Teens Grapple With a Slim Summer Job Market
Teens nationwide are finding summer jobs harder to come by as hiring slows and competition from more experienced workers grows. About one-third of 16- to 19-year-olds were employed last summer, well below the 60% peak in the late 1970s, and Challenger, Gray & Christmas cites a 25% year-over-year drop in teen job acquisitions. Inflation and cautious employers have reduced entry-level roles, Pew data notes demographic gaps, and teens have vented about phantom postings online, though some still land work (e.g., a Sonic job after many applications). Analysts warn this summer could be the weakest for teen hiring since records began in 1948.
