Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds in Summer 2025

Key Takeaways:

• 14-year-olds can legally work in select restaurant and hospitality roles, including bussing tables, dishwashing, hosting, and concession work, with proper permits and within federal labor hour limits.
• Top summer jobs for teens include busser, dishwasher, fast-food crew member, restaurant host/hostess, and concession stand attendant—ideal for gaining early work experience.
• Pay typically ranges from $10 to $15 per hour, depending on the location, employer, and whether tips or perks (like free meals) are included.
• Work permits are often required depending on your state—check with your school or local labor office to get started.
• These jobs teach valuable life skills, including teamwork, time management, customer service, and professionalism—great foundations for future employment.
• Increased teen hiring in 2025 makes this a prime time for motivated 14-year-olds to land their first job in the food or hospitality industry.

Finding a summer job as a 14-year-old can be both exciting and challenging. The restaurant and hospitality sectors offer some of the best opportunities for young teens to earn money and gain work experience. 

In summer 2025, many restaurants, ice cream shops, and concession stands are eager to hire responsible teens to fill entry-level roles. 

Top Restaurant and Hospitality Jobs for 14-Year-Olds

This guide will walk you through the top restaurant and hospitality jobs available to 14-year-olds, including what each job entails, typical pay, where to find these jobs, and important legal requirements to know before you start.

1. Bussing Tables (Restaurant Busser)

One classic entry-level restaurant job for young teens is working as a Busser (also known as a busboy or busgirl). Bussers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of a restaurant, responsible for clearing tables and helping the dining room run smoothly. 

If you don’t mind being on your feet and staying active, bussing can be a great first job.

Typical Duties

As a busser, your main job is to clear and reset tables once customers leave, and keep the restaurant clean and welcoming. You’ll quickly remove dirty dishes and glassware, wipe down the table, and sometimes reset utensils so the next guests can be seated. 

Bussers also often carry tubs of dirty dishes back to the kitchen so the dishwasher can sanitize them. In addition, you might run food or drinks to tables to assist the waitstaff, refill water glasses, restock things like napkins or silverware at service stations, and do general cleanup of the dining area (sweeping floors, taking out trash, etc.). 

Essentially, you support the servers and hosts to keep the restaurant flowing. Customers may not always notice the busser, but they definitely notice when tables aren’t cleaned quickly, so you play a key role in customer satisfaction.

Work Environment

Bussing jobs are common in sit-down restaurants – from family diners and pizzerias to upscale eateries – and sometimes in hotel banquet halls or country clubs. Many family-friendly restaurants will consider 14- or 15-year-old applicants for busser roles, especially if they have parental permission, because these tasks are within the allowed duties for minors. 

You’ll usually work as part of a team of bussers or food runners under the supervision of restaurant managers and servers. The work is physical: you’ll be moving around fast, carrying tubs of dishes, and possibly lifting trays. 

It’s important to be attentive (watch for when people are finished eating) and to have a good attitude for teamwork. Bussers often start with shorter shifts, which can be perfect for a 14-year-old’s schedule.

Pay and Tips

Busser pay is typically hourly and often around minimum wage, but in many restaurants bussers also receive a share of the tips. 

Servers usually “tip out” or pool tips to give a portion to the support staff like bussers. This means you might earn a base wage (for example, around $10–$15 per hour) plus some extra from tips, depending on how busy the restaurant is. 

In 2025, the average Busser earns roughly $11–$15 per hour, excluding tips in the U.S.. Keep in mind pay can vary by location – a busy upscale restaurant in a city might pay more (and have bigger tips) than a small diner in a rural area. 

Overall, you can expect to make at least the prevailing minimum wage (which ranges from the federal $7.25 up to $12-$15 in many states) and possibly a few extra dollars per hour in tips. 

For a 14-year-old, this is a solid way to start earning money. Plus, the Busser role teaches great work habits like speed, teamwork, and attention to detail, which can help you move up to other roles in the future.

