Stepping into the world of work is an exciting time for any teenager. You’ll meet new people, discover new places, and, most importantly— earn money. That’s not all. Developing your skills and interests, preparing for the future, and learning the ways of the workforce are all things a job can help you with.
If you’re not sure where to start, we have a list right here of 35 different jobs for teenagers and high school students. Along with tips on how to get hired and what kind of paycheck to expect, this guide has everything you need to get your first job!
Best Jobs for Teens
Here’s our list of job ideas for teens. We’ve broken them down into different categories to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. You might expect lemonade stands and paper rounds to be the only choices, but the options are actually quite diverse.
Best-paying jobs for teens
If you’re after the big bucks, these are the jobs you should look into.
Lifeguard
Your job revolves around staying alert and keeping an eye out for any problems, as well as always making sure that you’re quick to act whenever someone needs help.
Working as a lifeguard requires responsibility and knowing how to swim, making it a skill-based and well-paid job.
Skills
- Strong swimmer
- Cool under pressure
- Good concentration
- Teamwork
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Daytime work on weekends and holidays
- Lifeguard certification
- Average pay: $17.72 per hour
Pet Sitter
Working as a pet sitter allows you to earn good money while spending time with animals. Who doesn’t love to get paid for hanging out with a sweet pooch or a cuddly cat?
It is a job, though, and it requires a solid level of responsibility. You’ll be dealing with things like feeding, walking, and playing with pets, as well as ensuring their safety and well-being while their owners are away.
Skills
- Animal handling
- Responsibility
- Time management
- Interacting with clients
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $25 per visit
Actor
Acting can be a high-paying job for teens with talent and dedication, offering opportunities for creativity and self-expression. You don’t have to aim for Hollywood in order to make some extra cash on the side, and the hourly pay is typically high once you do land a gig.
As a teenager, you may participate in community theater productions or even pursue roles in commercials, shows, or movies. This requires the ability to memorize lines, portray emotion, and be a team player.
Skills
- Memorization
- Emotional expression
- Collaboration
- Confidence
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Hours vary by production
- Acting classes or workshops may be beneficial
- Pay: Varied, around $100 per day
Caddy
Being a caddy can provide you with the chance to earn good money through tips while enjoying outdoor activities like golfing.
Responsibilities involve carrying golf clubs, offering advice on course strategy, and maintaining a positive attitude while assisting golfers during their rounds.
Skills
- Physical fitness
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Knowledge of sport
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Weekend and holiday hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $20-$30 per hour
Tutor
Tutoring is sort of a win-win situation if you’re particularly great at a given subject. Not only do you help others (and get paid for it!), you also reinforce your own knowledge.
To be a tutor, you’ll need to have a lot of patience. You’ll be explaining concepts, assisting with homework, and providing guidance in specific subjects or areas of difficulty.
Skills
- Subject expertise
- Patience
- Communication
- Ability to work with kids
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay:$24.49 per hour
Best summer jobs for teens
Summer gives you plenty of time, which opens up the possibilities for better jobs.
QA tester (quality assurance tester)
Working as a QA tester during the summer allows you to gain valuable experience in the tech industry while ensuring the quality of software products like video games. It’s not all fun and games, though; it can actually get pretty tedious sometimes.
Responsibilities often include identifying and reporting bugs, testing software functionality, and providing feedback to developers.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Computer proficiency
- Patience
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Office hours or flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $15-$20 per hour
Hair salon assistant
If all your friends turn to you when they want to look extra great, the beauty industry might be a good idea. Assisting at a hair salon during the summer can give you some hands-on experience in a creative environment.
Duties may involve shampooing clients, sweeping hair, and assisting stylists with various tasks.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Knowledge of hair styling
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Weekday and weekend hours
- A cosmetology license may be required, depending on the tasks assigned
- Average pay: $14.66 per hour
Gardener
Working as a gardener over the summer lets you enjoy the outdoors. If you have a green thumb, it’s a great way to combine your hobby with earning some money.
