Jobs That Hire at 15 in New Jersey: A Practical Guide

New Jersey allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work with restrictions (hours, times, hazardous tasks). Here are the most common entry points, categorized by industry.

Retail

• Cashier
• Stocker / shelf replenishment
• Sales associate / floor helper
• Grocery bagger / cart retriever

Food Service

• Dishwasher / kitchen steward
• Busser / table clearer
• Host/hostess (seating, not serving alcohol)
• Counter crew (fast food, ice cream, bakery) — no fryers/grills if under 16
• Prep assistant (cold prep only)

Hospitality & Recreation

• Front desk clerk (limited hours, no late night)
• Housekeeping aide / laundry
• Pool attendant / Lifeguard (requires Red Cross cert; 15+ eligible)
• Camp counselor / junior counselor (day camps)
• Amusement park / water park ride operator (some rides 16+)

Office & Services

• Administrative assistant / filing clerk
• Receptionist / phone answerer
• Customer service rep (call center, chat)
• Tutor (peer tutoring, Kumon/Mathnasium centers)
• Babysitter / mother's helper (informal, but huge market)
• Pet sitter / dog walker

Outdoor & Manual

• Landscaper assistant (mowing, raking — no power tools under 16)
• Nursery / garden center helper
• Car wash attendant

Legal Guardrails (NJ Child Labor Law)

• Work Permit ("Working Papers"): Mandatory. Obtained from school district (A300 form).
• Hours (School in session): Max 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/week. 7 AM – 7 PM only.
• Hours (Summer/vacation): Max 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week. 7 AM – 9 PM (June–Labor Day).
• Prohibited: Manufacturing, construction, ladders/scaffolds, cooking (open flame/fryers), meat slicers, dough mixers, forklifts, driving, roofing, excavation.

Best bet: Large chains (Target, Wegmans, Stop & Shop, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Six Flags, local YMCA) have structured minor-employment programs. Bring working papers to the interview.