2. Dishwasher or Kitchen Assistant

Another job that restaurants frequently offer to 14- and 15-year-olds is working as a Dishwasher or kitchen assistant. Every restaurant needs diligent Dishwashers to keep the kitchen running – and while it’s a wet and often underappreciated job, it’s a fantastic entry point for young workers. 

Many Chefs and Restaurant Managers actually started out by washing dishes!

Typical Duties

As a dishwasher, your primary responsibility is to clean all the dishes and cookware that come back from the dining room. You’ll spend time at the dishwashing station, loading dirty plates, glasses, and silverware into an industrial dishwasher machine and then unloading and storing the clean dishes in their proper places. 

You also hand-wash certain items (like large pots or delicate glassware) that might not go in the machine. In addition to dishes, you’ll likely take out trash, sweep and mop kitchen floors, and keep the whole kitchen cleaning area organized and sanitary. 

Dishwashers often help receive and unpack deliveries (putting away new stock of ingredients) and might do basic food prep tasks like peeling vegetables or preparing simple ingredients, under the chef’s supervision. 

In short, you’re responsible for maintaining cleanliness throughout the back-of-house.

Work Environment

Dishwasher jobs are available at all kinds of establishments – restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and even places like summer camps or school dining halls. These jobs don’t involve customer interaction; you’ll be in the kitchen working with the cooking staff. 

It’s a job that teaches responsibility and work ethic – you have to keep up with a steady stream of dirty dishes and make sure sanitation standards are met. 

For 14-year-olds, dishwashing can be a good fit because it doesn’t require prior experience and it stays within the allowed duties (operating a standard dishwasher is permitted for young teensdol.gov). Do be prepared: it can be hard work. 

Kitchens get hot, your feet might get wet, and you’ll be on the move scrubbing and lifting most of the time. But many teens find pride in this job – you quickly learn how a kitchen operates and become a valued part of the team when you do the work well.

Pay

Dishwasher pay is generally hourly and usually around entry-level wages. Nationally, the average pay for Dishwashers in 2025 is about $15.2 per hour. 

In some areas it might be closer to $10 if that’s the local minimum, whereas in high-cost cities or busy resorts it could be $14-$15/hour. 

Dishwashers typically do not receive tips (since they’re not customer-facing), but some restaurants may offer a free meal per shift or other minor perks. Even without tips, over the summer you can earn a nice sum. 

For instance, at $12/hour, if you work 20 hours a week you’d make roughly $240 a week before taxes – not bad for a 14-year-old. 

Importantly, starting as a dishwasher can sometimes open doors: you prove you’re reliable and you might get chances to assist the cooks or move up to a prep cook job when you’re a bit older.

3. Fast-Food Restaurant Crew Member

Fast-food restaurants are a major source of jobs for young teens. Chains like Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Culver’s, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen and others often hire crew members as young as 14 (at least in certain states or locations) to work the front counter or other non-hazardous tasks. 

If you’re looking for a familiar environment with a structured training program, a fast-food summer job can be ideal.

Typical Duties

As a fast-food crew member, you’ll likely be cross-trained in a few areas. Common tasks include working the cash register at the counter or drive-thru, where you greet customers with a smile, take their orders, and handle payment transactions. You may also spend time assembling orders – for example, putting together burger toppings, portioning fries, filling drink cups, and bagging the food. 

At 14, you won’t be allowed to use the deep fryer or grill in many places (those jobs are usually for slightly older workers due to the hot equipment), but you can do things like make sandwiches with pre-cooked ingredients, prepare salads, or add items to trays. 

You’ll also be expected to help keep the restaurant clean: wiping tables, restocking condiments, sweeping floors, and emptying trash, especially in the dining area and behind the counter. 

In some establishments, young crew members focus on the dining room attendant role – making sure customers have what they need (napkins, ketchup), cleaning up spills, and alerting managers if any customer issues arise. 

Teamwork is a big part of fast-food jobs; during a rush, everyone pitches in to keep things moving quickly.

