Teen summer employment in the United States shows a slight increase for the 2026 season. New analysis indicates that 35.5% of teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 held a paying job during June and July. This figure is a modest rise from the 33.8% recorded during the same period in 2025.
Despite this uptick, employment levels remain far below historical benchmarks. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a long-term downward trend over the past several decades. At the height of teen employment in 1978, 58% of American teens were working summer jobs. By contrast, the lowest points occurred in 2010 and 2011, when the rate dipped to 29.6%.
Economic sectors such as accommodation, food services, and retail continue to be the primary employers for this demographic. Approximately 32% of working teens find roles in hotels, restaurants, and similar establishments, while 21% work in retail trade. Transportation and material moving roles also saw a notable increase this year, employing over 700,000 teens.
Demographic differences persist within the labor market. White teens remain more likely to be employed during the summer than their Hispanic, Black, or Asian counterparts. Furthermore, older teens are significantly more active in the workforce, with 48% of 18- and 19-year-olds holding jobs compared to just 24% of 16- and 17-year-olds.
Several factors contribute to the decades-long decline in youth employment. Academic schedules have shifted, with many schools starting earlier in the year or extending into June. Additionally, a greater emphasis on volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and unpaid internships limits the time available for traditional summer employment. While the recent increase in hiring provides a temporary boost, the structural changes in how teens spend their summer months suggest that the landscape of youth work will not return to the high participation rates of the mid-20th century.