You’re 14 years old and you can officially work. Yay! However, there are a couple hoops you need to jump through before you can get hired by a company. Sigh. However, if you are motivated and you can convince an employer to hire you and train you, you’re on your way to earning a steady paycheck.
If you don’t feel like jumping through any hoops, you can easily do unofficial jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, and landscaping (i.e. mowing lawns). Regardless of what kind of job you want, check out my top list of great first jobs for 14-year-olds:
#1: Restaurant worker
Restaurant jobs are at the top of my list for great first jobs for 14-year-olds. Working at a restaurant give you the potential to earn tips (this is on top of your hourly wages). While this doesn’t apply to fast food places, it does apply to other types of more formal restaurants.
Let’s say for example you get hired as a hostess. Depending on the specific restaurant that hires you, you may receive a percentage of the servers’ tips at the end of your shift. Again, this will depend on the restaurant so you need to do some digging first to find out!
Even if you aren’t eligible to get tips as a hostess or dish washer (or whatever position you start as at 14), when you turn 16 you can become a server and start earning good tips on top of your hourly wages. At 18 you can even bartend and also earn decent tips! Personally, I was a bartender my senior year in college and then again while in grad school. I only had to work about 1-2 busy night a week and I made really good money!
Something to note about restaurant work, if your family owns a restaurant, you can work for them without having to obtain a work permit.
#2: Fast food worker
Unlike working at a more formal or fancy restaurant, another great option for first jobs for 14-year-olds is working at places like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A. While you can’t earn tips at fast food places, you can often get other great perks. McDonald’s, for example, offers a talent and benefits program that provides assistance with earning a high school and/or college diploma.
#3: Swim instructor / lifeguard
Although most organizations and companies require you to be at least 15 years old, you can start the process of getting CPR-certified and trained when you are 14. If you are someone who is super athletic and a great swimmer and you want to be outdoors, this could be the perfect job for you!
#4: Tutor
Do you excel in subjects like writing or math? There are some companies out there who hire 14 year old tutors. Or, if you are feeling a little entrepreneurial, you can hire yourself out as a tutor and charge whatever you like! However, it’s important to keep in mind you need to charge what is reflective of your experience and skills. For example, if you have no prior tutoring experience, charging something like $15 per hour is reasonable.
Your Future Starts Here
As you get more experience and you earn your high school diploma, you can increase your rate. Some tutors make up to $100 per hour! This job is great because tutoring is something you can do throughout your career to earn extra money.
#5: Babysitter / pet sitter
This is one of my top first jobs for 14-year-olds because you don’t need a work permit and there is no regulation in terms of when and how many hours you can work. Babysitting was one of my first jobs as a 14 year old. It was perfect. I learned so many valuable skills in that first job like responsibility, work ethic, flexibility, and communications skills like listening and empathy.
#6: Retail assistant
If you love fashion and clothes, this might be just the job for you! Other areas of retail include outdoor equipment stores for outdoorsy types, as well as technology-focused stores like Apple for all you tech-savvy teens.
A perk of working in retail is that you get discounts! Also, if you are interested in merchandising, fashion, or even manufacturing for your future career, this is a great starting point that will show you the ropes of these industries.
#7: Camp counselor-in-training
While most organizations require camp counselors to be at least 16 or 18 years old, there are training programs out there that will teach you leadership and other skills so that when you are old enough, you can jump into a counselor role!
#8: Landscape assistant
For teens who love the outdoors and are interested in plants and agriculture, this is a wonderful option. Landscaping is also an area where you don’t typically need a work permit (depending on the company who hires you). Or, like babysitting and pet sitting, if you are motivated, you can create a flyer and advertise your services to your neighbors.
Although 14 might be a bit young to start mowing lawns, you can apply to be a landscape “helper” or work at a nursery and learn the ropes regarding how to maintain lawns and gardens. Once you get some experience and you’re a little older, you can hire yourself out.
#9: Movie theatre worker
If I could do my teens over again, I’d definitely work at a movie theatre. I don’t know, there’s just something about being at the movies that’s cool. Not to mention you probably get perks like discounted movies, popcorn, and snacks.
#10 Grocery bagger
While bagging groceries might not seem like the most exciting job, there are many grocery companies who offer tuition reimbursement for both part-time and full-time employees. This type of job, like retail, can lead to a career opportunity later on. For students who want to go into business and management, this is an excellent option in terms of first jobs for 14-year-olds.
How do I get a job at 14?
According to the guidelines from the US Department of Labor and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the rules for employment can vary depending on the age of the minor and the nature of the particular job. However, the FLSA sets the minimum age that a minor can work at 14 and also limits the number of hours worked under the age of 16.
That said, if you wanted to work for McDonald’s, for example, the first thing you would need to do as a 14 year old is check with the laws regarding working at 14 in your state. For example, in California a work permit is needed if you want to work and you’re under 18 and have not yet graduated high school.
What is the best first job at 14?
My list of top ten best first jobs for 14-year-olds features some of the best first jobs you can get at 14. The “best” job is going to depend on your interests, what you’re good at, and also your personality. For example, if you are an animal lover, a great first job might be working at a pet shelter or doing dog walking.
If you love talking to people and you get energized being around people, working at a place that has lots of people and action, like a fast-food restaurant, might be a great option. Regardless of what you idea of the best job to get at 14, you can start the process by writing a strong resume.
Best first jobs for 14-year-olds with no experience
If you don’t have any work experience, jobs like babysitting or pet sitting are a great starting point. Since these types of jobs don’t require a work permit, they will allow you to make some money and start building your skills.
If you have a family member who owns a business like a restaurant or a retail store, this is another excellent option regarding first jobs for a 14-year-olds with no experience because, like babysitting, you don’t need a work permit and you can start working right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How can 14-year-olds find job opportunities in their area?
14-year-olds can start by asking family, friends, and neighbors if they need any assistance with tasks like pet care, house cleaning, or gardening. They can also explore community bulletin boards, local job fairs, and online platforms that connect teenagers with part-time job opportunities.
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If I’m not old enough to get a job doing what I want, what is the best first job for 14-year-olds?
If the particular job you want has a minimum age that’s above 14, you can start gaining the necessary skills you need to get the job later on. For example, let’s say you want to work at a summer camp as a counselor. You can start building your skills by taking CPR courses and also volunteer to take on leadership roles in student clubs and organizations.
Kendra dickerson
I have a daughter that is 14 and she won’t to babysitting and she won’t to know what to do so let me know
Lee Beaser
Hello Kendra, what does she like? Art, writing, animals? She could do dog walking or pet sitting. She could work for small, privately-owned restaurants or sandwich shop type of places where they have less strict regulations. She should develop a resume and take in to places she might want to work. Also she could be a referee on the weekends for soccer games if she’s into sports, for example. If she has a special skill like great handwriting, she could offer services, for example, like writing hand-written notes (my daughter’s friend does this for a woman who is a small business owner; she has her write her customers hand-written thank you letters). Other specialized things could be selling art or hand-made items on Etsy.