Places That Hire at 15 in Albuquerque, NM: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in Albuquerque can find entry-level jobs in fast food and fast casual restaurants, earning between $12 and $15 per hour.
- Popular fast-food chains hiring 15-year-olds include McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, and Taco Bell.
- New Mexico law limits 15-year-olds to working 3 hours on school days and 18 hours per school week, with increased hours allowed during school breaks.
Albuquerque offers a variety of job opportunities for 15-year-olds, especially in the restaurant industry.
This guide highlights common positions, well-known employers, work hour limits, and resources for teen job seekers.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Albuquerque, NM?
At age 15 in Albuquerque, the most common jobs in restaurants are entry-level roles focused on customer service and basic food handling.
Typical job titles include cashier, host/hostess, busser, and food runner. These positions provide valuable experience handling customer orders, maintaining cleanliness, and assisting kitchen staff.
These roles usually pay between New Mexico's minimum hourly wage of $12.00 and up to $15.00 depending on the employer and duties.
For restaurant owners wondering about hiring strategies, our restaurant staff hiring spotlight offers valuable tips for finding qualified entry-level candidates.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Albuquerque, NM
Many prominent fast-food chains in Albuquerque hire 15-year-olds for crew and team member roles involving customer service, food prep, and general maintenance.
McDonald's
McDonald's frequently hires 15-year-olds as crew members who help take orders, prepare food, and ensure a clean dining environment.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member positions to 15-year-olds, including tasks such as serving customers, assembling food orders, and general upkeep.
New fast-food workers can learn more about the role in our detailed fast-food worker job description.
Chick-fil-A
Certain Chick-fil-A locations hire 15-year-olds as front-of-house team members focused on customer service and order fulfillment.
Dairy Queen
Positions like cashier and food preparer are commonly available to 15-year-olds at Dairy Queen, serving ice cream and menu items.
Subway
Some Subway locations employ 15-year-olds as sandwich artists, responsible for making sandwiches and handling transactions.
Wendy's
Wendy's hires crew members at 15 to perform order taking, food prep, and maintaining cleanliness inside the restaurant.
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
KFC sometimes hires 15-year-olds for team member jobs focused on customer service and basic food preparation duties.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell offers roles for 15-year-olds known as service champions, performing customer interaction and food service tasks.
Restaurant owners looking to optimize hiring for these roles can check our guide on how to hire a fast food worker.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Albuquerque, NM
Fast-casual restaurants also provide opportunities for 15-year-olds in customer service and food preparation roles.
Panera Bread
Panera hires 15-year-olds as associates who assist with customer service, food prep, and maintaining a clean dining environment.
Culver's
Culver's offers team member positions focusing on both food preparation and customer service to workers age 15.
Boston Market
Some Boston Market locations employ 15-year-olds as cashiers and servers, involving food service and customer interaction.
Employers can benefit from consulting our guide to hiring a restaurant consultant to improve staff recruitment and retention.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Albuquerque, NM?
New Mexico law limits work hours for 14- and 15-year-olds to balance schooling with employment.
When school is in session, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours on a school day and up to 18 hours in a school week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
When school is not in session, they can work up to 8 hours on a non-school day and up to 40 hours in a non-school week. During summer (June 1 through Labor Day), work hours extend until 9 p.m.
These rules correspond with federal child labor laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Before starting work, minors under 16 must obtain a work permit certifying that their job is not hazardous.
Hazardous occupations are prohibited for workers under 16 and include those involving power-driven machinery, mining, manufacturing, and alcohol-related environments.
If you employ minors, be sure to familiarize yourself with the HR policies for restaurants to ensure full compliance.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions - Child Labor Information
- New Mexico Statutes Section 50-6-4 - Prohibited Occupations for Children Under Sixteen
- New Mexico Statutes Section 50-6-3 - Maximum Hours for Children Fourteen to Sixteen
For teens interested in the food industry, learning about the role and career path of a food runner can be a good start.
Employers looking for strategies to reduce turnover may find helpful insights in our strategies to reduce restaurant employee turnover spotlight.