Searching for a job in high school? Many companies have jobs available to 16 and 17 year olds, but there's a few important things to keep in mind. 

Can I work at 16 and 17 years old?

Employment laws vary by state, meaning that some companies may have jobs available for 16 and 17 year olds in some states, but may not in others. Many jobs available to 16 and 17 year olds are typically in the retail, food service, education, non-profit, and local government sectors, so the majority of the jobs listed below reflect that. With this in mind, here are some companies that have jobs for 16 and 17 year-olds!

AMC

AMC hires at 16 and 17! Search for positions selling tickets, working in concessions, and maintenance around the theater.

Chick-fil-A

With more than 2,000 stores across the U.S., Chick-fil-A may have an opportunity for you. Be sure to look for front of the house (FOH) team member positions, such as cashier or drive-thru, since minors aren't able to use hot equipment like grills and deep fryers.

Chipotle

Chipotle offers some great benefits to its employees! On top of getting paid, you can also receive tuition assistance, free food, and other job benefits. You have to be at least 16 years old to work at Chipotle.

Community centers

Local community centers and Parks and Recreation departments have great job opportunities for teens. They may offer positions including front desk support, after school youth support, sports coaches, tutors, lifeguards, and more. Check out your community center or your city's website to find jobs for teens.

CVS Health

If you have an interest in healthcare, working at CVS might be a good place to start your career and learn new skills. With over 10,000 locations in the U.S., a CVS near you hires at 16! There are lots of positions available, such as cashier, sales associate, beauty advisor, stock associate, and more.

Dairy Queen

With over 4,000 Dairy Queen locations across the country you can expect to work as a cashier, restaurant cleaner, or in food preparation.

Kroger

Kroger owns 29 different brands of grocery stores across 42 states and has several job opportunities for teens such as cashiers, cart attendants, order pullers (for online grocery orders), bakery assistants, floral assistants, and stock associates.

Local amusement and entertainment venues

If there’s a state fair, local carnival, or amusement park near you, they often hire teens for seasonal jobs. Be sure to also check out bowling alleys and arcades!

Your local library

Most libraries hire teens as young as 16 to serve as library pages or aides. These jobs are usually responsible for putting returned books and other items in their proper places on the shelves and helping out at the circulation desk. 

The mall

Your local mall may have the most job opportunities available for 16 and 17 year olds of any retail location. There are quite a few department stores, shops, and fast food eateries that are always looking for help. The easiest way to get started is to visit your local mall and go into stores to ask about open opportunities.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s is the largest fast-food restaurant chain in the world, with over 36,000 restaurants. Look for crew member positions, such as cashier, drive-thru operator, and front of house.

Safeway

If you are interested in working at Safeway, look for positions as a cashier, courtesy clerk, cart attendant, and stock associate. If you are 17, you can look at specialty departments such as floral, meat, bakery, and customer service.

Taco Bell

If you are comfortable working a cash register and taking customer orders, then consider working at Taco Bell. They also have an awesome scholarship program for employees to help them pay for college!

Target

Most positions at Target are available to 16 and 17 year olds. Look for the following positions to get started: guest advocate (cashier and general merchandise), barista (for stores that have a Starbucks), specialty sales (style, beauty, and tech), and fulfillment center team member (online order pulling).

U-Haul

Do you want a job that allows you to work from home? Consider applying to U-Haul. They have online customer service roles available, so if you're comfortable talking on the phone with customers and have excellent customer service skills, this role may be for you.

UPS

If you are looking for a fast-paced job that keeps you on your feet, consider joining the UPS team. With increased demand in online shopping, package handlers and warehouse workers are needed more than ever– and many locations hire at 17 years old.

Walmart

Most positions at Walmart are available to 16 and 17 year olds. Look for roles like cashier and front-end services, food and grocery, and general merchandising.

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