Places That Hire at 15 in State College, PA: Key Takeaways
- 15-year-olds in PA can work in non-hazardous restaurant roles like host/hostess, busser, cashier, and dishwasher.
- Fast food and fast casual chains in State College hiring at 15 include McDonald's, Burger King, Panera Bread, and Chipotle.
- Pennsylvania limits work hours for 15-year-olds to max 18 hours during school weeks, 3 hours on school days; up to 40 hours and 8 hours daily when school is not in session.
Finding a job at 15 in State College, PA is possible mostly in entry-level restaurant positions.
Restaurant owners may benefit from our top strategies for hiring young workers to effectively manage compliance and recruitment.
This guide covers typical jobs available, popular employers, work hour restrictions, and official resources.
What Types of Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in State College, PA?
At age 15, Pennsylvania allows teens to be employed in certain non-hazardous jobs within restaurants.
Common entry-level roles include host/hostess greeting and seating guests, bussers clearing tables and maintaining cleanliness, cashiers managing customer transactions, and dishwashers cleaning kitchen utensils.
Learn more about the busser job description to better understand one of these important entry-level roles.
These roles provide valuable experience working with customers, teamwork, and time management, while earning at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in most cases.
For employers interested in attracting young talent, our employer branding guide offers effective strategies to appeal to the Gen Z workforce.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 15 in State College, PA
Several well-known fast-food chains welcome 15-year-old workers, offering roles focused on customer service and food prep.
For a comprehensive look at the fast food worker job description and related duties, employers and applicants can both benefit from our detailed guide.
McDonald's
McDonald's hires 15-year-olds as crew members performing cashier, food prep, and cleaning duties.
Burger King
Burger King offers team member jobs where young employees can handle cashier work, food assembly, and dining area upkeep.
Wendy's
Wendy's employs 15-year-olds in positions such as cashier, food preparation, and dining support roles.
Chick-fil-A
At Chick-fil-A, entry-level positions include front counter and kitchen assistance for 15-year-old team members.
Subway
Subway offers opportunities for 15-year-olds to learn food assembly and customer service as sandwich artists.
Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen hires young workers for cashier duties and helping with food preparation in a friendly atmosphere.
Arby's
Arby's allows teenagers 15+ to work in cashier and kitchen helper roles focused on quick service.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell employs 15-year-olds as team members performing order taking and food prep tasks.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 15 in State College, PA
Fast-casual restaurants in State College also provide jobs suitable for 15-year-olds interested in food service and kitchen work.
Understanding how to hire food prep staff effectively can be explored through our guide to hiring cooks, useful for fast-casual restaurants looking to optimize their kitchen teams.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread welcomes 15-year-olds as cashiers and food prep staff assisting with customer orders and kitchen duties.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle offers crew positions for 15-year-olds to help prepare ingredients and serve customers.
Noodles & Company
Noodles & Company employs 15-year-olds in roles supporting food preparation and order fulfillment.
Five Guys
Five Guys hires young workers as team members focused on assembly and customer interaction.
Qdoba provides opportunities for 15-year-olds in food preparation and service positions.
How Many Hours Can a 15-Year-Old Work in State College, PA?
Pennsylvania's Child Labor Act governs work hour restrictions for teens aged 15 to balance employment with education.
When school is in session, 15-year-olds can work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but no more than 3 hours on school days and a total of 18 hours per school week.
When school is not in session, allowable work hours extend from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with up to 8 hours daily and a maximum of 40 hours weekly.
Employers must also provide a 30-minute meal break if a minor works more than 5 consecutive hours.
Employers looking to stay compliant with labor laws for youth workers can consult our restaurant HR policies guide for best practices.
These rules ensure teens gain work experience responsibly while maintaining their schooling and wellbeing.
Resources for 15-Year-Olds looking for Jobs in State College
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry - Child Labor Act
- Pennsylvania Department of Education - Child Labor Law
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General - PA Kids Laws