Best Jobs for 16-Year-Olds in the US: Legal Options That Fit School and Build Skills
If you're a 16-year-old high school student in the US looking for part-time, summer, or entry-level work--or a parent helping them search--top jobs hiring now include fast food crew like at McDonald's ($20-$20.50/hr, Indeed, recent), retail associate, babysitting ($8.50-$17/hr typical range, UrbanSitter 2026), lifeguard (with certification, up to $28/hr swim schools, Fidelity), and grocery stocker. Most require no experience, offer flexible shifts around school, and help you build customer service or responsibility skills, according to sources like ResumeGenius 2025 and DOL child labor rules.
Federal FLSA sets the baseline: 16- and 17-year-olds can work up to 8 hours/day (non-school days), 40/week, or more in summer (up to 10/day in some states), but you can't do hazardous tasks like operating certain grocery machines (DOL Fact Sheet #38). Check your state through DOL rules--work permits are often optional for 16+.
We cover 10+ options with pay ideas, pros and cons, and a decision table. Keep in mind local laws might be stricter or school demands might limit your time.
Legal Rules for 16-Year-Olds Working in the US
At 16, you can legally work in most non-hazardous jobs under federal FLSA, with longer hours than younger teens: up to 8 hours per day on non-school days, 40 per week, and in summer (after school ends through Labor Day), some states allow 10 hours/day or 50/week (DOL rules). Hazardous work is off-limits--no driving certain vehicles or running power-driven machinery in grocery stores if you're under 18 (DOL Fact Sheet #38). Employers can pay a youth minimum wage of $4.25/hr for the first 90 days (360training.com, 2025).
State laws vary and can be tougher--some places have curfews until midnight on non-school nights, or exemptions that need approval (DOL age certificates). Work permits are required in some states for under-18s (M for mandated, R for request-only), usually handled by schools or parents for younger teens but optional for 16+ in many areas. Always check DOL rules since state rules can override federal ones.
Compliance checklist:
- Make sure hours work with school (max 3/day on school days in some states).
- Stay away from banned tasks (e.g., no machine cleanup under 18).
- Get parent or school sign-off if you need a permit.
Skip jobs that push these limits if grades matter more--go for fewer shifts instead.
Top Entry-Level Jobs Hiring 16-Year-Olds with No Experience
Fast food, retail, and grocery roles are easiest to get for 16-year-olds who've never worked before. They offer on-the-job training and flexible hours around school. These industries employ hundreds of thousands of teens in retail and grocery (Parents.com, industry est.), teaching basics like teamwork and how to handle busy shifts (Parents.com). Starting pay averages around $12/hr, higher in some areas.
Fast Food and Retail Roles Breakdown
Fast food chains like McDonald's hire at 16 for crew roles with flexible shifts (breakfast through late nights), paying $20-$20.50/hr plus training programs (Indeed, recent). Pros: fast hiring, real-world skills; cons: you'll stand a lot, expect weekends. Retail and grocery stockers work well with school schedules but under-18s can't use certain machines (Parents.com; DOL Fact Sheet #38). Ice cream shops average $12/hr (ResumeGenius 2025).
To apply: Walk in with a positive attitude, search Indeed, or post on local Facebook--it shows you're serious (actuallymummy.co.uk (historical, 2022)). Skip fast food if you hate fast-paced environments; retail tends to be calmer.
Higher-Paying and Seasonal Picks for Teens (Lifeguard, Babysitting, Summer Gigs)
Lifeguarding, babysitting, and camp counseling pay better for seasonal or summer work, often $15+/hr with some prep like getting certified. Lifeguards (16+ with swim test and 30-hour Red Cross training) earn around $28/hr at swim schools; camp counselors start at 16 for adventure roles (Fidelity; Resume30.ai). Babysitting fits evenings, paying $8.50-$17/hr (up 4.9% past year) or $145-$240/day (UrbanSitter 2026). Summer rules let you work up to 10 hours/day (DOL rules).
Pros: fun outdoors, builds responsibility; cons: certification takes time and money. Get certified before applying; don't babysit multiple kids without practice first.
Flexible and Entrepreneurial Ideas for 16-Year-Olds
Home-based gigs like babysitting or pet sitting give you maximum flexibility for school, no boss to answer to, and you set your own rates--babysitting through local Facebook ads is an easy start (ResumeGenius 2025; actuallymummy.co.uk (historical, 2022)). Entrepreneurship works great: sell handmade items on Etsy, dropship niche products (like eco-goods), or create digital courses (TikTok tutorials), with parent approval and local permit checks (1752.vc 2025). Market through TikTok or Instagram for free.