As a teen, you’re likely to be given tasks like planting, watering, weeding, and maintaining gardens or outdoor spaces.
Skills
- Physical stamina
- Attention to detail
- Basic plant knowledge
- Ability to work on your own
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $20 per yard
Farmhand
If you live in a rural area, you’re no stranger to helping out on the farm. You may have been doing this for free up until now, but you could also gain experience in agriculture and animal care while getting paid for it.
Tasks may include feeding animals, mending fences, cleaning, and assisting with crop harvesting.
Skills
- Physical strength
- Adaptability
- Animal handling
- Time management
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Varies by farm
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $12.15 per hour
Summer camp counselor
Working as a summer camp counselor allows teens to make a positive impact on children while enjoying outdoor activities and building leadership skills.
Counselors usually spend their time supervising kids, leading games and activities, and ensuring the safety and well-being of campers.
Skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Patience
- Positive attitude
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Full-time hours during camp season
- CPR and first aid certifications may be required
- Average pay: $240 per week
Best first jobs for teens
Everyone has to start somewhere. Here are some jobs to try when you’ve never worked before.
Babysitter
Babysitting is often one of the first jobs teens take on, providing valuable experience in childcare and responsibility. If you have younger siblings, chances are you’re already a seasoned babysitter.
This gig includes supervising children, preparing meals, and playing with the kids to entertain them while ensuring they’re safe.
Skills
- Responsibility
- Patience
- Communication
- Working with children
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evenings and weekends
- CPR and first aid certifications recommended
- Average pay: $23.61 per hour
Cleaner
Working as a cleaner is more useful than it seems. It allows you to earn money while gaining valuable skills in organization and attention to detail.
Duties may include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing various spaces to maintain cleanliness.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Physical stamina
- Customer service
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $15.35 per hour
Paper round
Delivering newspapers is a good first job for teens and kids alike. You’ll be working on your own, out in the open, but often in a familiar neighborhood.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll often be asked to work early mornings, although some deliveries take place after school.
Skills
- Time management
- Reliability
- Basic math
- Knowledge of the area
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Early morning or after-school shifts
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $11.88 per hour
Food service
Working in food service isn’t easy, but there’s a reason why many people say that everyone should spend at least a month serving tables. It introduces you to the fast-paced hospitality industry and teaches important customer service skills that’ll come in handy later on.
The job usually involves (a combination of) taking orders, preparing food, washing the dishes, serving customers, and maintaining cleanliness in a restaurant or cafe setting.
Skills
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Ability to work under pressure
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- A food handler’s permit may be required
- Average pay: $14 per hour
Odd jobs
Taking on odd jobs is a good idea if you don’t want to commit to a schedule. You’ll earn money by helping with various tasks in their neighborhood or community.
These tasks can vary widely and may include lawn mowing, pet sitting, house sitting, or helping with household chores.
Skills
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Initiative
- Customer service
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: Whatever the parents/community decides
Best part-time jobs for teens
If you’re ready to commit to part-time work, you’ll get your first taste of what having a job feels like.
Dog walker
If you love dogs, there’s no better part-time job than to work as a walker. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though—some of the dogs you work with may prove to be quite a challenge!
Responsibilities include walking dogs, ensuring their safety, and following instructions from pet owners regarding routes and care.
Skills
- Animal handling
- Time management
- Physical fitness
- Knowledge of dogs
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $15-$30 per hour
Movie theater concession worker
Being a movie theater concession worker gives you the chance to work in a fun environment while gaining experience in customer service and food preparation.
Duties include selling tickets, serving snacks and beverages, and maintaining cleanliness in the concession area.
Skills
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Computer proficiency
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- A food handler’s permit may be required
- Average pay: $10.52 per hour
Delivery driver
Working as a delivery driver is pretty great. It’s flexible, and as you’ll often be riding a bike (or a car if you can drive), you’ll get plenty of exercise.
