Joining the workforce for the first time is a big step, whether you are a teenager looking for a summer job, a graduate, or an adult returning after years at home. The good news is that the United States has many employers who are happy to hire new workers.
This guide highlights fifteen of the best entry-level opportunities for people with little or no work history. They range from restaurants and ice cream shops to golf courses, gyms, summer camps, tutoring centers and stadiums.
Many of these roles are flexible, social and easy to learn, making them great for building confidence. Some are seasonal, such as summer camps or tax offices, while others run year-round.
Pay depends on location, season and tips. You will find the duties, estimated pay and requirements for each role, plus guidance on eligibility, documents and safe applications. No specific vacancies are advertised here.
Entry-Level Opportunities for New Workers: Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Who this is for | First-time workers, students, graduates and people returning to work |
| Roles covered | 15 entry-level jobs in food service, recreation, retail, education support and community work |
| Estimated pay | About $12–$20 an hour, often plus tips in food and recreation roles |
| Seasonal options | Summer camps, ice cream shops, farmers markets and tax offices |
| Age | Many accept 16+, while driving and camp roles often require 18+ |
| Where to apply | Employer sites, LinkedIn Jobs, USA.gov state job banks and USAJOBS.gov |
| Fees | None — real employers never charge |
| Eligibility | Work authorization checked with Form I-9 |
Why These Jobs Suit New Workers
These roles focus on friendliness, reliability and willingness to learn. Employers expect to train you, and supervisors are used to working with people who have never held a job before.
They also build skills that every future employer values: punctuality, teamwork, handling money and solving customer problems. A good reference from a first job can make your next application much stronger.
15 Top Entry-Level Opportunities for New Workers
1. Restaurant Host
Hosts greet diners, manage the waitlist and seat guests so servers receive tables evenly. Restaurants in New York, Chicago, Houston and countless suburbs hire new workers for the role because it depends mostly on a warm, organized manner.
A host position is a classic way to learn the restaurant business before moving into serving or management. Busy weekend brunch and dinner services are when hosts gain experience fastest.
- Typical duties: greeting guests, managing reservations and waitlists, seating tables, answering phones
- Estimated pay: ~$13.30–$17.40 / hour plus tip share
- Usually needed: friendly presence, organization, evening and weekend availability
2. Pizza Delivery Driver
Pizza shops in every corner of the country hire drivers who use their own cars. Pay usually combines an hourly wage, tips and a mileage reimbursement.
Flexible evening shifts make it popular with students and people who want a second income. Drivers usually help fold boxes and prepare orders in the store between deliveries.
- Typical duties: delivering orders, handling payments, helping in the store between runs
- Estimated pay: ~$12.40–$16.80 / hour plus tips and mileage
- Usually needed: valid license, insured car, clean driving record, age 18+
3. Ice Cream Shop Server
Ice cream and frozen-yogurt shops hire servers for the busy spring and summer seasons, especially in beach towns and tourist areas from Cape Cod to San Diego.
It is a cheerful first job that teaches cash handling and customer service.
- Typical duties: scooping and serving, preparing toppings, cleaning counters, running the register
- Estimated pay: ~$12.90–$15.80 / hour plus tips
- Usually needed: friendly manner, food-safety awareness, summer availability
4. Golf Course Cart Attendant
Public and private golf courses hire cart attendants to prepare carts, load bags and keep the clubhouse area tidy. The job is outdoors and relaxed.
Some courses offer free golf to staff as a perk. Courses in warm states such as Florida, Arizona and South Carolina hire almost year-round.
- Typical duties: cleaning and charging carts, loading bags, assisting golfers, picking up range balls
- Estimated pay: ~$13.80–$17.70 / hour plus tips
- Usually needed: comfort outdoors, courtesy, valid license at some courses
5. Bowling Center Attendant
Bowling centers hire attendants to assign lanes, rent shoes, serve snacks and keep the center clean. Evening and weekend leagues keep them busy.
It is a fun, community-centered job for new workers. Birthday parties and corporate events add variety to weekend shifts.
- Typical duties: assigning lanes, renting shoes, serving food and drinks, cleaning
- Estimated pay: ~$12.80–$16.40 / hour
- Usually needed: friendly attitude, evening availability, basic cash handling
6. Deli Sandwich Maker
Sandwich shops and supermarket delis hire new workers to slice meats and cheeses and build sandwiches to order. Food-safety training is provided.
Strong deli workers often become shift leads or department managers.