Example: Turn hobby crafts into Etsy sales. Builds marketing skills but needs startup time--skip this if you want steady paychecks right away.
How to Land Your First Job as a 16-Year-Old: Step-by-Step Guide
Polish your approach to stand out even without experience.
- Check state permit rules at DOL--get one if needed through school or a parent.
- Build a simple profile on Indeed or Goodwall highlighting school activities and enthusiasm (Goodwall (historical, 2020)).
- Apply: Walk into fast food or retail spots, post babysitting ads on Facebook, search "jobs for 16 year olds" locally.
- Prep: Dress neat, smile, mention when you're available--McDonald's trains crew fast (Indeed).
- Follow up politely.
Walk-ins work especially well for seasonal positions.
Evidence Pack - Job Comparison Matrix for 16-Year-Olds
| Job | Pay Range | Experience Needed | Flexibility (School-Friendly?) | Certs Required | Legal Notes (DOL Hours) | Pros/Cons | Pick If... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food (McDonald's) | $20-20.50/hr (Indeed, recent) | None | High (any shift) | None | 8/day non-school, 40/wk | Pros: training; Cons: busy | Need quick cash, people skills |
| Retail Associate | ~$12+/hr (Parents.com) | None | High (weekends) | None | Same as above | Pros: variety; Cons: standing | Like sales, steady shifts |
| Grocery Stocker | ~$12/hr (industry est.) | None | Medium | None | No machines <18 (DOL #38) | Pros: physical; Cons: limits | Fit, stocking ok |
| Babysitting | $8.50-$17/hr (UrbanSitter 2026) | Low | Very high (evenings) | None | Flexible hours | Pros: set rate; Cons: evenings | Love kids, independent |
| Lifeguard | ~$28/hr swim (Fidelity) | Swim skills | Seasonal high | 30hr cert | Summer 10/day | Pros: high pay; Cons: training | Strong swimmer, outdoors |
| Camp Counselor | Varies ~$16/hr (Fidelity) | None/low | Summer | None/often | 50/wk some states | Pros: fun; Cons: seasonal | Camp lover |
| Movie Theater | ~$12/hr (ResumeGenius 2025) | None | Evenings/weekends | None | Curfew aware | Pros: movies; Cons: late | Night owl, films |
| Entrepreneurship (Etsy) | Varies (self-set) (1752.vc 2025) | None | Total | Parent ok | No limits | Pros: flexible; Cons: startup | Creative, self-motivated |
When These Jobs Might Not Fit (Limitations and Alternatives)
Hour limits protect your school time--usually no more than 6-8 hours on school days--but 2024 laws in states like Iowa weakened some protections (360training.com, 2025). Stay away from hazardous jobs (no truck driving under 18). Fewer teens work now because of economic shifts (Parents.com). If hours feel too tight, try yard work or one-time tasks instead. State rules differ, so check DOL guidelines first.
FAQ
Do 16-year-olds need a work permit in the US?
It depends on your state--often not for 16+ (R for request-only), but required (M) in some; schools or parents handle this for under-16. Check DOL age certificates and local rules.
What are typical babysitting rates for 16-year-olds?
$8.50-$17/hr for 1-2 kids (up 4.9% past year), or $145-$240 for an 8-hour day; higher in expensive areas (UrbanSitter 2026). Set your rate based on location and experience.
Which fast food places hire at 16?
McDonald's hires crew at 16 ($20-20.50/hr, flexible shifts) with training--no experience needed (Indeed). Other chains vary; check locally.
Can 16-year-olds be lifeguards?
Yes, with a swim test and around 30 hours of certification (CPR/AED/first aid); pay is about $28/hr at swim schools (Fidelity).
What summer hours can 16-year-olds work?
Up to 10/day, 50/week in some states between when school ends and Labor Day; federal baseline is 8/day on non-school days (DOL rules).
Apply This to Your Situation
- Does the job fit your school schedule (<8 hours school days, per DOL)?
- Do you have transportation or certifications you need?
- Does it match your skills (team player vs. solo work)?
Visit DOL for your state's rules, then apply to 3 places through Indeed or walk-in today.