US high school students face toughest summer job market since 1948

For decades, the summer job served as a quintessential rite of passage for American teenagers. However, recent data suggests that this seasonal tradition is becoming increasingly difficult to secure. Experts now predict that teen summer employment in 2026 is heading toward its worst year since records began in 1948.

The shift represents a significant departure from historical trends. In the late 1970s, approximately 60% of teenagers held summer positions. By last summer, federal data showed that only about one-third of 16-to-19-year-olds were employed. Economists identify teens as one of the most marginalized groups in the current labor market.

Several factors contribute to this challenging environment for young job seekers. Many entry-level roles that previously welcomed teens have been eliminated entirely. For the positions that remain, teenagers must often compete against more experienced or overqualified candidates. Companies operating with leaner teams frequently lack the desire or capacity to train someone without a professional background.

Rising costs and cautious hiring practices further complicate the search. The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas noted that teen hiring fell 25% last year compared to the year prior. They point to inflation and high oil prices as primary reasons why businesses are scaling back their seasonal staff.

The frustration among young people is evident across the country. Students report applying to dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of positions without receiving a single callback. While many storefronts still display hiring signs, teens frequently find that managers are not actually moving forward with new hires. This phenomenon has led to widespread complaints on social media regarding ghosting and “phantom” job postings.

Source: https://fortune.com/2026/06/18/teen-summer-jobs-record-low-2026/