- Typical duties: slicing deli items, preparing sandwiches, labeling food, cleaning slicers
- Estimated pay: ~$13.60–$17.60 / hour
- Usually needed: food-handler card where required, cleanliness, speed
7. Summer Camp Counselor
Day camps and overnight camps in states like Maine, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and North Carolina hire counselors each summer. Many provide meals and lodging for residential staff.
Counseling builds leadership skills valued by future employers. Pre-camp training weeks cover safety, first aid and activity planning.
- Typical duties: leading activities, supervising campers, ensuring safety, helping with meals
- Estimated pay: ~$13.40–$17.90 / hour or weekly stipend
- Usually needed: age 18+ for most roles, background check, first-aid training
8. Tutoring Center Assistant
Learning centers hire assistants to help students with homework, reading and math practice. A strong school record is often enough to qualify.
Assistants who enjoy the work may later pursue teaching or education careers. After-school and weekend hours fit well around college classes.
- Typical duties: helping students with assignments, grading practice work, preparing materials
- Estimated pay: ~$14.60–$19.40 / hour
- Usually needed: strong reading and math skills, patience, background check
9. Fitness Center Front Desk Attendant
Gyms and recreation centers hire attendants to check in members, answer questions and keep equipment areas clean. Many include free membership.
Attendants interested in fitness can later study for trainer certifications.
- Typical duties: checking in members, answering phones, cleaning equipment, selling memberships
- Estimated pay: ~$13.70–$17.50 / hour
- Usually needed: friendly manner, early or late availability, basic computer use
10. Seasonal Tax Office Assistant
Tax-preparation offices hire seasonal assistants from January to April to greet clients, scan documents and schedule appointments.
Some firms offer free tax courses that can lead to preparer roles. Many offices welcome bilingual assistants to help clients in their preferred language.
- Typical duties: greeting clients, scanning documents, scheduling, answering phones
- Estimated pay: ~$14.80–$19.20 / hour
- Usually needed: organization, confidentiality, basic computer skills
11. Sporting Goods Associate
Sporting-goods stores hire associates to help customers choose equipment, assemble bikes and restock departments. Sports knowledge is useful but not required.
Seasonal peaks around school sports and holidays bring extra hours.
- Typical duties: assisting customers, stocking shelves, assembling products, running registers
- Estimated pay: ~$14.20–$18.50 / hour
- Usually needed: interest in sports, customer focus, weekend availability
12. Bike Shop Assistant
Independent bike shops in cycling-friendly cities like Boulder, Minneapolis and Portland hire assistants to help with sales and basic repairs.
Shops often teach simple maintenance, which can lead to mechanic roles.
- Typical duties: helping customers, tuning bikes, fixing flats, cleaning the shop
- Estimated pay: ~$14.40–$18.80 / hour
- Usually needed: interest in cycling, mechanical aptitude, customer service
13. Farmers Market Stand Helper
Local farms hire helpers to set up stands, sell produce and talk with shoppers at weekend farmers markets across the country.
The job is seasonal, outdoors and community-focused. Some farms also need weekday help with harvesting and packing for market day.
- Typical duties: setting up stands, arranging produce, handling sales, packing up
- Estimated pay: ~$13.90–$17.20 / hour
- Usually needed: early weekend availability, friendly manner, lifting crates
14. Stadium Concession Worker
Stadiums and arenas hire concession workers for game days and concerts. Shifts are tied to events, making the role flexible for new workers.
Some venues let staff watch part of events during breaks. Major league ballparks and college football stadiums hire especially large teams.
- Typical duties: serving food and drinks, handling payments, restocking stands, cleaning
- Estimated pay: ~$14.10–$18.30 / hour
- Usually needed: food-handler card where required, flexible schedule, teamwork
15. Apartment Community Porter
Apartment communities hire porters to pick up trash, clean common areas and help with small maintenance tasks.
The role can lead to maintenance technician positions. Morning shifts are typical, leaving afternoons free.
- Typical duties: cleaning grounds, collecting trash, maintaining common areas, assisting maintenance
- Estimated pay: ~$14.90–$19.70 / hour
- Usually needed: reliability, comfort outdoors, basic tool use
Who Can Apply — Eligibility
| Requirement | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|
| Right to work | You must be authorized to work in the United States |
| Age | State labor laws limit hours and tasks for workers under 18 |
| Documents | Original documents for Form I-9 |
| Work permits | Some states require minors to obtain a work permit through their school |
| Driving | Delivery and some golf roles require a valid license and insured vehicle |
| Background checks | Required for camp, tutoring and some recreation roles |
| Food safety | Food-handler cards are required in certain states and counties |
⭐ YOUR FIRST JOB SHOULD NEVER COST YOU MONEY.
