If you're a 16-year-old who just got their driver's license, congratulations! That means you're nearing full adulthood. Now, It could be a little intimidating to find jobs for 16-year-olds; it's fairly easy and straightforward. Let's get the best-paying job for you!
Luckily, there are plenty of employers with loads of job openings eager to hire you — here are The 15 Best Jobs for 16-year-olds that, we think, might be perfect for your job search. But before we start:
The Law
What does the law say? What are your restrictions? There is The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) USA. This law regulates the days, hours, and types of work that 14-, 15-, 16-, 17 and 18-year-old employees can work. Basically, this law restricts you from operating (heavy) equipment and machinery, lets you work in a coal mine, and keeps you from working for DoorDash (driving a car to deliver food) for another year. Apart from that, there are plenty of job opportunities to start earning big stacks! There is no limit on the hours that someone aged 16 can work.
Your Pay at 16 years old
An employer must pay you at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all the hours that you work, except under certain circumstances. Your state laws may require a higher wage rate.
What jobs you can get at 16-years-old?
There are a few places that hire 16-year-olds in nearly every community. These employer examples include:
- Fast-food stores
- Convenience stores
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Clothing retailers and other mall shops
- Big-box stores
- Department stores
- Amusement parks
- Summer camps
15 Best Paying Jobs for 16-year-olds:
With “Best” we considered the intensity, accessibility, fun, and pay of the jobs available. Some jobs have great pay, others are great life experiences, and others are very realistic and accessible jobs for any 16-year-old without work experience.
1. Summer camp counselor
Summer camp is one of the best ways to see if you're cut out for a job with kids. If you can handle that, you're well on your way to a successful career.
16-year-olds are in demand as counselors at summer camps — make sure you have good people skills, an upstanding character, and a solid work ethic.
Average pay: The pay isn't bad either: $1,000+ per month!
2. Cashier
This might be the most common job for a 16-year-old, being a cashier. A cashier's primary duty is to ring up customers' products and complete the check-out process. This involves performing price checks, bagging items, validating coupons or gift cards, collecting cash or processing card payments, and handing out change when necessary.
A job that requires little to zero experience, as long as you are willing to provide great service. A great part-time job,
Average pay: $12.98 per hour & usually a store discount is an additional perk.
3. Server
Servers work in the hospitality industry, like restaurants, cafés, and hotels. As a server, you are responsible for taking orders from customers, communicating these orders to the kitchen, handing prepared food to customers, refilling drinks, and collecting payments in restaurants, bars, and fast food establishments.
In addition, a server clears up tables after a customer is done and resets the area for new diners. At the end of the day, they may also help clean up the restaurant, all while providing excellent service.
Average salary: $15.21 per hour “plus tips”. (Pay may vary greatly among employers).
4. Lawn mowing
A great hustle next to your other new jobs? Find a few lawn-mowing clients in your neighborhood and you are in business! Which neighbors around can you get as a client and that you can add to your bi-weekly lawn mowing route, on, let's say, your Saturday mornings? You do a spotless job, and before you know it you get referral clients and other job requests. “Can you wash my car? Trim the bushes, help with moving?”, etc. You set your prices and are your own boss.
Average Pay: You can earn anything between $15-$500 dollars a day. Depending on the amount of grass and customers you have.
5. Summer Lifeguard
A summer job as a lifeguard is a fan favorite for 16-year-olds — at least according to us (and the internet). It's a great way to get your foot in the door at a pool of your choice: You might find yourself good at it, and, who knows, you might find the job of your dreams.
16-year-olds are welcome to apply as long as they have their certification (state-issued certification card) and can pass CPR training.
Don't forget that lifeguards are in demand mostly as summer jobs (especially in touristy areas).
Rumors go, a bit of tanned lifeguards are in big demand with the suntanning ladies. Whoever you are, being a lifeguard can bring you the best and most beautiful view of society. (pun intended)
Pay starts at $8 an hour up to $9 an hour, which, might we add, is excellent for someone with little or no experience.
6. Babysitter
Many families prefer to leave their children with a babysitter for the night, or even more extended periods — which means that this might be your entryway into what might come down the road as a future career.
If a family wants to hire you and is cool with it, then go for it! Why get a real job when you're making $10 an hour sitting in front of a TV watching sitcoms?
Babysitters usually earn around $10 an hour and rarely provide tips. Apart from, Netflix tips.
7. Dog walker/pet sitter
While you're here, why not work as a pet caretaker and dog walker while you're at it?
There are dozens of dog walking and pet sitting jobs on the internet. Some employers will require that you have your certification (or be able to provide it) and be able to prove that you're responsible enough for the task at hand.
The fact that most employers are willing to start someone out at such a young age shows there's no better time than now to get into the workforce.
This job requires a lot of physical activity and the right mix of people skills and compassion.
Average pay: $15- $40 dollars per dog, per day. Get yourself a van and many dogs to look after and you are into serious business!
8. Retail sales (local shops or malls)
If you're a 16-year-old looking to get into retail sales, then you're in luck. This is one of the most accessible jobs to get and one of the best ways to earn a little bit of extra cash while you're still in school or just starting. A classic first job for many people. You might operate a cash register, stock shelves, unpack new inventory, and handle some cleaning, all while helping customers find what they need.
The store discount is an additional perk on top of additional seasonal discounts, paired with the hourly pay rate, of around $13.13!
