15 Summer Jobs for High School Students in New Jersey
Summer jobs can help you build professional experience, develop workplace skills, and explore potential career interests while still in high school. Whether you work in retail, hospitality, research, education, or STEM, a summer job can strengthen your resume and provide practical experience that supports future college and internship applications. Many positions also help you improve communication, teamwork, time management, and leadership skills, all of which are valuable in both academic and professional settings. You can also build professional connections, learn workplace expectations, and better understand industries you may want to pursue in the future.
If you’re more interested in summer internships, then check out a list of free programs here! Or if you’re more interested in looking at STEM-based offerings, you can see a list here!
What Summer jobs are available for high school students in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers a broad range of summer jobs for high school students across industries such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, public service, technology, and research. Because of the state’s proximity to major metropolitan areas such as New York City and Philadelphia, students can access opportunities with large corporations, museums, startups, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Popular summer roles include camp counselor positions, library assistants, retail associates, lifeguards, research interns, and customer service jobs, as well as more specialized opportunities in STEM and business. These opportunities can help you explore career interests, build transferable workplace skills, and demonstrate initiative on college applications.
Below is a list of 15 summer jobs for high school students in New Jersey. Whether you are interested in healthcare, engineering, finance, creative arts, or community engagement, New Jersey provides a strong mix of local and nationally recognized summer employment opportunities for high school students.
Key takeaways
This list gathers 15 summer jobs and internships for New Jersey high schoolers, spanning local government, seasonal shore-town businesses, university research, and a federal senator's office, with standout hosts including Princeton University and multiple county governments.
Most of these are paid, with hourly rates generally running $15 to $17, while a handful of research and government programs are unpaid but offer valuable exposure and mentorship instead.
One entry on this list isn't actually a job at all; it's the state's required work-authorization process for minors, worth completing before starting any paid position regardless of which job you land, and several other entries are restricted to one specific city or county rather than the whole state.
Most opportunities are tied to a specific town, county, or university, while Ladder and a statewide cybersecurity program are the only fully virtual, broadly accessible options.
The earliest deadline falls in mid-February for Princeton's research program, with several more clustering into March and April, so it's worth starting applications well before spring if a university-affiliated program interests you.
1. Middlesex Borough Public Schools – Summer Camp Counselor Aide
Location: Middlesex, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid position ($15.92/hour)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open seasonal hiring program
Program Dates: June 30 – August 28
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Camp Counselor Aide position at Middlesex Borough Public Schools offers hands-on experience working with children in a structured summer camp setting. During the program, you will assist camp counselors and staff in supervising activities, supporting daily operations, and maintaining a safe and organized environment for campers. Responsibilities may include assisting with games, arts and crafts, recreational activities, and group management throughout the workday. The position also provides practical workplace experience with scheduled hours and professional expectations, helping you build responsibility and time-management skills.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort — Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work directly with high-growth startups across industries such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, health tech, consulting, journalism, and marketing. During the internship, you will collaborate with startup founders and managers on real-world projects that contribute to active company goals and operations. Because the program is highly selective, participating can strengthen your resume and demonstrate initiative, independence, and professional experience on college applications. The startups involved in the program are typically fast-growing companies with strong funding histories, giving you exposure to entrepreneurial environments and emerging industries.
3. Princeton University – Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free research program; no housing or transportation provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; over 3,000 applicants annually
Program Dates: Typically 5 – 6 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Applications generally open February 15 and close March 15
Eligibility: Students age 16 or older by June 15 who attend local New Jersey high schools and are U.S. citizens currently residing in the United States
The Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP) offers high school students the opportunity to participate in full-time, in-person research experiences in science and engineering. Through the program, you work alongside Princeton faculty members, researchers, and laboratory staff on active research projects while gaining exposure to professional scientific environments. Depending on your placement, you may assist with laboratory experiments, data collection, engineering tasks, computational analysis, or other research-related activities connected to ongoing university projects. In addition to technical experience, you will complete required safety training and prepare a two-page research summary report at the conclusion of the internship.
4. Aunt Betty’s Ice Cream Shack – Summer Jobs
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer employment
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Seasonal hiring; multiple openings available
Program Dates: Summer seasonal employment
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Students ages 14 and older
Aunt Betty’s Ice Cream Shack offers high school students the opportunity to gain early work experience in a fast-paced customer service environment during the summer season. The shop hires students for a variety of roles, including server and cook/food preparation positions, allowing you to build practical workplace skills while earning an income. Depending on your role, you may interact directly with customers, prepare food and desserts, manage orders, maintain cleanliness standards, and support daily shop operations. Because the business operates in a busy shore-town environment during the summer, you will gain experience working under pressure while improving communication, teamwork, multitasking, and time-management skills.
