What Jobs Hire at 14 in Texas?
As of April 10, 2025, many 14-year-olds in Texas are eager to enter the workforce, whether to earn extra money, gain experience, or build responsibility. Fortunately, Texas offers a variety of job opportunities for young teens, governed by both state and federal regulations. This article explores the types of jobs available to 14-year-olds in Texas, the legal requirements they must meet, and specific employers known to hire at this age.
Legal Framework for 14-Year-Olds Working in Texas
In Texas, child labor laws are primarily governed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) under the Texas Labor Code, Chapter 51. These laws ensure that young workers are employed in safe, non-hazardous conditions that do not interfere with their education or well-being. While Texas law does not set a minimum age for employment, it prohibits children under 14 from working except in specific circumstances, such as family businesses or certain entertainment roles with parental consent.
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, also applies to many Texas employers. Under the FLSA, 14 is the minimum age for most non-agricultural work, with strict limits on hours and types of jobs. For 14- and 15-year-olds, the FLSA stipulates:
- No more than 3 hours of work on a school day and 18 hours in a school week.
- No more than 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week.
- Work must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except from June 1 to Labor Day, when the evening limit extends to 9 p.m.
Texas law aligns with these federal restrictions but does not require a work permit for 14-year-olds, unlike some states. However, employers must comply with both state and federal regulations, whichever is stricter.
Types of Jobs Available for 14-Year-Olds
The FLSA and Texas law restrict 14-year-olds to non-hazardous jobs, primarily in retail, food service, and clerical roles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Youth Rules, permissible occupations for 14- and 15-year-olds include:
- Office and Clerical Work: Filing, answering phones, or operating office machines like copiers (but not heavy machinery).
- Retail and Food Service: Cashiering, selling, price marking, assembling orders, packing, shelving, or serving food (excluding cooking over open flames or using power-driven equipment like slicers).
- Cleanup Work: Using vacuum cleaners, sweeping, or maintaining grounds (but not operating power-driven mowers or cutters).
- Creative Roles: Modeling, art work, or roles in advertising departments.
These restrictions ensure that young teens are not exposed to dangerous equipment or excessive physical demands.
Employers That Hire 14-Year-Olds in Texas
Several businesses across Texas are known to hire 14-year-olds, often for entry-level positions that align with legal restrictions. While hiring practices vary by location and franchise, the following companies have a reputation for employing young teens:
- Grocery Stores
- Kroger: With numerous locations across Texas, Kroger may hire 14-year-olds as baggers or stockers with a work permit, depending on local policies. Check Kroger’s career page for opportunities.
- H-E-B: A Texas favorite, H-E-B sometimes hires 14-year-olds for roles like bagging or cart retrieval, though most positions start at 16. Visit H-E-B Careers for details.
- Fast Food Chains
- McDonald’s: Many Texas McDonald’s locations hire 14-year-olds for tasks like cashiering or dining room cleanup, subject to franchise discretion. Explore openings at McDonald’s Jobs.
- Chick-fil-A: Some locations employ 14-year-olds for front-counter or hospitality roles. Availability varies, so check Chick-fil-A Careers.
- Dairy Queen: With over 600 Texas locations, Dairy Queen often hires 14-year-olds as team members for serving or cleaning duties. See Dairy Queen Jobs.
- Entertainment and Seasonal Work
- State Fair of Texas: This annual event hires thousands of seasonal workers, including 14-year-olds, for roles like coupon sales or guest services. The starting wage in 2023 was $17.82/hour, with applications available at BigTex.com/Jobs.
- Six Flags Over Texas: Located in Arlington, Six Flags hires 14-year-olds for positions like game operators or food service, especially during peak seasons. Apply at Six Flags Jobs.
- Other Opportunities
- Local Businesses: Small retail shops, ice cream parlors (e.g., Baskin-Robbins), or family-owned restaurants may hire 14-year-olds for light duties. Contact businesses directly or search WorkInTexas.com, a TWC job portal.
- Babysitting or Yard Work: While not formal employment, these self-directed jobs are legal and popular among Texas teens.
Benefits and Considerations
Working at 14 offers numerous benefits, including financial independence, work experience, and skill development. However, teens and parents should consider:
- School Balance: Jobs must not interfere with education, a priority under both Texas and federal law.
- Safety: Employers must adhere to restrictions on hazardous tasks, such as operating heavy machinery or working late hours.
- Parental Support: For teens under 16, transportation and parental consent may be key factors.
How to Find a Job
Teens can start their job search by:
- Visiting company websites or local stores to inquire about openings.
- Using WorkInTexas.com, which lists Texas job opportunities.
- Checking community boards, newspapers, or asking family and friends for leads.
- Preparing for interviews with a resume (optional) and dressing professionally.
Conclusion
For 14-year-olds in Texas, job opportunities abound in retail, food service, and seasonal roles, supported by a legal framework that prioritizes safety and education. Whether it’s bagging groceries at H-E-B, serving ice cream at Dairy Queen, or greeting fairgoers at the State Fair of Texas, young teens have plenty of options to kickstart their work journey. Always verify specific hiring policies with employers, as practices can vary, and ensure compliance with Texas Child Labor Laws and the FLSA.
Ready to get started? Explore the links above and take your first step into the workforce today!
What Jobs Hire At 14 In Texas?
You may be able to find work in one of the following occupations:
Customer Service Representative
If you have good listening skills and a friendly personality, you can apply for a job as a customer service representative. This job involves helping customers with issues related to products or services that they have purchased. You may need some computer skills for this job, especially if you will be working in tech support. Also, you should be able to handle difficult customer service situations and know how to defuse angry customers.
