What jobs can a 16 year old get?
At 16 you can work in most retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, pools, camps, parks and offices. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) treats 16 as the basic minimum age for employment, and it drops the hour and time-of-day limits that apply to 14- and 15-year-olds.
What you cannot do is work in an occupation the Secretary of Labor has declared hazardous. Most first jobs never come close to those rules, but a few common tasks do, so read the next two sections before you accept a job.
What are the federal rules for working at 16 and 17?
According to the Department of Labor’s YouthRules guidance, these federal rules apply to 16- and 17-year-olds in non-farm jobs:
- Hours: you can work unlimited hours, at any time of day, in any occupation that is not declared hazardous.
- Hazardous jobs: 17 Hazardous Occupations Orders ban specific types of work until you turn 18.
- Pay: employers must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Workers under 20 can be paid $4.25 an hour during their first 90 consecutive calendar days with an employer.
- Overtime: if you are not exempt, non-farm employers owe time and one-half after 40 hours in a 7-day workweek.
Farm work is different. Once you turn 16, federal law lets you do any farm job at any time.
Which jobs and tasks are off-limits at 16?
These hazardous orders cause the most trouble in typical teen jobs:
- Driving for work. You cannot drive a motor vehicle on public roads or ride as an outside helper. 17-year-olds may drive cars or small trucks in daylight, only under strict limits. That rules out pizza and food delivery driving at 16.
- Forklifts and lifts. No operating or riding on forklifts, skid-steers, scissor lifts or similar hoisting equipment.
- Meat slicers and choppers. No operating or cleaning power-driven meat-processing machines, even when they slice cheese or vegetables. This matters in delis and sandwich shops.
- Bakery machines. No vertical dough or batter mixers, dough rollers or sheeters.
- Balers and compactors. You may load, but not operate or unload, certain scrap paper balers and paper box compactors under very specific guidelines.
- Power saws and wood chippers. No chain saws, circular saws, reciprocating saws or wood chippers, which matters in landscaping.
- Roofing, excavation, demolition, mining and logging.
Registered apprentices and student-learners who are at least 16 and enrolled in approved programs may qualify for a limited exemption from some of these orders.
Do states have stricter rules for 16 year olds?
Often, yes. When federal and state child labor laws both apply, the stricter standard wins. Many states limit hours or late-night work for 16- and 17-year-olds who are enrolled in school.
Here are three examples from the Department of Labor’s state table, last revised July 15, 2025:
| State | Hours limit for ages 16 and 17 in a school week | Night work limit for ages 16 and 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | 4 hours a day, 20 hours a week, 6 days | No work after 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday (midnight on Friday, Saturday and when school is out) |
| Pennsylvania | 8 hours a day, 28 hours a week, 6 days | No work from 12 a.m. (1 a.m. before a non-school day) to 6 a.m. if enrolled in day school |
| New York | 4 hours on days before a school day, 8 hours on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or holidays, 28 hours a week | No work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. while school is in session, with limited exceptions |
Other states, such as Texas, list no separate hour limits for this age group in the federal table. State laws change often, so confirm the current rules with your state labor office before you agree to a schedule.
Do you need a work permit at 16?
Federal law does not require “working papers” or work permits, but many states do. New York is one example: anyone 14 to 17 needs an employment certificate, and school officials issue it. A 16-year-old who is still in school gets a Student General Employment Certificate (Form AT-19).
If your state requires a permit, get it before your first shift. The Department of Labor’s State Labor Offices page links to every state agency.
25 jobs for 16 year olds
Each job below is open to 16-year-olds under federal rules, as long as you avoid the hazardous tasks noted above. Employers can set their own minimum ages, so check the posting.
