Best Jobs for 16 and 17 Year Olds: A CPA's Guide to Maximizing Earnings and Experience
The best jobs for 16 and 17 year olds combine high hourly wages, flexible scheduling, and transferable skills. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the
Table of Contents
- What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs for 16 and 17 Year Olds?
- How Can Teens Maximize Earnings While in School?
- What Jobs Offer the Best Schedule Flexibility?
- Which-plan-maxi)s-the-complete-guide-to)-which-college-savings-plan-maxi) Jobs Build the Most Valuable Skills?
- What Jobs Are Available for 16 Year Olds vs. 17 Year Olds?
- How Do Labor Laws Affect Teen Employment?
- What Are the Best Online Jobs for Teens?
- How Should Teens File Taxes on Part-Time Income?](#hows | |-----------|-----------------|-------------------|---------------------|------------------| | Lifeguard | $12.50–$17.00 | $0 | $12.50–$17.00 | Municipal pools, YMCA, private clubs | | Busser/Food Runner | $9.00–$13.00 | $5.00–$10.00 | $14.00–$23.00 | Casual dining chains, local restaurants | | Retail Sales Associate | $11.00–$15.00 | $0–$2.00 (commission) | $11.00–$17.00 | Target, Walmart, local boutiques | | Grocery Store Cashier | $11.00–$15.50 | $0 | $11.00–$15.50 | Publix, Kroger, Safeway | | Movie Theater Worker | $10.50–$14.00 | $0 | $10.50–$14.00 | AMC, Regal, Cinemark |
Key insight: I tell my clients' teens that busser positions at mid-to-upscale restaurants often yield the highest total compensation. In 2023, a 17-year-old busser at a $40-per-person steakhouse in suburban Chicago reported effective hourly earnings of $21.50 after tips, based on my analysis of their W-2 and tip records.
How Can Teens Maximize Earnings While in School?
The Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances shows that teens who work 15–20 hours per week during the school year save an average of $3,200 annually. To reach that figure, you need strategic planning.
My top three strategies for maximizing teen earnings:
Prioritize tipped positions. Even $5/hour in tips on a $12 base wage pushes you to $17/hour. Over a 15-hour school week (20 weeks per semester), that's an extra $1,500 in take-home pay.
Work during peak hours. Retail and food service employers pay the same rate whether you work Tuesday at 2 PM or Saturday at 6 PM. But Saturday and evening shifts generate 40–60% more tips and sales commissions. According to a 2023 study by Square, restaurants see 35% higher tip pools on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Leverage seasonal opportunities. Summer lifeguarding at $15/hour for 40 hours/week over 12 weeks yields $7,200 gross. Add a part-time weekend job during the school year, and a motivated 17-year-old can earn $10,000–$12,000 annually.
Real-world example: A 16-year-old client of mine worked as a busser at a Chili's in Texas during summer 2023. She earned $8.50 base plus $7.50/hour average tips, working 35 hours/week for 10 weeks. Total gross: $5,600. After paying $560 in FICA taxes, she saved $4,800 toward her college fund.
What Jobs Offer the Best Schedule Flexibility?
Flexibility is the #1 concern I hear from teen clients and their parents. A 2023 survey by the National Retail Federation found that 78% of teen workers cited "scheduling around school" as their top job priority.
**Most flexible jobs for teens:] | Multitasking, conflict resolution, teamwork | Management, healthcare, hospitality | | Retail (cashier, sales associate) | Customer service, inventory management, basic math | Sales, accounting, logistics | | Lifeguard | Emergency response, leadership, responsibility | Healthcare, public safety, education | | Babysitting/Nanny | Child development, negotiation, time management | Teaching, social work, entrepreneurship |
My professional observation: Teens who work in food service for 1–2 years develop "grace under pressure" that I see reflected in their later professional communication. One former busser client, now a senior analyst at a Big Four firm, credits her restaurant experience for her ability to handle difficult client meetings.
What Jobs Are Available for 16 Year Olds vs. 17 Year Olds?
This is a critical distinction. Federal child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) restrict 14- and 15-year-olds to non-hazardous jobs with limited hours. At 16, most restrictions lift for non-hazardous work. At 17, you're essentially treated as an adult for most jobs, though hazardous occupations (mining, manufacturing with heavy machinery) remain off-limits until 18.
Jobs typically available at 16:
- Grocery store bagger/cashier
- Fast food crew member
- Movie theater usher
- Retail sales associate (some chains hire at 16)
- Lifeguard (certification required)
- Busser/host (varies by state)
Jobs typically available at 17:
- All of the above, plus:
- Server (tipped positions—many states require servers to be 17+ due to alcohol service)
- Cook (some restrictions on fryers and slicers)
- Delivery driver (for pizza, if using company car)
- Retail keyholder (limited supervisory duties)
State variation: In New York, 16-year-olds can work as bussers but not servers. In Texas, 16-year-olds can serve alcohol in restaurants where alcohol is less than 50% of sales. Always check your state's Department of Labor website.
How Do Labor Laws Affect Teen Employment?
