Places That Hire at 15 in Seattle, WA: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in Seattle can find entry-level jobs like cashier, host/hostess, and dining room attendant in restaurants.
- Washington state requires minors under 16 to be paid at least 85% of the minimum wage, about $13.38 per hour as of 2025.
- Labor laws limit 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days and 16 hours per week during school sessions with specific permitted work hours.
Looking for jobs at 15 in Seattle, WA? The restaurant industry offers multiple entry-level openings.
This article covers available jobs, employers hiring at 15, work hour rules, and useful resources.
To better understand how to attract and retain young workers in restaurants, check out restaurant staff hiring strategies.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Seattle, WA?
At age 15, teens can take on customer service and helper roles in restaurants without handling cooking or machinery.
Common positions include cashier, host/hostess, and dining room attendant where they seat guests and maintain cleanliness.
Work duties exclude cooking, baking, or using power-driven equipment due to state labor restrictions.
These roles offer valuable experience in communication and workplace responsibility.
To learn more about the specific duties and salary expectations of these entry-level roles, see hostess job description and cashier job description.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in Seattle, WA
Several fast-food chains in Seattle hire 15-year-olds to serve customers and help maintain restaurant areas.
McDonald's
Offers crew member roles focused on customer service and keeping dining areas clean.
Burger King
Employs team members for cashier duties and maintaining the lobby and dining areas.
Wendy's
Provides opportunities for front-line customer service and dining area upkeep.
If you're interested in fast-food positions, check out the fast food worker job description for insights on responsibilities and hiring tips.
Subway
Hires sandwich artists who interact with customers and handle food prep within permitted tasks.
Dairy Queen
Offers positions such as cashier and dining room attendant for young employees.
Taco Bell
Employs 15-year-olds for cashiering and cleaning duties in the dining area.
KFC
Provides roles focused on customer service and maintaining the lobby.
Arby's
Offers jobs centered around customer interaction and keeping dining spaces tidy.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in Seattle, WA
Fast-casual restaurants also welcome 15-year-olds to join as cashiers or attendants maintaining dining areas.
Panera Bread
Hires associates to work as cashiers and dining room attendants assisting customers.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Offers cashier and dining area support positions suitable for 15-year-olds.
Noodles & Company
Employs young staff for customer service and dining area upkeep roles.
Employers looking to hire at fast-casual restaurants can learn valuable tips in how to hire restaurant staff fast.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in Seattle, WA?
Washington state regulates teen work hours to prioritize education and health.
While school is in session, 15-year-olds may work up to 3 hours on school days and up to 8 hours on non-school days, totaling no more than 16 hours per week.
Permitted working hours during these times are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
When school is not in session, teens can work up to 8 hours daily, with a weekly maximum of 40 hours.
From June 1 through Labor Day, allowed work hours extend to 9 p.m.
These limits help ensure teens balance work responsibilities with schooling and rest.
Employers should be aware of HR policies for restaurants to ensure compliance when hiring minors.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in Seattle, WA
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Hours of Work
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: Prohibited Duties
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries: How to Hire Minors
For employers aiming to hire young workers efficiently, guide to hiring a restaurant consultant can be a helpful resource.