| # | Job | Typical duties | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cashier | Ring up sales, handle cash and cards, answer questions | Grocery stores, pharmacies, retail chains |
| 2 | Grocery bagger or courtesy clerk | Bag orders, collect carts, help customers to their cars | Supermarkets, online or at the service desk |
| 3 | Stock associate | Unload boxes by hand, stock shelves, face products | Retail and grocery stores |
| 4 | Retail sales associate | Greet shoppers, fold and restock, run the register | Clothing, sporting goods and department stores |
| 5 | Fast food crew member | Take orders, prepare food, keep the dining room clean | Quick-service restaurants |
| 6 | Restaurant host | Greet guests, manage the waitlist, seat tables | Sit-down restaurants |
| 7 | Busser | Clear and reset tables, refill water, help servers | Sit-down restaurants |
| 8 | Dishwasher | Wash dishes and utensils, keep the kitchen clean | Restaurants, cafeterias, senior living communities |
| 9 | Barista | Make coffee drinks, take orders, restock supplies | Coffee shops and cafes |
| 10 | Server | Take orders, serve food, handle payment | Family restaurants and diners |
| 11 | Ice cream or concession worker | Scoop and serve, run the register, clean equipment | Ice cream shops, stadiums, pools |
| 12 | Movie theater attendant | Sell tickets and snacks, check tickets, clean theaters | Movie theaters |
| 13 | Amusement park attendant | Run games, guide lines, assist guests | Amusement parks and family entertainment centers |
| 14 | Lifeguard | Watch swimmers, enforce pool rules, respond to emergencies | City pools, community centers, water parks (ask what certification is required) |
| 15 | Swim instructor | Teach group or private lessons | Community pools and swim schools |
| 16 | Camp counselor | Lead activities, supervise campers | Day camps, parks and recreation departments |
| 17 | Babysitter | Watch children, prepare simple meals, help with homework | Neighbors, family friends, babysitting sites |
| 18 | Pet sitter or dog walker | Walk, feed and play with pets | Neighbors, local pet businesses |
| 19 | Tutor | Help younger students with reading or math | Local tutoring centers, libraries, your school |
| 20 | Landscaping helper | Mow, rake, weed and plant (no chain saws or wood chippers) | Lawn care companies, neighbors |
| 21 | Car wash attendant | Vacuum, dry and detail cars, greet customers | Local car washes |
| 22 | Golf caddie or course attendant | Carry bags, clean carts, help in the pro shop | Golf courses and country clubs |
| 23 | Library page | Shelve books, sort returns, help with programs | Public libraries |
| 24 | Front desk attendant | Check in members, answer phones, keep the lobby tidy | Gyms, recreation centers |
| 25 | Farmhand | Harvest crops, feed animals, help with chores | Local farms and orchards |
Tip for restaurant jobs: some states add special conditions for minors in places that sell alcohol, so ask the manager how state rules affect your duties.
How do you get a job at 16 with no experience?
- Pick two or three job types that fit your school schedule and how you get around.
- Gather your documents. Every new hire fills out Form I-9. If you do not have a photo ID, people under 18 can use a school record or report card, or a clinic, doctor or hospital record, as their identity document. An unrestricted Social Security card is one accepted work-authorization document.
- Get a work permit if your state requires one.
- Write a one-page resume with school activities, sports, volunteering and babysitting. Our guide to a first resume with no experience walks you through it.
- Apply online and in person. Some local stores and restaurants take applications at the counter, so ask for the hiring manager.
- Practice common questions. If you are applying for register work, try our cashier interview quiz.
- Follow up a few days later if you have not heard back.
Here is what to say when you walk in:
“Hi, I’m Maya Torres. I’m 16 and looking for after-school and weekend work. Are you hiring cashiers or baggers? I’m available Fridays after 4 p.m. and all day Saturday, and I can bring my resume to the manager.”
And a short answer to “Why do you want to work here?”:
“I shop here with my family, and the staff is always friendly. I want my first job to teach me customer service and responsibility, and I’m reliable about showing up on time. I’m on the track team, so I’m used to early practices and a set schedule.”
Planning ahead: first jobs that build toward a career
Your first job is mainly about reliability and references, but it can also test your interests. If you enjoy fixing things, read about trade school jobs and high paying jobs without a degree. If you prefer quiet, focused tasks, our list of jobs for introverts has ideas for later. To see which kind of work fits your personality, take the free Holland Code test.
Child labor rules can have exceptions for specific situations. If you are unsure whether a task is allowed, ask your local Wage and Hour Division office or your state labor department.