At 16, you can work almost any job that isn’t classified as hazardous, and federal law no longer limits your hours the way it did at 14 and 15. That’s why most 16-year-olds apply to the same places: the mall, the grocery store and the closest coffee shop.
Those jobs fill up fast. The 10 jobs below get far fewer teen applicants, which can make them easier to land, and several come with perks you won’t get at a register.
1. Movie Theater Crew Member
Theater crews sell tickets, run concessions, clean auditoriums between shows and check tickets at the door. Shifts lean toward evenings and weekends, which works well around school.
The best perk is usually free movies. Many theaters let employees watch films for free when they’re off the clock.
How to get it: Apply online through the theater chain’s career page, then follow up in person. Summer blockbuster season and the holidays are when theaters hire the most.
2. Amusement or Water Park Ride Attendant
Theme parks and water parks hire huge numbers of teens every summer to run rides, guide lines and keep guests safe. Many parks hire ride operators starting at 16.
The days are long and hot, but you work outside with a big group of people your age. Some parks offer season passes, discounts and bonuses for staying the whole summer.
How to get it: Parks often start hiring for summer in late winter or early spring. Apply early, since the best positions go first.
3. Dog Daycare or Kennel Assistant
Dog daycares, boarding kennels and vet clinics need help feeding dogs, cleaning kennels, running playgroups and taking dogs outside. If you love animals, this is about as fun as a first job gets.
It’s also messy and physical. Expect a lot of cleanup and a few muddy shirts.
How to get it: Call or stop by local doggy daycares and boarding facilities. Holiday seasons are busy because so many families travel, so mention that you’re available during school breaks.
4. Library Page
Library pages shelve returned books, keep sections in order, help prepare materials for programs and sometimes help at the front desk. It’s calm, organized work, and the hours are often limited and predictable.
Some libraries hire pages as young as 14 or 15, but 16-year-olds are often preferred for evening shifts.
How to get it: Check your city or county library’s website. Library jobs are often listed with other local government jobs, so the posting may be on your city’s human resources page.
5. Farm or Orchard Worker
Farms, orchards, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree lots hire seasonal help for picking, planting, weeding, running farm stands and helping customers. Fall is especially busy with apple picking and pumpkin season.
You’ll work outdoors and get physically tired, but many seasonal farm jobs need no experience at all.
How to get it: Visit local farms and farm stands in person, or check their social media pages for hiring posts before the busy season.
6. Ice Cream Shop Scooper
Ice cream shops are seasonal businesses that hire lots of teens in spring and summer. You’ll scoop, make sundaes and shakes, run the register and clean up at closing time.
It’s food service, but it’s a very different vibe from fast food. Customers are usually in a good mood, because nobody is grumpy about getting ice cream.
How to get it: Apply in early spring before the summer rush. Many shops are local, so walk in with a simple résumé and ask for the manager.
7. Senior Living Activities Assistant
Senior living communities and nursing homes hire teens to help with activities, serve meals in the dining room and keep residents company. You might help run bingo night, set up a craft class or walk with residents to events.
It’s meaningful work, and it looks great on applications for nursing, healthcare or any college program.
How to get it: Call senior living communities near you and ask about dining aide or activities assistant positions. Some will also take volunteers, which can turn into a paid job.
8. Office Assistant at a Local Business
Dental offices, law firms, real estate agencies, insurance offices and small companies sometimes hire teens to file paperwork, scan documents, answer phones and run errands after school.
These jobs are rarely posted publicly. You usually find them by asking, so this is where your family’s network helps.
How to get it: Ask parents, relatives and family friends if their workplace needs part-time help. Show up looking neat, and bring a résumé that lists any computer skills you have.
9. Bike Shop Helper
Bike shops need help assembling new bikes, cleaning and tuning bikes in for repair, and helping customers on the sales floor. If you already fix your own bike, you’re ahead of most applicants.
Shops get busy in spring and summer, and many will train a motivated teen on basic repairs.
How to get it: Visit local independent bike shops, mention what you already know how to fix, and ask if they need seasonal help.
10. Family Entertainment Center Attendant
Bowling alleys, trampoline parks, laser tag arenas, mini golf courses and arcades hire teens to run the front desk, host birthday parties, run games and keep things clean.
The environment is noisy and fun, and weekend birthday parties can mean extra tips in some places.
How to get it: Most of these businesses hire year-round. Apply online, then call to follow up, since smaller centers don’t always check online applications quickly.
Tips for Landing Your First Job at 16
Apply before the rush. Summer jobs often fill up by early spring. Holiday jobs fill up by October and November.
Make a simple résumé. Even with no work experience, you can list school activities, sports, volunteering, babysitting or skills like customer service and computer programs.
Ask in person. A lot of local businesses still hire teens who walk in, smile and ask for the manager. Go during a slow time, not the lunch rush.
Check your state’s rules. Federal law lets 16-year-olds work most non-hazardous jobs, but some states require work permits or limit hours on school nights.
If you’re a little younger, see our list of 13 jobs for 15-year-olds. If you’re about to turn 18, check out the jobs for 18-year-olds that open up once you’re an adult.
Jobs for 16 Year Olds: FAQ
Most of the jobs on this list, including movie theater crew, ice cream shop scooper, farm worker and family entertainment center attendant, hire 16-year-olds with no experience and train them on the job.
Federal law doesn’t limit the hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work, but many states do, especially on school nights. Check your state’s labor department website for the exact rules.
Federal rules ban workers under 18 from hazardous jobs, like operating forklifts, many power-driven machines, roofing and most driving jobs. Your employer should know these rules, but it’s good to know them too.