Work Environment

Fast-food restaurants are often very structured. You’ll wear a uniform and follow specific procedures for everything (from how to greet a customer to how many pickles go on a sandwich). This can be great for 14-year-olds because there is clear guidance and training. 

These restaurants are used to hiring teens and usually have managers experienced in working with young staff. Major chains in particular (like McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A) often have good training programs and even mentorship or scholarship opportunities. 

For example, McDonald’s has an Archways to Opportunity program that helps employees with education costs, and Chick-fil-A restaurants are known for fostering polite, friendly service (saying “my pleasure!”) which can instill strong customer service skills. 

As a minor, your shifts might be limited to shorter daytime/evening slots – e.g. a 4- or 5-hour shift during lunch or early dinner. 

Fast-food places often can be flexible with scheduling, which is helpful if you have other summer activities. The pace of work can get very fast during meal rushes, so you’ll learn to hustle and stay organized.

Pay

Many fast-food restaurants nowadays advertise competitive wages to attract workers. While some locations will start 14-year-olds at the basic minimum wage, others may offer a bit more, especially in 2025’s tight labor market. On average, crew members at these chains tend to earn roughly $12 to $15 per hour in many areas. 

For instance, one chain’s job listing for teens might show an average pay of $13/hour, and some places like Runza (a regional fast-food chain) list about $15/hour for young crew members. Your actual pay will depend on your state’s wage laws and the specific company policy. 

In addition to hourly pay, some fast-food jobs come with perks: free or discounted meals, the chance to earn bonuses, and in some cases, tuition assistance if you stay employed as you get older. 

It’s also worth noting that performance can lead to raises – even as a teen, if you work hard and stay on the job, you might get a pay bump or more hours when you turn 15 or 16. 

Fast food is a common first job that teaches reliability, teamwork, and how to deal with customers efficiently. 

These are skills and experiences that will benefit you in any future job.

4. Restaurant Host/Hostess

If you are friendly, organized, and prefer a front-of-house job, consider becoming a restaurant host/hostess. The host or hostess is usually the first person customers see when they walk into a restaurant, and even at 14 you can succeed in this role with the right attitude. 

Many sit-down restaurants and buffets hire younger teens as hosts since the work doesn’t involve any hazardous tasks.

Typical Duties

As a host/hostess, your main job is to greet customers warmly at the door and get them seated at a table. You’ll manage the waitlist during busy times and let guests know how long their wait might be. 

Hosts escort guests to their table and provide menus, and often you’ll also be responsible for keeping track of which servers are covering which tables (the seating chart). 

In some restaurants, hosts handle the reservation book or computer system, answering the phone to take reservations or call-ahead seating requests. You might also take takeout orders over the phone, and process simple payments for those orders. 

Additionally, hosts may help with light duties like wiping menus, straightening up the entrance area, and thanking guests as they leave. Essentially, you are the customer service ambassador for the restaurant as people come and go, so a positive and polite demeanor is key.

Work Environment

Host jobs are common at family restaurants, diners, and chain eateries. Places like Applebee’s, Olive Garden, IHOP, and local family-owned restaurants often have dedicated host staff, and some are open to hiring 14- or 15-year-olds for these positions. 

You’ll usually work at a podium or front desk at the restaurant’s entrance. The work isn’t as physically demanding as bussing, but it requires good people skills and the ability to stay calm and organized during rush hours. 

Since you are often the first point of contact, restaurants look for hosts who are presentable, polite, and attentive to guests’ needs (for example, if a customer mentions it’s their birthday or they need special seating, you’d note that). 

At 14, you’ll likely get plenty of training and will often work under the supervision of a head host or a manager who can help out if things get hectic.

Pay

Host and hostess positions usually pay hourly and sometimes slightly above minimum wage because of the customer service aspect. The median pay for Restaurant Hosts in the U.S. is about $14–15 per hour, though starting wages for teens might be closer to the $10-$12 range in many areas (again, it depends on state minimum wage laws). 

