On the job for a second summer at Maria's Sweet Somethings in Salem, Amina Abo, 16, feels lucky to be slicing bananas, scooping ice cream, and chatting up customers at the candy and ice cream shop downtown.
''I just walked in one day and said, 'Hi, My name's Amina. I'd really like to work here,' " Abo said, carefully preparing fruit for smoothies.
But many of her friends haven't found it so easy to land a summer job this year, Abo said.
''Some of them are working at the mall," said Abo, who works for $7 per hour, plus tips. ''But a lot of them say to me, 'You got a job? How'd you get it?' "
It's a question a lot of teenagers are asking. The national employment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is projected to be 36.7 percent this summer, slightly higher than last year's rate of 36.1, the lowest rate since the US Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking teen employment in 1948, according to labor researchers at Northeastern University.
''It's not a happy story," said Paul Harrington, associate director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern, which prepared the 2005 Summer Jobs Market for US Teens report. ''And, really, when you look at the reasons, it's not just about summer jobs. It's about teen access to jobs period."
Massachusetts does not track teen employment rates, but the outlook is murky at best. The state, which has launched YouthWorks to create jobs for urban teens, expects employment to rise in July, with many picking up jobs at seasonal employers such as hotels and restaurants, a state spokeswoman said.
''This year does look a little brighter," said Linnea Walsh, spokeswoman at the Department of Workforce Development. ''But they still will have a difficult time."
Part of the reason is the intense competition teens now face from adults. Adult jobs lost during the recession of recent years haven't been replaced by jobs at comparable salaries or wages. As a result, adults, particularly new immigrants, will settle for jobs at mall retailers, supermarkets, and other places teenagers typically find work, Harrington said.
''Recession roughs up kids," Harrington said. ''It took a long time for the state's economy to recover, and when it did, many of the new jobs created didn't match [the pay] of those we lost . . . Employers now can get adults to work at kids' prices."
The state this year responded to the tight teen labor market, particularly in cities, by rolling out YouthWorks, a subsidized program for young people 14 to 21 whose families meet the federal guidelines for free or reduced lunch at school. Chelsea, Haverhill, and Lynn are among 21 communities statewide chosen for the program
The three local grants are administered by regional employment boards, and sometimes serve more than one community. Chelsea and Cambridge, for example, are sharing $79,435, Haverhill and Lawrence, $151,940, and Lynn received $91,031 -- a total of $322,406.
The grants require at least a 20 percent match from private businesses. Grant money can be used to pay wages and stipends for teens to work in private businesses, public agencies, or nonprofits. Many of the jobs will start on Tuesday.
Chelsea used money to hire 42 teens, 20 of whom will work as junior rangers, staffing city parks, day-care centers, summer camps, the library, and a cable television station.
Haverhill will hire 38 teenagers, some of whom will work on Brightside, a beautification program, planting and landscaping around the city.
In Lynn, the state grant was combined with federal Community Development Block Grant funds to create a pool of $151,000 to hire 104 youths to work for the city and at local businesses such as Eastern Bank and Garelick Farms dairy.
Still, despite more outreach to private employers and additional state funding, the city is only able to serve a little more than half of the 200 youths who applied, an official said.
''There is still a great need," said John Kasian, a grant manager in the city's economic development office. ''We haven't satisfied the need totally, but we've taken steps. We did have more success this year with outreach to private businesses."
But some business owners say teenagers just don't fit into their plans. Teens under 18 can't serve liquor. Younger teens, such as those age 14, are limited in the number of hours they can work. Some also aren't as mature as college students and young adults, employers said.
State child labor laws limit the number of hours 14- and 15-year-olds may work to no more than 18 per week during the school year, and 40 hours in the summer. They can work no later than 9 p.m. at any time of the year.
''I've had some kids say to me, 'It's the end of the summer. I'm not coming in today. I want a tan,' " said Brad Pierce, owner of the Cape Ann Motor Inn in Gloucester, who hired just one teen this summer to collect towels. ''I've said back to them, 'But this is a summer job.' "
Jane Meringer hires teens of all ages to work at her four shops on Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Younger teens start out in the toy store, and work their way up to House of Glass, a gift shop. Although she's had good luck hiring responsible teens, they do require extra training and supervision, she said.
''The problem with hiring teens is that many don't view the job as responsibly as an older person," said Meringer, who hired five fewer teens this summer to make up for a slow winter and spring. ''The friends factor is big . . . They come by and visit and kids can get distracted. Some kids think, 'It's just a job.' But this is our business . . . When we hire someone, we feel we're buying their time."
Maria Harris, owner of Maria's Sweet Somethings, agreed teens require more training, particularly in areas such as customer service. But teenagers also bring their own strengths to the workplace, she noted.
''It's hard to scoop ice cream," said Harris, who opened her shop 3 1/2 years ago. ''You do build up muscles. It's easier for the kids than older people . . . There is also a lot of running around here. Downstairs for chocolates and upstairs for ice cream. It requires a lot of energy."
Harris hired five teens this summer, including her niece, Nicole Zakardes, 17, of Beverly.
''I'm lucky to be able to work for my aunt," said Zakardes, who will be a senior at Beverly High in the fall. ''It is really hard to get jobs. You hear it all the time at school, all year long, 'Do you know where I can get a job? Do you know where I can get a job?' "
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