Grocery Store Clerk
If you are interested in working in a grocery store, you can apply to be a clerk. In this job, you will help customers find what they are looking for, bag their groceries, and ring them up at the register. You may also need to stock shelves or do some light janitorial work.
Food Service Worker
If you like working with food, you can apply to be a food service worker. This job involves preparing and serving food in a restaurant or other food service setting. You will need to have good customer service skills and be able to work quickly. You may also need to be able to lift heavy trays of food.
Retail Sales Associate
If you like working with people and have an interest in fashion, you can apply to be a retail sales associate. In this job, you will help customers find what they are looking for in a store. You should be able to work well under pressure and be able to handle difficult customer service situations.
Babysitting Jobs
If you love kids and have a lot of experience with younger children, you may be able to find work babysitting. This is a job that many teenagers have, but you should make sure that you are safe and have proper insurance before you start working. Also, be sure to check with your local laws to see what the minimum age is to work as a babysitter in your area.
There are many other jobs that hire at 14 in Texas. These are just a few examples. If you are interested in finding work, you should start by looking online or in your local newspaper. You can also ask businesses if they are hiring. Be sure to dress professionally and be prepared to fill out an application and go through an interview process.
Common Reasons For Working At Early Age In Texas
There are many reasons why someone might want to start working at an early age. Maybe you are trying to earn some extra money for a new car or phone. Or, maybe you are saving up for college. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of jobs that will hire you at 14 years old in Texas.
Some common reasons for working at an early age include:
- Earn extra money
- To save up for something specific, like a car or college
- Gain work experience
- To learn responsibility
- Build confidence
- To get out of the house and meet new people
Benefits Of Working At 14 In Texas
There are many benefits of working at 14 in Texas. For one, you can start to earn your own money. This can be very helpful if you are trying to save up for something specific or if you want to have some spending money. Working can also help you gain work experience and learn responsibility. Additionally, it can build your confidence and help you meet new people.
If you are interested in finding a job, be sure to check the legal requirements in your state and the policies of the business where you want to work. You should also dress professionally and be prepared to fill out an application and go through an interview process. Start by looking online or in your local newspaper for job openings. You can also ask businesses if they are hiring.
Allowed Occupations for 14- and 15-Year Olds
“A child who is age 14 or 15 may be employed in the following occupations in retail, food service, and gasoline service establishments:
- Office and clerical work (including operation of office machines)
- Cashiering, selling, modeling, art work, work in advertising departments, window trimming and comparative shopping
- Price marking and tagging by hand or by machine; assembling orders, packing and shelving
- Bagging and carrying out customers’ orders
- Errand and delivery work by foot, bicycle and public transportation
- Cleanup work, including the use of vacuum cleaners and floor waxers, and maintenance of grounds, but not including the use of power-driven mowers or cutters
- Kitchen work and other work involved in preparing and serving food and beverages, including the operation of machines and devices used in the performance of such work such as, but not limited to, dishwashers, toasters, dumbwaiters, popcorn poppers, milk shake blenders and coffee grinders
- Work in connection with cars and trucks if confined to the following:
- Dispensing gasoline and oil
- Courtesy service on premises of gasoline service station
- Car cleaning, washing and polishing
- Other occupations permitted by this section
- Involving the use of pits, racks or lifting apparatus or involving the inflation of any tire mounted on a rim equipped with a removable retaining ringBut not including work:
- Cleaning vegetables and fruits, and wrapping, sealing, labeling, weighing, pricing and stocking goods when performed in areas physically separate from areas where meat is prepared for sale and outside freezers or meat coolers”
NON ALLOWED Occupations for 14- and 15-Year Olds
“A child who is age 14 or 15 may not be employed in:
- Manufacturing, mining or processing occupations, including occupations requiring the performance of any duties in work rooms or workplaces where goods are manufactured, mined, or otherwise processed
- Occupations which involve the operation or tending of hoisting apparatus or of any power-driven machinery other than office machines
- The operation of motor vehicles or service as helpers on such vehicles
- Public messenger service
- Occupations which the U.S. Secretary of Labor may declare to be hazardous for the employment of minors between 16 and 18 years of age or detrimental to their health or well-being.
- Occupations in connection with:
- Transportation of persons or property by rail, highway, air, water, pipeline or other means
- Warehousing and storage
- Communications and public utilities
- Construction (including demolition and repair)Exception: Office work (including ticket office work) or sales work that does not involve the performance of any duties on trains, motor vehicles, aircraft, vessels, or other media of transportation or at the actual site of construction operations.
- Work performed in or about boiler or engine rooms
- Work in connection with maintenance or repair of the establishment or equipment
- Outside window washing that involves working from windowsills, and all work requiring the use of ladders, scaffolds or their substitutes
- Cooking and baking
- Including the use of electric and gas grilles that entail cooking over an open flame
- Including the use of deep fryers that are not equipped with and utilize devices that automatically lower and raise the baskets into and out of oil or grease
- Including the cleaning of kitchen surfaces and non-power driven kitchen equipment – including the filtering, transporting and dispensing of oil and grease – but only when the temperature of the surfaces, equipment, oil and grease exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Occupations which involve operating, setting up, adjusting, cleaning, oiling or repairing power-driven food slicers and grinders, food choppers, and cutters and bakery-type mixers
- Work in freezers and meat coolers and all work in the preparation of meats for sale
- Loading or unloading goods to and from trucks, railroad cars or conveyors
- All occupations in warehouses except office and clerical work”
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