A 16 year old should absolutely make $31K

[JDPriestly]

117. I started working very young -- carrying ads from door to door when I was younger than I care

to admit and then starting at 9 or 10, babysitting because I was really good with children and very trustworthy.

Then at 14 I got my work permit and worked in day care. I worked summers not during the school year. I learned to take work seriously and I loved to work, but now I am retired.

I have done all kinds, and I mean all kinds of work in my life and ended up after years of doing all kinds of things, in a profession that I loved.

Work can be very rewarding and not just in terms of money. So much depends on the people you work with. Good people make a job more fun.

So working full-time at 16 is not good because it means you are not in school. But theoretically you could save for college if you got paid $15 an hour and worked fewer hours.