Jobs for Teens in Chicago (2025 Guide)

Chicago is full of paid opportunities for teens: part-time retail work, full-time creative work, and structured summer programs with real wages. As of mid-2025, many jobs for teens in Chicago advertise pay around $17.00/hour on average. So, you have a real chance to find a job for your needs. 

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Verified, paid jobs and programs open to Chicago teens

• Free resources to help you prepare and apply

• Tips for landing your first role and making a strong impression

What Jobs Can Teens Do in Chicago (By Age)

Illinois has specific rules about where and how long teens can work. Let’s quickly break them down so that you have realistic expectations. 

Ages 13-15

You can’t work just anywhere yet, but there are still great ways to get experience: city-run summer programs, community projects, or park district jobs. Those are great to gain new skills and explore different careers. 

As a bonus, you'll even get a small stipend or hourly pay with most of them, so you’ll earn while learning.

Ages 16-17

After 16, you can land a job in retail, restaurants, or customer service, or join paid tech, creative, or entrepreneurship programs. This is the sweet spot for finding steady part-time work and getting real-world experience you can build on.

Ages 18-24

You have full access to almost everything: full-time jobs, internships, and specialized art or tech programs that pay competitive wages and often include training or mentorship.

Note: If you’re under 16, you’ll need a work permit from the Illinois Department of Labor before starting a paid job.

How We Selected These Jobs for Teens in Chicago

This list is based on verified, recent opportunities available to Chicago teens. In October 2025, we reviewed dozens of paid listings and city programs within 35 miles of Chicago, including both in-person and remote options open to teens with little or no experience.

Sources included:

• Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Snagajob, and Glassdoor

• Official city and state resources like Job Resources for Youth, CHA, and the Chicago Park District

• Employer postings from local retail, food, and service companies

We focused on roles that:

• Are currently hiring or recur seasonally

• Show clear pay information ($15/hour or higher, or a paid stipend)

• Are open to high school or early college students

Best Paid Jobs and Programs for Teens in Chicago

These are real, verified, and paid roles or programs for Chicago-area teens.

Retail, Food & Customer Service Jobs

Team Member / Cashier

You take orders, handle payments, prep food or drinks, and help customers quickly. It’s a fast-paced job that teaches teamwork, communication, and time management. Most teens start here because it’s flexible and requires no experience.

• Pay: $15–$18/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time; some full-time roles open during the summer

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly, training included

• Places Hiring: Panera Bread, Sbarro, Chipotle, McDonald’s, Shake Shack

Retail Associate / Sales Assistant

You restock shelves, help customers, and manage fitting rooms or displays. It’s great for you if you enjoy interacting with people.

• Pay: $15–$21/hr

• Hiring Type: Mostly part-time, with seasonal full-time openings

• Experience Level: Entry-level

• Places Hiring: Uniqlo, Macy’s, Target, Old Navy, Tecovas

Dining Room Server / Food Runner

You will serve meals, clear tables, and keep the dining area organized. It’s slower-paced than fast food but still teaches customer service and teamwork.

• Pay: $15–$17/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time; evening and weekend shifts are common

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly

• Places Hiring: Plymouth Place Senior Living, Lou Malnati’s, Olive Garden, local cafés

Customer Service Representative

This one's a good fit if you like organized tasks and clear communication more than physical work, since you will answer phones, respond to messages, or help customers in person.

• Pay: $17–$20/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time or full-time

• Experience Level: Entry-level to mid-level, depending on the company

• Places Hiring: Jet Brite, Two Men and a Truck, UPS Store, local call centers

Babysitter / Childcare Assistant

Your main tasks are to supervise kids, plan small activities, and keep them safe. It’s flexible, pays well, and builds responsibility; a strong fit for patient, reliable teens.

• Pay: $20–$24/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time or full-time, flexible scheduling

• Experience Level: Some experience preferred, but not required

• Places Hiring: Jovie of Chicago, UrbanSitter, Care.com families, and local daycare centers

Tech, Entrepreneurship & Skill-Building Jobs

Chicago doesn’t have tons of full-time tech openings for teens, but there are two main ways to get started: entry-level tech support/instructor jobs and coding internships that accept students or beginners. These roles pay well, teach real skills, and look great on college or job applications.

We’ve highlighted two examples currently hiring in Chicago. Openings change fast, so turn on job alerts on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter to catch new listings early.

Technology Instructor / Lab Assistant

Computer lab supervision, software or basic troubleshooting, and sometimes assistance during workshops: this is your main role. It’s a stable start if you enjoy explaining tech or want teaching experience.

• Pay: $17.50/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly

• Places Hiring: Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (Little Village), local youth centers

Coding / Programming Intern

Your workday will revolve around writing and testing code, working with software teams, and learning how real tech projects run. Some companies even offer hybrid or remote options during the school year.

• Pay: $22/hr+

• Hiring Type: Part-time or full-time summer internships

• Experience Level: Some coding familiarity helps, but many accept beginners

• Places Hiring: CBOE Global Markets, local startups, and university-linked labs

Creative & Arts-Based Jobs (14–24)

Creative jobs for teens in Chicago are rare, but not impossible to find. Some studios and nonprofits hire for photography or art projects, and later in this guide, we’ll show city programs that pay for creative work too.

