Teens Face Tougher Summer Job Market in 2026: Best Places to Look for Work

Summer is arriving and school is ending for teens across the nation, but finding a summer job this year will be harder than before. Last summer saw teen hiring drop to an 80-year low, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and experts expect this summer to be even worse.

A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report forecasts teens will land 790,000 jobs between May and July, down from 801,000 last year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5.193 million teens ages 16 to 19 had jobs last month, compared to 5.487 million in April 2025.

Why Teen Summer Hiring Is Shrinking

Young workers face the same slim job market adults face. While employers added over 100,000 jobs recently, most went to health care and social assistance jobs—industries that rarely hire high schoolers.

Main Causes of Lower Teen Hiring:

• Rising fuel costs burdening business budgets

• Self-checkout kiosks and automation replacing cashier jobs

• Older workers and college grads competing for part-time roles

• Teens working less, joining sports or summer programs instead

Teen labor force participation fell from 50 percent in the 1970s-80s to 33.8 percent today. College grads chasing full-time jobs are flooding part-time markets, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, making teen job hunting tougher.

How Rising Costs Are Cutting Teen Job Openings

High gas prices mean grocers and retailers pay more for deliveries. When fuel costs climb, businesses cut flexible roles first—often young, entry-level workers.

Higher gas spending also means families spend less on dining out or shopping. Stores see fewer customers and hesitate to hire. All parts of the economy link together, and rising costs force employers to slow hiring.

Top Summer Jobs Still Available for Teens in 2026

Job markets vary by area, but tight labor regions offer better chances. Some areas nationwide still seek young workers:

Jobs That Still Hire Teens:

• Lifeguards – shortage keeps demand high across the U.S.

• Shelf stockers – need growing this summer

• Camp counselors – programs expanding nationwide

• Restaurant hosts and servers – retail and hospitality still hiring

Retail and hospitality jobs exist but are more selective now. Assistant manager training roles may be closed, but host positions are still open.

Free Government Tools to Help Teens Find Jobs

Federal Resources:

• CareerOneStop – U.S. Department of Labor job search tool

• Youth.gov – Federal youth work programs

• USAJobs – Federal summer internships and jobs

• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Teen employment trends and data

State Resources:

• State Labor Departments – Local job boards and summer programs

• Workforce Development Boards – Apprenticeships and training

Quick Tips to Get Hired This Summer

The Challenger, Gray & Christmas report recommends teens:

• Apply now – June is the busiest month for teen hiring

• Ask friends and family – Hidden jobs often come through networks

• Clean up social media – Employers check online profiles

• Update your resume – List babysitting, garage sales, or volunteer work

Show organization and communication skills. Any experience counts as employers want those traits.

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