Helping Your Teen Land a Paid Summer Job

Parents of teens often search for summer job opportunities in their area, hoping to find safe and constructive ways for their kids to earn money and gain experience during the break. This week, we look at some of the best paid summer opportunities for teens, from city-sponsored youth employment programs to private sector jobs, along with tips on how to land them. 

City Youth Employment Programs

Many major cities run summer youth employment programs that connect local teens with paid jobs and internships. These programs are often run by city governments or nonprofits and provide early career exploration, mentorship, and a paycheck. A few standout examples include:

• New York City – Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP): NYC’s SYEP is the nation’s largest youth job program, annually connecting tens of thousands of youth to summer work. It serves young people ages 14–24 and offers six weeks of paid work experience each summer. Participants explore different career interests and develop good workplace habits through structured projects and job placements. SYEP is extremely popular (the 2025 application deadline was in March), so NYC families need to apply early in the year.
• Washington, D.C. – Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP): D.C. has run its iconic MBSYEP for over 45 years, providing thousands of local teens (generally ages 14–24) with paid summer work experiences. The program lasts six weeks each summer and places youth in subsidized jobs across government agencies, nonprofits, and private employers. In 2024, more than 14,000 D.C. youth participated, earning money and gaining job skills. Applications for 2025 opened in late January and closed by early March, reflecting how early families must plan for 2026!
• Boston, MA – ABCD SummerWorks: Boston’s SummerWorks program (run by Action for Boston Community Development) places city teens ages 14–18 in community-based summer jobs. Teens work for 6–7 weeks and earn around $15 per hour during the program. SummerWorks emphasizes giving back to the community – participants might work at local nonprofits, community centers, or city agencies – and includes career development workshops alongside the job placement. Boston’s program typically begins in late June and runs through August, and spots are limited – applications often use a lottery system, so apply early.
• Philadelphia, PA – WorkReady: Philadelphia coordinates its summer youth jobs under the WorkReady umbrella. Through partners like the Urban Affairs Coalition, WorkReady offers thousands of summer opportunities. The UAC’s Summer Youth Employment Program provides paid summer jobs to Philadelphia youth ages 14–18 for six weeks from July through August. Teens get on-the-job mentoring, career exposure, and professional development workshops in addition to their wages. Philadelphia Parks & Rec also hires hundreds of teens (ages 14–24) each summer to assist at recreation centers, playgrounds, and parks across the city.
• Baltimore, MD – YouthWorks: Baltimore’s YouthWorks (run by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development) connects thousands of city youth to summer jobs each year. The program lasts five weeks and is open to Baltimore residents ages 14–21. YouthWorks participants work up to 25 hours per week in July and early August, in placements with private companies, nonprofits, and government offices. The program has decades of history (started in the 1970s) and continues to serve as a pipeline for teens to gain real work experience in a supportive environment.

💡Tip: If you live outside these cities, check for similar programs in your area. Many cities and counties have youth summer employment initiatives. For example, counties in Florida partner with CareerSource to offer summer jobs to teens, and smaller cities often have programs through local workforce development boards or parks departments. A quick search of “[Your City] summer youth jobs” or asking your school guidance counselor can uncover local opportunities.

These city-run programs are fantastic because they often come with additional support: they may offer job readiness training, mentorship from supervisors, and even free transportation or stipends for meals. They’re designed as early career exploration programs – teens not only earn money, but also build confidence and resume material for the future.

Common Types of Summer Jobs for Teens

Outside of formal city programs, what kinds of summer jobs can 14–18-year-olds do? Many classic summer roles hire teens, especially in tourist areas, parks, and community settings. Some common types of jobs include:

