Whether your 14 year old teenager is hoping to start saving for college or just wants to earn some extra spending money, they’re probably ready to get a job.
Luckily, there are a variety of ways your teenager can earn money.
In addition to finding a traditional job, your teen could also get creative to come up with interesting ways to earn money.
These jobs for 14 year olds are a great place for your teen to start thinking about the type of job they want.
Job Requirements for 14 Year Olds
Older teenagers will be able to legally work at most traditional places of employment without as many restrictions as younger teenagers. But that doesn’t mean kids as young as 14 can’t get a traditional job.
There are a variety of businesses that offer jobs to teens as young as 14. Those businesses must follow a set of guidelines laid out by the government to protect against unfair labor practices.
That means there are specific rules for workers under a certain age.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Fair Labor Standards Act sets 14 years old as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.
The most important rule to know about employment opportunities for kids under 16 is that the minimum age of employment is 14 in the United States.
This rule applies to most traditional places of employment, but there are some exceptions to the rule, including:
- Delivering newspapers
- Working at a business owned by the teen’s parents
- Theatrical work, like acting in commercials, plays or movies
- Babysitting
Does a 14 Year Old Need a Work Permit
The Fair Labor Standards Act does not require 14 year olds to have work permits to be employed.
However, some state labor laws do require 14 year olds to have a permit in order to work.
To find out if your state requires a permit for minors to work, check your state’s labor department website.
Another option is to check with your school resource counselor or guidance office to see what requirements are in place for minors to be able to work.
How to Get a Work Permit at 14
Once you know if your state requires a work permit, consult your state’s labor laws on their website to determine what is needed to get a work permit at 14.
To get a work permit there are some things you’ll need:
- Some form of identification
- A parent or guardian
- Your completed application form
You can also contact your school guidance counselor for the proper forms and necessary requirements to get a work permit as a minor.
How Many Hours Can a 14 Year Old Work
In addition to understanding the minimum legal age of employment, it’s also a good idea to know that there are limits to the number of hours your teen can work at their traditional job.
The Fair Labor Standards Act limits work time to:
- 18 total hours during a school week
- 3 hours per day on school days
- 8 hours per day on non-school days
- 40 total hours per week during non-school weeks
The hours your 14 year old is able to work each day is also limited.
During the school year, they are allowed to work shifts between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. During the summer, from June 1 through Labor Day, their work day can be extended to 9:00 p.m.
How Much Should a 14 Year Old Be Paid
On top of setting standards for hourly work for your teenager, the government also has standards for fair pay.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, but some states have set their minimum wage higher than that. Check the guidelines for your state to see how much minimum wage is in your area.
Places that Hire at 14
Finding a traditional job outside the home is probably something your 14 year old is considering.
And since there are a variety of businesses that higher teens, your teenager will have plenty of options to choose from during their job search.
There are three main types of business that typically hire teenagers to work for them.
Restaurant Jobs
There are several job opportunities available to young workers in this industry, including bussing tables, washing dishes, prep work, line cooking, and drive thru positions.
These popular restaurant chains typically higher workers as young as 14:
Grocery store Jobs
From stocking shelves to bagging groceries, your teen can choose a variety of positions at your local grocery store.
These grocery stores typically hire teenagers:
Entertainment Venue Jobs
In addition to helping out at the concession stand or ticket window of their favorite concert hall or sports stadium, your 14 year old teen could also get a job at a movie theater when they’re fourteen.
These fun entertainment venues will higher teens younger than 16:
- AMC Theaters
- Six Flags
- Water parks
- Trampoline parks
- Arcades
- Bowling Alley
Online Jobs for 14 Year Olds
Sometimes, finding a job you can do at home in your spare time is the best option for your teen.
If your 14 year old would like to work from home, there are a variety of great online jobs that are perfect for teenagers.
Online surveys
Your teen can take the time to give their opinion on a variety of subjects and earn money by taking online surveys.
Sell items online
Using the internet to sell their stuff is another great way for your teen to earn money online. And since there are a variety of ways your teen can make some money with this method, there is sure to be an option that appeals to your kid.
Here are some things your teen could sell online to make money:
- Books
- Electronics
- Video games and gaming accessories
- Arts and Crafts
- Clothing and accessories
Tutoring
Is your teen great at school?
Let them put their knowledge to good use by tutoring others online.
They can set up virtual tutoring sessions with kids from school or sign up for an online tutoring program teaching English as a second language to kids around the world.
Freelance writing
Does your teenager have a knack for writing?
They can make money writing articles online to earn some extra cash.
Sites like Fiverr allow users over the age of 13 to create an account and start selling their services to customers.
Blogging
If your teen has a passion for a particular topic, why not encourage them to start their own blog?
They can earn money through advertising, sponsored blog posts, and affiliate sales.
Vlogging
Maybe your teen is more of a talker than a writer.
Starting their own YouTube channel could be a great way to earn extra money through ads and sponsored videos.
Summer Jobs for 14 Year Olds
Even if your teen is too busy to work during the school year, they’ll have plenty of time for a job during the summer!
These summer jobs are a great option for young teenagers who aren’t able to drive yet.
Babysitting
Taking care of younger kids while their parents are at work during the summer is a great way for 14 year olds to earn money.
Let your friends and family know your teen is available for babysitting during the summer months or help your teenager create an account on a site like Care.com to start getting babysitting clients.
Pet sitting and dog walking
Do you have an animal lover in your house? Help your teenager turn that love into a job by pet sitting and dog walking during the summer.
Whether they take care of pets while the owners are on summer vacation or just help walk neighborhood pets while the owners are at work, your teen could enjoy the company of animals while earning some extra money with this fun job idea.
Gardening and landscaping
If your teenager loves being outside during the summer months, they’ll have a blast taking care of gardening and landscaping tasks around the neighborhood.
They can hand out flyers to let people in your neighborhood know that your teen is open for business.
Lifeguarding
After getting their first aid certification, your teen could become a lifeguard at the local pool or beach when they’re 14.
That’s a great job for any kid that loves the water or is a great swimmer.
Golf caddy
Is your teen a great golfer?
Let them put their skills to use during the summer by working as a golf caddy. They can carry golfer’s clubs around the course and learn some new golfing skills as they work.
Referee/Umpire
For sports-loving teens, working as a referee or umpire for youth leagues is another great way to earn money during the summer.
As long as your teen knows the rules of the game, they can work as a referee or umpire at games during the summer months.
Conclusion
These are just some of the jobs for 14 year olds to earn money.
Go through this list and then brainstorm with your teen to come up with more ideas of things they would enjoy doing to earn money.
