Are you turning 16 years old and ready to start the job search? Starting to earn money is a fantastic idea for teenagers. You’ll gain valuable skills you can apply throughout your professional career, and there are plenty of employers who will gladly hire a 16-year-old.
Before you jump into applying for minimum-wage jobs, you’ll want to think about all the possible things you could do. Work can be fun if you pick the right job for your interests and skills, and there are a few high-paying jobs out there that can work for a teenager.
Check out some of the best jobs to get at 16 years old!
Best Jobs to Get At 16: At a Glance
An overview of our suggestions below.
- Barista
- Restaurant server
- Fast food worker
- Retail worker
- Dog walker
- Caddie
- Camp counselor
1. Barista
Working in a cafe or coffee shop is a great job for teenagers. You’ll get trained on a cash register, the flow of service, and making coffee. These skills are useful and could help you get a job anywhere in the world. It’s also a great part-time job you can do alongside schoolwork.
You should talk to local coffee shops about any job openings. They’ll want to know you have strong customer service skills and a willingness to learn. It may seem intimidating to go talk to them, but it’s the best way to show you’re up for the job.
Most cafe workers make 14.06 per hour, on average. Once you’re trained to make coffee as a barista, this rate may increase because you’ll have more skills. Remember that you’ll likely get tips, as well!
2. Restaurant Server
Local restaurants are always looking for front-of-house staff. You’ll usually need to start bussing tables but can quickly work your way up to being able to take orders and serve food.
You may want to look for job postings online or go into the restaurants you’re curious about to see if they’re hiring. It’s a great job to get experience in because you can always find work if you’ve done service work before. Restaurants are constantly looking for experienced staff.
Most bussers start out making $11.75 per hour but can become servers within a few months and make $15 per hour. It’s another job where you’ll get cash tips for extra spending money.
3. Fast Food Worker
Fast food restaurants have a different style of customer service work. Instead of waiting on tables, you’ll wear more hats on the job. You may need to work the register, prepare food, and clean tables. It’s a fast-paced job that can be fun with the right team.
The best way to get a job is to visit the local branch. You can ask if they’re hiring and talk to a manager.
Expect to make around $14 per hour for most places. You can look online at different chains to see if some pay better than others.
4. Retail Worker
If working in a restaurant sounds too fast-paced, you may want to think about becoming a retail worker. It’s a slower job where you will stock shelves, bag groceries, and work the cash register.
Retail stores vary and you could pick one that aligns with your interests, such as an art store or hunting store. You’ll get a chance to see all the new gear that comes out and chat with people who have similar interests as you.
Retail workers make $15 per hour on average. Certain stores will pay more so look around at a few options. You can look online or go directly in-store.
5. Dog Walking
One of the most fun job opportunities is dog walking. There is always a demand for dog walkers and you may not even need a car for this job. It helps to have prior experience with dogs, but even just having your dog counts.
You can find dog-walking companies and reach out to see if they want to hire you or start your own business. If you start your own, you can pick the rates that you charge but you’ll need to advertise your services locally. Put up posters or post on social media to get customers.
Dog walkers make $17 per hour on average. If you’re just starting, you may want to charge less while you build a reputation and find customers. There are some apps you can use to find opportunities as well, such as Rover.
6. Caddie
A great summer job for golfers is to become a caddie. You’ll get to work on golf courses all season, carrying the golfer’s bags for them and helping with anything they need. To become a caddy, you will need golf experience to be able to chat with the golfers and help them.
Look up local golf clubs and either call them or go in to speak to them. Keep in mind it is a physical job, as you’ll be carrying golf bags and finding golf balls for the golfers.
Caddies make around $100 to $120 per day in wages, but golfers tend to be generous tippers so you may make even more!
7. Camp Counselor
Being a camp counselor is a great job for 16-year-olds. It’s a rewarding job to work with kids and guide them in the right direction. Some camps run during the school year but most of them are summer jobs.
Summer jobs like this are a great way to work and save money without disrupting your school schedule. You’ll plan and lead activities for kids under the age of 12. Some of these camps are overnight camps, but there are also many day camps depending on where you live.
To find a camp job, you should look online or in your local community. Groups like the Boys and Girls Club or a local recreation center may offer these types of programs. You can expect to make around $12 per hour as a camp counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you work if you’re 16?
Child labor laws restrict teenagers from working over certain hours. This ensures that work doesn’t affect their school schedule or happen during school hours. You’ll need to look into your state laws specifically, but you likely can work a part-time job.
What is the best way to find jobs if you’re 16?
Start by talking to local businesses about how you want to gain valuable skills. If you go in with the right attitude, a lot of people are willing to give you a shot.
Other Jobs To Consider
There are way more jobs that you should consider if you’re 16! If none of the previous ones sound like something you want to do, don’t stop looking.
- Bike delivery jobs: If you don’t have a car to get around to jobs, you may want to look into all the great opportunities you can get from a bike. There are plenty of fun ones!
- High-paying jobs for 18-year-olds: It’s a good idea to look ahead at what you may want to do in the future and what jobs can help you get the experience needed to get there. Check out some of the highest-paying jobs for 18-year-olds to get an idea.
- Jobs without a car: There are jobs you can do without a bike or a car. If you can’t drive yet, look into some job options that don’t require one.
Wrapping Up
If you’re ready to make some extra cash and start working, you’ve come to the right place. There are so many jobs for 16-year-olds out there, you just need to choose which one feels the best to you. It’s much easier to work if you enjoy what you’re doing.
It’s smart to look at jobs that will give you transferable skills for your future goals. Customer service is one of the best experiences that a majority of fields value.
If this article helped you to look for your first job, let us know in the comments or share with your friends who might benefit from reading!
