America’s Riskiest Jobs for Teen Workers, Based on Fatality Data

As more teenagers enter the workforce, new data highlights which jobs carry the highest risk for young workers in the United States. A recent study examining workplace fatalities among teenagers ages 16 to 19 found wide differences in danger depending on occupation, with some roles showing far higher death rates than others.

The analysis was conducted by Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys and reviewed workplace deaths and employment figures from 2020 through 2022. Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, researchers calculated death rates per 5,000 teenage workers across dozens of job categories.

The findings raise concerns for families, employers, and policymakers, especially as many teens take on physically demanding jobs during school breaks or as a first step into the workforce.

Heavy Vehicle Mechanics Ranked Most Dangerous

According to the study, heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics ranked as the most dangerous job for teenagers. The role recorded 2.5 deaths per 5,000 teenage workers, the highest rate among all occupations analyzed.

This line of work involves inspecting, maintaining, and repairing large vehicles and industrial machinery used in construction, transportation, and other sectors. Between 2020 and 2022, roughly 6,000 teenagers were employed in these roles, during which three workplace deaths were recorded.

Researchers noted that the combination of heavy machinery, mechanical systems, and high-risk environments contributes to the elevated danger for younger workers in this field.

Construction and Carpentry Roles Show Elevated Risk

Carpenters ranked second on the list, with a death rate of 1.4 per 5,000 teenage workers. While carpentry is a broad occupation, it typically includes tasks such as constructing, installing, and repairing structures or fixtures.

An average of nearly 29,000 teenagers were employed as carpenters each year during the period studied. The profession recorded an average of eight teenage deaths annually.

Construction laborers also ranked among the most dangerous jobs for teens. Along with security guards and gambling surveillance officers, construction laborers placed joint third, with a death rate of 0.96 per 5,000 workers.

Construction laborers often perform physically demanding tasks at active job sites, including moving materials, cleaning debris, and assisting skilled trades. The study recorded 48 teenage deaths in construction labor roles over the three-year period.

Security Guards and Protective Roles Raise Safety Concerns

Security guards and gambling surveillance officers also ranked joint third for risk. While these roles may not always involve heavy physical labor, they often place workers in unpredictable environments where conflict, violence, or hazardous situations can arise.

The study calculated an average of three teenage deaths per year in these positions. Researchers pointed to the need for stronger safety training and oversight for younger workers in protective service roles.

Other protective service occupations appeared again later in the rankings, reinforcing concerns about teens working in environments where risk is harder to control.

Agricultural and Outdoor Jobs Remain High Risk

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations ranked fourth, with a death rate of 0.7 per 5,000 teenage workers. These jobs employed an average of more than 71,000 teenagers per year and recorded 30 deaths over the three-year study period.

Agricultural work often involves heavy equipment, long hours, outdoor exposure, and physically demanding tasks. The study suggests these factors continue to pose serious risks for younger workers, particularly in rural areas.

Construction and extraction occupations ranked fifth, followed by driver and sales workers, truck drivers, and other roles involving transportation or equipment operation.

Lower Risk Jobs Still Carry Some Danger

While jobs in retail, food service, and office settings ranked among the least dangerous, the study emphasized that no workplace is completely risk-free. Even occupations with lower death rates still recorded fatalities among teenage workers during the years examined.

Retail salespersons, food preparation workers, and office support roles all showed significantly lower death rates compared to construction and mechanical jobs. Researchers stressed the importance of proper training and supervision regardless of occupation.

Expert Warns of Need for Better Protection

Dennis Hernandez, founder attorney of Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, said the findings highlight the need for stronger safety measures for young workers.

“Entering the world of work and earning your own money is an exciting time for many teenagers,” Hernandez said. “However, it is important to understand the risks involved with certain occupations, particularly those that involve physical labor. This data serves as a call to action for these professions to prioritize the protection of younger members of our society.”

Why the Findings Matter

Teen employment often increases during summer months and economic downturns, when families rely on additional income. Many teens also seek jobs that offer higher pay, which often correlates with more physically demanding or hazardous work.

The study underscores the importance of safety training, proper supervision, and age-appropriate job assignments. It also provides useful insight for parents helping teens choose their first jobs and for employers responsible for creating safer work environments.

This article first appeared on Cents + Purpose.