1 in 3 Nevada Teens Work and Fast Food No Longer Pays the Most

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows the highest-paying jobs for teenagers are no longer dominated by food service positions. Instead, car technicians and mechanics top the list at $24 per hour. Oil change shops like Jiffy Lube and Valvoline are among the top-paying employers for teens, hiring them to perform basic car maintenance. Other strong options include babysitters at $23 per hour, supervisors at $23 per hour, and sports coaches at $22 per hour.

In Nevada, these roles match the state's unique economy. Tourism-driven cities like Reno and Las Vegas bring seasonal hiring surges, while the vehicle-dependent desert landscape and large tourism fleets create steady demand for auto repair work. Entry-level mechanic and technician positions remain active across both major cities.

Babysitting and youth-sports coaching opportunities grow alongside suburban expansion in places like Henderson and Summerlin. Hospitality supervisor positions tie directly into Nevada’s core tourism industry. These skilled roles offer teenagers higher wages and hands-on experience that stand out against many minimum-wage alternatives in a competitive summer job market.

The national teenager (ages 16–19) labor force participation rate is 35.8%. In Nevada, the teenage labor force participation rate is 36.3%, slightly above the national average. However, the state ranks near the bottom among Western states for teen employment. Nevada’s overall unemployment rate is 5.3% as of April 2026, notably higher than the national rate of 4.3%.