Places That Hire at 16 in Port St. Lucie, FL: Key Takeaways
- 16-year-olds can work as crew members, cashiers, hosts/hostesses, and dishwashers in Port St. Lucie's restaurant industry.
- Fast food and fast casual restaurants are the most common places hiring 16-year-olds, with wages typically between $12.00 and $14.00 per hour.
- Florida's child labor laws allow 16-year-olds to work up to 8 hours on school days with certain hour and time restrictions; no restrictions apply on non-school days and summer.
Finding a job at 16 in Port St. Lucie, FL, especially in the restaurant industry, is a realistic goal.
Numerous opportunities exist in fast food and fast casual restaurants with competitive wages and flexible hours.
Learn about places that hire at 16 to better understand where young workers can start their hospitality careers.
What Types of Jobs Can a 16-Year-Old Get in the Restaurant Industry in Port St. Lucie, FL?
At 16, teens can apply for several entry-level roles in restaurants that provide valuable experience and steady income.
Common positions in Port St. Lucie include:
- Crew Members: Taking orders, preparing food, assisting kitchen operations, and maintaining cleanliness.
- Cashiers: Handling sales transactions and customer service tasks at the front counter.
- Host/Hostess: Greeting and seating customers in dine-in restaurants.
- Dishwashers: Cleaning utensils, cookware, and dishes to ensure kitchen efficiency.
For understanding roles like cashiers, hostesses, or dishwashers, check detailed career pages to help young workers prepare.
Fast-Food Places That Hire at 16 in Port St. Lucie
Many popular fast-food chains welcome 16-year-olds for various entry-level roles, making it easier for teens to gain employment.
McDonald's
Offers crew member and cashier positions suitable for 16-year-olds, focusing on customer service and food prep.
Burger King
Employs 16-year-olds as team members and kitchen staff, providing opportunities to learn fast-paced food service.
Wendy's
Provides roles like crew members, including order taking and food preparation duties.
Taco Bell
Hires 16-year-olds for various in-store positions involving customer service and kitchen tasks.
Chick-fil-A
Offers team member and kitchen staff roles supportive of teens starting their first jobs.
Subway
Employs sandwich artists and cashiers, ideal for those interested in food prep and customer interaction.
KFC
Provides team member and cook positions suitable for 16-year-old employees.
Many young workers might also find helpful insights in the how to hire a fast food worker spotlight to understand employer perspectives in fast food hiring.
Dairy Queen
Offers crew member and cashier roles that include serving customers and maintaining store cleanliness.
Fast-Casual Restaurants That Hire at 16 in Port St. Lucie
Fast-casual dining venues also hire 16-year-olds, often offering slightly different experiences than fast food.
Panera Bread
Employs 16-year-olds as associates and cashiers, combining food service with customer support roles.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Offers crew member positions where teens participate in food preparation and customer interaction.
This role has similarities to those described in the crew member career page (not listed here but relevant for similar roles).
Five Guys
Hires 16-year-olds for various in-store roles focused on food assembly and customer service.
Moe's Southwest Grill
Provides opportunities for team members to work behind the counter and assist with food prep.
Firehouse Subs
Employs 16-year-olds as crew members where they help with sandwich preparation and serving customers.
How Many Hours Can a 16-Year-Old Work in Port St. Lucie?
Florida’s child labor laws were updated on July 1, 2024, offering flexible work hour conditions for 16-year-olds.
During the school year:
- Work hours are limited to between 6:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- Teens may work up to 8 hours on days before school days.
- With a waiver signed by a parent, guardian, or school superintendent, 16-year-olds may exceed 30 hours per week.
On non-school days and during summer vacation, there are no restrictions on work hours, allowing teens to gain more experience and earn more.
These laws align with federal standards and support working teens in balancing education and employment.
Employers looking for guidance and strategies can refer to our steps hiring process spotlight to help structure effective hiring and compliance with child labor laws.
Resources for 16-Year-Olds Looking for Jobs in Port St. Lucie
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation: Child Labor FAQs
- Florida Child Labor Laws Overview
- Florida Child Labor Prohibited Occupations
Employers interested in efficient hiring methods will benefit from the restaurant staff hiring spotlight.