work to 10-15 hours per week during the school year. This provides income and experience while preserving time for homework, extracurriculars, and social development.

Create a weekly schedule that blocks out school time, homework time, and other commitments before adding work hours. This visual representation helps you spot potential conflicts before they become problems.

Communicate clearly with your employer about your availability and limitations. Professional employers respect academic priorities and work with students to create compatible schedules.

If you notice your grades slipping or feel constantly stressed, don’t be afraid to reduce your work hours or take a break. The work experience is valuable, but your education opens far more doors long-term. Finding the right balance might take some trial and error, and that’s completely normal.

Conclusion

Starting work at 14 provides advantages that compound over time. You’re not just earning money for wants and needs today. You’re building skills, confidence, and work history that will benefit you for decades.

The best job for you depends on your interests, location, and schedule. Traditional options like retail and food service offer steady hours and established training programs. Entrepreneurial ventures like tutoring or lawn care provide flexibility and teach business fundamentals.

Choose opportunities that interest you and align with your long-term goals. If you love animals, pet sitting builds experience for veterinary or animal care careers. If you’re tech-savvy, social media assistance develops digital marketing capabilities that are increasingly valuable across industries.

Remember that your first job teaches fundamental workplace skills that transfer everywhere: showing up on time, following instructions, working respectfully with others, and delivering consistent quality. These basics matter more than the specific job title.

Start by identifying 3-5 opportunities that fit your schedule and interests, then pursue them actively. Create a simple resume, practice introducing yourself professionally, and follow up after submitting applications. Your initiative and maturity will set you apart from less serious applicants.

The experience and income you gain at 14 create momentum that carries through high school and into college or career. You’re investing in your future while earning in the present, and that’s exactly the kind of smart decision that builds successful lives.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Check out our comprehensive guide to the best entry-level jobs to see where these early experiences can lead.

The reality is that most resume templates weren’t built with ATS systems or AI screening in mind, which means they might be getting filtered out before a human ever sees them. That’s why we created these free ATS and AI proof resume templates:

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