February 05, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Common occupations for 16-year-olds: cashiers and cooks

Among youths aged 16 in the 1999-2000 school year, 68 percent held an "employee" job—defined as an ongoing relationship with a particular employer— at some point during the school year. Cashier was the most common occupation among 16-year-old females with employee jobs; cook was the most common job for males.

[Chart data—TXT]

Cashiers accounted for 20 percent of the female youths with employee jobs. The next most common occupation for 16-year-old females was food counter, fountain, and related occupations, at 14 percent. 

Of the young males with employee jobs, 14 percent worked as cooks. The next most common job for 16-year-old males was stock handlers and baggers, at 11 percent.

Data on the employment experience and other characteristics of youths are a product of the National Longitudinal Surveys program. Note that jobs such as babysitting or yard work done on an as-needed basis or for multiple employers are considered to be “freelance” jobs rather than "employee" jobs. Additional information is available from "Employment Experience of Youths during the School Year and Summer," news release USDL 03-40.

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