30 Jobs for Teens – How to Make Money as a Teenager

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An “allowance” from your parents when you were 8 years old was great, but it’s just not going to cut it now!

Or maybe you’ve aged out of the allowance stage altogether.

But not having money is a drag. And so is always having to ask your parents for cash.

Making money as a teenager can be a challenge. You’re in a place in life where you have no job experience and no resume. But you have to start somewhere right?

There are still many ways to get money as a teen, even without a job. Especially in this day and age of online jobs and endeavors!

From side hustles, to part-time jobs, to your own small business or online work, there’s no reason you have to be poor!

If you are asking yourself the question “How can I make money as a teenager?” read on to find the best jobs for teens!

Best Jobs for Teens

There are a ton of “starter” jobs out there for teenagers that don’t require work experience and offer flexibly hours.

1. Babysitter

Babysitting is one of the best jobs for teens  because you can set your own schedule and rates.

There is a reason it has always been a go-to job for teens who want to make money.

You’ll watch children while their parents are away, which includes feeding them, helping with homework, and keeping them safe.

Most babysitters earn between $12 and $20 per hour depending on location and experience.

You can start by watching kids in your neighborhood or for family friends. Many parents prefer hiring teens they already know and trust.

Getting certified in CPR and first aid makes you more appealing to parents and lets you charge higher rates.

The great thing about it is that parents often need sitters on weekend evenings and occasional weekdays, so it won’t interfere much with school.

2. Tutor

If you’re good at a particular subject, tutoring lets you help other students while earning money.

You can tutor younger kids or classmates who need extra help in subjects like math, science, or English. Tutors typically make $15 to $30 per hour based on the subject and grade level.

You can find students through your school, online platforms, or by advertising in your community.

Many parents look for tutors during the school year to help their kids improve grades. Online tutoring is also popular and lets you work from home.

This job builds your communication skills and deepens your own understanding of subjects. You create lesson plans and explain concepts in ways that make sense to different learners. It looks great on college applications too.

More reading:

• Highest Paying Apps
• Passive Income Ideas for Students
• 15 Ways to Make Money in One Hour
• How to Earn $300 Fast

3. House Cleaner

House cleaning is another great way to make money as a teenager. You can do it anytime that works with your schedule and it pays well.

You’ll vacuum, dust, mop floors, clean bathrooms, and tidy up rooms for busy families or elderly neighbors. Teen cleaners can earn $15 to $25 per hour or charge per house.

Start by offering your services to neighbors and family friends who know you’re reliable. You’ll need basic cleaning supplies, though many clients provide their own. Weekend mornings are popular times for cleaning jobs.

The work is physically active but doesn’t require special training. You can often finish a house in 2-3 hours, making it easy to fit around other commitments. Building a regular client base means steady income.

4. Grocery Store Cashier

I don’t know about you but when I was little my career-dream was to someday work a cash register at a grocery store!

But, it is actually an ideal job for teenagers to try. Working as a grocery store cashier gives you regular hours and a consistent paycheck.

You’ll scan items, handle payments, bag groceries, and help customers. Most grocery stores pay $10 to $14 per hour and offer employee discounts.

Many grocery chains hire workers as young as 14 or 15 for cashier and bagger positions. You’ll get trained on the register system and customer service basics.

Stores often need help during evenings and weekends when you’re out of school.

This job teaches you how to work with the public and handle money accurately. You’ll develop time management skills during busy rushes.

In addition, the experience looks good on future job applications and you might get promoted to better positions.

Popular Part-Time Jobs for Teenagers

Teenagers looking for work often find the best opportunities in food service, retail, and customer-facing positions.

These jobs typically offer flexible hours that work around school schedules and don’t require previous experience.

5. Library Assistant

Working as a library assistant gives you a quiet environment where you can earn money while staying around books and learning resources.

You’ll help visitors find materials, check books in and out, shelve returned items, and keep the library organized. It is pretty easy work!

The job teaches you money making skills like organization and customer service as well as how to use library systems.

You’ll also learn to help people with research questions and use computers and databases. Most libraries need you to be detail-oriented and comfortable working independently.

Library assistants usually work after school hours and on weekends when students need help with homework.

The pace is generally calm compared to retail or food service jobs. You might also get first access to new books and materials.

6. Busser

I have made a lot of money in my life from restaurant jobs. When it comes to jobs for teens, I think getting started in a restaurant is the best work you can do!

It is an excellent fall-back at any point in your life and the money is typically better.

You can get started as a busser. Bussers clear and clean tables in restaurants so new customers can sit down quickly.

You’ll remove dirty dishes, wipe down tables and chairs, and sometimes help refill water glasses or bread baskets.

This job keeps you moving throughout your shift. You need to work fast during busy meal times and stay organized when the restaurant fills up.

Bussers often share tips with servers, which means you can earn more than just your hourly wage.

The work builds your stamina and teaches you how restaurants operate. You’ll learn to work as part of a team and handle pressure during rush hours.

Many bussers move up to server positions once they learn how the restaurant works so it is a great starting point.

7. Restaurant Hostess

As a restaurant hostess, you’re the first person customers see when they walk in. You greet guests, manage the waiting list, seat people at tables, and answer phone calls about reservations or hours.

You need good communication skills and a friendly attitude for this role. The job requires you to stay calm when customers get frustrated about wait times.

You’ll also work with servers to make sure tables get seated in a fair rotation.

This position gives you valuable customer service experience. You’ll learn to multitask by handling walk-ins while managing phone calls and tracking which tables are available.

