Stores 16 year olds can work at

While there aren’t many retail stores that hire employees under 18, there are some major chains that hire teenagers.

From clothing stores to food service locations, stores like Forever 21, Gap, JCPenney, Kroger, Panera Bread, and more hire teens to work in-store.

Some clothing stores also hire models for their brand, primarily through modeling agencies like Future Faces NYC and Next Model Management.

If you’re looking for stores that hire at a specific age, we have the lists of places that hire at 14 and 15, as well as those that hire at 17.

Labor Laws for Minors

When looking for a job as a teenager, keep in mind that most states typically require minors to obtain a work permit with the help of a legal parent/guardian. The Department of Labor lists the states that require minors to have a work permit and/or an age certificate.

Also, most stores only have a few slots open for younger employees — partially because minors can only work limited hours — while other stores only hire teens as seasonal employees.

Note: Retail jobs for minors typically pay minimum wage. The current minimum hourly wage as set by the Department of Labor is $7.25.[1] However, employers may pay employees under age 20 a minimum hourly wage of $4.25 for the first 90 days of employment or until the employee reaches age 20, whichever comes first.[2]

Comparison Table

You can use the table below for a quick comparison of the stores that hire teenagers and the minimum age for employment. Select any store or scroll for more details.

The List

Below, we list the retail establishments that hire minors — most set the hiring age at 16, but some hire teens as young as 14.

We’ve categorized the list below by store type: clothing and department stores, grocery and convenience stores, and food service.

Jobs for teenagers at retail stores typically include things like cashier, bagger, stockroom associate, sales floor team member, and customer service associate.

Clothing and Department Stores

Aeropostale

• Minimum age requirement: 16[3]
• Find available jobs at Aeropostale Careers (Note: Aeropostale works with a modeling agency to find teen models.)

ALDO

• Minimum age requirement: 16[4]
• Find available jobs at The Aldo Group Store Opportunities

American Eagle Outfitters

• Minimum age requirement: 16[5]
• Find available jobs at American Eagle Outfitters Jobs

Banana Republic

• Minimum age requirement: 16[6]
• Find available jobs at Gap Inc. Careers

Charlotte Russe

• Minimum age requirement: 16[7]
• Find available jobs at Charlotte Russe Careers

Famous Footwear

• Minimum age requirement: 16[8]
• Find available jobs at Famous Footwear Jobs

Finish Line

• Minimum age requirement: 17 at most stores, but varies based on state laws[9]
• Find available jobs at Finish Line’s “Join Our Team” page

Forever 21

• Minimum age requirement: 16[10]
• Find available jobs at Forever 21 Careers (Note: Forever 21 works with modeling agencies to hire models of all ages, including kids and teens.)

Gap

• Minimum age requirement: 16[11]
• Find available jobs at Gap Careers (Note: Gap uses modeling agencies to hire models of all ages, including babies, toddlers, kids, and teens.)

GUESS

• Minimum age requirement: 16[12]
• Find available jobs at GUESS Careers (Note: GUESS partners with modeling agencies to hire models, including kids and babies.)

H&M

• Minimum age requirement: 18[13]
• Find available jobs at H&M Careers (Note: H&M uses international modeling agencies to hire models of all ages.)

Hot Topic

• Minimum age requirement: 16[14]
• Find available jobs at Hot Topic Careers (Note: You can apply to model for Hot Topic online; models need to be at least 16 years old.)

JCPenney

• Minimum age requirement: 16[15]
• Find available jobs at JCPenney Careers

Kohl’s

• Minimum age requirement: 17[16]
• Find available jobs at Kohl’s Careers (Note: Kohl’s does not directly hire models, but it partners with agencies to hire models ages 12 to 16.)

Levi’s

• Minimum age requirement: 16[17]
• Find available jobs at Levi Strauss & Co Careers

Marshalls

• Minimum age requirement: 16[18]
• Find available jobs at TJX Careers

Old Navy

• Minimum age requirement: 16[19]
• Find available jobs Gap Inc. Careers (Note: Old Navy uses modeling agencies to hire models of all ages.)

PacSun

• Minimum age requirement: 16[20]
• Find available jobs at PacSun Careers

Ralph Lauren

• Minimum age requirement: 16[21]
• Find available jobs at Ralph Lauren Careers (Note: Ralph Lauren partners with international agencies to hire models of all ages, including teens, kids, toddlers, and babies.)

rue21

• Minimum age requirement: 16[22]
• Find available jobs at rue21 Careers (Note: The company doesn’t hire its own models, but rue21 does have casting calls for male, female, and plus-sized models who are at least 16 years old.)

Target

• Minimum age requirement: 16[23]
• Find available jobs at Target Jobs

T.J. Maxx

• Minimum age requirement: 16[24]
• Find available jobs at TJX Careers (Note: The company does not directly hire models, but it has casting calls for models of all ages.)

Tommy Hilfiger

• Minimum age requirement: 16[25]
• Find available jobs at Tommy Hilfiger Careers (Note: Tommy Hilfiger partners with modeling agencies to hire models of all ages, including teens, children, toddlers, and babies.)

Walmart

• Minimum age requirement: 16[26]
• Find available jobs at Walmart Store Jobs

Zumiez

• Minimum age requirement: 16[27]
• Find available jobs at Zumiez Jobs (Note: Zumiez partners with agencies to hire children and teens as models.)