Search on official employer sites, USAJOBS.gov or LinkedIn Jobs. If someone asks you to pay for training, uniforms or an interview, it is a scam — report it to the FTC.
What New Workers Should Prepare
- A simple résumé with school, clubs, sports, volunteering and skills
- A phone number and an email address based on your name
- Original documents for Form I-9
- A work permit if required for minors in your state
- Your Social Security number for payroll after an offer
- Any certificates such as first aid or a food-handler card
- Your school or weekly schedule so employers know when you can work
Estimated Pay for New-Worker Jobs
These estimated 2026 ranges are for new workers. Pay varies by state, city, employer and season, and some roles include tips. The Department of Labor lists state minimum wages, including tipped minimums.
| Job | Estimated U.S. Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Host | ~$13.30–$17.40 / hour plus tip share | Tip share at many venues |
| Pizza Delivery Driver | ~$12.40–$16.80 / hour plus tips and mileage | Mileage plus tips |
| Ice Cream Shop Server | ~$12.90–$15.80 / hour plus tips | Mostly spring and summer |
| Golf Course Cart Attendant | ~$13.80–$17.70 / hour plus tips | Free golf perks at some courses |
| Bowling Center Attendant | ~$12.80–$16.40 / hour | League nights add hours |
| Deli Sandwich Maker | ~$13.60–$17.60 / hour | Staff food discounts |
| Summer Camp Counselor | ~$13.40–$17.90 / hour or weekly stipend | Lodging at overnight camps |
| Tutoring Center Assistant | ~$14.60–$19.40 / hour | Education-focused role |
| Fitness Center Front Desk Attendant | ~$13.70–$17.50 / hour | Free membership often included |
| Seasonal Tax Office Assistant | ~$14.80–$19.20 / hour | January–April season |
| Sporting Goods Associate | ~$14.20–$18.50 / hour | Seasonal extra hours |
| Bike Shop Assistant | ~$14.40–$18.80 / hour | Learn repair skills |
| Farmers Market Stand Helper | ~$13.90–$17.20 / hour | Weekend seasonal work |
| Stadium Concession Worker | ~$14.10–$18.30 / hour | Event-based shifts |
| Apartment Community Porter | ~$14.90–$19.70 / hour | Path to maintenance roles |
Jobs with tips — such as host, delivery driver and golf cart attendant — can earn more than the base rate suggests. Seasonal roles may offer extra hours during peak months. Always read the posting carefully.
How New Workers Can Apply
Where to Find Official U.S. Job Openings
- USAJOBS.gov — federal student and seasonal programs
- USA.gov job search — state job banks and youth employment programs
- LinkedIn Jobs — entry-level filters for your city
- Apprenticeship.gov — pre-apprenticeship and youth programs
- Local businesses — restaurants, camps, gyms and shops often post openings on their own sites
Tips for First-Time Job Seekers
- Apply for seasonal jobs early — summer hiring often starts in spring
- Dress neatly and smile at interviews
- Bring a pen and a copy of your résumé
- Ask questions about training and schedules
- Follow up politely if you have not heard back in a week
Worked Example
Ethan, 17, lives in Wisconsin and wants a summer job. He applies to a local ice cream shop, a golf course and a day camp through their websites, and gets a work permit through his school.
The golf course hires him as a cart attendant. He completes Form I-9, learns the job in one day and earns tips on weekends. Nobody asks him to pay anything — exactly how a genuine first job should start.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long to apply for summer jobs
- Forgetting to get a required work permit
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Paying for job placement or training kits
- Not reading the schedule before accepting
- Skipping a thank-you message after interviews
Your Rights at Work & Staying Safe from Job Scams
New workers have the same core protections as everyone else. The Department of Labor explains minimum wage, tipped wage and youth employment rules, OSHA protects workplace safety and the EEOC handles discrimination complaints.
Scammers sometimes target first-time job seekers with fake offers that ask for money or personal financial details. Real employers never charge you. If something feels wrong, stop and report it to the FTC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first job in the USA?
How old do I need to be?
Do new workers earn tips?
Are seasonal jobs worth it?
Do I need a work permit?
Can I work part-time while studying?
What documents do I need?
How do I avoid job scams?
Conclusion
New workers in the United States have many friendly, flexible options to start their careers. From restaurants and golf courses to camps, gyms and stadiums, these entry-level jobs teach skills that last a lifetime. Choose roles that fit your schedule, apply through trusted channels and take pride in your first paycheck.
👉 Next step: Choose two jobs from this list and search for openings near you on LinkedIn Jobs or through USA.gov — applying is always free.