Teen Summer Job Market Hits Lowest Point Since 1948 as Employment Opportunities Shrink

American teenagers face an increasingly difficult summer job market, with employment rates reaching historic lows. According to federal data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately one-third of 16- to 19-year-olds held jobs last summer, a stark decline from roughly 60% in the late 1970s. The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas found that teen job placements fell 25% last summer compared to the previous year, with forecasts suggesting this summer could see the lowest hiring total for teenagers since the federal government began tracking such data in 1948.

Teens across the country report frustration with their job searches despite being well-qualified candidates. Jaelyn Chester, a 17-year-old A+ student and high school basketball star from Lake Mary, Florida, has submitted dozens of applications for entry-level positions in food service, retail, and other traditional teen employment sectors. Max Stephenson, a 19-year-old from Little Rock, Arkansas, estimates she has applied for between 50 and 100 jobs without success. Both teens emphasize that their inability to secure work stems from limited availability rather than lack of effort or qualifications.

Experts attribute the decline to structural economic changes in the labor market. Nicole Bachaud, an economist at ZipRecruiter, characterizes teens as among the labor market's "most marginalized groups," noting that entry-level positions have dried up as companies streamline operations. Jaune Little, director of recruiting services at Insperity, explains that many entry-level roles that previously existed have been eliminated entirely, while remaining positions are on leaner teams with less capacity to train new workers. Companies increasingly prioritize experienced candidates even when they are overqualified for the roles.

Inflation, rising oil prices, and cautious hiring practices among employers are expected to further tighten the teen job market this year. Data from the Pew Research Center reveals that summer teen employment declined significantly during the early 2000s dot-com bubble and dropped even further during and after the 2007-2009 Great Recession. The data also shows racial disparities, with white teens more likely to secure summer employment than teens from other racial groups. Without access to summer jobs, many teenagers worry about affording basic expenses like gas, entertainment, and college visits.