The short answer: the best jobs for 14 year olds are retail and grocery jobs (bagging, stocking, cashiering), food service, office help, and neighborhood work like babysitting, pet sitting and yard work. Federal law lets 14 year olds work up to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Top picks: grocery bagger, ice cream shop, camp helper, babysitter, pet sitter, lawn mowing
- Summer hours: up to 8 a day and 40 a week, until 9 p.m. from June 1 to Labor Day
- Not allowed: construction, manufacturing, baking, ladders, most power machines
- Pay: at least the $7.25 federal minimum for covered jobs
- Free help: grab the schedule template to fit work around school
- Next step: Budget the first paycheck in the Budget Planner Printable ($5.99).
Our picks for jobs for 14 year olds
Starter pickPrintables
Kids Chore Chart
Weekly chore chart, morning and evening routines, chore ideas by age, a sticker reward chart and an allowance tracker.
Printables
Budget Planner Printable
Twelve undated pages you can print every month: budget, bills, spending, savings and debt.
Spreadsheets
Sinking Funds Tracker
It does the math: how much to set aside each month to hit every goal on time.
Checked November 4, 2026 against U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet #43. State laws can be stricter; when both apply, the stricter rule wins.
30 jobs for 14 year olds
These jobs fit the federal rules for 14 year olds. Store and state policies vary, so ask the local manager.
| # | Job | Where | Typical tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grocery bagger | Grocery stores | Bag orders, collect carts, help customers to the car |
| 2 | Shelf stocker | Grocery and retail | Face shelves, stock items, check dates |
| 3 | Cashier | Retail, snack bars | Ring up sales, make change |
| 4 | Ice cream shop worker | Ice cream and frozen yogurt shops | Scoop, serve, clean |
| 5 | Busser or dishwasher | Restaurants | Clear tables, wash dishes |
| 6 | Host | Family restaurants | Greet and seat guests |
| 7 | Movie theater crew | Theaters | Concessions, tickets, cleaning |
| 8 | Amusement park helper | Parks (non-ride jobs) | Games, food stands, guest help |
| 9 | Camp counselor in training | Day camps | Help lead groups and activities |
| 10 | Golf caddie | Golf courses | Carry bags, help players |
| 11 | Pool snack bar worker | Community pools | Serve snacks, take payments |
| 12 | Office helper | Small offices | Filing, copying, answering phones |
| 13 | Library page | Public libraries | Shelve books, help with programs |
| 14 | Farm stand worker | Farm markets | Sell produce, restock |
| 15 | Family business helper | Parent-owned business | Front desk, packing orders |
| 16 | Babysitter | Neighbors | Watch kids, play, simple meals |
| 17 | Mother's helper | Neighbors | Help a parent who is home |
| 18 | Pet sitter | Neighbors | Feed and care for pets |
| 19 | Dog walker | Neighbors | Daily walks |
| 20 | Lawn mowing | Neighbors | Mow and bag clippings (with a parent's OK) |
| 21 | Leaf raking | Neighbors | Rake and bag leaves |
| 22 | Snow shoveling | Neighbors | Clear walks and driveways |
| 23 | Car washing | Neighbors | Wash and vacuum cars |
| 24 | Tutor | Younger students | Reading and math help |
| 25 | Music or art teacher | Younger kids | Beginner lessons |
| 26 | Plant and garden care | Neighbors | Water and weed |
| 27 | Newspaper delivery | Local papers | Deliver papers |
| 28 | Crafts seller | Markets, online with a parent | Make and sell crafts |
| 29 | Party helper | Birthday parties | Set up, run games, clean up |
| 30 | House sitter helper | Neighbors | Bring in mail, water plants |
Jobs 16 to 30 are mostly self-employed or casual work. The Department of Labor notes that casual babysitting, chores around private homes, delivering newspapers and acting are not covered by the federal age rules.
How many hours can a 14 year old work?
| Rule (ages 14 and 15) | Limit |
|---|---|
| School days, including Fridays | 3 hours |
| Non-school days | 8 hours |
| School weeks | 18 hours |
| Non-school weeks | 40 hours |
| Time of day | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 to Labor Day) |
| During school hours | Not allowed |
These limits come from Child Labor Regulation No. 3 (29 CFR 570.35). Many states also require a work permit and set tighter limits.
Jobs 14 year olds can't do
The federal rules say that what is not permitted is prohibited. Fourteen and 15 year olds cannot:
- work in manufacturing, mining, construction, warehousing or transportation jobs
- run power-driven machinery, other than office machines
- do any baking or use meat slicers
- work on ladders or scaffolds
- do door-to-door sales or sign waving
- work in freezers or meat coolers
- do any of the 17 hazardous jobs the Department of Labor bans for minors
How much 14 year olds get paid
Covered employers must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, or the state minimum if it's higher. The Department of Labor's youth minimum wage rule lets employers pay workers under 20 a $4.25 rate for their first 90 consecutive calendar days. Neighborhood jobs like babysitting and lawn mowing pay whatever you agree on, so ask around for local rates.
