Looking for companies that hire at 15? If you are a kid out for a job, you have many options, from working odd jobs around the neighborhood to waiting tables at restaurants near you.
Even if you have extracurricular activities and school at this age, you may always use a few more hours to earn additional cash.
Experts also suggest that in order to become financially independent, people should begin working early in life.
You can start saving money with your earnings, or you can use it to help your parents with some of their education expenses.
Basically, there are several advantages to beginning employment early—as early as 15 years old.
What are the potential earnings and where can 15-year-olds find gainful employment? These issues are addressed in this post along with the labor regulations pertaining to paid work for children.
Among the companies that hire 15, which pays the highest? Read on to find out.
Can You Work at 15?
Yes, children at the age of 15 can work in fulfilling jobs. Kids in this age group often work fewer than 20 hours per week during the school year, and more over the vacations.
The kind of employment that children can be paid for are governed by state and federal regulations, depending on the state.
In order to prevent the exploitation of underage labor, the rules specifically specify the hours and wage levels.
Restaurants, supermarket stores, odd work websites, and freelancing online employment platforms are among the common companies that hire at 15.
Working at customer service desks, servicing clients, and doing service tasks like babysitting and lawn mowing are all part of the job.
Simply walk into the company and ask to speak with someone to acquire a job. Luckily, most businesses now advertise vacancies online, making it easy to send in your application right from home.
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How Much Pay Should 15 Year Olds Expect?
Companies that hire at 15 must pay no less than the minimum youth wage of $4.25 per hour. After 90 consecutive days of employment, the wage typically increases to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
However, actual pay can vary depending on the type of job, the employer, and the worker’s skills.
Some industries, like retail, food service, and entertainment, often hire 15-year-olds for entry-level roles. While the federal minimum sets the baseline, some employers offer higher wages to attract and retain workers.
According to ZipRecruiter, teen workers can earn between $6.73 and $30.53 per hour, with an average of $19 per hour.
Specialized roles, like tutoring, lifeguarding, or freelancing, often pay more than minimum wage. These opportunities allow teens to gain experience, develop skills, and earn competitive pay while complying with federal and state labor laws.
Companies That Hire at 15
Interested in making money and getting work experience at the same time? Try your luck at these companies that hire at 15:
1. AMC Theaters
AMC Theaters is a great place for teens aged 14 to 17 to work, offering roles like snack bar attendant, usher, or cleaning staff.
This job allows you to stay updated on the latest movie releases while earning an income.
The company tailors job responsibilities and working hours based on your age and the conditions outlined in your schoolwork permit.
One of the biggest perks is a 50% discount on food and candy purchases, along with occasional free movie tickets for a special guest. It’s a fun and flexible job that fits well with a student’s schedule.
2. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Teens have long found employment in amusement parks and circuses, offering a fun and dynamic work environment.
If you’re in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Dorney Park is a great place to seek a job. The park hires teens to assist with various attractions, including park attendance, ticket handling, and food and beverage service.
These roles provide valuable customer service experience and the chance to work in an exciting setting.
According to salary reviews on Indeed, crew members at Dorney Park earn an average hourly wage of $9.05, making it a viable option for teens looking to earn extra income.
3. Six Flags
This theme park company operates across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with its headquarters based in Texas.
It manages 27 properties, including water parks, entertainment centers, and theme parks. This is one of the companies that hire at 15 in various roles such as attraction attendants, ticket collectors, merchandisers, and servers.
These positions offer young workers a chance to gain customer service experience while working in a fun and energetic environment.
The company’s wide reach and variety of job opportunities make it a popular choice for teens looking to earn extra income while balancing school commitments.
4. ACX Cinemas
ACX Cinemas is a movie theater company with locations in Nebraska, Iowa, Chicago, and Wisconsin. It offers job opportunities for teens under 18, including roles such as ushers and food servers.
Successful applicants typically have an energetic personality and the ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment.
These positions allow young workers to develop customer service skills while enjoying a dynamic workplace.
ACX Cinemas provides a flexible work environment that can accommodate school schedules, making it an appealing choice for teens looking to earn extra income while gaining valuable work experience.
5. Adventure City
If you live in California, Adventure City in Anaheim is one of the companies that hire at 15. The park features attractions like balloon races, freeway coasters, carousels, a petting farm, and an arcade game section.
