Home » Career Resources » Jobs For Teens » Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? (Full Guide)

Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? (Full Guide)

can you work at mcdonald's at 14

Are you a teenager looking to start earning yourself some extra pocket money? Not enough chores around the house or neighborhood to keep up with your love of going to the cinema? Or do you want to buy the latest gadget you’ve had your eye on?

Well, it might just be time to think about getting yourself a proper part-time job. Not very many places hire youngsters, but it’s well known that fast food restaurants are always a good place to start. 

So, Can you work at McDonald’s at 14? Let’s find out!

Does McDonald’s Hire 14-Year-Olds?

Does McDonald’s Hire 14-Year-Olds?

Yes! You’ll be pleased to know that some McDonald’s restaurants do, in fact, hire 14-year-olds. You’ll need to check with each individual restaurant as 85% of them are franchised. Therefore it’s up to the franchisee if they choose to employ minors or not. You’ll also need written consent from your parents to get started, and in some states, you’ll need a work permit as well.

Does my State allow me to work At 14?

Yes, I’ve done some research, and as of 10th January 2021, according to the folks at Paycor. 14-year-olds are now able to gain employment in every state in the US. 

What type of job can a 14 Year Old get at McDonald’s?

As 14 year old, you are very limited in the roles you can do when entering the workforce. McDonald’s offers just one entry-level position, which is a ‘Crew Member.’

What Is The Role Of A Crew Member?

What Is The Role Of A Crew Member?

A Crew Member is a super important position at Maccas!

The primary responsibilities include:

  • Hygiene and cleanliness.
  • Customer service.
  • Food preparation.

The role will see you working to maintain McDonald’s strict standards of cleanliness and hygiene. Customer service is of the utmost importance, and making sure each guest has a wonderful experience each time they visit. 

Then in time, as you work hard and prove your abilities. You’ll be jumping in and helping where you can with food prep and even counter and drive-thru service. As a 14 yr old, you won’t be able to do a job that can potentially put you in danger, so no cooking on the grills.

However, you will learn how and be expected to:

  • Greet each customer that comes into the restaurant and remain friendly and helpful while out on the floor.
  • Help diners with any questions or queries they might have about the location of things or about food items on the menu.
  • Maintain the bathroom to an impeccably high standard which includes sweeping and mopping floors, sanitizing sinks and toilets in the bathroom, replacing toilet tissue, sanitizer, hand towel, emptying bins, etc.
  • Maintain the dining area to an impeccably high standard which includes sweeping and mopping the floors, sanitizing and clearing away tables after each customer leaves, emptying the bins, etc.
  • Replacing depleted items through the store, including ketchup, straws, napkins, in front of house, and whatever has been requested in the kitchens.
  • Preparing food items, drinks, and orders for customers.
  • Any other tasks asked of you by your shift lead or supervisor.

How Many Hours Can I Work As A 14-Year-Old Student?

Check out the chart below for each state, with the maximum number of hours you can work each week. Both during school time, non-school days, and vacations.

STATE HOURS WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION NON-SCHOOL DAYS/