The work environment is usually cleaner than kitchen jobs since you stay in the front of the restaurant.

8. Server

The best restaurant job for teens on our list is server. That is the highest paid position in a restaurant.

Servers take customer orders, deliver food and drinks, and make sure diners have everything they need during their meal.

You’ll answer questions about the menu, make recommendations, and handle payment at the end.

The job requires strong memory skills and the ability to carry multiple plates at once. You need to be friendly and patient, even with difficult customers.

Servers earn tips on top of their hourly wage, which means you can make a lot more money doing this than working at a retail store.

You’ll develop thick skin and learn to handle complaints professionally. The work teaches you time management as you juggle multiple tables at different stages of their meals.

Peak hours like Friday nights and weekend brunches are your busiest and most profitable times. Becoming a server is one of the best money making jobs to try.

9. Dishwasher

Dishwashers keep restaurants running by cleaning plates, glasses, silverware, and cooking equipment. You’ll load and unload industrial dishwashers, scrub pots and pans, and help maintain a clean kitchen workspace.

The work is physically demanding and hot since you’re around steam and hot water all shift. You don’t interact with customers, which some teens prefer.

The job is straightforward and doesn’t require you to memorize complex information.

Most restaurants desperately need reliable dishwashers, so these positions are often easy to find. You’ll work as part of the kitchen team and learn how professional kitchens operate. The experience can lead to other kitchen positions if you’re interested in cooking.

10. Barista

Baristas make coffee drinks, teas, and other beverages in coffee shops and cafes. You’ll take customer orders, operate espresso machines, steam milk, and create drinks according to specific recipes.

The job requires you to learn different drink recipes and work quickly during morning rush hours.

You need good customer service skills since you’ll chat with regular customers and handle special requests.

Many baristas enjoy the creative aspect of making latte art and customizing drinks.

You’ll often get free or discounted drinks during your shift. The work teaches you to multitask as you make multiple drinks while taking new orders.

Coffee shops attract a regular crowd, so you’ll get to know customers and build relationships with them.

11. Retail Sales Associate

Another ideal way to make money as a teenager is by working as a sales associate at a store. you can work at a clothing store, shoe store, or even ice cream shop. There are endless options for this type of work.

Retail sales associates help customers find products, answer questions, and process purchases at stores. You’ll also restock shelves, organize displays, and keep the store clean and presentable.

The job requires you to learn about the products your store sells. You need to be approachable and willing to help shoppers find what they need.

Many retail positions offer employee discounts, which is great if you like the store’s products.

You’ll develop sales skills and learn to handle cash registers and payment systems. The work varies between busy periods when lots of customers need help and slower times when you focus on organizing and restocking.

Holiday seasons bring extra hours and increased pay opportunities. You can get a job during the holidays for extra money.

Retail jobs are excellent summer jobs for teens as well.

Summer Jobs for Teens

Summer break opens up job opportunities that aren’t available during the school year. Many of these positions are outdoors or recreation-focused, taking advantage of warm weather and kids being out of school.

12. Camp Counselor

Working as a camp counselor is a weekly side hustle puts you in charge of leading activities and supervising groups of kids at day camps or overnight camps.

You’ll organize games, help with arts and crafts, and make sure campers stay safe and have fun.

Most camps look for counselors who are at least 16 years old, though some accept younger teens through counselor-in-training programs.

You don’t usually need previous experience to start, but you should enjoy working with children and be comfortable leading groups.

The pay varies by camp type and location, but you can expect anywhere from minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Overnight camps sometimes provide room and board as part of your compensation. This job teaches you leadership skills and responsibility while keeping you active all summer.

You can find summer camp counselor positions by checking with local YMCAs, recreation departments, religious organizations, and private camps in your area.

13. Lifeguard

One well-known summer job for teens has always been lifeguarding.

Lifeguard positions open up at pools, beaches, and water parks when warm weather arrives. Your main job is watching swimmers and responding to emergencies, but you’ll also enforce pool rules and keep the facility clean.

You need to get certified before you can work as a lifeguard. The American Red Cross and similar organizations offer training courses that teach water rescue techniques, CPR, and first aid.

These classes usually take about 25-30 hours to complete and cost between $200-$300.

Most places require lifeguards to be at least 15 years old. Once certified, you can earn $12-$20+ per hour depending on your location.

There’s currently a national lifeguard shortage, which means pools and beaches are actively hiring.

The certification lasts for two years, so you can use it for multiple summers. Strong swimming skills are a must before you even start training.

14. Swim Instructor

If you’re a skilled swimmer, teaching swim lessons is another water-based option for summer work.

You’ll work with kids or adults who are learning to swim, helping them build confidence and master different strokes.

Many community pools, YMCAs, and private swim schools hire teen instructors. You typically need lifeguard certification or specific swim instructor credentials from organizations like the Red Cross. Some facilities will hire you at 15 or 16 if you have strong swimming skills.

Swim instructors often earn more than regular pool staff, with rates ranging from $12-$25 per hour.

You might teach group classes or private one-on-one lessons. Private lessons usually pay more.

This job requires patience and good communication skills since you’ll be working with students who might be nervous about the water.

You set your own pace with lessons and celebrate each student’s progress.

15. Golf Caddy

Golf courses get busy during summer, and many need caddies to assist golfers during their rounds which makes for an ideal job for teenagers.

As a caddy, you carry golf bags, clean clubs, help find lost balls, and offer advice about the course when asked.

You don’t need previous golf experience, but knowing basic golf rules and etiquette helps. Most courses provide training to new caddies. The minimum age varies by course, but many accept tee