Art@Work: Paid Summer Creative Internship (Marwen)

You’ll be placed at a site around Chicago working on creative projects; this could include event planning, museum operations, or social media work with an arts focus.

• Pay: Paid (noted) for teen creatives in 2025

• Hiring Type: Seasonal summer internship

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly (ages 16–18)

• Places Hiring / Example Employer: Marwen / Art@Work sites across Chicago

Photography Assistant

You help shooters with lighting, equipment setup, and small retouching, a way to step into photo work. Some Chicago listings offer this role with part-time hours and training.

• Pay: ~$16.50/hr

• Hiring Type: Part-time/flexible

• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly

• Places Hiring: Local studios around the Loop and Lakeview area

City & Community Summer Jobs (Ages 13–24)

Jobs for teens in Chicago make it pretty easy to find short-term paid work if you know where to look.

Every summer, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) and One Summer Chicago offer dozens of programs where teens and young adults earn around $16.60/hour while learning real job skills.

These roles run for 6-8 weeks between June and August, averaging 20 hours a week. They’re open to CHA residents ages 13-24, and applications usually open in March through April on OneSummerChicago.org.

Applications for 2025 are closed, but the next round starts in spring 2026. Add a reminder now, since spots disappear fast.

Why It’s Worth Checking Out

You get paid. You get experience. And you get to test out what kind of work interests you: coding, filmmaking, running summer camps, or designing a mural.

Everything’s part of one system, so you only need to apply once through One Summer Chicago to access multiple program options.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Program	Ages	What You’ll Do
Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)	15-24	Paid roles at city offices, nonprofits, or parks: tasks like event setup, admin help, or community projects.
Learn & Earn: Career Connections	13-15	Try out arts, culinary, tech, or music through short, hands-on projects.
Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)	High school	Create and pitch a small business idea with guidance from entrepreneurs.
Day Camp Counselor-in-Training (CIT)	15	Help run park camps: lead games, assist counselors, keep things safe and fun.
Teen League CIT (Basketball)	15	Support local basketball leagues with coaching, scorekeeping, and logistics.
Hyde Park Art Center Mural Project	18–24	Work with a Chicago artist to design and paint a public mural.
Become a Filmmaker	15–24 (female-identifying)	Learn the whole process of filmmaking and create your own short film.
Movie & TV Scripts 101	15–24	Learn screenwriting from DePaul mentors and finish your own script.
Next Level Photography	15–24	Learn professional photography and build a small portfolio.
PeacePlayers Chicago	13–15	Combine basketball, leadership, and community projects.
Summer of Code	16–24	Learn iOS app development in Swift; beginner-friendly.

You’ll definitely find something that fits you. 

Career Readiness & Job-Finding Resources (Non-Paid)

If you still don’t think you found what you needed, these organizations help teens prepare, apply, or connect with employers, but don’t directly pay.

Resource	What It Offers	Age Range
After School Matters	Career prep & apprenticeships in arts, tech, sports	14-18
Alternatives, Inc.	Job readiness & youth career training	14-21
AmeriCorps	Service programs + education stipends	17-24
University of Illinois Project SOAR	Youth literacy coaching & training	14-18
Chicago Youth Centers / YSP	Job placement & mentorship programs	14-24
Chicago Summer Business Institute	Pre-professional internships (finance, law, architecture)	16-19

Quick Tips for Landing and Keeping a Job

A few simple things can make a big difference when you’re applying for your first job:

• Apply early. City and summer programs usually open in March or April, and spots fill fast.

• Keep your resume short. One page is plenty: list your school, any activities, and one or two things that show responsibility.

• Show up on time. Reliability matters more than experience.

• Ask questions upfront. Know your pay rate, schedule, and breaks before your first day.

• Balance school and work. Employers notice students who manage both; it shows maturity and commitment.

Your Headshot: Clear, Current, Confident

When you start applying for jobs, people will look you up on LinkedIn, email, or even a résumé header. A clean, confident photo helps you look like someone ready to be hired.

If You’re Doing It Yourself

Find a bright window, stand facing it, and frame from mid-chest up with your eyes one-third from the top. Wear solid colors or subtle patterns, relax your shoulders, keep a small smile, and use a neutral background. You don’t need fancy gear; just good light and a calm, natural look.

If You Want an Easier Option: Try Studio Pod

If interviews are coming up or your CV and LinkedIn photo need an update, Studio Pod gives you studio-quality photos in minutes.

You book a slot, step into a private self-serve booth with pro lighting and camera setup, follow simple on-screen posing tips, and walk out with 15+ high-quality photos sent straight to your phone or email.

• Price: $50 for a 15-minute session (light retouching included; optional advanced edits +$10)

• Location: 4311 N Ravenswood Ave, near the CTA Brown Line (Montrose)

• Why it helps: consistent, professional headshots reduce camera nerves and work perfectly for LinkedIn, résumés, and Slack profiles.

Pro tip: Bring one light and one dark top, fix flyaways, and test a few expressions: approachable, focused, big-smile. One great photo can upgrade every professional touchpoint you have.

Final Thoughts

No job’s too small to matter. Bagging groceries, helping at a summer camp, or doing something else, you’re learning how to show up, handle pressure, and deal with people. Those skills stick with you, and they’re what’ll help you land the bigger stuff later on. 

Prepare well for your job applications and you'll succeed. And if you need a good photo fast and in a nice environment, don't forget about Studio Pod.