Unlike servers, hosts typically do not receive tips directly. However, in some restaurants the servers might tip out hosts at the end of a shift, especially if the host helped bus tables or did extra tasks – this isn’t guaranteed, but it can happen in a team-service environment. 

Overall, you can expect to earn at least your area’s minimum wage. The job also gives you valuable experience in customer service, multitasking, and communication. These skills look great on a resume when you apply for other jobs in the future.

5. Concession Stand Attendant

If you’re interested in hospitality jobs beyond traditional restaurants, consider working as a concession stand attendant. Concession stands are found at places like movie theaters, sports stadiums, amusement parks, fairs, and community pools. 

These venues often welcome young workers for the summer season to help serve snacks and drinks to crowds of customers.

Typical Duties

At a concession stand, you’ll be doing a bit of everything related to serving food and beverages quickly. Duties usually include taking orders from customers (for popcorn, hot dogs, soda, candy, etc.), operating the cash register to handle cash or card transactions, and then preparing the food. 

Food prep at a concession stand is usually simple: you might pour drinks, pop popcorn, grill hot dogs or pretzels, scoop nachos and cheese, or fill ice cups. You’ll also hand the items to customers and make change. 

In between rushes, concession workers restock supplies (more candy, cups, or napkins), and keep the area clean and sanitary – wiping down counters, cleaning the popcorn machine, and so on. It can get very busy during events or movie showtimes, so you’ll learn to multitask and work efficiently. 

Customer service is a big part of the job as well; you may answer questions about the food items or help people quickly so they can get back to their seats.

Work Environment

Concession jobs are usually fast-paced and often outdoors or semi-outdoors (like a stand at a ballpark or a booth at a fair). For a 14-year-old, a common option is working at a local sports field or community pool snack bar, where supervision is provided and the menu is simple. 

Amusement parks are another major employer – for example, Six Flags theme parks hire workers as young as 14 for roles like basic food stand attendants or ride assistants. These jobs tend to be seasonal (just for the summer or for specific events). You might work evenings or weekends when games or events are happening. 

One thing to note: if you work after dark (like during a night game or the late movie show), labor laws often require an adult supervisor to be present when minors are working, which reputable employers will arrange. 

The environment can be fun – you’re in the middle of the excitement of a sports game or carnival – but it can also be hectic when lines get long. This job will teach you how to stay cool under pressure and handle money responsibly.

Pay

Concession stand attendants are typically paid hourly, similar to other food service jobs. The average pay for concession workers is around $14 per hour in the U.S., but for 14-year-old beginners, expect something closer to your state’s minimum wage unless it’s a higher-paying venue. 

If your stand is at a sports stadium or busy amusement park, the pay might be a bit higher (some large venues pay a premium for event staff). Sometimes there’s a chance to earn tips as well – for example, at a fair stand or festival booth, there might be a tip jar. 

While tips in concessions are not as common as in table-service restaurants, any extra dollar is a nice bonus. Even without tips, a part-time schedule of, say, 20 hours a week at $10-$12/hour over the summer can add up nicely. 

Plus, you often get free or discounted snacks and sometimes free admission to the events or park when you’re off duty, which is a fun perk of the job.

Understanding Work Rules for 14-Year-Olds

Before diving into job options, it’s crucial to know the legal restrictions and requirements for 14-year-old workers in the U.S. 

At 14, you are legally allowed to work in non-agricultural jobs, but only under specific conditions. Federal labor laws limit both the hours you can work and the types of tasks you can do:

Work Hours

Fourteen- and 15-year-olds can only work outside school hours and are limited to short shifts. For example, you can work no more than 8 hours per day (40 hours per week) during summer when school isn’t in session. 

You also cannot work late at night – during the school year you must finish by 7 p.m., but from June 1 through Labor Day you’re allowed to work until 9 p.m. in the evening. These rules ensure your work doesn’t interfere with your health or education.

Permitted Tasks

At 14, you’re allowed to do many basic jobs in restaurants and food service. Federal law says minors this age may perform safe tasks like cashiering, serving tables, bussing, and general cleanup. You can also help with simple food prep and use appliances such as dishwashers, toasters, milkshake blenders, and microwaves. 

Limited cooking is allowed (for example, using electric or gas grills with no open flame, or deep fryers with automatic baskets). 

However, you cannot do anything dangerous: 14-year-olds are prohibited from using power-driven food slicers or heavy kitchen machinery, cannot bake or cook over open flames, and generally must stay away from any hazardous equipment. 

You also shouldn’t go into walk-in freezers alone or unload heavy deliveries. Employers are required to stick to these restrictions to keep young workers safe.

Work Permits

In addition to federal rules, many states require 14- and 15-year-olds to obtain a work permit (also called working papers or an employment certificate) before starting a job. This usually involves getting permission from your school or state labor department and a parent or guardian. 

For example, in California and many other states, minors under 16 must have a work permit to ensure the job won’t disrupt their education. It’s a good idea to check your state’s youth employment laws – your school guidance office or state labor website can help you get the right paperwork. 

Typically, you’ll need a job offer first, then you, your parent, and the employer fill out the permit application.

Industry Trend (2025) 

One reason these opportunities exist is that many restaurants are facing labor shortages and are increasingly open to hiring younger employees. In fact, by 2024 the restaurant industry saw a significant increase in teen workers compared to pre-2019. 

Some lawmakers have even proposed easing federal limits to allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work longer hours to help businesses fill staffing gaps. While rules are still in place for safety, this means motivated teens in 2025 may find it a bit easier to land a job than in years past. 

Final Tips: Making the Most of Your Summer Job

Starting a job at 14 in the restaurant or hospitality industry is a big step into the working world. Here are a few final pieces of advice to ensure you have a positive and productive experience:

• Stay Safe and Legal: Always follow the safety rules and task restrictions given to you. They exist to protect you. If an employer ever asks you to do something you know is not allowed for your age (like use a dangerous machine or work past permissible hours), politely remind them of the rules or involve a parent/guardian. Reputable employers will respect child labor laws – after all, breaking them can result in serious penalties. Also, make sure you’ve secured any required work permit before you start, so everything is official.
• Build Good Habits: Show up on time for every shift, in the proper uniform or dress code. Being reliable and responsible will earn you trust and maybe even lead to more opportunities (like better shifts or raises). Don’t be afraid to ask questions – everyone knows you’re new and would rather you ask how to do something than guess and get it wrong. This summer job is a chance to learn workplace skills like time management, following instructions, and communication. Take it seriously, but also try to have fun with the learning process.
• Develop Your People Skills: Restaurant and hospitality jobs are all about serving customers and working in teams. Even if you’re shy, you’ll have a chance to come out of your shell. Greet customers with a smile, learn to handle the occasional unhappy patron with patience, and cooperate with your coworkers. If you’re bussing or dishwashing behind the scenes, communicate with servers and cooks so everyone stays on the same page. These interpersonal skills are just as valuable as the technical tasks you’ll master.
• Take Advantage of Opportunities: Some employers offer extra benefits to teen workers, such as mentoring programs, scholarships, or paths to promotion. For example, if your workplace offers any short training (maybe a food safety course or customer service workshop), try to attend it. Not only does it make you better at the job, it also shows your boss that you’re proactive. Who knows – by next summer, you could be training the new kids or moving up to a cook or cashier position because you showed initiative.
• Enjoy the Experience: Lastly, remember that your first job is a milestone. You’ll earn your own money (and learn how to budget it), meet new people, and gain a sense of independence. There will be days that feel long or tasks that aren’t glamorous (like taking out smelly trash or cleaning a sticky counter for the hundredth time), but it’s all part of paying your dues. Keep a positive attitude and remind yourself that you’re building skills (and character!) that will help in whatever you do next. And of course, enjoy those little perks – whether it’s free ice cream, employee pizza after closing, or just the pride of getting your first paycheck.