Just think: your first ever job could be waiting for you on this list of places that hire at 15!
It’s a super exciting prospect to earn your very own money, whether your goal is to save for a car, for college or just so you can afford that shirt you saw at the mall.
In terms of what specific job you can get at 15, it’s going to depend a lot on where you live. In some cases, employers can only offer jobs for 15 year olds in certain states, where local laws allow you to be hired at that age.
This means that it’s worth asking around at potential employers near you to see if they’re willing to hire you at your age – and you can use this list to give you an idea of where to start your job search.
And if they’re open to it, start polishing up that application!
Restaurants and similar places that hire at 15
Many of us (including me!) got our first job at 15 at a restaurant or something similar, like an ice cream shop. This is because these are generally the majority of options you’ll find on a list of places that hire at 15.
That’s why all of the following are great options to consider if you’re wondering what job you can get at 15!
1. Arby’s
Arby’s is a fast food restaurant with over 3,000 stores throughout the US.
This means the kinds of jobs you’ll get here will relate either to food preparation or food service. You could be taking orders and serving customers, cooking and assembling food or cleaning the dining room or back area.
2. Baskin Robbins
The Baskin Robbins hiring age is 14 years old, so there are definitely options there for 15 year olds.
With over 3,000 stores around the US, there’s likely to be one near you where you could work by serving customers, preparing orders, restocking or cleaning.
3. Ben and Jerry’s
Ben and Jerry’s also hires at 14 and has over 4,000 stores in the US. Much like Baskin Robbins, your tasks will likely be split between customer service, cleaning and restocking.
Related: 29 Legit Online Jobs for Teens to Make Serious Money
4. Boston Market
Boston Market is a fast food chain with around 450 outlets that hires at 15 years old and up.
You can check their site to see if they have any available positions. Otherwise, asking directly in store is always a good strategy.
5. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is a chain of ice cream parlors with over 150 stores in many US states.
In addition to the usual tasks involved in working at these kinds of places, Bruster’s prides itself on making all of its ice cream fresh in its stores. This means that not only could you be scooping ice cream, but making it too.
6. Burger King
The general Burger King hiring age is 16 years old, but some states will hire at 15 or even 14 if local regulations allow it.
This means that it’s worth checking with any outlets near you if you’re looking for places that hire at 15, as they’ll immediately be able to confirm whether or not BK is an option for you.
Related: 66 Legit Ways for Teens to Make Money
7. California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen has over 14,000 employees globally, including 250 locations in the majority of US states.
While stores in some states won’t be able to hire you until you’re 16, there are others where you can be hired at 15 if it’s permitted under local laws. In those cases, you’re likely to be hired as a host/hostess, where you’ll be responsible for seating guests and dealing with waiting customers.
8. Chick-Fil-A
The minimum Chick-Fil-A hiring age is 15 years old, where you can work either in serving customers or preparing food, as well as the associated cleaning and stocking tasks that go with these.
They’re particularly interested in you if you’re able to work Saturdays. They also have the added bonus of all outlets being closed on Sunday, so you’ll still have time on weekends to do your own thing.
9. Culver’s
Culver’s is a fast food chain with over 770 outlets in around half of the US states, primarily in the midwest. Their hiring age is actually 14 years old, so you definitely qualify for a job if you’re 15.
The exact work you’ll do will depend on what’s available but will be broadly similar to what’s offered at other similar restaurants.
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10. Dairy Queen
The Dairy Queen hiring age is 14 years old and with over 4,400 locations throughout the US, it’s very possible that you’ll be able to find an available job at one of these stores at 15.
Your tasks will either relate to customer service or preparing food products – or a combination of both.
11. KFC
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, has over 4,000 restaurants throughout the US, making it one of the largest restaurant chains in the world. They also hire 15 year olds although on the understanding that you’ll be available to work at least four hours per week.
You apparently won’t be able to do every single task in the store at 15 due to safety requirements, which limit some of the cooking equipment to those who are 16 years old and higher.
