Top Summer Jobs for 16-Year-Olds

By

Madison DuPaix

Updated on 11/20/19

If you're 16-years-old and looking for work when school is out, look no further than this list of top summer jobs for kids your age. Whether you're athletic, a homebody or an extrovert, one of the jobs on this list is likely to strike a chord with you. And if none of these jobs is your dream summer job, don't fear; you'll have plenty of time to pursue that line of work once you get older. In the meantime, check out the jobs below.

The jobs and pay are variable, based on your location, the difficulty, and the time it takes to complete each job.

01

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Work In Retail

young sales assistnat smiling to customer — sturti/Getty Images

Do you still enjoy brick-and-mortar stores over online shopping? If so, you're not only unusual for your age but likely a perfect fit for retail work also.

Typically, 16-year-olds can begin working in retail stores, but the laws vary by state. Check with your local ordinances to determine age restrictions and if you'll need a worker's permit.

You'll also need to find out the hours you can work as a 16-year-old. You may be limited to working a certain amount of hours during the work week depending on your age. You also may be prohibited from working before certain hours in the morning or after certain hours at night.

02

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Become a Lifeguard

Female lifeguard sitting at lifeguard chair at swimming pool — Hero Images / Getty Images

If you like to swim, lifeguarding can be a great summer job. You'll get to spend time outdoors at the beach or the pool. You'll be responsible for making sure everyone stays safe in and around the water, so this is a position that comes with a lot of responsibility. You'll have the opportunity to be a hero, but you'll also bear the burden if something goes wrong during your watch and you don't react in time.

Due to the serious nature of this job, you'll need training and certification.

03

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Take on Babysitting

Teenage Girl Tutoring Elementary Student — Kevin Dodge/Getty Images

Babysitting is a popular summer job to explore when school is out. You can babysit your relatives' children or children in your neighborhood. You might also be able to join an online service that matches families with babysitters.

The Red Cross offers babysitters classes to prepare teens for babysitting. These classes can help you react should a child you're watching have an emergency that requires CPR or another maneuver. While these classes aren't necessary to become a babysitter, you can impress clients with this training and stand out from the competition.

04

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Restaurant Worker

Teenage waitress (15-17) using computer at restaurant counter, side view — Inti St. Clair/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Depending on the state labor laws in your area, you may be able to be legally hired by a restaurant. Common jobs at this age include fast-food workers, busing tables and hosting.

But many states prohibit teens from performing dangerous jobs, so if the restaurant job goes beyond cashiering or being a bus boy/girl, you may not be eligible for it. Federal and state law place restrictions on the hour's teens can work, so it's important to know when you'll be working in the summer.

If you need to begin a shift in the wee hours of the morning or very late at night, it may be off limits to you.

05

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Golf Course Worker

Male teenage caddy (13-15) giving golf club to man — Alan Thornton/Getty Images

If you're a teen who likes to golf, then a summer job working maintenance at the golf course could be the perfect summer job. Teens should explore jobs at places they like to spend a lot of time to find a summer job they will enjoy. Golf courses stand out in that many states allow caddies to be quite young--tweens, even. So, a golf course job might be exactly the right job for you.