Congratulations! You just got your first job. Three days a week, you’ll be bagging groceries after school. You can finally start saving for a new phone. 

    There’s just one problem: You’ll be making less money per hour than some of your co-workers. It’s not because they’ll be working harder or doing a better job.

    It’s because you’re a teenager—and they’re adults. 

    In the U.S., there’s a minimum wage. That’s the lowest amount a worker can be paid per hour. This wage can differ by state. But there’s a catch: In some states—like Maryland and Michigan—businesses can pay some teens less. It’s called a youth minimum wage. Is that fair?

    Congratulations! You just got your first job. Three days a week, you’ll be bagging groceries after school. Now you can save up for a new phone.

    There’s just one problem: You’ll be earning less per hour than some of your co-workers. It’s not because they’ll be working harder or doing a better job.

    It’s because you’re a teen and they’re adults.

    A minimum wage is the lowest amount a worker can be paid per hour. It can be different from state to state. But some states, like Maryland and Michigan, have a special law. It says businesses can pay teens less. It’s called a youth minimum wage.

    Is that fair?

    Congratulations! You just got your first job. Three days a week, you’ll be bagging groceries after school. You can finally start saving for a new phone. 

    There’s just one problem: You’ll be earning less money per hour than some of your co-workers, and it’s not because they’ll be working harder or doing a better job.

    It’s because you’re a teenager—and they’re adults.

    In the U.S., there’s a minimum wage—the lowest amount a worker can be paid per hour. This wage can differ by state. But there’s a catch: In some states, including Maryland and Michigan, businesses can pay teens less. It’s called a youth minimum wage.

    Is that fair?

    Having a youth minimum wage might also help struggling businesses survive. Many businesses lost a lot of money during the pandemic. If they can’t stay open, how can they hire workers at all? 

    But many people don’t believe in a youth minimum wage. They argue that businesses may try to save money by hiring only teens. What does that mean for adult workers who need jobs?

    They also say that the same job should be worth the same pay—period. After all, many teens need money just as much as adults. 

    A youth minimum wage might also help businesses. Many businesses lost money during the pandemic. To hire anyone, they need to stay open.

    But many people don’t believe in a youth minimum wage. They say businesses may try to save money by hiring only teens. What about adults who need jobs?

    They also say that a job should pay what it pays—period. Many teens need money just as much as adults.

    In addition, a youth minimum wage might help struggling businesses survive. Many businesses lost a lot of money during the pandemic. If they can’t stay open, how can they hire workers at all?

    But many people don’t support the idea of a youth minimum wage. They argue that businesses may try to save money by hiring only teens, which could be a real problem for adults in search of employment.

    They also say that the same job should be worth the same pay—period. After all, many teens need money just as much as adults do.

    Take Emma Haar, 15. She works two jobs to help support her family. She’s also saving for college. 

    Earlier this year, Emma spoke in front of Nebraska lawmakers. They were debating a bill that would create a youth minimum wage. (A bill is a written suggestion for a new law.) “This bill treats me like a child when I have the responsibilities of an adult,” she said. 

    You might not be getting a job anytime soon. But it’s still a good idea to check: What’s the minimum wage for teen workers in your state? 

    Take Emma Haar, 15. She works two jobs to help support her family. She’s saving for college too.

    Earlier this year, Emma spoke in front of Nebraska lawmakers. They were debating a bill that would create a youth minimum wage. (A bill is a written suggestion for a new law.) “This bill treats me like a child when I have the responsibilities of an adult,” she said.

    Do you want a job? Either way, it’s good to know: What’s the minimum wage for teens in your state? 

    Take Emma Haar, 15. She works two jobs to help support her family and to save money for college.

    Earlier this year, Emma spoke in front of Nebraska lawmakers who were debating a bill that would create a youth minimum wage. (A bill is a written suggestion for a new law.) “This bill treats me like a child when I have the responsibilities of an adult,” Emma stated.

    You might not be looking for a job anytime soon, but it’s still a good idea to find out: What’s the minimum wage for teenage workers in your state?