• Lifeguard Positions: Beach towns and community pools are always in need of lifeguards in summer. Lifeguarding is often open to teens, but usually requires you to be at least 15 years old and have a certification in water safety (such as American Red Cross lifeguard training). Training courses teach rescue techniques and CPR. Lifeguarding jobs teach serious responsibility – after all, you’re ensuring swimmers’ safety – and build alertness and teamwork. They also tend to pay quite well for a teen job, given the certification required.
• Camp Counselor or Camp Assistant: Day camps and sleep-away camps alike hire energetic teens to help supervise younger kids. Many camps take teens as junior counselors or counselors-in-training around age 15–16, and full counselor roles often at 17–18. You’ll be leading activities, ensuring kids are safe and having fun, and serving as a role model. These jobs can be hard work, but they hugely develop leadership and communication skills. Some city recreation departments also hire teens as park program aides or playground supervisors in summer programs (like Philadelphia).
• Seasonal Roles in Parks and Attractions: Many parks, amusement parks, and tourist attractions ramp up staffing in summer and are willing to hire teens. On the coast, this could mean jobs like boardwalk game attendant, theme park ride operator, waterpark attendant, or zoo aide. For example, Six Flags hires teens for summer positions in food service, ride operations, park clean-up, and more. These jobs are fast-paced and teach teamwork – you’ll be one member of a large seasonal staff. Plus, they can be a lot of fun, and often come with free admission for employees! (And don’t forget about the potential college credit and internship.)
• Office Internships or Assistant Roles: Older high schoolers (16–18) may be able to land entry-level office internships or clerical assistant jobs during the summer. Local small businesses, non-profits, or community organizations might take on a teen to help with filing, data entry, social media, or other light office work. These opportunities are sometimes found through the city programs mentioned above (e.g., SYEP internships) or via school connections. An office internship can give a teen a taste of a professional environment and build skills in organization, computer software, and professional communication. Even if informal (say, helping at the front desk of a family friend’s business), it’s valuable experience for the resume.

Overall, the soft skills teens gain from any of these jobs are as important as the paycheck. A summer job teaches young people work ethic and real-world responsibility. Teens learn to be on time for shifts, follow supervisors’ instructions, and work as part of a team. They also practice communication – whether it’s greeting customers or collaborating with co-workers – and problem-solving on the fly. Research shows that jobs help teens learn values like teamwork, respect, and responsibility in a way school can’t. These early jobs build confidence and independence, making teens better prepared for future workplaces.

Local Businesses That Hire Teens

Besides organized programs, plenty of private businesses hire teens for summer positions – especially older teens (16+), but some even as young as 14–15. Here are some typical places teens can find paid work:

• Grocery Stores and Retail Chains: Entry-level roles in retail (stocking shelves, bagging groceries, cashiering) are a classic first job. Many large grocery chains hire high school students. For example, Stop & Shop, a regional grocery chain with 400+ locations in NY/New England, hires youth as young as 15 to work in departments like floral, grocery, or bakery. Other supermarkets (Kroger brands, Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, etc.) also hire at 14–15 in some states for roles like bagger or cart attendant. Big retail stores (Walmart, Target, etc.) typically set a minimum age of 16, but it can vary by state and position.
• Fast-Food and Restaurants: The fast-food industry is one of the largest employers of teen workers. Iconic chains like McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A often have positions open to 16-year-olds, and in some locations, they will hire at 15 or even 14 for crew member roles. These jobs are fast-paced and teach teens customer service skills and how to operate as part of a team during a busy lunch rush.
• Ice Cream Shops and Summer Treats: Scooping ice cream is almost a rite of passage for American teens. Many ice cream parlors and fro-yo shops staff up in summer and are willing to hire younger workers. Baskin-Robbins, for example, has been known to hire 16-year-olds (and occasionally 14–15-year-olds) as team members and scoopers. Other local dessert shops, water ice stands (popular in Philly/NJ), smoothie stands, and the like are great places for teens to check. These jobs tend to have a fun atmosphere and offer flexible evening/weekend hours – plus free ice cream isn’t a bad perk!
• Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions: As mentioned earlier, big amusement parks like Six Flags, Hershey Park, Dorney Park, Busch Gardens, and various boardwalk amusement piers all need a large summer staff and often hire high schoolers. Beyond theme parks, consider museums, aquariums, or historical sites in tourist cities: they sometimes have summer guide or ticket attendant jobs for youth (though these may skew to college-age). Working at a tourist attraction can be exciting and gives teens experience dealing with crowds and visitors from all over.
• Local Small Businesses: Don’t forget your neighborhood businesses! Many local shops, restaurants, and offices welcome an extra hand in the busy summer months. This could include working at a local retail boutique, a plant nursery, a moving company, or an independent café. The hiring here might not be as formal – often it’s word-of-mouth or a help wanted sign. If your teen is just 14 or 15, smaller family-owned businesses might be more flexible about giving them an opportunity (within legal limits) compared to big corporations. Encourage your teen to ask around at places you frequent – you never know who might need summer help stocking shelves, making deliveries, or running kids’ activities at your local gym.

Keep in mind that state labor laws affect which businesses can hire younger teens (14–15-year-olds). In general, 16 and up will yield a lot more openings, but as we’ve seen, there are options for 14–15-year-olds (with some restrictions on duties). Always check the posted minimum age when your teen is looking at a job listing, and when in doubt, don’t be shy about contacting the employer to ask if they hire teens your child’s age.

How to Find and Land a Summer Job

Finding the right summer job for your teen requires a bit of planning and initiative:

• Start Early – Applications Open in Winter: Many coveted summer programs and jobs start recruiting well before summer. Private employers also often post summer jobs in early spring or even January for seasonal industries. Encourage your teen to start looking during the winter (January–March) for summer positions. A good strategy is to set aside time during winter break or early in the new year to work on applications.
• Use Multiple Job Search Methods: There’s no single place to find all teen jobs, so try a mix of approaches:
  
  • City and School Resources: Check your city’s official website (or youth department) for any listed programs or job boards. School guidance counselors and career offices often have leads on local employers who’ve hired students in the past – let them know your teen is seeking a summer job.
  • Online Job Boards: Websites like Indeed, Snagajob, or local community job boards often have a “teen” or “seasonal” filter. Search with keywords like “summer teen jobs [Your City]” or “camp counselor jobs [Your State]”. There are also specialized sites for young job-seekers; for instance, the nonprofit Get Schooled lists companies that hire at 14–15 and offers job search tips for teens.
  • In-Person Inquiries: Don’t underestimate the power of walking into a business and asking if they’re hiring. Many small businesses (and even chains like fast-food places) post hiring notices in their windows. If your teen dresses neatly, brings a simple resume, and asks to speak to a manager about summer openings, it can make a great impression. Even if they’re told to “apply online,” making that face-to-face connection can help them stand out.
  • Networking: Teens (and parents!) should mention to friends, neighbors, coaches, etc., that they’re looking for a summer job. Personal referrals can open doors – for example, a neighbor might know of a clerical opening at their office, or a relative might need an assistant at their shop. Many jobs, especially for younger teens, are filled by word of mouth.
• Prepare a Simple Resume: Even if your 15-year-old has never had a “real” job, it’s worth helping them put together a basic resume. Include any volunteer work, school clubs or activities, relevant skills (like familiarity with Word/Excel, or babysitting experience for a camp job), and of course, their education. This helps a teen appear more professional and prepared. Also, practice some common interview questions with your teen so they feel ready to speak about why they want the job. Little things – like making eye contact, smiling, and thanking the interviewer – go a long way for a young applicant.
• Work Permits and Age Requirements: Be aware of your state’s labor laws for minors. The federal law sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural work and limits the hours that under-16 teens can work during the school year. However, each state has its own rules, too. Check your state’s Department of Labor website or ask the school guidance counselor about what’s needed. It’s wise to sort out any required documents ahead of time so there’s no delay once your teen gets a job offer. Employers hiring minors are accustomed to these procedures and can often guide you on the requirements as well.
• Emphasize Safety and Fit: When evaluating a potential job, parents should consider whether the environment and duties are appropriate for their teen’s age and maturity. A well-structured program (like the city initiatives above) will have supervision and mentoring. If it’s a private job, ensure there will be responsible adults in charge and reasonable hours (remember that 14–15-year-olds cannot work late nights or more than 8 hours a day under labor laws). It’s okay to ask questions of the employer about the work conditions. A summer job should be a positive, growthful experience – with the right planning, it will be!
  
  

In summary, the job market offers a wealth of paid summer opportunities for teens, ranging from formal city-run employment programs to classic part-time jobs at local businesses. By exploring programs in your city, considering the types of jobs that suit your teen’s interests, and starting the search early, you can help your teen land a fulfilling summer job. Not only will they earn some money, but they’ll also gain independence, confidence, and skills that will benefit them for years to come (and could turn into a bigger role with a company as they mature!). Summer jobs are a wonderful stepping stone into adulthood – and with this guide’s tips and resources, you and your teen can approach the process with knowledge and excitement.