The best paying jobs for 14 and 15 year olds

So you want to find the best paying jobs for 14 and 15 year olds? College is only a few years away so now is the perfect time to earn extra cash.

Wouldn’t you like to make money now so you can have more spending money? Maybe you have to pay for college yourself and need to start saving.

Either way, we found the best paying jobs for 14 and 15 year olds.

The key is to find something you enjoy. Something else to consider is internship opportunity. Internships are a great way to build relationships and earn more money later in life.

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What legal information should a 14 or 15 year old need before working?

What is the legal age to work in the US?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the legal age to work in the United States is 14 for non-agriculture related jobs.

If you are under 16, the number of hours you are allowed to work is restricted. If you are under 18, you cannot work in hazardous occupations.

States are allowed to set their own child labor laws. The more protective laws are to be followed should there be a difference between State and Federal laws.

What is the fair labor standards act?

Simply put, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a government regulation that establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping, and youth employment standards.

It’s important to know your rights under the FLSA. While unlikely, some employers may try to take advantage of young workers with unfair business practices. Knowing your rights can help keep you protected.

So what does the Fair Labor Standards Act cover?

• Overtime – Overtime pay of one and a half times your wage is required in excess of 40 hours worked in a single week. FLSA does not require employers to pay overtime for special occasions, such as holidays or weekends, unless you are working in excess of 40 hours.
• Minimum wage – Federal minimum wage is set to $7.25. States may set their own minimum wage, but the employer must pay the higher of the two wages.
• Record keeping  – Employers are required to track your hours worked and maintain pay records. Your employer is also required to hang an FLSA poster in a visible location.
• Hours Worked – Hours work is defined as the time you are required to be on the employers premises, on duty, or at a prescribed location.

If you’re interested you can also check Child Labor Laws.

Work hour restrictions

Youth restrictions on work hours apply to 14 and 15 year old jobs. If you are 14 or 15 then you may not work the following hours:

• More than 3 hours on a school day.
• Greater than 8 hours per day when school is not in session.
• More than 18 hours per week while school is in session.
• More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session (summer break).
• Your work hours must be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. except on June 1st through labor day when work hours are extended to 9 p.m.

As you can see, hour restrictions are in place to protect you from being overworked. As a youngster, you should be focused on school and enjoying life. Work can be important, but don’t lose your childhood in the process.

What is the Federal minimum wage?

The federal minimum wage is currently set to $7.25.  You should also be familiar with your state’s minimum wage. Should your state provide a higher minimum wage then your employer is required to pay the higher wage.

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What stores, restaurants, and businesses hire 14 or 15 year olds?

Just about any fast food restaurant, grocery store, or entertainment location can hire 14 or 15 year olds. Here’s a list of places that are opening to hire:

• AMC Theater
• Baskin Robins
• Ben and Jerry’s
• Boston Market
• Bruster’s Ice Cream
• Chick-fil-A
• Culver’s
• Dairy Queen
• Dorney Park
• Family Express
• Fareway
• Giant Eagle
• Hy-Vee
• Incline Village Recreation Center
• King Soopers
• Kroger
• Lagoon
• McDonalds
• Palace Entertainment
• Publix
• Rita’s Italian Ice
• Runza
• Safeway
• Seven Peaks
• Six Flags
• Starbucks
• The Pool Management Group
• Wild Rivers
• Winn-Dixie

Not sure if a company is hiring? Calling the business is the quickest way to determine if you can apply.

What jobs can I work if I’m under 14?

According to Youthrules.gov, the only jobs you can perform include:

• Delivering Newspapers.
• Babysitting on a casual basis.
• Act on TV, Radio, Movies, and Theaters.
• Work as a homeworker gathering and making evergreen wreaths.
• Work for your parents in an position that is not considered hazardous.

Don’t ask me about gathering and making evergreens! Maybe you know someone who owns a Christmas wreath business?

Personally, I would shoot for delivering newspapers if you can wake up early. Some people pay tips which are always nice! Babysitting can be good for an occasional buck but is fairly inconsistent pay.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to working on TV or in the Movies. However, if you can swing it then you could be well on your way to stardom!

Related: How to teach your child the value of money

Summary: Best jobs for 14 and 15 year olds

As you can see, making money as a 14 and 15 year old is possible! However, the first step is to know your rights. You should make a minimum of $7.25 per hour while only working part-time. Part-time work is generally between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Most fast food restaurants, entertainment venues, and grocery stores hire young teenagers. Create a list of places around town where you might want to work and see if they’re hiring.