Where have weekend jobs for teenagers gone?

BBC News
March 28, 2026
3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Minimum wage increases and labor market shifts are reducing job availability for teenage workers.

How This Affects You

Teenagers seeking first jobs face fewer entry-level positions as employers reduce hiring in response to higher wage requirements.

AI Summary

Teenage weekend jobs are disappearing from the labor market as youth unemployment rises and minimum wage increases price younger workers out of positions traditionally available to them. Employers facing higher wage floors are increasingly hiring more experienced workers or reducing part-time positions altogether, shrinking opportunities for teens seeking first jobs or pocket money. The trend reflects a broader labor market shift where businesses must manage tighter margins and compete for workers across age groups. Economists note this threatens to disrupt the traditional pathway where teenagers gain work experience and develop job skills before entering the full-time workforce. The squeeze comes as many states and localities have raised minimum wages in recent years, reshaping entry-level hiring patterns.

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