Dailey Jogan, an 18-year-old head swim coach for a metro Detroit team, was pleasantly surprised to learn she would earn $15 per hour, along with various perks such as access to the gym and free movie tickets. Her wage is approximately 25% higher than what her older brother earned in the same role five years ago, highlighting the evolving job landscape for American teens in the post-pandemic labor market.
The increase in pay and benefits for teen workers reflects broader trends. According to data from Gusto, a payroll platform serving over 300,000 businesses nationwide, the average wage for newly hired teens aged 15 to 19 rose to $15.68 per hour in June, a 36% increase since 2019. This growth outpaces the 27% wage increase observed for all workers across private payrolls. Additionally, teens have been relatively insulated from economic fluctuations that have negatively impacted adult wages.
Beyond higher wages, businesses are offering additional benefits to attract young workers. For example, Chipotle Mexican Grill provides tuition reimbursement and a well-being program, including free counseling sessions, to its employees, more than one-third of whom are teens. These incentives not only help recruit new employees but also improve retention and promote internal advancement, with participants in Chipotle’s education program being significantly more likely to stay and move into management roles.
Small businesses are also adapting. Erin Powell, owner of The Sugar Shack in Minnesota, offers flexible scheduling, frequent raises, and a supportive work environment to retain her teen employees, though she struggles to compete with larger chains like Starbucks.
The resurgence in teen employment marks a shift from previous decades, with nearly 40% of teens working this year—the highest since 2009. As long as the job market remains strong, teens are likely to continue benefiting from higher wages and expanded opportunities.
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