Finding a job when you're 15 is basically like trying to find a needle in a haystack—if the haystack was made of strict government regulations and managers who aren’t sure they want to deal with a work permit. Honestly, most people think you have to wait until you're 16 to start earning your own cash. They're wrong.
You can work. You just have to know where to look.
There’s a lot of "it depends" in this world. It depends on your state. It depends on the specific franchise owner. It depends on whether you're okay with smelling like french fry oil at the end of every shift. But the good news is that 2026 is actually a pretty decent time to be a 15-year-old job hunter. Labor shortages in service industries have made companies much more willing to navigate the paperwork for younger teens than they used to be.
What Places Hire at 15 Without the Headache?
When you’re looking for what places hire at 15, you’re mostly looking at big chains and local recreation spots. Small "mom and pop" shops sometimes hire younger, but big corporate entities have the HR departments to handle the specific legalities of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The Fast Food Giants
Fast food is the classic first job for a reason. They have high turnover and need people who are energetic.
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- McDonald’s: This is the big one. Most locations are franchises, meaning a local person owns them. Many will hire at 14 or 15 for "Crew Member" roles. You’ll be taking orders or cleaning tables. You won't be allowed to touch the big commercial mixers or the meat slicers—the law says those are too dangerous for you.
- Chick-fil-A: They’re famous for their service, and they love hiring students. Many locations start at 15. The vibe is usually a bit more structured than other places, which is great if you want a "cleaner" work environment.
- Culver’s: If you live in the Midwest, this is a goldmine. They are very friendly toward younger teens. Just keep in mind that at 15, you likely won't be allowed to do the heavy cooking over open flames.
- Baskin-Robbins & Dairy Queen: Ice cream shops are basically the holy grail of 15-year-old jobs. It's mostly scooping and ringing up customers. It's simple, and the "hazardous equipment" rules usually don't apply to a soft-serve machine.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are great because the work is predictable. You aren't usually dealing with the 12:00 PM lunch rush where everyone is screaming for nuggets.
- Publix: If you're in the South, Publix is a massive employer of 14 and 15-year-olds. They hire for "Front Service Clerks" (baggers) and floral clerks.
- Kroger: This includes their family of stores like King Soopers and Fred Meyer. They often hire at 15 for bagging and cart retrieval.
- Safeway/Albertsons: Similar to Kroger, they often have entry-level roles for 15-year-olds, especially in the front of the store.
The Secret World of Recreation and Parks
Everyone looks at the mall or the drive-thru, but the best-paying jobs for a 15-year-old are often outside.
Take lifeguarding. You can actually get your Red Cross certification at 15. In some cities, lifeguards are making $18 to $20 an hour because pools are desperate for staff. It’s a lot of responsibility, sure, but it beats cleaning a bathroom at a gas station.
Then there are amusement parks. Places like Six Flags or local water parks hire hundreds of teens every summer for admissions, games, and food service. Since these are seasonal, they are much more flexible with your school schedule.
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Community and Local Gems
- Public Libraries: Sometimes they hire "pages" to shelve books. It’s quiet, air-conditioned, and way less stressful than food service.
- Golf Courses: You can work as a caddy or in the "bag room." The tips at a nice country club can be insane.
- YMCA: They hire for youth sports assistants or "watch" roles where you help supervise younger kids.
The Legal Stuff (The Boring But Necessary Part)
You can't just work 40 hours a week and call it a day. The government has some very specific thoughts on your schedule. Under federal law, if you're 15:
- You can't work more than 3 hours on a school day.
- You can't work more than 18 hours in a school week.
- You have to be done by 7:00 PM during the school year.
- In the summer (June 1 through Labor Day), you can stay until 9:00 PM.
Some states, like Texas or Florida, might have slightly different rules that are even more protective, so always check your local Department of Labor website. Also, you’ll probably need a Work Permit (sometimes called "Employment Certificates"). You usually get these from your school counselor’s office.
Why Some Places Will Say No
Don't be discouraged if you walk into a Starbucks or a Target and they tell you to come back when you're 16. Even though the law allows 15-year-olds to work, many companies have a blanket policy of 16+ because it’s easier for them to schedule. They don't want to worry about you having to leave at 7:00 PM when the dinner rush is just starting.
If a manager says no, ask if they know anyone else in the area who hires younger. Managers in the same shopping center usually talk to each other.
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How to Actually Get the Job
At 15, you don't have a "resume" in the traditional sense. You haven't worked at Google. That’s okay. Employers are looking for two things: reliability and attitude.
Show up in person. I know, everyone says "apply online," but for a first job, showing your face matters. Wear something decent (no, you don't need a suit, just look clean). Ask to speak to the hiring manager.
Say this: "Hi, I'm [Your Name]. I'm 15, I have my work permit ready, and I'm looking for my first job. Do you have any openings for someone my age?"
It sounds old-school, but it works. It shows you have the "soft skills" that most 15-year-olds are lacking—like being able to look an adult in the eye and hold a conversation.
Actionable Next Steps to Get Hired Today
- Get your paperwork in order: Go to your school office tomorrow and ask for the work permit application. You usually need a parent's signature and sometimes a doctor’s note.
- Target the "Teen-Friendly" Big Three: Focus your first round of applications on McDonald’s, Publix (if local), and AMC Theaters. These companies have the most experience with 15-year-old employees.
- Check the local pool: If it's spring, Google "Lifeguard Certification near me." Getting that cert makes you 10x more hireable than the kid who just wants to bag groceries.
- Walk the neighborhood: Sometimes the best "place that hires at 15" isn't a company at all. Local landscaping crews or pet-sitting businesses often need an extra pair of hands.
The first job is always the hardest one to get. Once you have three months of experience at a Subway or a grocery store, every other job becomes much easier to land because you’ve proven you can show up on time and not lose the keys.
Focus on your local franchises and get that work permit signed early—it's the biggest bottleneck for most 15-year-olds looking to start their first shift.