Teens aged 15 and older are eligible to apply for various roles, including entertainment performer, merchandiser, petting zoo attendant, party server, and park service staff.
These jobs offer a fun, dynamic work environment where teens can develop customer service skills.
According to Glassdoor, the average pay for teen employees at Adventure City ranges from $13 to $15 per hour, making it a competitive option for young job seekers.
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6. Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle is an American supermarket chain with locations in Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
Established in 1918, it offers employment opportunities for both adults and minors, with a minimum hiring age of 14 years.
Teens often find work as cart attendants, clerks, or cashiers across the company’s 425 stores. At 15, teens can work as cashiers, and there are also internship opportunities available for students at various Giant Eagle Supermarkets.
These roles offer teens a chance to gain valuable work experience while earning competitive wages in a supportive environment.
7. Safeway
Albertsons, a supermarket chain founded in 1915 and headquartered in Idaho, operates in 17 states. Its stores typically feature Starbucks, a meat section, a bakery, a deli, a flower department, and a produce section.
This is one of the companies that hire at 15, with roles including bagging groceries, collecting empty carts, assisting customers to their vehicles, and cleaning spills.
The base pay for these positions is reported at $15 per hour, according to Glassdoor.
This provides teens with a flexible work opportunity in a dynamic and customer-focused environment.
8. Wegmans
This family-owned supermarket chain, based in New York, operates 109 locations across the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states.
The minimum age for employment typically ranges between 14 and 19 years, depending on the job description.
Positions such as cashiers and customer service require minors to have work permits issued by their schools.
According to Indeed, the starting wage for cashiers and stockers is around $10 per hour, although this may vary based on the state and the store’s busyness.
This offers teens a great opportunity to gain work experience in a supportive, customer-focused environment.
9. King Soopers
This supermarket chain, part of The Kroger Company, operates in the Rocky Mountains, with stores in Cheyenne, Colorado, Denver, and Wyoming.
Known for selling seafood, vegetables, deli items, baked goods, and fruits, the supermarket chain is one of the companies that hire at 15, provided minors have legal age verification from the school superintendent.
Depending on the job duties, minors can earn between $12 and $15 per hour.
This provides a solid opportunity for teens looking to gain experience in the retail industry while earning a competitive wage.
10. Giant Food Stores
This regional supermarket has been in operation for nearly a century, serving areas in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
They hire minors as young as 14 years old for entry-level positions such as bagging groceries and handling carts.
With over 150 stores, the chain also offers roles like clerks, cashiers, and bakery associates for older teens aged 16 and above.
The typical pay for jobs suited for 14- and 15-year-olds starts at $12.34 per hour, providing young workers with valuable work experience and a competitive wage.
11. Hy-Ve
Hy-Vee is an employee-owned general store chain with over 280 locations across Southern and Midwestern states, including Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Most Hy-Vee stores are full-service, offering coffee kiosks, bakeries, delis, floral departments, health clinics, meat sections, and fresh produce.
Minors can find part-time jobs as floral clerks, servers, cart attendants, and baggers. These entry-level roles provide flexible work hours suitable for students.
Typical salaries for these positions range between $9.85 and $20 per hour, depending on the role, location, and experience level.
12. Fareway
Fareway is one of the companies that hire at 15. This grocery chain specializes in meats, dairy, fresh produce, and baked goods.
Founded over 80 years ago, Fareway is headquartered in Boone, Iowa, and operates over 130 locations across South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Missouri.
The company hires minors for various entry-level positions, including cashiering, bagging groceries, and stocking shelves.
One unique benefit Fareway offers is assistance with student loan payments, making it a smart choice for teens planning for their future education.
Building a working relationship with Fareway can provide long-term financial support and valuable job experience.
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13. Starbucks
Starbucks is a popular place for teens to find jobs without requiring formal education or prior experience, although strong customer service skills are essential.
The minimum hiring age at most Starbucks locations across the USA is 16. However, in Montana, minors as young as 14 can be employed if they comply with state child labor laws, including work permits and restricted hours.
Starbucks offers competitive pay, with baristas earning an average of $13 per hour, slightly above the minimum wage in most states.
Employees also receive weekly tips based on hours worked and access to various benefits, including tuition assistance and health coverage for eligible workers.
14. Taco Bell
If you have a work permit and follow work hour restrictions, you may be able to work at Taco Bell, an American-based fast-food franchise.
