Teen Summer Jobs Plunge to Record Low

Key Points:

• Teen summer employment is declining to historic lows, with the smallest increase in working 16- to 19-year-olds between April and July 2025 since records began in 1948, due to fewer businesses hiring seasonal workers and higher demands for experience and skills.
• Only about one-third of teens were working or job-hunting in April 2025, with fewer than 30% actually employed, as automation and app-based ordering reduce traditional starter roles and employers expect advanced soft skills from teens.
• Many teens face challenges in the job application process, including weeks of unanswered applications and difficulties demonstrating professionalism and communication, leading some parents to intervene excessively, which can deter employers.
• The entertainment and leisure sector, a key employer for teens, is expected to hire 70% fewer workers this year, though lifeguard positions are an exception, with job ads increasing by 78% compared to last year.
• Career experts advise teens to build skills and résumés through volunteering, internships, or small local jobs, emphasizing the importance of persistence and active engagement in the job search process.