VACATIONS

Alabama Max 18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week.
Alaska Max 23 hrs per week.  
Arizona Max 18 hrs per week.  
Arkansas Max 18 hrs per week.  
California Max 18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week.
Connecticut Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week.
Delaware Max 18 hrs per week.  
Florida Max 3 hrs a day, unless enrolled in a vocational program Max 40 hrs per week during non-school day/week.
Georgia Max 4 hrs a day. Max 40 hrs per week on non-school day/week.
Hawaii Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Idado Max 9 hrs a day/54 hrs per week.  
Illinois Max 8 hrs a day/24 hrs per week.  
Iowa Max 4 hrs a day/28 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week.
Kentucky Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day on non-school days.
Louisiana Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Maine Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Massachusetts Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day Sat, Sun, holidays/6 days per week.
Michigan Can work a combined total of 48 hrs per week – work and school  
Minnesota Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week  
Mississippi Max 8 hrs a day/44 hrs per week in a factory, cannery, mill, or workshop.  
Missouri Max 3 hrs per day on school days.  
Montana Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Nebraska Max 8 hrs a day/48 hrs per week.  
Nevada Max 8 hrs a day/48 hrs per week.  
New Hampshire Max 3 hrs a day/23 hrs per week, if enrolled in school. Max 8 hrs a day/48 hrs per week if enrolled in school.
New Jersey Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
New York Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
New Mexico Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
North Carolina Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
North Dakota Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Ohio Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Oklahoma Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs per non-school day.
Oregon Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs per non-school day.
Pennsylvania Max 4 hrs day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs a day per non-school day.
Rhode Island Max 8 hrs a day/40 hrs per week.  
South Carolina Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week. Max 8 hrs per non-school day.
South Dakota Max 4 hrs a day/20 hrs a week.  
Tennessee Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Texas Max 8 hrs a day/48 hrs per week.  
Utah Max 4 hrs per school day.  
Vermont Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Virginia Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Washington Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Wisconsin Max 3 hrs a day/18 hrs per week.  
Wyoming No restrictions  
D.C Max 8 hrs a day/48 hrs a week.  

Further Regulations To Note

You’ll also need to check out the other regulations and rules that apply to 14-year-olds being employed. As with most things, they vary by state, so it’s important to verify these things for yourself. It mainly rules around scheduling and hours. 

For example. It is illegal for 14 year olds to work from 7:00 pm – 7:00 am on school days in California. However, the rules change to 9:00 pm – 7:00 am from June 1st until Labor Day. Whereas in Texas, it is illegal to work during the hours of 10:00 pm – 5:00 am. And then midnight before a non-school day or in the summer if not enrolled in summer school.

 So it’s pretty fair to say different rules and regulations are out there for teens in the workforce.

How much will I make as a 14-Year-Old?

Depending on where you are located. As a 14-year-old, you can expect to make around $9 – $11 per hour. It varies between states and whether your store is located in a busy city or a more rural location.

Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? – Perks Of The Job

Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? - Perks Of The Job

Yes! You will be entitled to many benefits as a McDonald’s employee, as long as you meet their requirements. 

These include:

  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Free and Discounted Meals
  • Employee Rewards
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Paid Vacation Time
  • World Class Training

Plus, there is a fantastic scheme run by McDonald’s. Upon meeting the right criteria, you could get your tuition 100% free for an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree at Colorado University! How cool is that?

Age Limits At Other Restaurants!

So, you’re job hunting for the first time? Great news! Let’s find out How Old Do You Have To Be To Work at KFCHow Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Sonic Drive, as well as How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Chick Fil AHow Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Applebees, and How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Taco Bell in 2023.

If your heart is set on Mcdonald’s, take a look at our comprehensive McDonalds Mission And Vision Statement Analysis, for further insight into the franchise, along with our additional guides on How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at McDonalds and Do McDonalds Pay Weekly, to find out more before applying.

Now that we’ve got all the info, check out our in-depth guide to the McDonalds Application and the most commonly asked McDonalds Interview Questions, and if you’ve run into some trouble in the past, please first check Does McDonalds Drug Test, or perhaps Does McDonalds Run Background Checks before moving forward.

Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? – Final Thoughts

You can indeed work at a McDonald’s restaurant as a 14-year-old. You will be limited in what roles you can perform; however, a crew member is a fantastic starting role. It will help you learn the ins and outs of the restaurant and will leave the door wide open for promotions over time. It will also look great on your resume.

You can only work a limited amount of hours during school days, and you can refer to the table I’ve included for more information. Parental permission is needed, and, in some states, a work permit. You can find out more information at the US Department of Labor website.

Great way to make friends!

And finally, you can expect to earn an average of $10 per hour as a 14-year-old. McDonald’s is a fantastic first company to work for. You will learn many things on the job, work with a great bunch of co-workers and enjoy many of the perks they offer to their valued employees.

All the very best in your first job at MacDonald’s!

5/5 - (40 votes)
Share:

1 thought on “Can You Work At McDonald’s At 14? (Full Guide)”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top