At 16 the choice of part-time jobs in the UK opens up: large supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s recruit from school-leaving age, alongside retail chains, cafés, fast-food restaurants, cinemas, leisure centres and seasonal warehouse work. Once you are over school-leaving age you are entitled to at least £8.00 an hour (April 2026) and can work up to 8 hours a day and 40 a week. This guide shows where to apply, what the hours rules are before and after you leave school, and how to stand out.
Where can 16 year olds work part-time?
The biggest change at 16 is that large employers start to recruit you – most of them hire only from school-leaving age. Our main guide to jobs for teenagers covers the younger ages and the law in full.
| Sector | Typical roles | When they hire |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | Customer assistant, checkouts, shelf stacking, online order picking | Year-round; Tesco and Sainsbury’s recruit from school-leaving age |
| Retail chains | Sales assistant, stockroom | Before Christmas and summer sales |
| Cafés and fast food | Team member, barista, front of house | Year-round; flexible weekend shifts |
| Cinemas and leisure centres | Front of house, kiosk, lifeguard (with qualification) | Year-round; weekend-heavy |
| Warehouses and food production | Picker, packer, production operative | Mainly after leaving school, and seasonal |
| Apprenticeships | Paid training in hundreds of occupations | From leaving school – see GOV.UK |
Age policies change, so always check the employer’s own careers website before applying.
How many hours can a 16 year old work?
| 16 and still at school | 16–17 and over school-leaving age | |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly limit | 12 hours in term time, 35 in holidays | 40 hours |
| Daily limit | 2 hours on school days, 8 on Saturdays | 8 hours |
| Times | 7am to 7pm only | Normally no night work (usually 10pm–6am) |
| Breaks | 1 hour after 4 hours | 30 minutes after 4.5 hours; 12 hours’ rest between days; 2 days off a week |
| Work permit | Usually needed | Not needed |
In England and Wales you are over school-leaving age from the last Friday in June of the school year in which you turn 16. In England you must then stay in education or training until 18, which can include work of 20+ hours a week alongside part-time study (GOV.UK – leaving school).
How much do 16 year olds get paid?
Once you are over school-leaving age the minimum wage is £8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, the same as the apprentice rate (GOV.UK – minimum wage rates). Many large retailers pay young staff more than the legal minimum, so compare offers. Before you leave school there is no legal minimum. You get your National Insurance number automatically around your 16th birthday – you will need it for payroll.
How do you apply and stand out?
- Write a one-page CVEducation, predicted grades if helpful, clubs, sports, volunteering, any odd jobs, and your availability.
- Apply online earlyChristmas temp roles open from late summer; summer roles from spring. Set alerts on employers’ careers sites.
- Be clear about availabilityEmployers plan rotas around it – weekends and school holidays are your strongest selling point.
- Prepare for a group interviewMany retailers use short group tasks. Speak up, listen and be friendly to the other candidates.
- Follow upA short, polite email or visit after a week shows you are keen.
What are your rights at work at 16?
- A written statement of your terms from day one, including pay and hours.
- Payslips showing your hours and pay.
- Paid holiday – 5.6 weeks a year pro rata.
- Safe tasks – under 18s cannot be given work beyond their physical or psychological capacity, and some tasks such as selling alcohol unsupervised are restricted.
Acas explains the rules for young workers on its young workers page.
Questions about part-time jobs for 16 year olds
Where can I work at 16 in the UK?
Supermarkets, retail chains, cafés, fast-food restaurants, cinemas and leisure centres, plus apprenticeships and seasonal warehouse work once you have left school.
Does Tesco hire 16 year olds?
Tesco recruits people over school-leaving age, which means many 16-year-olds can apply. Check the current requirements on Tesco’s careers website.
What is the minimum wage for a 16 year old in 2026?
£8.00 an hour from 1 April 2026, once you are over school-leaving age.
Can a 16 year old work weekends only?
Yes – many part-time contracts for students are weekend-only, which fits school or college well.
More on this route: the main guide covers the whole topic – jobs for teenagers.
