At 14 you can legally have a part-time job in the UK: paper and leaflet rounds, Saturday work in shops, cafés, hairdressers and stables, dog walking, pet sitting and car washing are the usual options. You can work up to 12 hours a week in term time and 25 hours a week in the school holidays, never before 7am or after 7pm, and your employer normally needs a work permit from your council. Here are the jobs that are realistic at 14 and how to get one.
What jobs can a 14 year old do in the UK?
At 14 the law allows “light work” – jobs that will not harm your health, safety or schoolwork. Councils list the details in their byelaws, so the exact list varies a little by area. Our main guide to jobs for teenagers in the UK covers every age from 13 to 17.
| Job | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Newspaper or leaflet round | Before school (max. 1 hour) or after school | Classic first job; heavy bags and early starts are the downside |
| Saturday job in a shop | Saturdays and holidays | Stacking, tidying, serving – usually not alone and not with dangerous machines |
| Café or tea room | Weekends | Serving and clearing tables; kitchen equipment is often restricted |
| Hairdresser’s junior | Saturdays | Sweeping, making drinks, washing hair in some salons |
| Stables or farm help | Weekends and holidays | Light tasks only; no dangerous machinery |
| Dog walking, pet sitting, car washing | Flexible | Often informal work for neighbours |
| Babysitting for family friends | Evenings with parents’ agreement | Informal; only when you feel ready and with a responsible adult reachable |
How many hours can a 14 year old work?
| Term time | School holidays | |
|---|---|---|
| Per week | 12 hours | 25 hours |
| School days / weekdays | 2 hours | 5 hours |
| Saturdays | 5 hours | 5 hours |
| Sundays | 2 hours | 2 hours |
Work must fall between 7am and 7pm, never during school hours, with a 1-hour break after 4 hours, and you must have two weeks off work during the school holidays each year. The national rules are on GOV.UK – child employment.
How much do 14 year olds get paid?
There is no minimum wage for children of school age, so pay is whatever you agree with the employer. Ask what other young staff are paid, and get the hourly rate agreed before you start. Your earnings at this age are very unlikely to reach the £12,570 point where income tax starts.
Do you need a work permit at 14?
For a regular job with an employer, usually yes. The employer applies to the child employment team at your local council, with your parent’s signature, normally within a week of you starting. The council checks that the job and hours are allowed. Informal jobs such as babysitting for family friends or walking a neighbour’s dog are not usually covered, but the time limits are still sensible.
Why it matters: a permit means the council knows you are working, which protects you if something goes wrong, and confirms the employer’s insurance covers you.
How do you get your first job at 14?
- Make a short CVName, school year, subjects you enjoy, clubs, sports, Duke of Edinburgh, volunteering, and when you are free.
- Ask local businesses in personNewsagents, cafés, salons, garden centres and stables – go at a quiet time and ask for the manager.
- Use your networkFamily friends and neighbours often need help with dogs, gardens or cars.
- Agree the detailsHours, pay, what you will do and who you report to – and make sure the employer knows about the permit.
Online offers: messages offering 14-year-olds money for “easy online tasks” or for using their bank account are scams. See online jobs for teens for what is safe.
Questions about jobs for 14 year olds
Can a 14 year old get a job in the UK?
Yes – light work such as paper rounds, Saturday shop or café work, and pet care, within the hour limits and usually with a council work permit.
Can a 14 year old work at a supermarket?
Most large supermarkets only hire from school-leaving age. Smaller local shops are more likely to take on a 14-year-old for light Saturday work.
How many hours can a 14 year old work on a Saturday?
Up to 5 hours, between 7am and 7pm, with a 1-hour break if working more than 4 hours.
Do 14 year olds get the minimum wage?
No. The minimum wage starts once you are over school-leaving age; until then pay is agreed with the employer.
More on this route: the main guide covers the whole topic – jobs for teenagers.
