how many teenagers have jobs

[StMason]

I’ve been tracking this for a while, and the short answer is that as of 2026, roughly 35% of teenagers aged 16–19 in the United States are employed. That’s about 6.5 million young people working part-time or full-time. The number has been climbing slowly since the pandemic lows, thanks to a tight labor market that’s pushing employers to hire younger workers. Retail, food service, and seasonal hospitality roles are the biggest employers, but I’m also seeing more teens in internships and tech support gigs.

Here’s a snapshot of how the rates break down by age group, based on recent Bureau of Labor Statistics projections:

Age Group	Employment Rate (2026)	Common Industries
16–17	28%	Restaurants, retail, grocery
18–19	42%	Warehousing, internships, customer service

The jump from 16–17 to 18–19 is mostly because older teens have more flexible schedules and often work longer hours after high school or during college breaks. Talent retention among teenagers is lower—about 60% stay in a role for more than three months—but that’s expected when you’re dealing with school schedules, summer-only jobs, and first-time workers exploring options. For recruiters, this means sourcing teenage candidates requires a different approach: shorter shifts, clear career pathways, and a lot of onboarding support. I’ve seen companies that offer structured interview processes and mentorship programs hold onto teen employees much longer, which is a win for both sides.

If you’re in recruitment, keep an eye on local unemployment rates for 16–19 year olds—they can vary wildly by region. In areas with strong tourism or manufacturing, teen employment can hit 50% or more. The trend is positive overall, but competition for teen workers is heating up, so a solid employer brand and flexible scheduling are key.

[Aragorn]

Honestly, I see a lot of teenagers working these days—my own kids included. I’d say about 1 in 3 teens in my neighborhood holds down a job, mostly in fast food or as camp counselors. The numbers feel higher than when I was their age, but that might be because they need the money for phones and car insurance. It’s a good thing, though—they learn responsibility. I just worry about their grades slipping. Last year, my daughter worked 20 hours a week and her math scores dropped, so we cut back to 12 hours. Balance is everything, but I think the 35% stat sounds right based on what I see around town.

[AutumnAnn]

From what I’ve observed in my community, the number of teenagers with jobs has been steady. I’d estimate around 30% of 16 and 17 year olds are working, mostly in local cafes and retail stores. The real change is how many are doing online gigs—like tutoring or social media management—that aren’t captured in traditional surveys. Those jobs offer more flexibility, which is great for school. Employers need to adapt to this shift because teens are pickier now about work-life balance. If a job doesn’t let them study during downtime, they’ll just quit. That’s a huge challenge for recruiters targeting this age group.