Summer Jobs for Teens Expected to Decline in 2026: Where to Find Work

School is ending for teenagers nationwide, and those seeking summer employment will face a difficult hunt. Last summer, teen hiring dropped to its lowest level in nearly 80 years of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and forecasters predict this summer could be even worse.

A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report forecasts American teens will secure 790,000 jobs across May, June, and July, down from 801,000 last summer.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 5.193 million workers ages 16 to 19 were employed last month, compared to 5.487 million in April last year.

Why Teen Hiring Is Expected to Fall

Teens face the same tight hiring environment as adult job seekers. Although U.S. employers added over 100,000 jobs in recent months, hiring concentrates in select sectors like health care and social assistance—industries that rarely hire high schoolers.

Key factors driving low teen hiring:

Rising oil prices increasing business costs
Self-checkout and automation replacing cashier and customer service positions
Competition from older workers seeking similar jobs
Smaller teen labor force participation rate

The participation rate was near 50 percent in the 1970s and 1980s but is now 33.8 percent as teens pursue sports, academic programs, and other summer opportunities instead. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college graduates seeking full-time jobs are returning to the part-time market, increasing competition for teens.

How Economic Trends Impact Teen Hiring

High gas prices affect teens landing jobs at local retailers and grocers. Businesses need truck deliveries for food and products.

As fuel prices rise, businesses cover higher delivery costs by cutting areas with flexibility—often younger workers.

When people spend more on gas, they may reduce spending at local restaurants and shops. Businesses then hesitate hiring at the same capacity.

Everything in the economy connects, and rising input costs force businesses to reconsider hiring decisions.

Where Teens Can Still Find Jobs

Hiring trends vary by region, and teens may find more opportunities in tighter labor markets. Nationally, several bright spots exist:

High-Demand Roles for Teens:

Lifeguards (years-long national shortage driving increased demand)
Shelf stockers (growing need this year)
Camp counselors (expanding opportunities)
Restaurant hosts and servers (retail and hospitality still have openings)

Retail and hospitality opportunities exist but are more targeted. Teens may not get summer assistant manager training roles, but host positions remain available.

Government Resources for Teen Job Seekers

Federal Programs:

CareerOneStop - U.S. Department of Labor's job search tool
Youth.gov - Federal youth employment resources and programs
USAJobs - Federal internships and summer positions
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment data and trends for teens

State Resources:

State Labor Departments - Local job boards and summer programs
Workforce Development Boards - Apprenticeships and training

Tips for Landing a Summer Job

The Challenger report advises teens to:

Start looking now since June is the most popular teen hiring month
Tap friends and family for job opportunities
Keep online presence clean for employer review
Polish resumes to highlight skills

Teen job seekers should highlight any work experience. Babysitting gigs, neighborhood garage sales, or anything showing organization and communication skills demonstrate what employers seek.

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