Weekend jobs for 16 year olds
The roles that actually hire under-18s for Saturdays and Sundays, what they pay, how many hours you're allowed to work — and the five steps that get you hired with zero experience.
What weekend jobs can you get at 16?
At 16 you can work weekends in supermarkets, cafés, fast food, cinemas, leisure centres and as a tutor or sports referee, earning at least £8.00 an hour (April 2026 rate). During term time you can work up to 12 hours a week, rising to 35 in the holidays. Most roles need no experience — Shine lists live weekend vacancies open to under-18s near you.
Last reviewed by the Shine careers team.
The weekend jobs most likely to hire at 16
Supermarket assistant
£8.00–£11/hr
The single biggest employer of 16 year olds at weekends. Checkout, shelf stacking, trolley shifts. Predictable rotas.
Hospitality & fast food
£8.00–£12/hr + tips
McDonald's, KFC, Nando's and local restaurants recruit under-18s heavily for weekend shifts. Free food is common.
Café & coffee shop
£8.00–£10/hr
Barista and counter roles. Great people skills for your CV, and independent cafés often hire by walk-in.
Cinema & leisure
£8.00–£10/hr
Usher, ticket desk, leisure centre assistant. Perks like free films; busy weekend trade means more shifts.
Sport & refereeing
£15–£25/match
Referee youth football (FA course from 14+), lifeguard at 16+ with NPLQ, or coach younger age groups.
Flexible & self-employed
£10–£20/hr
Tutoring younger pupils, dog walking, babysitting for neighbours. You set your own rates and hours.
How many hours can you actually work?
- • Term time: max 12 hours/week total — 2 hours max on school days and Sundays, 8 hours on Saturdays.
- • School holidays: up to 35 hours/week.
- • Not in full-time education at 16–17: up to 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day.
- • Breaks: 30 minutes for any shift over 4.5 hours, plus two days off a week.
- • Pay: minimum £8.00/hour for 16–17 year olds (April 2026 rate). Many weekend employers pay more.
How to get hired, step by step
- 1
Decide your availability
Write down exactly which weekend hours you can commit to — employers hire 16 year olds for reliability above everything else.
- 2
Make a one-page CV
List your school, subjects, hobbies, any volunteering and two references (a teacher works). Shine's free CV builder has a first-job template.
- 3
Apply in person and online
Big chains recruit online; independent cafés and shops respond best to walking in with a CV and asking for the manager. Do both.
- 4
Follow up after three days
A polite call or visit asking if your application was received doubles your callback rate — almost nobody at 16 does it.
- 5
Sort NI number and bank account
Your National Insurance number arrives before your 16th birthday. Open a bank account if you don't have one so payroll can pay you.
FAQs
- How many hours can a 16 year old work at the weekend?
- During term time, 16 year olds still in education can work up to 12 hours a week in total, with a maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays, and up to 8 hours on Saturdays. In school holidays the limit rises to 35 hours a week. Local council bylaws can add further limits, so check with your council.
- What weekend jobs pay the most at 16?
- Tutoring younger pupils pays the most (£10–£20/hour, self-set). Among employed roles, hospitality chains and larger supermarkets often pay £8–£11/hour — above the £8.00 minimum for 16–17 year olds. Refereeing youth sport pays £15–£25 per match once qualified.
- Can I get a weekend job with no experience?
- Yes — almost all weekend jobs for 16 year olds assume no experience. Supermarkets, fast food, cafés and cinemas train you from scratch. What gets you hired is reliability: say exactly which days you can work, apply in person where possible, and follow up a few days later.
- Do I need my parents' permission to work at 16?
- No formal parental consent is required in the UK once you're of compulsory school leaving age, but some employers ask for it anyway. You do need a National Insurance number (sent automatically before your 16th birthday) and a bank account for your wages.
- Where should I look for weekend jobs near me?
- Start with the big recruiters of under-18s: supermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl), fast food (McDonald's, KFC), high-street chains (Primark, Boots, JD Sports), cinemas and leisure centres. Shine lists live vacancies open to under-18s near you, filtered by travel time.
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