The number of summer jobs this year will be the lowest since 1948
Summer hiring for teenagers in the US will reach its lowest level since 1948 due to economic and social changes
Getting a summer job in the United States used to be something of a rite of adulthood for millions of teenagers. For decades, young people worked in restaurants, amusement parks, ice cream parlors or camps to earn extra money and gain work experience. However, that tradition is going through one of its weakest moments: This year, summer hiring for teenagers could be at its lowest level since official records exist.
The contrast in this data is strong when compared to the late 1990s, when more than 2 million young people between 16 and 19 years old had temporary jobs during vacations.
The drop not only reflects fewer job opportunities, it also shows a profound change in youth participation in the labor market. According to Challenger, in the 1980s about half of teenagers were part of the American workforce in some capacity. Currently, the percentage is below 30%.
The leisure and hospitality sector, historically one of the largest employers of teenagers during the summer, is also struggling. Businesses such as restaurants, summer camps, amusement parks and ice cream parlors have reduced hiring amid an uncertain economic outlook.
Among the factors that explain this trend is the increase in operating costs for companies, especially in energy and services. Faced with economic uncertainty, many businesses prefer to limit new hires. Additionally, several basic customer service jobs are now performed using automated technology and artificial intelligence.
Another element that marks this possible historical reduction in offers for summer jobs has to do with job competition with older adults. Many people have stayed longer in the labor market due to the high cost of living or retirement savings problems, filling positions that were previously common among teenagers.
At the same time, the priorities of many young people have also changed compared to their counterparts of yesteryear. Today, a large portion of teenagers spend their vacations preparing for college entrance exams, participating in competitive sports, or doing paid professional internships that they consider most useful for their academic future.
“Getting into college is much more competitive, so they are building their resumes with extracurricular activities and other projects,” Challenger said.
Some adolescents also help care for younger siblings within the home; Others have found different ways to generate income, such as tutoring, freelancing online, or creating content on digital platforms.
Despite the decrease in summer jobs, the youth labor market still maintains a presence. According to April labor data, the United States had almost 5.2 million workers between 16 and 19 years old. However, the panorama reflects an important transformation in how adolescents relate to employment and economic opportunities.