Delivery jobs can vary, but you’ll usually be delivering food, groceries, or packages to customers’ homes or businesses, following set routes, and ensuring timely and accurate deliveries.
Skills
- Time management
- Safe driving
- Navigation
- Customer service
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- Driver’s license and reliable transportation required
- Average pay: $17.10 per hour
Library assistant
If you’re a bookworm, working in a library is a fantastic option. It’s a quiet and educational environment, and when there’s not much going on, you can read or do your homework.
During shifts, you’re likely going to be checking out books, shelving returned items, assisting with research, and maintaining library organization.
Skills
- Organization
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Basic knowledge of literature
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $14.98 per hour
Event staff
Working events is a fast-paced environment. Once you’ve worked this job once or twice, you’ll gain more skills than some gigs will teach you in a year.
Duties may include setting up and breaking down event spaces, assisting guests, serving food and beverages, and ensuring the smooth execution of events.
Skills
- Adaptability
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Performing under pressure
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Varies based on the event schedule; often weekends or during national holidays
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $15.41 per hour
Best retail jobs for teens
Working in retail may not be the easiest, but it’s a steady job, and stores are often hiring.
Clothing store assistant
Working as a clothing store assistant offers teens the opportunity to gain experience in retail while keeping up with the latest fashion trends. It’s a great job for anyone, but if you’re into fashion, you’ll enjoy it a little extra.
Your duties will include assisting customers with their purchases, restocking merchandise, and keeping things clean inside the store.
Skills
- Customer service
- Fashion knowledge
- Organization
- Cleanliness
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- No certifications needed
- Average wage: $14.71 per hour
Grocery store cashier
Being a grocery store cashier sends you right into a fast-paced environment. It’s a good way to hone your skills in customer service, working in a team, and even calculating on the fly.
The job involves scanning and bagging groceries, handling cash transactions, and providing friendly service to customers.
Skills
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Math skills
- Working in a team
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average wage: $13.58 per hour
Barista
Who doesn’t love a caramel macchiato? Working as a barista puts you right into one of the coffee shops you’ve probably been to on several occasions. You’ll develop skills in food and beverage preparation while working in a social environment alongside people your age or slightly older.
Baristas spend their shifts taking orders, making coffee and other drinks, maintaining cleanliness in the cafe, and providing excellent customer service.
Skills
- Customer service
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Preparing coffee
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- A food handler’s permit may be required
- Average pay: $13.09 per hour
Shelf stocker
Being a shelf stocker in a retail store is a good middle ground between full-on retail and working independently.
Responsibilities include restocking shelves, organizing merchandise, and maintaining store appearance.
Skills
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Time management
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $14.26 per hour
Hobby shop assistant
Working as a hobby shop assistant allows teens to engage with their interests while gaining experience in retail.
As someone knowledgeable and interested in the store’s products, teens can assist customers with product inquiries, as well as restocking inventory and cleaning.
Skills
- Customer service
- Specific knowledge
- Organization
- Cleanliness
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Evening and weekend shifts
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $14.71 per hour
Best jobs for young teens
It’s (almost) never too early to get your first job. Here’s what you can do to earn a little bit of money.
Family helper
What if you could do chores and get paid for it? Picking up little jobs as a family helper is a valuable support to busy families.
Tasks could include tidying up, running errands, helping with meal preparation, caring for pets, or whatever else suits your family.
Skills
- Responsibility
- Initiative
- Basic household tasks
- Negotiation
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Paid through pocket money from parents
Looking after siblings and cousins
This is babysitting, but not really. Keeping an eye on siblings or little cousins can teach teens responsibility, but it’s not as difficult as working with clients.
Responsibilities include supervising playtime, helping with homework, walking home from school, and more.
Skills
- Responsibility
- Patience
- Basic childcare
- Organization
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Paid through pocket money from parents
Recycling helper
No one likes a littered lawn. Helping with recycling and picking up trash in your local area can contribute to a greener environment and give you a little money for your trouble.