5. Imagination Stylist
Location: New Jersey studio locations
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $15.49/hour plus tips
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Seasonal hiring opportunities available
Program Dates: Ongoing and seasonal positions available
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Applicants with strong Dutch and French braiding skills who can complete the required training
The Imagination Stylist role allows you to combine creativity, customer service, and event experience in an interactive salon environment focused on children’s entertainment and themed makeovers. In this position, you will provide hairstyling and makeover services that transform clients into characters such as mermaids, fairies, and unicorns while helping create memorable experiences for families. Your responsibilities may include providing hair-braiding services, assisting with themed events and birthday parties, and maintaining a welcoming, professional atmosphere in the studio. Because the role involves direct client interaction and group activities, you will develop communication, teamwork, and customer engagement skills in a fast-paced setting.
6. City of Ocean City Seasonal Employment Opportunities
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid seasonal employment
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Large-scale seasonal hiring program with over 700 employees hired annually
Program Dates: Summer seasonal employment
Application Deadline: Rolling applications
Eligibility: Most positions are open to students ages 14 and older, though some roles may have higher minimum age requirements
The City of Ocean City Seasonal Employment Program offers high school students a wide range of summer job opportunities across public service, recreation, maintenance, administration, and beach operations. Each summer, the city hires hundreds of seasonal employees to support tourism, recreation programs, municipal services, and community activities during the busy shore season. Depending on your interests and qualifications, you may work in roles connected to recreation programs, lifeguarding, administrative support, maintenance, or public services. These positions help you develop practical workplace skills, including communication, responsibility, teamwork, customer service, and problem-solving, while working in a professional municipal environment.
7. NJCCIC High School Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free internship program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based selection
Program Dates: Cybersecurity Basics Program: August 3 – 7, Advanced Cybersecurity Program: July 20 – October, Elite Advanced Cybersecurity Program: July 20 – October
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current New Jersey high school students in grades 9–12 with an interest in cybersecurity; advanced programs require prior cybersecurity experience or previous NJCCIC participation
The NJCCIC High School Internship Program offers you the opportunity to explore cybersecurity through virtual, team-based learning experiences designed for learners of all experience levels. The Cybersecurity Basics Internship introduces you to core cybersecurity concepts and helps you understand digital safety, cyber threats, and foundational security practices through collaborative online sessions. If you already have cybersecurity experience, the Advanced Cybersecurity Internship allows you to deepen your technical knowledge while exploring cybersecurity research and more complex industry topics. Students who previously completed the advanced program may qualify for the Elite Advanced Cybersecurity Internship, which focuses on higher-level collaboration and research-based cybersecurity work.
8. The M.I.N.D.S. Program (Medical Internship Navigating and Discovering Science)
Location: Hybrid program; in-person sessions held in Nutley, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective application-based program
Program Dates: 6 weeks, July – August
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors entering 11th grade in the fall
The M.I.N.D.S. Program (Medical Internship Navigating and Discovering Science) provides high school students with early exposure to healthcare careers through hands-on learning, mentorship, and clinical experiences. Designed as a longitudinal medical pathway program, M.I.N.D.S. helps you explore different healthcare professions while developing academic and professional skills connected to medicine and public health. Throughout the program, you will participate in activities such as CPR/BLS certification training, medical simulations, SAT preparation, and workshops led by healthcare professionals. You will also gain exposure to clinical environments through shadowing experiences at hospitals, allowing you to better understand how healthcare teams operate across different specialties.
9. Summer Technology Intern – Long Hill Township School District
Location: Gillette, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid position at minimum wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 2 interns selected
Program Dates: July 13 – August 14
Application Deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Applicants with foundational knowledge of Windows computers, Chromebooks, Apple devices, and related operating systems; criminal background check required
The Summer Technology Intern position at Long Hill Township School District provides practical experience supporting educational technology systems in a school environment. During the internship, you may assist with maintaining and troubleshooting devices such as Windows computers, Chromebooks, iPads, and other classroom technology tools used by staff and students. The role helps you develop practical technical support skills while gaining exposure to how school IT systems operate and are managed during summer preparation periods. Because the internship involves working with multiple operating systems and computer peripherals, you will strengthen your problem-solving, troubleshooting, and technical communication abilities in a real-world setting.
10. Mercer County Student Internship Program
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship ($17/hour for 25 hours per week)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive cohort-based internship program
Program Dates: July 6 – August 28 (high school session)
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: High school students applying to participating Mercer County departments
The Mercer County Student Internship Program gives you the opportunity to explore careers in public service through structured, hands-on work experience within county government departments. As part of the program, you will contribute to meaningful projects while learning how local government agencies operate and serve communities across Mercer County. The internship follows a cohort-based model, meaning you will participate in both departmental work and professional development programming alongside other student interns. Depending on your placement, you may assist with administrative projects, community initiatives, research tasks, communications work, or public-facing services connected to county operations.