Some Taco Bell locations hire 14- and 15-year-olds for roles like customer care assistants, cashiers, and cleaners. However, most stores require team members and cooks to be at least 16 years old.
While previous experience is not mandatory, having it can improve your chances of getting hired or earning a higher wage.
Taco Bell provides flexible work schedules, making it a suitable option for teens seeking part-time employment while balancing school commitments.
15. McDonald’s
With over 13,438 locations in the US as of 2021, McDonald’s is one of the companies that hire at 15.
The company hires from age 14 for roles such as crew members, customer service representatives, cashiers, maintenance technicians, and even shift managers. Entry-level positions typically pay $9.00 to $10.00 per hour, with higher rates for supervisory roles.
Employees at McDonald’s receive comprehensive training, free meals during shifts, holiday bonuses, and additional benefits for full-time workers.
This makes McDonald’s a great starting point for teens seeking part-time work, skill development, and potential career growth.
16. Pizza Hut
If you’re searching for companies that hire at 15 near you, Pizza Hut is a strong option to consider. As the largest pizza company in the world, it operates over 18,000 restaurants across 100+ countries, including 6,000+ locations in the US.
While the general minimum age for employment at Pizza Hut is 16, 15-year-olds can be hired in some locations for roles like cashiers, dishwashers, floor sweepers, and bus tables. Management positions require applicants to be at least 18 years old.
Pay rates at Pizza Hut vary based on the job, typically ranging from $7 to $23 per hour, depending on location and responsibilities.
17. Boston Market
Boston Market offers job opportunities for 15-year-olds in various entry-level roles such as cashiers, cooks, customer service, cleaning, food service, and food dispensing.
However, certain positions—like food delivery drivers and managerial roles—require applicants to be at least 18 years old.
Entry-level employees, often referred to as crew members, typically earn minimum wage, though this may vary depending on location.
Having previous experience in food service or customer service can improve your chances of being hired and may lead to better pay or advancement opportunities.
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18. KFC
KFC is a globally recognized chicken restaurant brand with over 4,200 locations in the United States.
While the minimum hiring age is typically 16 years, some locations hire 14- and 15-year-olds with valid student work permits for positions such as customer service assistants, cashiers, and cooks.
Beyond employment, KFC supports young workers through academic and career advancement programs.
While wages may vary by location, entry-level employees generally earn between $8 and $13 per hour, offering teens a chance to gain valuable work experience and grow professionally.
19. Burger King
Burger King is one of the companies that hire at 15 with valid work permits, but their tasks are limited to non-hazardous duties. These duties typically include operating the register, working the drive-thru window, and cleaning.
While some locations may hire younger teens, the minimum age for most Burger King establishments is 16 years old, so it’s best to check with your local restaurant for specific requirements.
According to Zippia, the starting pay at Burger King averages around $9.13 per hour, although wages can vary depending on location, experience, and position
20. Baskin Robbins
Baskin Robbins, a global chain of ice cream shops, hires teens starting at 14 years old, though some locations may require applicants to be at least 16. Teens can apply for positions such as crew members, cake decorators, counter helpers, and team leaders.
Applicants must have reliable transportation, be legally allowed to work in the U.S., and be available to work multiple shifts.
Pay at Baskin Robbins varies based on factors like job position, location, and store. According to Indeed, the average pay ranges from $7.69 to $17.70 per hour.
FAQs
How old do you have to be to work at Dollar Tree?
Dollar Tree, an American Fortune 500 business only employs teens who are 16 years or older. The company has stores in almost all states and deals in health and beauty, party, holiday decor, glassware, and household supplies among other items.
Can you work at Walmart at 15?
To work at any Walmart location, you need to be 16 years or older. The conglomerate has over 10,500 retail units under its banner and over 2.3m employees. Common jobs at Walmart include customer service and check-out assistance.
What jobs pay the most at 15?
Jobs that pay the most at 15 include dog walking, tutoring, and car washing. The same goes for jobs hired by adventure city, Safeway, and King Soopers. In all these, you can make somewhere between $15-$20.
Conclusion
Companies that hire at 15 provide valuable opportunities for young workers to gain experience, develop skills, and earn an income.
While the minimum youth wage starts at $4.25 per hour, it typically increases to $7.25 per hour after 90 days, with the potential to earn more based on the job and employer.
With various options available, 15-year-olds can find rewarding work while adhering to labor laws and balancing their education.