12. McDonald’s
As the second-largest private employer in the world, there are almost always jobs available at a McDonald’s near you. Their minimum hiring age is 14 years old, meaning this is a good option if you’re looking for a job at 15.
Fun fact: McDonald’s was my first job as a 15 year old! So I speak from experience when I say that you’ll mostly be assigned to one part of the store, whether that’s the front counter and drive thru in a customer-facing role or in the kitchen out the book to prepare food.
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13. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut also hires 15 year olds and as the world’s largest pizza chain, it’s pretty likely that you’ll have a store near you.
You’ll be limited either to customer service positions or food preparation roles as, perhaps obviously, you won’t be old enough to be a delivery person given that you have to have a driver’s license.
14. Rita’s Italian Ice
Rita’s Italian Ice is an ice creamery with locations in just over half of the US states. Their minimum hiring age is 14, with most positions being for cashiers or servers.
15. Starbucks
In most states, the minimum hiring age at Starbucks is 16 years old. However, Montana is the apparent exception to that, where they’ll supposedly hire staff who are 14.
This means that if you’re interested and live there, it’s worth checking out.
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16. Subway
Subway is the largest restaurant chain in the world, meaning you probably have one near where you are.
They mostly only hire 16 year olds but, in some states, their minimum hiring age is 15 for jobs such as working as a sandwich artist. This means that you may want to ask at your local outlet to see if that’s a possibility for you.
17. TacoTime
Like Subway, the minimum hiring age at TacoTime is usually 16 years old. However, there are exceptions to this in states where 15 year olds are able to be hired, so you may wish to check directly with the nearest store to you.
18. Zaxby’s
Zaxby’s is a fast food chain mainly dedicated to selling chicken products. It has locations in just under half of US states.
Similar to others above, only certain Zaxby’s places hire at 15, with this being state-dependent. As such, you should speak to someone at your local Zaxby’s to confirm with you whether or not this is an option in your location.
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Do grocery stores hire at 15?
Grocery stores are another goldmine of options to add to your list of places that hire at 15.
Whether it’s stacking shelves, working as a cashier or grocery bagger or dealing with stock behind the scenes, most casual jobs in grocery stores are more than able to be done by 15 year olds.
19. Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle is a supermarket chain with over 450 locations in Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
They hire at 14 and 15 for various front-of-house roles, like working in the deli or bakery or collecting shopping carts.
20. Giant Food
Giant Food has over 150 stores in states such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia which hire 15 year olds.
You can apply directly through their site, which they estimate takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Simply select your state and nearest store and you’ll then be prompted for more information from there, including the specific job you’re applying for. With over 35 different jobs on the list, including bakery, deli or floral associate, cake decorator or even simply cashier, you’ll likely find one that catches your eye.
21. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is a chain of locations in the midwest with around 250 locations, with some of these places hiring at 15.
This is going to be up to management at the specific store though, so check directly with them before applying to know if you have a chance.
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22. Kroger
Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the US by revenue and has over 2,750 stores throughout the country. They also own other chains you may know, like King Soopers, City Market, Fry’s and Pick ‘n’ Save.
Kroger and their related stores do hire at 15 in certain states, so you should check what your local laws allow. To apply for a job, just head to their website. Once you enter your location, the available positions will be listed and you’ll be good to go from there.
23. Publix
Publix is another supermarket chain with over 1,200 locations and almost 200,000 employees throughout the southeastern US.
They were also ranked number 12 on Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” last year, so they’re a great place to consider for your first job given they’re well on the list of places that hire at 15. At this age, your work will include doing things like bagging groceries, cashiering and similar tasks.
24. Safeway
Safeway has over 1,300 locations throughout the US, many of which hire at 15. You won’t be able to work in every area of the store, especially those where liquor is sold, but more common roles like grocery bagger or cashier are definitely open to people at your age.
