Summer 2026 Job Hunt for Teens: Expect Fewer Openings, But Here's Where to Look

• Author: Leo Olson
• Posted: 2026-06-11

School days are ending and summer is starting for teens across the U.S., but landing a summer job this year will be harder than usual. Teen hiring plummeted to an 80-year low last summer according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, and experts say this summer could be even tougher.

A Challenger, Gray & Christmas report predicts teens will fill just 790,000 jobs from May through July—801,000 last year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 5.193 million teens ages 16 to 19 held jobs last month, down from 5.487 million in April 2025.

 

Why Fewer Teens Will Get Summer Jobs This Year

Young workers face the same slim hiring market adults face. Employers added over 100,000 jobs recently, but most went to health care and social assistance sectors—fields that rarely hire high schoolers.

Top Reasons Teen Hiring Is Down:

• Fuel prices rising, making business costs heavier

• Self-checkout machines and automation replacing cashier roles

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

• Teens working less, joining sports or summer programs instead

Teen labor force participation dropped 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 harder.

 

How the Economy Is Squeezing Teen Job Openings

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

Higher gas spending also means families spend less eating out or shopping. Stores see fewer customers and hold off on hiring. Every part of the economy links together, and rising costs force employers to slow hiring.

 

Best Summer Jobs for Teens in 2026

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

Jobs That Still Hire Teens:

• Lifeguards – shortage keeps demand high nationwide

• Shelf stockers – need growing this summer

• Camp counselors – programs expanding across states

• 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 Job Tools for Teens

Federal Resources:

• CareerOneStop – U.S. Department of Labor's job search engine

• Youth.gov – Federal youth work programs and resources

• USAJobs – Federal summer internships and jobs

• Bureau of Labor Statistics – Latest teen employment data and trends

State Resources:

• State Labor Departments – Local job boards and summer programs

• Workforce Development Boards – Apprenticeships and training grants

 

How to Get Hired This Summer

The Challenger, Gray & Christmas report says teens should:

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

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

• Clean up social media – Employers check online profiles before hiring

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

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

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