Places That Hire at 16 in Charleston, SC

Places That Hire at 16 in Charleston, SC: Key Takeaways

16-year-olds in Charleston can work in various restaurant roles like cashiers, crew members, and front of house staff.
Fast food chains such as Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, Zaxby's, and Wingstop hire 16-year-olds with wages ranging from $10 to $19 per hour.
South Carolina 16- and 17-year-olds have no hourly work limits but cannot work in federally defined hazardous occupations.

Young job seekers in Charleston, SC, have access to several entry-level restaurant positions allowing them to gain experience and earn competitive wages.

This article outlines popular employers hiring 16-year-olds and explains applicable labor laws relevant to youth employment in Charleston.

What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Charleston, SC?

At age 16, teens looking for restaurant jobs in Charleston can expect to find predominantly entry-level roles. These typically involve customer service and basic food preparation duties.

Common roles include:

Cashiers: Handling transactions, operating registers, and providing friendly customer service. Learn more about a cashier job description.
Crew Members: Supporting food prep, cleaning, and helping maintain smooth operations. Read about the fast-food worker job description.
Front of House Team Members: Greeting guests, taking orders, and organizing dining areas. Discover more about the hostess job description and roles.

These roles provide valuable work experience while offering flexible schedules suitable for students.

For employers looking to recruit young talent quickly, check our restaurant staff hiring guide for best practices and tips.

Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Charleston, SC

Many fast-food chains actively hire 16-year-olds due to the high demand for team members to support busy operations. Here are several options where teens have found employment in Charleston:

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A locations, including North Mount Pleasant and Ashley Crossing, hire 16-year-olds for Front of House and Back of House team roles. Pay ranges from $10 to $20 per hour depending on position and location. For owners interested in boosting recruitment, see how to hire a fast-food worker.

Raising Cane's

Known for their quality chicken fingers, Raising Cane's hires Cashiers 16 and up, with wages between $16.00 and $17.50 per hour, reflecting a competitive pay scale for younger workers.

Zaxby's

Zaxby's offers cashier and team member positions suited for teens, though specific wage details vary by location.

Wingstop

Wingstop recruits team members starting at 16, offering pay from $13 to $14 an hour, which is above federal minimum wage. See some tips for hiring restaurant staff fast to keep your team running strong.

Papa John's Pizza

Papa John's hires team members at 16 with starting wages around $13 per hour, offering another opportunity for teens to enter the workforce.

Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Charleston, SC

Fast-casual restaurants tend to offer a slightly different work environment and sometimes higher wages. Teens can find roles at:

Smoothie King

Smoothie King employs team members starting at 16 years old. Pay rates vary, but these roles often focus on customer service and food prep. To understand these roles further, explore the food runner job description.

Dunkin' (operated by Hudson Group)

Dunkin' hires crew members to fill roles such as customer service and kitchen aid, with pay around $17 per hour, a strong rate for younger workers.

Chick-fil-A (Ashley Crossing)

This Chick-fil-A location offers front of house positions with compensation reaching up to $20 per hour. This makes it one of the higher-paying options for 16-year-olds in Charleston.

How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Charleston, SC?

South Carolina does not impose daily or weekly hour restrictions on 16- and 17-year-olds like some other states do for younger minors.

Teens aged 16 and 17 may work as many hours as needed or scheduled by the employer without a legal limit. Employers must still comply with labor standards and best practices.

However, all youth under 18 are prohibited from engaging in hazardous occupations as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act's 17 Hazardous Occupations Orders.

This means certain dangerous jobs in manufacturing, mining, construction, and use of heavy machinery remain off-limits even to older teenagers. For restaurant owners, understanding restaurant safety standards is essential when hiring young workers.

Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Charleston

For a deeper dive into hiring young workers, restaurant owners can refer to steps in the hiring process to streamline recruitment and compliance.

01. Which fast-food chains hire 16-year-olds in Charleston, SC?

Popular fast-food chains hiring 16-year-olds in Charleston include Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane's, Zaxby's, Wingstop, and Papa John's Pizza.

02. Are there work hour limits for 16-year-olds in South Carolina?

South Carolina does not limit the number of hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work, but they cannot perform hazardous jobs.

03. What entry-level restaurant jobs are available for 16-year-olds?

Entry-level jobs like cashiers, crew members, and front of house positions are commonly available and great for gaining work experience.

04. What are typical wages for 16-year-olds in Charleston restaurant jobs?

Wages range widely, from around $10 to as high as $20 per hour depending on the employer and role.

05. Where can I find resources for youth employment laws in South Carolina?

Resources can be found on the South Carolina Department of Labor website and official state labor regulation pages.