Sixteen is the big step. Once you are past the school leaving date, most of the child employment rules fall away, employers must pay you at least the minimum wage, and the shops, supermarkets and cafés that turned you down at 14 start hiring. Here is what changes and how to make the most of it.
The school leaving date matters more than your birthday
Turning 16 on its own does not change much. What matters is passing the school leaving date, which in England is the last Friday in June of the school year in which you turn 16, usually the end of Year 11. Until then you are still covered by the school-age rules, so the same hour limits apply. After it, young worker rules apply instead. In England you must also stay in some form of education or training until 18, which can be part-time alongside a job.
What changes after the school leaving date
- Minimum wage. Employers must pay you at least £8.00 an hour from April 2026. See minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds.
- Hours. You can usually work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.
- Rest. You must have 12 hours off between working days, 2 days off a week and a 30-minute break if you work more than 4.5 hours.
- No permit. Employers no longer need a child employment permit.
- Payroll. Employers may put you through PAYE, and you pay National Insurance if you earn above the threshold.
Jobs for 16 year olds
- Supermarket assistant, shelf stacking and checkouts
- Retail assistant in high street shops
- Café, coffee shop and restaurant front of house
- Cinema, leisure centre and attraction staff
- Kitchen porter and food prep in many places
- Sports coaching assistant and lifeguarding with the right qualification
- Tutoring younger students
- Apprenticeships, if you want to earn while training
Keep your local jobs going
Your car washing, gardening, dog walking and tech help customers do not disappear at 16, and they usually pay better per hour than an entry-level job. Plenty of 16 year olds keep a part-time job for steady hours and their own local jobs for extra money.
How to get your first proper job
- Write a short CV. One page with your contact details, school, any work you have done, reliability examples and two references.
- Use your local work. Regular car washing or dog walking customers show you turn up on time and can be trusted, which is what entry-level employers want most.
- Apply early for summer and Christmas. Seasonal roles fill up weeks before they start.
- Apply online and in person. Big chains want online applications, but independent shops still respond best to someone who walks in and asks.
KidsHustle at 16
16 and 17 year olds can sign up to KidsHustle on their own, without needing a parent to link their account. You can apply for paid local jobs posted by ID-verified adults, build reviews and a work record, and get paid securely through the app. Download KidsHustle, or read about jobs for 17 year olds.