US Teen Unemployment 11-22-25

As of August 2025, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for teenagers aged 16 to 19 years in the U.S. was 13.9%. 

More specific, non-seasonally adjusted data for high school students in July 2025 shows the following rates:

Ages 16 to 17: 11.7%

Ages 18 to 19: 16.0%  

Note that data specific to "high school students" often includes individuals up to age 24 in BLS reports (as some are still completing high school), but the breakdowns above offer a more precise look at the 16 to 18 age range. 

For more information and data on youth employment, you can visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. 

As of August 2025, the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 15.4% for 16- to 17-year-olds and 13.0% for 18- to 19-year-olds. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides a combined unemployment rate for the broader age group of teenagers (16 to 19 years), which was 13.9% in August 2025. 

Key Factors:

Higher than National Average: The unemployment rate for teenagers is consistently and significantly higher than the overall national unemployment rate, which was 4.3% in August 2025.

Reasons: This is generally due to a lack of work experience, high turnover in seasonal or part-time jobs, and the fact that many in this age group are students and only seeking part-time work.

Seasonal Variations: Youth employment and unemployment rates often see significant seasonal changes, typically peaking in the summer months when students are out of school and entering the labor force.

Data Source: You can find more detailed and the most recent data on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+the+unemployment+rate+for+high+school+students+ares+16+to+18

In May 2025, approximately 35.4% of U.S. teens aged 16 to 19 were working or looking for jobs. This percentage has declined from previous years, but the summer months are when teen labor force participation is highest compared to other times of the year. 

Current Rate: In May 2025, the labor force participation rate for 16- to 19-year-olds was 35.4%.

Seasonal Peak: The summer months are when teen employment rates are typically at their highest for the year.

Historical Context: This rate is significantly lower than the peak of 59.9% in July 1979. 

In summer 2023, approximately 42% of U.S. teens (ages 16 to 19) were in the labor force, meaning they were either employed or actively looking for work. The actual employment rate tends to peak in July each summer. 

Key statistics regarding U.S. teen summer employment:

Recent Employment Rates: In July 2024, the labor force participation rate for youth (ages 16 to 24) was 60.4%. For the narrower 16-19 age range, around 38% were working or looking for work as of May 2024.

Long-Term Trend: While teen summer employment has seen a modest increase in recent years, it is significantly lower than in past decades. The participation rate peaked in July 1979, when nearly 60% of teens were employed or job hunting.

Factors Influencing the Decline: The decline is generally attributed to several factors, including:

Increased enrollment in summer school or college courses.

More time spent on extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or unpaid internships to enhance college applications.

Competition from older workers.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+percentage+of+us+teens+work+in+the+summer

In October 2023 (the most recent school-year data), the employment-population ratio for high school students was 22.5% and for college students it was 44.3%. There is no specific 2025 data for the percentage of teens working while attending school, as 2025 statistics released so far cover only the summer months. 

Teen Employment Statistics (US)

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides insights into the general trend for youth employment: 

The employment-population ratio for high school students (ages 16–24) was 22.5% in October 2023.

For college students in October 2023 (ages 16-24), the ratio was 44.3%. Specifically, 39.6% of full-time college students were employed, while 77.7% of part-time college students had jobs.

The labor force participation rate for 16- to 19-year-olds in May 2025 was 35.4%, a decrease from the previous year. 

Context

The percentage of teens working while in school generally trends down during the school year compared to the summer months, as many students prioritize academics or extracurricular activities for college applications. Historically, the teen employment rate has declined significantly since the 1970s, but recent years have shown a slight reversal of this trend. The latest data for 2025 indicates a slight decline in youth labor force participation compared to 2024, possibly due to economic uncertainty. 

For more information, you can explore detailed data on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. 

Based on the most recent data, approximately 22.5% of high school students (ages 16 to 24) were employed in October 2023, the latest non-summer-adjusted figure available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that specifically pertains to when teens are generally in school. 

The percentage of teens working part-time while attending school fluctuates throughout the year, peaking during the summer months and decreasing when school is in session. Data from 2025 specifically relates to summer employment trends, which are not representative of in-school work activity. 

Historically, teen employment rates are much lower during the school year (fall/spring) compared to the summer. For instance: 

In October 2023, the employment-population ratio for high school students was 22.5%.

In July 2025 (a peak summer month), the employment-population ratio for youth (ages 16 to 24) was 53.1%, but this figure includes recent graduates and college students who are not enrolled in school at that time. 

The data for 2025 that isolates in-school part-time work activity will not be available until later, as the relevant BLS reports on "College Enrollment and Work Activity" are typically released in April or August of the following year. The overall trend since 2010 has been a gradual increase in the high school employment ratio after a significant decline in the 2000s. 

For more detailed and current statistics, you can consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+percentage+of+teens+work+part+time+while+attending+school+2025

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader