Key Takeaways:
- Summer jobs help teens build responsibility, confidence, and work habits.
- Restaurant and hospitality roles offer flexible hours and great entry-level experience.
- Teens under 18 can’t serve alcohol but can thrive in roles like Food Runner, Busser, or Host.
- Jobs like Receptionist or Cashier develop communication and customer service skills.
- Barista and Dishwasher roles offer hands-on experience in fast-paced environments.
- Average pay ranges from $14 to $17+ per hour, with added perks like discounts or tips.
Summer is the perfect time to earn your own money, gain new skills, and have a blast doing it. Sure, hanging out by the pool is fun, but landing a summer job can be just as rewarding (and it comes with a paycheck!).
Seasonal jobs aren’t just about cash – they help you build good work habits, confidence, and a strong work ethic. In fact, more Gen Z teens are working now than before the pandemic, often because they want financial independence and new experiences.
If you're a teenager in the U.S., a summer job can give you a taste of responsibility while still leaving time to enjoy your break. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of spending your own hard-earned money on something you love – talk about a confidence boost!
7 Awesome Summer Jobs for Teens (2025)
When it comes to teen-friendly jobs, restaurants and hospitality spots are hard to beat. These workplaces are usually super flexible with schedules, which is great if you have summer sports or family vacations to work around.
If you’re under 18, you usually can’t serve alcohol (so you might not be waiting tables at a bar), but there are plenty of other positions where you can shine. Ready to explore some options? Here are 7 of the best summer jobs for teens in 2025, especially in restaurants and hospitality.
1. Food Runner
If you’re quick on your feet and like to stay active, consider being a Food Runner. You’ll zoom between the kitchen and dining area, delivering plates of food to customers.
It’s a team-oriented role: you work with Servers and Chefs to make sure everyone gets their meal hot and fresh. This job teaches you to think on your feet and communicate with your team (no one wants the wrong order going out!).
Plus, it’s satisfying to see happy faces when you bring out a delicious dish.
You’ll gain a sense of responsibility and some serious hustle – and you might even snag a free french fry or two during your shift!
The average Food Runner pay in the U.S. is $14 per hour.
2. Busser
Bussers are the behind-the-scenes heroes of restaurants. As a Busser, you’ll clear tables, refill water, and help keep the restaurant clean and welcoming. It might not sound glamorous cleaning up messes, but it’s absolutely essential – and restaurants love teens for this role.
You’ll learn to be detail-oriented and work efficiently because a clean table means a new customer can sit down. Teamwork is huge here; you’ll coordinate with hosts and servers to keep things moving smoothly.
The best part is you stay active and time flies when the restaurant is busy. Many Bussers also say it’s a great way to start in the restaurant industry – you observe everything and can move up to other roles as you gain experience.
The average Busser pay in the U.S. is $14.44 per hour.
3. Receptionist
Being a Receptionist is perfect if you have a friendly smile and good phone manners. Businesses like offices, gyms, or hotels often need front-desk help in the summer.
You’ll greet visitors, answer phone calls, and maybe do light admin tasks like scheduling appointments. This job helps you polish your communication skills and learn professionalism – like how to handle customer questions or juggle multiple tasks at once.
As a teen receptionist, you’ll enjoy being the go-to person for information. It’s a confident feeling to help someone and represent the company well.
Bonus: the work environment is usually calm and air-conditioned, which can be a nice break from the summer heat!
The average Receptionist pay in the U.S. is $17.59 per hour.
4. Host/Hostess
If you’re outgoing and organized, becoming a Host/Hostess could be your calling. You’ll be welcoming guests at a restaurant, managing the waitlist, and showing people to their tables. It’s a bit like being the restaurant’s VIP coordinator – you make the first impression on every customer.
This role teaches you people skills (you’ll deal with everyone from excited families to hungry, impatient guests) and how to stay cool under pressure. You’ll also get good at multitasking, balancing phone reservations while greeting walk-ins.
Many teens love hosting because you get to be social and friendly, without the pressure of cooking or taking complex orders. It’s an awesome way to build confidence in talking to all kinds of people, and you become a master of courtesy and patience.
The average Host/Hostess pay in the U.S. is $14.78 per hour.
5. Cashier
Running a cash register is a classic teen job for a reason. Whether it’s at a fast-food joint, a retail store, or the local movie theater, Cashiers are always in demand. You’ll handle customer purchases, give out change, and maybe prepare simple orders (like scooping ice cream or bagging fries).
This job sharpens your basic math skills and teaches you to be responsible with money – your register has to balance at the end of the day! Being a Cashier also means lots of customer interaction, so you’ll grow more confident speaking with strangers politely.
Many national chains hire 15- and 16-year-olds as cashiers and front-of-house crew, making it a great first job. You’ll enjoy any little perks (hello, employee discounts!) and the accomplishment of handling transactions on your own.
The average Cashier pay in the U.S. is $14.76 per hour.
6. Dishwasher
Being a Dishwasher can actually be a great gig. You’ll work in the restaurant kitchen, cleaning plates, pots, and pans to keep things running.
It’s a job that builds character and a strong work ethic – you learn the importance of every role in a team, even the messy ones. You might even pick up some kitchen tricks by observing the cooks while you work.
If you’re the kind of person who likes tasks where you can zone out and listen to music in your head, dishwashing can be almost zen. You’ll take pride in seeing towering stacks of dirty dishes turn into sparkling clean ones.
Plus, your coworkers will appreciate you. It’s hard work, but knowing you’re literally keeping the restaurant going can feel really rewarding.
The average Dishwasher pay in the U.S. is $15.22 per hour.
7. Barista
Love the smell of coffee in the morning? Being a barista at a coffee shop could be your dream summer job. You’ll learn to make all kinds of drinks – from simple iced coffees to fancy frappuccinos – and handle food orders like pastries.
It’s a creative job (hello, latte art!) that also teaches you to work efficiently under pressure, especially during the morning rush when everyone needs their caffeine fix.
As a Barista, you’ll develop great customer service skills, chatting with regulars and making sure everyone leaves with a smile (and their correct order). This role can be really fun if you enjoy a hip, social environment – coffee shops often have a young staff, cool music, and a friendly vibe.
And for growth? You’ll become a multitasking pro, memorizing recipes and managing tasks like a boss.
Bonus: many big coffee chains hire at 16, and they often offer free or discounted drinks to employees. So you can impress your friends with your new espresso skills and enjoy your own iced latte on break.
The average Barista pay in the U.S. is $16.74 per hour.
Final Thoughts
Landing a summer job as a teen is about more than just making money – it’s about growing as a person and having new experiences. Whether you choose to be a café barista or a hotel housekeeper, you’ll be learning skills that will stick with you for life (and earning some spending money too!).
Remember, employers don’t expect you to know everything as a beginner. Show up on time, bring a positive attitude, and be willing to learn – that’s the kind of work habit that will impress any boss.
And don’t forget to balance work with summer fun: you’ve earned it. Good luck, have an awesome summer, and go get that bread (literally, if you’re a food runner)!
