What Age Does Subway Hire in 2024? A Teen‘s Guide to Working at Subway

Working at Subway can be a rewarding first job experience for many teens. With over 20,000 Subway locations in the United States, it offers plenty of opportunities for young people to gain skills and earn an income.

But before applying, it‘s important to understand Subway‘s minimum age requirements. Depending on where you live, the minimum hiring age may differ. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the age guidelines at Subway and what jobs teenagers can expect.

Subway‘s Minimum Hiring Age Across the US

Subway‘s standard minimum hiring age is 16 years old. However, specific state labor laws can allow certain locations to bring on employees as young as 15.

Here‘s a summary of Subway‘s hiring policies for teens by age:

• 15 years old: Some locations may hire at 15, depending on state and local labor laws. But this is not very common.

• 16 years old: This is the most widely observed minimum hiring age for Subway. 16-year-olds can work at most locations.

• 17 years old and up: Subway locations regularly hire responsible teens at age 17 and above.

• Younger than 15: Subway does not hire anyone under the age of 15 under any circumstances.

So if your teen is interested in working at Subway, 16 is typically the safest minimum age to apply. Some locally-owned franchises may have more flexibility to bring on 15-year-old staff. Reaching out to your neighborhood Subway is the best way to find out their specific policies.

What Jobs Can a 15-Year-Old Do at Subway?

If a Subway location does opt to hire an employee at age 15, they will likely be limited to being a sandwich artist. This involves working down the Subway sandwich assembly line to prep ingredients and build customized subs.

Due to being a minor, 15-year-olds may face restrictions on using certain equipment. For example, they may not be allowed to operate the vegetable slicers or ovens. Regulations will also limit the number of hours 15-year-olds can work weekly.

All duties will require supervision from older staff members. Still, sandwich artist responsibilities offer a solid introduction to working in the food services industry.

Responsibilities for Subway Employees 16 and Older

Once teens reach age 16, a whole new set of duties open up at Subway. Sixteen is when most employees start working independently without legal restrictions.

Here are some of the most common jobs and tasks for Subway workers aged 16 and up:

Sandwich Artist

• Greeting customers and taking orders
• Assembling sandwiches with requested ingredients
• Operating equipment like ovens and slicers
• Stocking ingredients and food supplies

Cashier

• Running the cash register and completing transactions
• Assisting with food prep during slow periods
• Ensuring the dining area is clean

Customer Service

• Keeping the dining area tidy
• Refilling napkin holders, straws, etc.
• Checking on and assisting dine-in customers

Restaurant Maintenance

• Wiping down tables
• Sweeping and mopping floors
• Taking out trash and recycling
• Cleaning bathrooms
• Doing dishes

Sixteen and 17-year olds get experience in nearly all aspects of running a quick-service restaurant. Teens will also take turns completing daily food prep before opening. This can involve chopping vegetables, preparing meat, baking bread, etc.

The well-rounded experience helps develop the workplace skills teens need for future success.

Key Stats on Teen Employment at Subway

• Subway employs over 150,000 teens under the age of 18, largely in entry-level sandwich artist roles.

• The average age of a Subway team member is 19 years old.

• 60% of Subway employees are under the age of 25.

• 25% of Subway‘s workforce consists of students working part-time.

• Hourly wages for Subway employees under 18 average $9 – $11 per hour.

Subway clearly relies heavily on teen employees to staff its locations. The high proportion of students and teens provides management experience overseeing and training younger workers.

Is Subway a Good Place for a First Job?

For teens aged 16 and up, Subway can serve as an excellent starter job. Benefits for teens include:

• Earning an income with average pay rates of $9 – $11 per hour
• Gaining experience working in a fast-paced retail environment
• Building communication skills by interacting with customers
• Developing time management abilities by producing orders efficiently
• Learning basic food prep skills that provide a foundation for any culinary career
• Receiving training and mentoring from more experienced staff
• Getting free meals during shifts
• Working with schedules that accommodate school

The food services skills learned at Subway also transfer well to other restaurants. Many Subway alumni move on to careers at popular chains like Starbucks, Panera Bread, McDonald‘s and more.

Tips for Landing a Job at Subway as a Teen

Here is some advice to help teens succeed in the Subway job application process:

• Apply in person – Stop by your neighborhood Subway, ask about open positions, and fill out an application onsite. This creates a personal connection with the hiring manager.

• Highlight your strengths – Emphasize any qualities that would make you a good restaurant employee, like responsibility, teamwork, and positivity.

• Demonstrate enthusiasm – Subway wants to hire teens who are eager to learn and motivated to work hard. Let that excitement show!

• Have reliable transportation – Make sure you have consistent and punctual means of getting to and from work.

• Provide references – Listing teachers, coaches or past employers who can vouch for your work ethic is helpful.

With the right attitude and approach, Subway can be the perfect entry into the working world for enterprising teens.