Responsibilities may include sorting recyclables, collecting items for recycling, taking items to recycling points, and cleaning up the local area.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Environmental awareness
- Initiative
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Decide on an amount to charge with parents, such as $5 per job
Car washer
Working as a car washer is a relatively easy job but also teaches care for other people’s belongings. It’s also fairly easy to get such a job, as many people are happy to pay a certain sum of money to get out of having to do this themselves.
Duties include washing and drying vehicles, cleaning windows, and vacuuming interiors with the help of an adult.
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Basic car cleaning
- Customer service
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Decide on an amount to charge with parents, such as $10 per car
Plant carer
Whether it’s mowing the lawn or watering the plants while your neighbors are away, caring for plants is a viable way to earn some cash.
Young teens can help out by watering plants, repotting as needed, and ensuring plants are getting the sunlight and nutrition that they need.
Skills
- Responsibility
- Attention to detail
- Basic plant care
- Independence
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Paid through pocket money from neighbors
Best remote jobs for teens
Remote jobs are a dream come true for many, and fortunately, some gigs also work for teenagers.
Selling crafts
If you’re an artsy person, you can make money selling crafts and handmade products online. It’s great for high school students focusing on art-related subjects.
The job includes creating crafts, taking appealing photos, writing product descriptions, and managing online sales platforms.
Skills
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Marketing skills
- Entrepreneurial spirit
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average earnings: $3-$4 per item
Freelance writing
Freelance writing offers teens the opportunity to develop their writing skills while working remotely on various projects. They can take on tasks like guest-writing on blogs or writing promotional content for local businesses.
Jobs involve researching topics, writing articles or blog posts, meeting deadlines, and communicating effectively with clients.
Skills
- Writing
- Research
- Time management
- Creativity
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average pay: $19.04 per hour
Online garage sales
Surprise, surprise—garage sales have moved out of the garage and onto the internet. If you or your family have stuff that you no longer need, selling it online can be a great way to earn money.
To make sales, you’ll need to take photos of items, write descriptions, set prices, and manage online listings on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
Skills
- Organization
- Sales
- Customer service
- Initiative
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average earnings: $3-$4 per item
Graphic design
Graphic design can mean anything from drawing to making logos, and to work as a designer online, you’ll need more than just creativity—you’ll also need to keep up with deadlines and work with customers.
Common tasks include designing logos, social media graphics, posters, or website elements using graphic design software.
Skills
- Graphic design
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Versatility
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications are needed, but proficiency in graphic design software is required
- Average pay: $17.04 per hour
YouTube/social media content creator
If you’re already fond of scrolling on TikTok, you might as well become a creator. This lets you share your interests and talents with a wide audience while potentially earning money through ad revenue or sponsorships.
To succeed, you’ll need to create and edit videos or posts, engage with followers, and grow your online presence.
Skills
- Creativity
- Video editing
- Social media marketing
- Writing video scripts
Hours/Certifications/Pay
- Flexible hours
- No certifications needed
- Average earnings: $5 per 1,000 views
How to Get a Job as a Teen
Getting a job as a teenager is a great way to learn about networking. Here are some ideas to try out during your job search!
- Job boards: Make it a habit to check local job boards each week and see what new opportunities pop up.
- Search within your social circle: Discuss the topic with your parents, relatives, teachers, and friends to see if they have any ideas or know anyone who needs help.
- Local websites: Check the local section of newspapers, your community website or Facebook group, or local government website to search for opportunities.
- Visit the local Chamber of Commerce: Search for jobs by going to the source—the professional network of businesses, commerce, and trade.
- Talk with local business owners: Chat with the local stores you always shop at to see if they need any help.
- Borrow your parents’ professional network: Ask your parents to find out if any of their friends need help and set up some conversations.
- Research online commerce: If you want to make money off of your hobbies/interests, look into the cost of setting up a website with services like Shopify.
- Social media networking: For remote work like writing or designing, you can search for far-off clients on social media by creating portfolios and promoting your skills.