Do 14 year olds pay taxes?
Usually not federal income tax on small earnings. A teen who can be claimed as a dependent gets a standard deduction of the greater of $1,350 or earned income plus $450, as IRS Topic 551 explains. A teen earning $4,000 at a summer job owes no federal income tax on it. Self-employed teens who net $400 or more may owe self-employment tax, so keep a simple log of what you earn.
How to get your first job at 14
- Check your state's rules and get a work permit if your state requires one.
- Make a one-page list of school, activities, volunteering and any babysitting or yard work.
- Line up two references, like a teacher or coach.
- Ask in person at local stores, pools and camps, and ask for the manager.
- Tell neighbors you are available for pet sitting, yard work or babysitting.
- Plan your hours around school, sports and homework before you say yes.
Want more ideas? See teaching kids about money and apps to earn money (check age limits first).
Budget the first paycheck
A first job is the best time to learn save, spend and give. Pick a goal, like a phone or a car fund, and track it every payday.
- Budget Planner Printable ($5.99): a simple monthly page for a teen's paycheck.
- Sinking Funds Tracker Spreadsheet ($4.99): save toward a big goal week by week.
- Kids Chore Chart ($3.49): for younger siblings who want to earn too.
Browse all printable planners.
Kids Chore Chart
Weekly chore chart, morning and evening routines, chore ideas by age, a sticker reward chart and an allowance tracker.
$3.49 · Instant download. Print at home or fill it in on screen. Or browse the full Family & Life Admin collection.
Frequently asked questions
What jobs can a 14 year old get? Under federal law, 14 year olds can work in most office jobs and in retail and food service, for example bagging groceries, stocking shelves, cashiering and limited kitchen work. They can also do self-employed work such as babysitting, pet sitting, yard work and tutoring for neighbors, plus delivering newspapers and acting, which are exempt from the federal age rules.
How many hours can a 14 year old work? Federal rules for 14 and 15 year olds allow up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week. Work must be outside school hours and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
Which companies hire 14 year olds? Hiring at 14 depends on the company, the local store and your state, so policies change. Grocery stores, ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, movie theaters, amusement parks, summer camps, golf courses and pools are common places to ask. Call or visit the local manager directly, because a national chain's stores can follow different rules by state.
Do 14 year olds need a work permit? Federal law does not require work permits, but many states do. Some states call them working papers or employment certificates and issue them through your school or the state labor department. Check your state labor department's youth employment page before your first day so the employer can hire you legally.
How much do 14 year olds get paid? Employers covered by federal wage law must pay at least the $7.25 federal minimum wage, or your state's higher minimum. Federal rules also allow a $4.25 youth wage for workers under 20 during their first 90 days, though many employers and states pay more. Babysitting, pet sitting and yard work rates are set by you and your neighbors.
What jobs can a 14 year old not do? Fourteen and 15 year olds cannot work in manufacturing, mining, construction or warehousing, operate most power-driven machinery other than office machines, bake, work from ladders or scaffolds, do door-to-door sales, or work in freezers and meat coolers. They also cannot do any job the Department of Labor lists as hazardous for minors.
Can a 14 year old work at a restaurant? A 14-year-old can work at a restaurant, with limits on the tasks. They can take orders, bus tables, wash dishes and do limited cooking, such as on electric or gas grills without an open flame, and deep fryers only if the baskets raise and lower automatically. They cannot use meat slicers or most power-driven food equipment.
Can a 14 year old work for their parents? A 14-year-old can work for their parents. Under federal rules, children of any age can work for a business entirely owned by their parents, as long as it is not mining, manufacturing or a hazardous job. Many teens start by helping in a family shop, office or online business.
Do 14 year olds have to pay taxes on their job? A 14-year-old often owes no federal income tax on small job earnings. If parents can claim a teen as a dependent, the teen's standard deduction is the greater of $1,350 or earned income plus $450, so a teen who earns $5,000 owes no federal income tax on it. Payroll taxes may still be withheld, and self-employed teens who earn $400 or more may owe self-employment tax.
How can a 14 year old make money without a job? Start a small neighborhood business: babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, lawn mowing, raking leaves, shoveling snow, washing cars, tutoring younger kids or selling crafts. Get a parent's OK, set a fair price and show up on time, because word of mouth is how these jobs grow.
What should a 14 year old put on a first job application? List school, grades or honors, volunteering, clubs, sports and any babysitting or yard work you've done. Add a parent-approved phone number or email and two references who are not family, such as a teacher or coach. Say which hours you can work and that you know the limits for your age.
What should a 14 year old do with their first paycheck? A simple split works: save some, spend some and give some if you like. Many families use something like 50% savings, 40% spending and 10% giving. Writing it in a budget teaches the habit early, and a savings goal such as a phone, a car fund or a trip makes it easier to stick to.
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