25. SuperValu
SuperValu is another major grocery chain that hires from 14 years old. As above, you’ll mostly be assigned to working as a cashier, bagging groceries, collecting trolleys and cleaning, but you may also be assigned to work at specific counters from time to time.
26. Vons
Vons is a subsidiary of Safeway and, like their parent company, is on the list of places that hire at 15.
You can apparently apply for jobs with Vons on their website, although it does appear to redirect to Safeway’s careers page. This means that if you’re committed to working at Vons, applying in store may be a better way to go.
27. Wegmans
Wegmans has over 100 stores in the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern areas and, earlier this year, was ranked number three on Fortune’s list of the Top 100 Companies to Work For based on an employee survey.
They’re also on the list of places that hire at 15, although not in every single department. This means that you won’t be able to apply for every single vacancy – although it’s worth trying if you see one that looks interesting.
28. Winn-Dixie
Winn-Dixie operates around 500 locations in various US states and hires 14 and 15 years olds in many of these.
It’s worth mentioning that they’ve had some financial issues in the last few years, although appear to have gotten through that by now. However, this means that you should maybe do some reading to find out about the store you’re interested in applying for, to see if you’re comfortable with its long term prospects.
Entertainment venues on the list of places that hire at 15
Entertainment venues provide some great options for those looking for places that hire at 15. Many of them not only offer jobs for 15 year olds, but their peak hours are usually after school and on weekends, making them perfect employers for when you’re still at school yourself.
You could even consider applying for a seasonal job with them if you don’t think you’re able to work all year but want to make some quick cash for the holidays.
29. AMC Theaters
AMC Theaters is the largest movie theater chain in the world, with more than 600 theaters in the US alone.
This means that if you’re looking for movie theater jobs for 15 year olds, AMC is a great place to start. For those states where you’re able to work at 15, you could get a job as a ticket seller, working at the snack bar, as a ticket collector, cleaning – or a combination of all of them.
30. Pool Management Group
The Pool Management Group manages swimming pools and waterparks at 16 locations throughout the US. They also hire at 15, including providing on the job training such as CPR although there are plenty of jobs with this company that don’t involve you swimming. This includes things like working the snack bar or selling entry tickets.
31. Six Flags
Six Flags has 26 amusement parks in the US, Canada and Mexico, most of which hire at 15. As above, you won’t qualify for every job in the park at that age, but it’s a particularly good option if you have a location near you and are looking for a summer or weekend job.
The same applies if you have another amusement park near you, even if it’s not operated by Six Flags. That is, these kinds of places are often eager to hire people just for the summer vacation, although there are longer term jobs available there too. Contact your local park to see which options are available to you.
32. Local entertainment venues
There are plenty of other local entertainment venues in every city that aren’t operated by the major companies we included on this list of places that hire at 15. And as mentioned earlier, the best part about working for these kinds of companies at this age is that they mainly want people who are available just at the times you’ll likely be available to work.
The available options will depend on your local area, but some places to keep an eye out for include:
- Libraries
- Bowling alleys
- Skating rinks
- Golf clubs
- Arcades
Also, if you’ve been part of any sort of extracurricular activity, like a sport or some sort of creative pursuit, ask around there if there are any jobs for 15 year olds. As they already know you (and think you’re responsible), they’ll likely be much more willing to hire you compared to someone they don’t actually know.
Jobs for 15 year olds
In addition to this list of places that hire at 15, there are also a ton of other jobs for 15 year olds that you could consider.
In most of these cases, you won’t be working for one specific employer, like if you were to get a supermarket or movie theater job, as they’re more likely to be jobs that pay cash. Instead, you may have to find your own clients, whether it’s through word of mouth, doing a letterbox drop of flyers that advertise your services or posting online in local Facebook groups.