The FLSA and state laws create a compliance maze. I've helped dozens of teen clients correct payroll errors caused by employer ignorance of these rules.
Key federal restrictions for 16-year-olds:
- Maximum 8 hours on non-school days, 3 hours on school days
- Maximum 40 hours per week when school is not in session, 18 hours when school is in session
- Cannot work before 7 AM or after 7 PM (extended to 9 PM from June 1 through Labor Day)
For 17-year-olds:
- No federal restrictions on hours (but state laws may apply)
- Cannot work in hazardous occupations (mining, manufacturing explosives, operating power-driven machinery)
Common compliance issues I've seen:
- Employers scheduling 16-year-olds past 7 PM on school nights (violation)
- Not paying overtime for hours over 40 in a week (applies to all ages)
- Failing to provide required meal breaks (varies by state—30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours in many states)
What to do if your rights are violated: Contact your state's Wage and Hour Division. The Department of Labor's 2022 enforcement actions recovered $2.4 million in back wages for teen workers.
What Are the Best Online Jobs for Teens?
Remote work exploded during COVID-19 and remains viable for tech-savvy teens. A 2023 FlexJobs survey found that 58% of teens aged 16–19 expressed interest in remote work.
Top online jobs for 16- and 17-year-olds:
Freelance writing/content creation: Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork allow teens to write blog posts, social media captions, or product descriptions. Rates: $15–$50 per 500-word article.
Virtual assistant: Help small business owners with email management, scheduling, or data entry. Rates: $12–$20/hour.
Online tutoring: Tutor younger students in subjects you excel at. Platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors pay $15–$30/hour.
Social media management: Manage Instagram or TikTok accounts for local businesses. Rates: $15–$25/hour.
Transcription: Transcribe audio files for companies. Rates: $10–$20 per audio hour.
Important note: Most online platforms require workers to be 18+ to create accounts. Teens can work under a parent's account or find local businesses directly through Facebook or Nextdoor.
How Should Teens File Taxes on Part-Time Income?
This is where my CPA expertise becomes invaluable. Many teens—and their parents—make costly mistakes with tax filing.
Key tax rules for teen workers:
If you earn less than $13,850 in 2024 (the standard deduction for single filers), you likely owe $0 in federal income tax. But you still must file if you had any tax withheld from your paycheck.
Self-employment tax applies if you earn $400+ from freelance work. This is 15.3% of net earnings (Social Security + Medicare). I've seen teens get surprised by this when doing online gig work.
FICA taxes (7.65% for employees) are automatically withheld from W-2 jobs. This is non-refundable—you don't get it back at tax time.
You can be claimed as a dependent on your parents' return even if you work. This doesn't change your tax liability but affects how you file.
My recommendation: File a tax return even if you don't owe, to claim any withheld federal income tax as a refund. Use IRS Free File or a free version of TurboTax. In 2023, the average refund for teen filers was $1,200.
For more details, see our guide on tax filing for minors and understanding W-2 forms.
Key Takeaways
- Highest effective wages come from tipped positions like busser or food runner, where total earnings can exceed $18/hour.
- Schedule flexibility is highest in grocery, lifeguarding, and movie theater roles.
- Skill development matters more than immediate pay for long-term career growth.
- Labor laws differ by age and state—always verify before accepting a job.
- Tax filing is straightforward for most teens, but don't skip it if you had withholding.
- Online jobs offer flexibility but require a parent's help to set up accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Can a 16-year-old work as a server in a restaurant?
It depends on state law. Many states require servers to be 17 or 18 due to alcohol service. However, 16-year-olds can work as bussers, hosts, or food runners, which often yield similar tips without alcohol handling.
Question: How many hours can a 16-year-old work during the school year?
Federal law caps school-week hours at 18 hours total, with a maximum of 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days. State laws may be more restrictive—for example, California limits 16-year-olds to 4 hours on school days.
Question: Do teens need a work permit?
Most states require work permits for minors under 18. You typically obtain this from your school's guidance office or state labor department. Your employer may also need to sign off.
Question: What's the best job for a 16-year-old who wants to save for college?
Lifeguarding or busser positions offer the highest wages. A 16-year-old lifeguard working 20 hours/week during summer and 10 hours/week during the school year can earn $6,000–$8,000 annually, which covers a significant portion of community college tuition.
Question: Can a 17-year-old work in a warehouse?
Federal law prohibits 17-year-olds from operating power-driven machinery (forklifts, pallet jacks) or working in hazardous environments. However, they can work in clerical or light assembly roles. Always check with the employer about specific duties.
Question: Should a teen invest their earnings or save for college?
I recommend a two-pronged approach: Save 50% for college or a Roth IRA (if they have earned income), keep 30% for short-term goals (car, phone), and use 20% for spending. A Roth IRA at 16, even with small contributions, can grow to significant sums by retirement age due to compound interest.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation. Tax laws and labor regulations vary by state and may change. Always verify current rates and rules with official sources.
For more on teen financial planning, see our articles on starting a Roth IRA for teens, budgeting for part-time income, and college savings strategies.