11. Senator Cory Booker Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.; Newark, NJ; Camden, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Internship program (stipend information not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive application-based program
Program Dates: High School Accelerated Session runs August 11–August 28
Application Deadline: Summer session applications closed April 10
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduate students, and recent college graduates; preference given to New Jersey residents
The Senator Cory Booker Internship Program gives you firsthand exposure to how congressional offices operate while allowing you to explore careers in government, public policy, and community service. High school students participate through the Summer High School Accelerated Session, a focused two-week program designed to introduce students to legislative and constituent services work. Depending on your placement in the Newark, Camden, or Washington, D.C. offices, you may assist with administrative tasks, respond to constituent communications, conduct policy research, and help staff prepare for community events and legislative activities. Students in the Washington office may also attend committee hearings, legislative briefings, and Capitol tours, providing additional exposure to the federal policymaking process.
12. New Jersey Working Papers Program for Teen Workers
Location: New Jersey (statewide online system)
Cost/Stipend: Free online application process
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Statewide employment authorization system for minors
Program Dates: Available year-round for seasonal and part-time employment
Application Deadline: No fixed deadline; required before beginning work
Eligibility: New Jersey minors under age 18 with a job offer
While not a traditional summer job, the New Jersey Working Papers Program is an essential step for high school students seeking summer jobs or part-time employment across the state. Before beginning any job, minors under 18 must obtain approved working papers through the state’s online platform. The system streamlines the application process by allowing students, caregivers, and employers to complete required forms digitally while ensuring employers comply with New Jersey labor laws. To apply, you must first receive a job offer from an employer registered with the state’s working papers system. Once approved, the program helps protect your rights as a young worker by enforcing regulations related to wages, meal breaks, work hours, and workplace safety.
13. City of Newark Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
Location: Newark, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Paid summer employment opportunities
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Large citywide youth employment program
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Newark youth applicants who meet SYEP participation requirements
The City of Newark Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) gives high school students the opportunity to gain paid work experience while developing professional and workplace-readiness skills. Through the program, you may be placed in positions across community organizations, public agencies, nonprofits, or local businesses, allowing you to explore different career environments while earning income during the summer. SYEP is designed to help students build foundational skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility, and time management through structured employment experiences. In addition to workplace exposure, participants receive guidance on professional expectations, workplace conduct, and career preparation through program resources and orientation materials.
14. Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Student Internship Program
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Internship program (compensation not specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective application-based program
Program Dates: Varies by semester and internship availability
Application Deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: Students who live in or attend school in Bergen County and are enrolled in a high school or college internship program
The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Student Internship Program gives you firsthand exposure to careers in law enforcement and public safety through practical experience within one of New Jersey’s largest law enforcement agencies. During the internship, you may work in a variety of professional settings connected to the sheriff’s office operations while learning how different departments support public safety, community outreach, and administrative functions. The program is designed to help students develop workplace skills and gain insight into criminal justice and law enforcement careers through observation, mentorship, and hands-on participation. Depending on your placement, you may assist with administrative projects, communications tasks, community engagement initiatives, or operational support activities within the agency.
15. NewBridge Services Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Parsippany, NJ (serving Morris County students)
Cost/Stipend: Free youth employment and career development program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited to 15 students per session
Program Dates: Two consecutive three-week summer sessions meeting two days per week
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment based on session availability
Eligibility: Morris County teens ages 14–18
The Summer Youth Employment Program at NewBridge Services helps high school students build career readiness skills through workshops, mentorship, and community service experiences. Designed for teens entering the workforce or exploring future career paths, the program combines classroom-based learning with hands-on service projects that help you develop confidence and professional experience. Throughout the program, you will participate in workshops focused on resume writing, interview preparation, job-search strategies, financial literacy, stress management, and professional communication. Students also complete supervised community service projects with partner organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Morris County Parks, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.
Questions students often ask about these jobs
1. Do I need work experience already to apply to these summer jobs?
No, most of these are entry-level and designed for students taking on their first job or internship. What matters more is reliability, a completed application, and meeting each listing's age or grade requirements.
2. Do I need working papers to take any of these jobs, and how do I get them?
Yes, in New Jersey, minors under 18 need approved working papers before starting most paid positions, and the state's online system handles that process once you have a job offer. It's worth applying for these as soon as you've accepted a position, since they're required before your first day.
3. A few of these are limited to specific counties or cities. Are any open to all of New Jersey?
Yes, a few, including the statewide cybersecurity internship and Ladder, are open regardless of where in New Jersey you live. The local government and municipal roles, however, are generally limited to residents of that specific city or county.