But that doesn’t mean these jobs aren’t legit. In fact, in terms of ways for teens to make money, you can make a killing with some of these jobs for 15 year olds:
- Babysitting
- Camp counselor
- Car washing
- Concession stand worker
- Dog walking
- Editing YouTube videos – or even another online job for teens
- Errand runner
- Farm worker
- Golf caddy
- Harvest helper
- House cleaning
- Lawn mowing
- Lifeguard
- Music teacher
- Paper route
- Pet sitting
- Selling crafts
- Social media manager – like these ways to make money on Snapchat
- Surveys
- Swim instructor
- Tutor – and take a look here for some guidance on how much you should charge for tutoring
- Youth league referee/umpire
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What job can I get at 15?
The jobs you’ll get at 15 at the places on this list won’t be particularly glamorous, but they’re all great ways to start making money as a kid. These include:
- Cashier
- Grocery bagger
- Waiter/waitress
- Host/hostess
- Ice cream scooper
- Kitchenhand
- Dishwasher
- Barista
- Busser
- Shelf stacker
- Dog walker
- Babysitter
- Caddy
While your exact responsibilities will obviously depend on your employer, when searching for places that hire at 15, keep an eye out for roles similar to the ones in this list.
(And here’s a hint: using these as search terms can really help.)
How can I get my first job at 15?
Applying for your first job at 15 can be nerve wracking, but there are some things you can do to make the process easier for yourself.
1. Use the experience you do have to sell yourself
The important thing to remember is that no potential employer expects you to have direct experience, so you’re not at a disadvantage if this is your first job. But being 15 doesn’t mean you have no experience at all and playing up what you do have can really give you a step up compared to other applicants.
This means that you can use things like extracurriculars to sell yourself. Play a sport? Mention how you’re a team player. Did you captain any games while playing that sport? Well, suddenly you have leadership experience.
It’s also not the end of the world if you don’t have anything like that, as it’s more than sufficient to talk about the personal attributes you have. Simply emphasizing that you’re a hard worker who likes to learn and is committed to always being on time will tick most of the important boxes for a potential employer.
2. Tidy up your social media presence
Even places that hire at 15 years old check your social media profiles to see if there’s anything they should be aware of.
So if you’re about to start submitting applications, it’s a good idea to put all your profiles on private if they’re not already.
3. Be confident (but not cocky) for your job interview
This is probably great advice for an interview at any age but make sure you greet your interviewer clearly and confidently. This means standing up straight, making eye contact, giving a firm handshake and speaking to them clearly. Just don’t be cocky, as no employer wants you to make their lives more difficult.
It’s completely normal to be nervous for a job interview, but “fake it till you make it” is a good tip in many situations, including this one.
4. Be upfront about any scheduling issues
It’s much better to be transparent with a potential employer if you know there are some days each week where you’re not available. For my first job, I was only available on Thursday and Friday afternoons during the week, so I (nervously!) told them this during the interview.
They were completely fine with it as it immediately allowed them to see how they could make everyone’s shifts work around each other’s availability. I’m sure if I’d only dropped this on them down the track, they would have been far less accommodating.
Are there clothing stores that hire at 15?
Most clothing stores won’t hire at 15 years old, as their minimum hiring age is 16.
This is particularly the case for large chain stores, which have strict rules in place on this point. That said, if you have a mall near you, it’s worth spending a Saturday wandering through it to ask at each of the clothing stores if they hire at 15.
This could be particularly effective if you have any non-chain clothing stores in this mall. If any of them tell you that it’s a possibility, ask them how you can apply and go from there.
How do I find a list of places that hire at 15 near me?
The best way to gather a list of places that hire at 15 near you is to do some good old fashioned pounding of the pavement.
That is, go to various outlets near you and simply ask them if they’ll consider applications from 15 year olds. This also has the added bonus of making sure that you’re limiting your job search to places that you can actually get to if you do end up being hired there.
This is particularly effective if you have something like a shopping mall near you, with a bunch of stores in one place. Chances are at least a couple of them may be interested in hiring you at your age.