Grocery and Convenience Stores

BJ’s Wholesale Club

• Minimum age requirement: 16[28]
• Find available jobs at BJ’s Careers

Food Lion

• Minimum age requirement: 16[29]
• Find available jobs at Food Lion Careers

Giant Eagle

• Minimum age requirement: 16; 15 at some locations[30]
• Find available jobs at Giant Eagle Jobs

Giant Food

• Minimum age requirement: 14[31]
• Find available jobs at Giant Food Careers

Harris Teeter

• Minimum age requirement: 16[32]
• Find available jobs at Harris Teeter Jobs

Harveys

• Minimum age requirement: 15[33]
• Find available jobs at Harveys Careers

Hy-Vee

• Minimum age requirement: 16; 14 or 15 at some locations[34]
• Find available jobs at Hy-Vee Careers

King Soopers

• Minimum age requirement: 15[35]
• Find available jobs at King Soopers Careers

Kroger

• Minimum age requirement: 16; 14 or 15 at some locations[36]
• Find available jobs at Kroger Jobs

Meijer

• Minimum age requirement: 16[37]
• Find available jobs at Meijer Jobs

Publix

• Minimum age requirement: 14[38]
• Must apply in person

Safeway

• Minimum age requirement: 16[39]
• Find available jobs at Safeway Apply

Stop & Shop

• Minimum age requirement: 16; 15 at some locations[40]
• Find available jobs at Stop & Shop Job Express

Walgreens

• Minimum age requirement: 16[41]
  Find available jobs at Walgreens Jobs

Wegmans

• Minimum age requirement: 16; 15 at some locations[42]
• Find available jobs at Wegmans Careers

Winn-Dixie

• Minimum age requirement: 15[43]
• Find available jobs at Winn-Dixie Careers

Food Service

Burger King

• Minimum age requirement: 16[44]
• Find available jobs at Burger King Job Opportunities

Captain D’s

• Minimum age requirement: 16[45]
• Find available jobs at Captain D’s Careers

Domino’s

• Minimum age requirement: 16[46]
• Find available jobs at Domino’s Jobs

KFC

• Minimum age requirement: 16[47]
• Find available jobs at KFC Jobs

Papa John’s

• Minimum age requirement: 16[48]
• Find available jobs at Careers at Papa John’s

Panera Bread

• Minimum age requirement: 16[49]
• Find available jobs at Panera Bread Jobs

Tips for Landing a Retail Job as a Teen

Keep the following tips in mind throughout your job search to help you find and qualify for the right opportunities:

• Put together a resume. Even if the application doesn’t ask for one, it might be a good idea to write one. A resume will help you make a good impression, and you’ll be able to use it as a starting point as you gain more work experience. Consider looking at a tutorial the first time you put together a resume.
• Practice filling out a job application. You’ll want to make sure that your job application is filled out completely and accurately. If it’s your first time applying for a job, it never hurts to practice filling out a few job applications until you feel satisfied with your answers. Before turning your application in, be sure there aren’t any grammatical or spelling errors.
• Make sure you have the proper paperwork. Most states require minors to obtain a work permit and/or an age certificate. As noted above, the U.S. Department of Labor lists which states require minors to have a work permit and/or an age certificate.
• Gather references. A retail job will typically ask you to provide two to four references. You’ll want your references to come from people who know you well but aren’t your parents or immediate family. Teachers, coaches, mentors, or any other adult in your life for whom you’ve done some odd jobs are the best people to ask.
• Practice your interview skills. If you can, get your parents or another adult to help you with a mock interview. Practice answering interview questions until you feel confident enough to go through with the real thing.
• Dress the part. The way you look during an interview is just as important as how well you answer the interviewer’s questions. You don’t have to wear formal attire, but you should look clean and put together. The interview may be the one time you’ll want to ask your parents for help picking out an outfit.
• Follow up on your application. Unless a company explicitly tells you not to ask about your application after you submit it, you should follow up on the status of your application. Be sure to wait at least a week before doing a follow-up to avoid being perceived as annoying. You’ll also want to follow up after interviews after you land one.
• Be prepared for rejection. Unfortunately, rejections are a normal part of the job-hunting process. Keep in mind that you’re likely not the only one going after the job, and there are times when someone else is simply a better match for the position.
• Accept the job offer and work hard. If you stick with it, you should get at least one job offer. After you’ve made sure you actually want the job, you can accept the offer and make a plan to be the best worker you can be. Do your best to commit to the job after you’ve accepted it, as this will now become a part of your resume.

Modeling Agencies That Hire Kids and Teens

Since several of the companies that hire teenagers only use modeling agencies to hire models, if you’re looking for a modeling gig, you may want to contact one of the following top modeling agencies that represent teens, children, and babies:

• Elite Model Management (This agency only accepts submissions from females ages 14 to 19.) 
• Future Faces NYC (This agency specifically represents kids and teens.)
• Next Model Management
• Model Scouts (This is a model management and scouting company that helps people land jobs with the top modeling agencies.)

For more information, see our list of legitimate modeling jobs for teens, as well as which jobs allow colored hair, dreadlocks, etc.

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