Catherwood LibraryILR School

The United States labor force has recently seen a large increase in the number of high schoolers joining the workforce. An additional quarter million teens have picked up after-school and summer jobs compared to the number of employed high schoolers before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 16 to 19 years old age group, over one-third of the group is employed, which is the highest working rate in the fifteen years. This increase in teen workers can be attributed to a greater desire for financial independence, rising inflation levels, and a larger amount of entry-level positions in the retail and hospitality sectors. Many entry-level positions have recently increased wages, and teens receive wages much higher than the federal minimum wage. The high wages incentivize teens, and many other high schoolers were also incentivized by the impunity to gain work experience in the real world after learning virtually during the pandemic.