Teen jobs in the UK
Part-time, weekend and after-school jobs you can actually get at 16 or 17 — no experience needed. Plus a free CV builder and interview tips designed for first-jobbers.
Popular jobs for 16 & 17 year olds
Retail & supermarket
£7.55–£11/hr
Shop floor, stock, checkout. Steady hours, weekend shifts, training included.
Hospitality
£8–£12/hr + tips
Barista, waiter, kitchen porter. Great for confidence and people skills.
Café & fast food
£7.55–£10/hr
Counter, prep, customer service. Often flexible around school hours.
Online & content
Varies, project-based
Social media help for local businesses, tutoring younger pupils, freelance design.
Care, sport & leisure
£8–£11/hr
Leisure centre, lifeguarding (16+ with qualification), coaching, holiday camps.
Apprenticeship (paid)
£15k–£22k+/yr
A proper job + qualification. Apply from 16. See our apprenticeships hub.
Your rights at work (UK)
- • Minimum wage at 16–17: £7.55/hour (from April 2025).
- • Max 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day if not in full-time education.
- • 30-minute break for any shift over 4.5 hours.
- • Two days off a week. Term-time work limited to evenings and weekends.
- • You must get a payslip, and your employer must pay tax and NI on your behalf.
FAQs
- What jobs can you get at 16 in the UK?
- At 16 in the UK you can work in retail (shop assistant, stock), hospitality (waiter, kitchen porter, barista), cinemas, leisure centres, supermarkets, tutoring, dog walking, babysitting, content/social media, and most warehouse roles. You can't serve alcohol unsupervised, work on a building site, or work full-time in licensed gambling venues.
- How many hours can a 16 or 17 year old work?
- If you're 16–17 and not in full-time education, you can work up to 40 hours a week, max 8 hours a day. If you're still in full-time education (school or college), you can work weekends and holidays but most term-time work is limited to evenings/weekends. You're entitled to a 30-minute break for shifts over 4.5 hours.
- What is the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds in the UK?
- From April 2025, the National Minimum Wage for 16–17 year olds is £7.55 per hour. Apprentices under 19 earn at least £7.55. Many employers pay above the minimum — supermarkets, hospitality chains and large retailers often pay £8–£11.
- How do I get a part-time job with no experience?
- Most teen jobs don't expect experience. Focus on: a one-page CV that lists school, hobbies and any volunteering; a short cover line saying when you can work; applying in person to local shops and cafés; and asking family/neighbours if anyone needs help. Shine has a free CV builder and template designed for first jobs.
- What are the best weekend jobs for students?
- Top-rated by 16–17 year olds: supermarket assistant (steady hours, predictable), barista (great people skills for CV), cinema usher (free films), tutoring younger pupils (£10–£20/hour), and dog walking (flexible, outdoor). Hospitality pays well but shifts can be late.
- Do I need a National Insurance number to work?
- Yes — your employer needs your NI number to set up payroll. You'll get one automatically just before your 16th birthday. If you've lost yours, request it from HMRC or check old payslips, your P60, or your personal tax account.
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