No matter how you find it, once you have a job in your sights, it’s always best to go the professional route. This means preparing a resume and creating a cover letter.
You’re new to this, so here are some resume tips. For starters, don’t get discouraged. You might not have a lot of experience, but you have skills and a positive attitude!
The easiest way to go about this is to use a resume builder and follow that up with a resume checker. Knowing how to write a resume can be tricky at first, and that’s why these tools are especially helpful for young job seekers.
Start by browsing through resume templates and find something that’s clean and easy to read. Fill your resume with the best things about yourself—the school subjects you excel at, extracurriculars and volunteering projects you’ve participated in, any work experience or internships you’ve completed, and the skills and hobbies you have.
Writing a great cover letter involves being honest and positive. Express why you want to work, what drew you to that job, and what you believe you can bring to the table. Any details you can provide will work wonders here—especially if you can attach specific numbers to your achievements.
If you’re not a strong writer, you can even write a ChatGPT cover letter with the help of AI—or, better yet, use a cover letter generator and tweak the letter until it’s more “you”.
Going the extra mile
Being proactive is one of the best traits you can display during the job search and application process. It shows employers that when you see a problem or an opportunity, you get up and do something about it—and that’s the kind of person they can entrust important work to.
Here are some of the best ways to stand out:
- References and recommendation letters: Show employers what kind of person you are by asking those around you—teachers, instructors, non-family members—to write recommendation letters and references that you can attach to your resume.
- Show off your grades: Attach your high school transcript to your resume to show what you’ve already achieved.
- Choose face-to-face: There are times for emails and phone calls, and times to go the extra mile and travel to meet someone in person. It’s by far the best way to make an impression, and it’ll work even better if you choose to do it yourself.
- Keep in touch: If a week goes by without a response, give the manager a call to politely check in and display your genuine interest in the position.
- Include samples: If the work involves deliverables like writing, graphic design, or programming, attach a sample of work you created to show you can do the job.
Should Teens Get a Job?
The arguments for and against working as a teenager can be condensed into one question: Is it best for teenagers to prepare for the future or focus on the present?
Confidence, independence, interpersonal skills—these are all attributes a job can help a young person develop that will serve them well during adulthood. However, a child’s grades can fall easily when they have less time to study and stress caused by work commitments and school problems can affect their enjoyment of their limited teenage years.
There are even studies that show that teens who work more are more likely to drop out of school, drink alcohol, smoke, and engage in problem behaviors. However, teens themselves see the value in working—once they’ve learned how to interact with strangers and feel that boost in confidence, it’s not something they want to give up.
So, what’s the best thing to do? It seems the answer is, as always, moderation. Everyone deserves to enjoy childhood, and putting in the time to graduate from high school or get good grades is important for everyone.
If you and your child think they can juggle work and school, aim to keep it under 15 hours a week. If your child needs more time to focus on studying or keeps themselves busy with extracurriculars, then just working during the summer when school is out might be better.
Jobs for Teens FAQs
Roles like retail associates, restaurant servers, lifeguards, and camp counselors are great jobs for high school students. They offer valuable experience and flexible schedules that don’t eat into study and downtime.
You can find babysitting jobs for teens through family referrals, community bulletin boards, or online platforms specializing in childcare services. Asking around your neighborhood can also lead to opportunities.
Just as in the adult world, skilled work pays more for teens than unskilled. If you want to make top dollar, try leveraging your strengths with work like tutoring, pet sitting, or freelance services such as graphic design or social media management. Retail jobs at high-end stores or specialized skills like coding are also high-paying areas.
Summer jobs for teens range from outdoor roles like landscaping or lifeguarding to indoor positions such as retail or hospitality work. Camp counselor positions, internships, or volunteer opportunities are also popular choices for gaining experience during the summer break.
Jobs for teenagers can be found through various channels such as online job boards, local newspapers, community centers, or directly contacting businesses. Additionally, networking with family, friends, teachers, or mentors can uncover job opportunities that haven’t been listed somewhere official.