FAQs on whether certain places hire at 15
While looking for general lists of places that hire at 15 can be helpful, sometimes it’s good to know whether this is a possibility at specific stores. Whether you have an outlet near you or you’re just a fan of the idea of working at one of these places, these FAQs will go through a few of them.
Does Walmart hire 15 year olds?
Walmart does not hire 15 year olds, as their minimum age requirement is 16.
Can I work at Target at 15?
The minimum age requirement for Target staff is 16 years old, meaning you can’t work at Target at 16.
Can a 15 year old work at Subway?
While Subway has a general minimum age requirement of 16, it is possible in some states for a 15 year old to work at Subway, depending on the applicable regulations.
The best way to check this is to go into a store in your area and ask to speak to the manager. They should be able to clarify whether this is a possibility in your state.
Does Old Navy hire 15 year olds?
Old Navy does not hire 15 year olds as their minimum age requirement is 16.
This is in line with the fact that there really aren’t many clothing stores that hire at 15, especially major chains.
What age does American Eagle hire?
You must be at least 16 years old to be hired to work for American Eagle.
This means that American Eagle isn’t on the list of places that hire at 15.
Can I work at KFC at 15?
You can work at KFC at 15 years old, as long as you’re available to work at least four hours per week.
Based on the available information, KFC is actually on the list of places that hire at 14. However, at 14 years old you’re able to serve and pack, at 15 years old you’re allowed to cook chicken and at 16 years old, you’re considered old enough to work the fryer.
Does Kohl’s hire at 15?
Kohl’s will not hire people at 15, as their minimum age requirement is 17 years old.
Does Barnes and Noble hire at 15?
With a minimum hiring age of 16 years old, Barnes and Noble does not hire at 15.
Outside of grocery stores, it’s rare to find retail stores that hire at 15, so it’s best to focus your efforts elsewhere.
Does Domino’s hire at 15?
Domino’s generally only hires at 16 years old. However, there’s some information online that suggests that there are Domino’s jobs that hire at 15 with a work permit.
You can find more information on this here. However, given the fact that there may be exceptions to this rule, it’s a good idea to go check at your local Domino’s outlet to see if they’d consider hiring you at 15.
Does Dollar General hire at 15?
The minimum age requirement for Dollar General staff is 18 years old, given alcohol and tobacco products are sold there. This means that Dollar General does not hire at 15.
This will also be a similar story for any other company that sells items like this, as they’re simply not allowed to hire you at 15 based on federal law.
Does Chick-Fil-A hire at 15?
Chick-Fil-A does hire at 15.
They’re particularly interested in you if you’re able to work Saturdays. They also have the added bonus of all outlets being closed on Sunday, so you’ll still have time on weekends to do your own thing.
What’s the minimum Dunkin’ Donuts hiring age?
The minimum Dunkin’ Donuts hiring age is 16 years old.
This appears to be because you have to work a fryer in order to work there (those donuts won’t cook themselves!) and it seems like there are concerns that hiring at 15 or younger could be a safety risk.
What’s the minimum Taco Bell hiring age?
The minimum Taco Bell hiring age is 16 years old.
This means that if you’re looking for jobs you can get at 15, it’s best to consider some of the other hospitality options on this list.
Final thoughts on this list of places that hire at 15
As you can see, there are plenty of places that hire at 15, many of which are almost guaranteed to have a location near you where you could work.
One thing to keep in mind as a 15 year old is that you’ll be subject to some pretty strict laws in terms of when and for how long you can work. This is set out in more detail in the Fair Labor Standards Act but, essentially, you’ll only be able to work for up to three hours after school and for up to eight hours on a non-school day, with a maximum of 18 hours in a school week.
These actually work in your favor to help you balance your school commitments and most places that offer jobs for 15 year olds will be aware of these requirements. This means that you shouldn’t think that these are a deterrent from anyone wanting to hire you.
That very first pay check is something you never forget though, not to mention just how much you’ll learn on the job. And you never know where this first step on the career ladder could take you!
