2025 Summer Jobs for Teens in Cleveland & Northeast Ohio: Ultimate Guide

Looking for Summer Jobs for Teens in Northeast Ohio? Start Here!

Finding the right summer job as a teen can be a game-changer—it helps you gain real-world experience, build skills, fill out your resume, and earn extra cash. Whether you’re looking for amusement park jobs, retail positions, or even paid internships, there are plenty of Northeast Ohio summer job opportunities for teens in 2025. And now is the perfect time to start your search!

In this guide, we’ll break down where to find summer jobs for teens, which employers are hiring, and how to land the perfect gig. It’s an update on last year’s summer jobs guide, though give that a glance too. Some of the advice there will carry-over into this year.

PLEASE NOTE: The list ahead offers ideas of employers who have had or, at the time of this writing, do have openings and opportunities. Listings for jobs can come and go fast, and everyone’s prime hiring season can be different. Programs offered in previous years may not get enough participants, might change names, or may be dropped altogether. Don’t take this blog to be a guarantee of availability – understand it as a “leads and advice” resource and you’ll be on the right track to securing summer employment.

Top Places Offering Summer Jobs for Teens in 2025

If you’re ready to start working, these businesses and organizations frequently hire entry-level jobs for teenagers in Ohio and sometimes offer seasonal work during the summer.

1. Apply Soon to Youth Opportunities Unlimited

This popular summer program places high school students in a variety of jobs and internships throughout Cuyahoga County, and across multiple fields. Y.O.U. also offers a diverse mix of career academies. These specific work-learning opportunities place you in a career field, where you will learn the different facets of that employment while also being paid. There’s even a financial literacy career academy for 16-18 year old applicants!

The deadline for applications is May 1, so you’ll need to get started fast! Head to youcle.org/syep to get started.

2. Amusement Parks & Entertainment Venues Hiring Teens

Ohio is home to some fiercely loved amusement and public parks, which are great places to find teen summer jobs in Cleveland 2025 and beyond.

• Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH) – One of the biggest seasonal employers in the state, hiring teens as ride operators, food service workers, and lifeguards. These positions can fill up fast but remember that turnover during the season does occur, so keep an eye out for new listings.
• Memphis Kiddie Park (Brooklyn, OH) – A great option for younger teens looking for their first job. It’s a cherished institution remembered fondly by many Clevelanders, so if you like chatting with visitors, this one might be a good pick!
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – Offers summer job applications for teens interested in customer service, food service, or other roles. With the zoo hosting various events and special outings, their employment requirements may expand.
• Swings N’ Things (Olmsted Township, OH) – An indoor/outdoor fun park with rides and games. Swings N’ Things has been a Cleveland staple for many decades and is a popular destination year-round, and especially in the summer when all of their services are available. They are prominently hiring now.

3. Local Pools & Water Parks Hiring Teens

Love the water? Many city pools and water parks provide free lifeguard certification or cover the cost of training for new hires. In previous years, pools have had difficulty filling all these spots, and there’s a good chance that need might be high this year as well.

• Pioneer Waterland (Chardon, OH) – Hiring lifeguards (age 16+), guest services, and food workers for summer.
• City Pools & Community Centers – Cleveland, Parma, and Strongsville hire seasonal lifeguards and camp counselors.
• Local Developments & Neighborhoods – While the requirements can vary, different neighborhoods, housing developments, apartment complexes, and other communities have communal pools. Those locations require lifeguards as well.

4. Retail & Grocery Stores with Summer Job Openings

Retail is a traditional way for teens to develop customer service skills while earning sometimes competitive pay.

• Giant Eagle – Frequently hiring teens for cashier, stock, and online order positions. With a variety of locations in Northeast Ohio you might have some options.
• Target & Walmart – Great options for best summer jobs for teens in Ohio who want flexible shifts. If you’re available, being able to cover those hard-to-fill shifts can set you apart from other candidates.
• Local Malls (Great Northern, SouthPark, and Crocker Park) – It may feels this way to the 80’s kids, but malls aren’t dead just yet! Clothing stores, restaurants, and kiosks often hire for summer. Hiring might come through mall services or the store itself, so do a little digging to find out how to apply. When in doubt, swing by a location and ask for a manager.

5. Restaurants & Fast-Food Chains Offering Summer Jobs for Teens

Fast food jobs are some of the most common teen jobs hiring in Cleveland, providing flexible hours and solid pay. Often these positions can be held past the summer time, if hours are available.

• McDonald’s, Wendy’s, & Chick-fil-A – Are often hiring for part-time and full-time summer crew members. Some locations extend their hours during the summer, leaving room for more hiring or longer shifts.
• Local Ice Cream Shops (Mitchell’s, Honey Hut, Dairy Queen, Dairy Grove) – Perfect for a summer job with a fun environment. If the bigger chains don’t have open positions, check out the smaller “mom n’ pop” ice cream stands. One of the few places where walking up to grab an application might still be a good way to get hired.

