Places That Hire at 14 in Philadelphia, PA: Key Takeaways
- 14-year-olds in Philadelphia can work in entry-level restaurant jobs like cashiers, hosts, and bussers making the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.
- Pennsylvania’s Child Labor Act limits work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days, 18 hours per school week, with extended hours during school breaks.
- Fast food chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy’s, Chick-fil-A, and Dairy Queen commonly hire 14-year-olds.
Finding a job at age 14 in Philadelphia involves roles focused on customer service and food support in restaurants and fast-food chains.
This guide details common job types, employers, working hour restrictions, and helpful state resources for young job seekers.
Employers looking to hire young workers may find useful insights in the places that hire at 16 spotlight to understand legal work age considerations.
What Types of Jobs Can a 14-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Philadelphia, PA?
At 14 years old, most restaurant jobs available are basic entry-level roles designed to introduce teens to the workforce.
Common positions include cashier, where you handle sales transactions; host or hostess, greeting and seating guests; and busser, who assists with clearing and resetting tables.
These jobs primarily involve customer interaction, food support tasks, and keeping dining areas tidy, providing valuable experience in teamwork and service.
Employers can learn how to create more effective staffing by reviewing the restaurant staff hiring spotlight.
Wage rates for these positions in Pennsylvania start at the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, as state law does not mandate a higher rate for minors in these roles.
To understand the role responsibilities clearly, check out the busser job description page.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 14 in Philadelphia, PA
If you’re 14 and looking for a job in Philadelphia, fast-food chains often provide the earliest opportunities to gain work experience.
For young workers interested in this area, the fast food worker job description offers valuable insight on typical duties.
McDonald's
McDonald's is known to hire crew members who can work as cashiers or assist in food preparation and order assembly.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member positions suitable for 14-year-olds focusing on customer service and cash register operation.
Wendy's
At Wendy’s, 14-year-olds can work in roles supporting food service lines, cashier duties, and maintaining a clean dining area.
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A employs young teens in front counter service, including greeting customers and assisting with orders.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires 14-year-olds for tasks such as taking orders, preparing treats, and helping with customer service.
Hiring managers can find effective strategies in the how to hire a restaurant manager spotlight to improve recruitment processes.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 14 in Philadelphia, PA
Fast-casual restaurants may also provide job options that let teens develop communication and food handling skills.
Understanding kitchen hierarchy is helpful, and the kitchen staff skills spotlight provides great employer guidance.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread hires young workers as cashiers and food prep assistants, supporting both front and back of house duties.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
At Chipotle, 14-year-olds may work as crew members helping with ingredient prep and customer service.
Five Guys
Five Guys offers jobs for young teens who support burger assembly and customer orders in a team environment.
How Many Hours Can a 14-Year-Old Work in Philadelphia, PA?
Pennsylvania enforces specific child labor restrictions aimed at protecting youth and prioritizing schooling.
While school is in session, 14-year-olds may work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., limited to 3 hours per school day and a maximum of 18 hours per week.
On non-school days during the school term, the daily limit is 8 hours.
When school is not in session, including summer breaks, work hours extend to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Teens can work up to 8 hours daily and 40 hours weekly then.
All minors must receive a 30-minute meal break once they work a continuous 5-hour shift.
These rules ensure young workers have sufficient time for rest and education while gaining work experience.
Employers can make use of guidelines in the HR policies for restaurants spotlight to comply with such labor laws.
Resources for 14-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry - Child Labor Act
- Pennsylvania Department of Education - Child Labor Law
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - PA Kids Laws
For detailed advice on how to hire younger hospitality staff effectively, see the how to hire restaurant staff fast spotlight.