During a recent television interview on FOX-NYC, I discussed a challenge facing many families across America: traditional summer jobs are becoming harder for teenagers to find.
For generations, summer jobs served as a rite of passage. Teenagers worked at movie theaters, amusement parks, restaurants, pools, retail stores, and local businesses to earn spending money, gain independence, and develop workplace skills.
Today, the path looks different.
While many teens still want to work, 26% of youth seeking jobs can’t get them.
The summer job market has evolved. Traditional opportunities are often more competitive, while alternative forms of work—including side hustles, freelancing, and entrepreneurship—have become increasingly common.
The result is a fundamental shift in how young people gain experience, earn income, and prepare for adulthood.
Key Findings
- Teen workforce participation remains well below the levels seen in previous decades.
- Traditional summer jobs are becoming more competitive in many communities.
- More teens are earning money through side hustles and entrepreneurial activities.
- Certifications such as lifeguarding, CPR, and camp counseling can improve employment opportunities.
- Early work experience remains valuable because it teaches responsibility, communication, and financial skills.
Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that youth labor force participation has fallen significantly from its late‑1980s peak, with just over one in three teenagers in the labor force in recent years. During the summer months, participation still rises as teens look for work, but it remains well below the levels seen several decades ago.
Why Traditional Teen Summer Jobs Are Changing
Historically, more than 50% of American teenagers participated in the workforce during summer months. Today, youth labor force participation remains significantly below those historical highs.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that roughly 37% of teens aged 16 to 19 were recently employed in June, even as overall youth participation has trended downward over the past few decades.
Several factors appear to be contributing to this change:
- More students participate in academic programs, sports, internships, and enrichment activities.
- Some employers in the leisure and entertainment sectors have reduced seasonal hiring because inflation and higher gas prices are making families less willing to spend on entertainment.
- AI and technology have taken over certain entry-level roles.
- Older workers are remaining in the workforce longer than previous generations.
- Young people have more opportunities to earn money independently through online platforms and local service businesses.
Rather than a temporary phenomenon, these trends reflect a broader shift in how teenagers spend their summers and prepare for future careers.
The Rise of Teen Side Hustles
One of the most significant developments in the summer job market is the growth of side hustles among teenagers.
Instead of relying exclusively on employers, many young people are creating their own opportunities through activities such as:
- Babysitting
- Lawn care
- Pet sitting
- Tutoring
- Social media assistance
- Content creation
- Online resale businesses
These activities generate income, but they also teach valuable business skills.
Teens who operate their own small ventures often learn marketing, customer service, pricing, communication, sales, and problem-solving. These are skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
In some cases, they may be developing entrepreneurial abilities earlier than previous generations.
Why First Jobs Still Matter
Even as the job market evolves, the value of work experience remains largely unchanged.
A first job teaches lessons that cannot be fully replicated in a classroom:
- Showing up on time
- Following instructions
- Communicating professionally
- Working with customers
- Solving problems
- Managing earned income
- Taking responsibility for results
Whether it’s a traditional summer job or a side hustle, that first work experience is about much more than money. It’s where teens practice showing up on time, dealing with real customers, and building the confidence and financial habits they’ll carry into adulthood.
For many families, the greatest value of a summer job isn’t the paycheck itself.
It’s the opportunity for teenagers to build confidence, accountability, and real-world experience.
What This Means for Parents
Parents may need to rethink what qualifies as a successful summer.
In the past, success often meant securing a traditional job at a local business. Today, success may look different.
A teenager who starts a lawn-care service, tutors younger students, manages social media accounts, or builds a small online business may be developing many of the same skills. In some cases teens are creating even stronger entrepreneurial abilities.
So if you’re a parent of a teen, the goal should not simply be employment.
The goal should be helping young people develop the habits, discipline, confidence, and financial awareness that will serve them throughout adulthood.
One Area Where Demand Remains Strong
Although some traditional summer jobs have become more competitive, opportunities still exist in positions requiring specialized training or certifications.
Lifeguarding is one example frequently cited by local governments, recreation departments, and pool operators. Many communities continue to face shortages of qualified lifeguards. That’s why demand for lifeguards is up 78%.
For teenagers willing to complete certification programs, these positions can provide valuable work experience and competitive pay.
Other certifications that may improve employability include:
- CPR certification
- First Aid certification
- Camp counselor training
- Coaching certifications
- Childcare and babysitting certifications
A relatively small investment in training can help a teenager stand out in a crowded applicant pool.
Two Practical Strategies for Teens
1. Pursue Skills and Certifications
One of the fastest ways to improve employment prospects is to develop skills that employers need but fewer applicants possess.
Certifications can often be earned in a matter of days and immediately strengthen a resume.
For many teens, specialized training creates opportunities that other applicants simply do not qualify for.
2. Create Opportunities Instead of Waiting for Them
Many successful young people are taking an entrepreneurial approach to summer employment.
Rather than submitting dozens of applications and hoping for a callback from a hiring manager, they identify problems they can solve and offer services directly to neighbors, family friends, and local businesses.
A teenager who begins with a few lawn-care, tutoring, pet-sitting, or babysitting clients can often grow through referrals and repeat business.
Those experiences can become powerful lessons in communication, customer service, and entrepreneurship.
Hidden Opportunities
The decline of traditional teen summer jobs may initially appear to be a negative trend.
However, there may be an important opportunity hidden within this shift.
The economy today’s teenagers will enter as adults is likely to reward adaptability, entrepreneurship, communication skills, creativity, and self-direction more than ever before.
A traditional summer job can still provide valuable experience. But a teen who learns how to attract customers, market services, manage money, and solve problems may be building equally valuable skills for the future.
Parents should focus less on the specific job title and more on whether their teenager is learning responsibility, building confidence, and developing practical life skills.
The upside of working June through August is not simply earning money during the summer.
The larger benefit is preparing young people for successful adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are teen summer jobs harder to find today than in previous decades?
In many communities, yes. Teen workforce participation remains below the levels seen during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and traditional summer jobs can be highly competitive.
Why are fewer teenagers working traditional summer jobs?
Several factors contribute, including academic commitments, internships, extracurricular activities, changing employer hiring practices, technology, and the growth of alternative income opportunities.
What are the best summer jobs for teenagers?
Opportunities vary by location, but jobs requiring certifications—such as lifeguarding or camp counseling—often provide strong opportunities. Many teens also earn income through babysitting, tutoring, lawn care, and pet sitting.
Are side hustles a good alternative to traditional jobs?
Yes. Side hustles can help teens earn income while developing entrepreneurial, communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
How can parents help teens gain work experience?
Parents can encourage certifications, internships, volunteer work, entrepreneurship, and part-time employment opportunities that help build workplace skills and confidence.