6. Summer Camps & Childcare Jobs for Teens

If you enjoy working with kids, a Northeast Ohio summer job opportunity as a camp counselor or childcare assistant may be a great fit. Some camps require trainings or certifications, so read the job requirements carefully before you spend an hour filling out an application!

• Cleveland Metroparks Summer Camps – Hiring teens 16+ as camp counselors.
• YMCA Summer Camps – Many Northeast Ohio locations offer jobs for teens.
• Local Daycares & Preschools – Some childcare centers hire teens for summer programs or in support roles. With many locations throughout Northeast Ohio, you have a lot of options. It can be daunting scrolling through all those websites or even calling multiple locations to inquire about openings, but it might be well worth the effort!

7. Internships & Career-Focused Jobs for Teens

This covers some of the ground that Youth Opportunities Limited covers, but casts a wider net. For teens looking for future career experience, internships can help build a resume and explore future interests. Ideally, an internship will pay something. Having internships on your resume is great, but you also must prioritize your savings and financial situation. Talk with a parent, teacher, or other informed adult if you must make a choice between an unpaid internship and seeking different employment. Working “for the marketing exposure” might be a tired trope of cheapskate employers, but there is some value in taking on an internship to glitz up your resume.

• Cleveland Clinic Summer Internship Program – A great option for students interested in healthcare or science fields.
• NASA Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, OH) – Offers summer STEM internships for high school students.
• Local Nonprofits & Community Centers – Many organizations offer paid internships. Some host summer educational programming and may be seeking program counselors or teachers/guides for youth programming. Arts nonprofits are a great place to start your search.

8. Gig Economy Work

Ad hoc work doing deliveries, ride sharing, pet walking, etc. has seen a major rise in the last five years. You would think these kinds of on-your-schedule, work-as-you-are-available opportunities would make ideal summer jobs for teens! That said, many gig working aps and services are only available to ages 18+. Look at several options and check their requirements carefully. Worst case, some of these jobs might be feasible during summers between college semesters!

How to Get a Summer Job as a Teenager in 2025

Apply Early for Summer Jobs

Many summer job applications for teens open in the spring. Start applying in March or April for the best chances.

Create a Resume

Even if you don’t have job experience, list volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and skills that show responsibility. AI tools like Chat GPT can be helpful when leveraged properly, but always have a human being check your work (as well as reviewing it several times yourself!) Don’t rely on a chatbot to get you a job – recruiters are getting very good at seeing through the trick. They want to know what skills and personality you bring to the table, so show them!

Use Online Job Boards

Find places hiring teens in Cleveland by searching on job sites like:

• Indeed (indeed.com) – Search for “teen summer jobs in Cleveland 2025.”
• Snagajob (snagajob.com) – Focuses on part-time and seasonal jobs.
• Company Websites – Many employers post jobs directly on their hiring pages.

Walk In & Ask About Openings

For retail and restaurant jobs, visiting in person and asking about openings can increase your chances of being hired. The walk-in is increasingly rare these days, but a few industries are still open to this “pounding-the pavement” style of job search, especially in the case of seasonal work.

Get a Work Permit (If Required)

In Ohio, teens under 18 usually need a work permit, which can be obtained through your school.

Pointers for Landing Summer Jobs for Teens in Northeast Ohio

• Dress Professionally for Interviews – Even for casual jobs or those where you will be in uniform, dressing nicely indicates that you are serious about the position.
• Be Punctual & Reliable – Employers look for staff they can rely on. It may be unfair, but some hiring mangers maintain stigmas about teen and seasonal staff. Be proactive in proving that any preconceived negative opinions are unfounded.
• Practice Interview Questions – Be ready to answer why you want the job and your availability. Find something you like about the position to emphasize. Recruiters want to feel like you have a connection to their company – so even if your answer really is “I am applying because I need money,” find some other facet to emphasize. It doesn’t hurt to “gas up” the recruiter when this question is asked, just be subtle about it.
• Follow Up – Call or email after applying to show your interest. Thank the interviewer for their time, and wait at least a week before checking in on the progress of the hiring process.

Have Some Fun (and Funds) in the Sun

A summer job is more than just a paycheck—it’s a stepping stone to future career success. With so many places hiring teens in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, there’s a variety of opportunities available. That said, you – and most other high school students – will be competing for these spots, and starting your search early makes a big difference!

Good luck with your summer job hunt!

Want More Financial Tips?

At Firefighters Community Credit Union (FFCCU), we’re here to help you make smart financial decisions, save money, and get the most from your summer paycheck. Join our exclusive teen program, Club Ignite, and enjoy unique benefits as well as your own debit card. It’s the perfect account to set up direct deposit from that summer job you are sure to land!

Posted In: Ignite