9. House cleaner
House cleaning is another excellent entryway job for 16-year-olds who are looking for an easy way to start making a little bit of cash. There are a few things to keep in mind: You must be at least 16 years old, have a strong work ethic. The hiring of house cleaners happens throughout the year, so you'll need to decide which seasons are best for you.
The pay varies depending on your company and how busy the season is, but most cleaners get between $7 and $15 an hour.
10. Music teacher
Jobs for 16-year-olds come in a variety.If you're into music and don't mind teaching younger students how to play your instrument, this job might be worth checking out. Some teachers are paid as much as $50 an hour, so you'll have your pick of the litter.
16-year-olds can be hired, but they must have their certification, teach all the basics and be able to keep up with the kids throughout their lessons.
11. Tutor
Some employers are too willing to start someone even younger if they're looking for immediate service. There are a number of companies that will set you up with a tutor if you're 12 years old or less.
Plus, the pay starts at around $10 an hour, and this job can be done while your parents are still sleeping on the couch.
If you're okay with being in class for long hours, then this might be your entryway into the workforce!
Average pay: 16-year-olds do get paid more than others, but around $15-$50 an hour is pretty standard.
12. Car wash employee
When you're an employee at a car wash, you're not just cleaning cars: You're also making sure that everything is in order and that clients are happy.
16-year-olds are welcome to apply as long as they have a good work ethic, references, and proper certification documentation (if required).
Pay usually depends on the season, location, and the client's satisfaction. If you want to make a little extra cash from time to time, then this is a great way to get started!
Average pay: Most casr wash working earn between $7 and $15an hour. (excluding tips)
13. Childcare provider
If you're 16 and looking for a job at home, then the field of childcare might be an excellent fit for you. If you want to get your foot in the door somewhere, this is where it all begins.
Good news: You won't need any prior experience (especially if you're younger than 18), so you'll only need to pass an inspection from a professional in the field. Don't worry about experience; it's much more vital that they like your personality. A great example of a childcare provider is a nanny: These people get hired when they have references, they're bonded and insured, and they are screened in advance. If you're 16 years old and love kids, this might be a great way to start a career.
16-year-olds can make up to $10.00 an hour over time, but remember that this is typically a non-profit organization with registration requirements for this job.
14. Robotics/coding/engineering intern
This is one of the most lucrative types of internships. These programs are very technical and require a great deal of expertise from the intern.
Make sure you know exactly what you're getting yourself into when you accept this type of internship because it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you've had in your entire life !!
Your school might offer these types of internships, or they might not. You will have to do a lot of research independently and don't be afraid to ask your teachers or other students for advice.
15. Vlogger or YouTuber
If you've got a good camera, plenty of charisma, and an internet connection, you could make thousands of dollars per month by blogging. You don't need any experience in the field or a degree from a university; you need to be willing to put in the effort.
Many people do this because they want to share their life stories with the world, but you might be more interested in making money.
Your blog will need to be properly set up, and you'll have to create a good video for your viewers. Many people are making six figures per month by being able to produce video content.
16. Newspaper Delivery
Newspaper delivery is a great option for teens. You will usually get a bundle of newspapers from the company that you will need to deliver to the correct houses.
Sometimes the routes can be done walking or riding a bike, which is great because you can get some exercise and save on gas. But there are also routes where you will need to use a car, so that could be an option for teens who have their driver’s license.
When it comes to pay, $15.00 per hour is average for your early morning routes. You may also get an occasional holiday bonus from happy customers, giving you some extra cash during Christmas.
Outro
So we've covered a lot of duties and positions that teens can do, and keep in mind that some of them are illegal. You should always ask your parents if you are allowed to work at a particular job or not before you start doing it. Also, follow all the safety rules, especially when working with machinery. Lastly, don't do anything without getting permission from your parents or guardians first.
That said if you're 16 years old and still in school, this is a great time to start your career. Don't forget to keep one eye on the clock and get jobs for 16-year-olds as soon as you can. It is never too early to start earning some extra money for your future, especially if you're going for a career in any of these fields. You will never know when you might need it!
In conclusion, it is never too early to start earning some extra money for your future. If you're 16 and you want to start making a lot of money this could be the best time to do it.
Don't forget about the types of internships we talked about earlier in this article since they are extremely lucrative and will give you an excellent opportunity to start making some extra cash.
I hope that you enjoyed reading this article, but by far the most important thing is that you have fun while learning something new! Good luck!
If your parents are working full time and earning a decent living, then they can afford to pay for your school fees or at least help out with them.
Call To Action.
If you're looking for a job as a 16-year-old, then please use this article and the resources that it provides to find high paying jobs.
The great thing about working at home is that you can do it whenever you want, and you're only limited by your imagination! Once you get a good routine going, then the extra money will start rolling in. Who knows…maybe at some point you'll have enough money saved to buy your own place or maybe even start with your first investment!
As far as time management is concerned, you need to make a schedule for yourself and stick to it. Try not to skimp on the quality of your job, because even if you're doing it for free, it will still be a lot harder than anything else that you'll be doing. You should also try to look for work that you can do from anywhere in the world. There are lots of companies that are hiring online, but you will have to be careful when choosing one. On the bright side, working from home is as secure as you want it to be. It doesn't matter if you're a teenager – as long as you have some funds to start with, then all you need is your own laptop and an internet connection in order to make money online.
Some great Jobs for 16-year-olds to make money online is by completing simple tasks such as surveys, watching videos, and even taking part in clinical trials!
What hours can a 16-year-old work?
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can be employed for unlimited hours in any occupation other than those declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor.
