Education, skills and experience aren’t always necessary to get a job as a teen. Sure, there are restrictions on what teenagers of certain ages are allowed to do. But there are some high-paying part-time jobs if you know where to look.
Here’s a round-up of the best-paying jobs for teens and what the role requires.
What restrictions are there on finding a job as a teen
The youngest age a teen can work is 14 and there are restrictions on the number of hours under-16s can work, too.
14-15 year-olds may not work more than 3 hours on a school day (including Friday) or more than 18 hours per week when school is in session. When school isn’t in session they can’t work more than 8 hours per day or more than 40 hours per week. Work is not permitted before 7 am or after 7 pm on any day except from June 1 through Labor Day when nighttime hours are extended to 9 pm.
They can only be employed in what is considered ‘light work’. This means that they can’t do any job that may affect their health and safety or interfere with their education.
16 and 17-year-olds can be employed for unlimited hours in any occupation except those the Secretary of Labor deems hazardous.
Bear in mind, every state also has its own laws when it comes to the employment of minors. If the FLSA and state law overlap, whichever law offers more protection will apply.
There’s a handy chart on the different youth labor laws in your state on the Department of Labor’s Youth Rules page.
There is no minimum wage for teenagers under 16. But from 16 years upwards, an employer must pay you at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Don’t forget, though, that if your state’s minimum wage is higher than the federal one, that’s what your teenager should be paid. Currently, 30 states and Washington D.C. have minimum wages above the federal one.
Employers must pay the federal minimum wage (or the state minimum, whichever is higher). Contact your state Labor Office for more information.
The good news is some big employers will pay more than this, and of course, if teens can’t find a job, there are also opportunities for your teen to earn money from running their own business.
Our latest Youth Youth Economy Report 2022 shows 40% of kids and teens have a part-time job of some kind. And one in five 14-year-olds is already working. But an enterprising 6% of young people have started their own business. Popular ways to earn include gaming, selling things online, cleaning, and babysitting.
Here’s a list of the best high-paying jobs for teens listed under the age they’re permitted. Obviously, the jobs younger teens are open to older teens too.
Best high-paying* jobs for teens 14-15
*hourly pay varies depending on where you live and who you work for
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Web designer — $22 per hour
Web design is a well-paid job for anyone, not just teens. There are lots of free online courses to get your teenager started. Then it’s a case of finding clients to hire them for independent projects. Sites like Upwork are good for getting freelance work. And your teen will be able to work from home, too.
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Video editor — $22 per hour
If your teen works from home doing projects for clients they can start as young as 14. One of the best-paid jobs for teenagers, the more skilled you are the more you get paid. Your teen can always develop their editing skills by doing an online video editing course.
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Tutor — $17 per hour
If your teen’s good at a certain subject and great at explaining it, then tutoring pays well. They don’t have to be hired by a company, there are plenty of online tutoring websites. They could tutor from their own home online.
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Babysitter — $15 per hour
All you need is a relationship with people who have kids in your neighborhood. Once your teen’s established a reputation, they’ll be parents’ go-to babysitter of choice. What’s more, the hours typically fit with the average teenager’s schedule.
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Actor — $14.97 per hour
They’ll need to read scripts, interpret the character, memorize lines, and take cues from directors. Good for teens who enjoy acting in school or in local theater productions.
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Pet sitter and dog walker — $14 per hour
If your teen loves being around animals, this could be the ideal part-time job. They’ll be expected to feed, care for and play with pets and walk dogs for owners.
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Kennel assistant — $11 per hour
Kennel assistants provide basic care to animals in veterinary clinics and shelters. Your teen’s responsibilities would include cleaning the kennels and feeding and bathing the animals and walking the dogs. They’ll need a caring personality and sufficient strength to lift boxes and crates.
Best high-paying* jobs for teens 16-18
*hourly pay varies depending on where you live and who you work for
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Hotel housekeeper — $14 per hour
Your teen has to be 16 to be a hotel housekeeper. Responsibilities include making beds, cleaning rooms, changing towels and toiletries, and vacuuming floors. They might also have to clean the lobby and meeting rooms.
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Lifeguard — $13.78 per hour
Lifeguards are employed at beaches as well as pools. Your teen will need to be an excellent swimmer and have the relevant certifications. Responsibilities include enforcing safety regulations, helping with swim lessons, rescuing swimmers in difficulty, and performing first aid.
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Delivery service driver — $17.68 per hour
If your teen holds a driver’s license, this is a well-paid job. They’d be delivering orders to customers for fast food outlets and restaurants. Delivery service drivers also review orders before and after delivery, take payments, and handle complaints.
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Landscaper — $16.77 per hour
Landscapers have a wide range of duties, including trimming hedges, mowing lawns, watering plants and weeding borders. They may also maintain the shrubs and plants in the yard.
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Youth sports referee - $17.14 per hour
Youth sports referees oversee games between teams in a youth league. Responsibilities include keeping track of start and stop times, and ensuring all players stick to the rules of the game. They also make game calls and inspect team gear.
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Caddy - $16.78 per hour
Caddies work for golfers, carrying golf bags, cleaning golf balls, measuring yardages, cleaning the pin, replacing ball marks and holding the flag. If your teenager enjoys golfing this may be a good job for them.
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Barista - $12 per hour
As a barista, your teen will be responsible for making coffee and espresso-based drinks for customers like lattes, macchiatos and cappuccinos. On top of the hourly rate, your teenager may get tips, too.
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Parking attendant — $14.06 per hour
From 18 you can get paid to park people’s cars. Customers hand your teen their keys and they park them in a public or private parking lot. When customers return, attendants locate their car and return it. All 18 year olds can apply directly to managers of parking lots, hotels and restaurants.
How to get paid with GoHenry?
A part-time job also means teens need a bank account where they can receive payment. A good option is the GoHenry teen debit card which comes with an account number and sort code, so a salary can be paid to your teen via a bank transfer or BACS. It’s a great way for them to start managing their money and learn to spend and save wisely.
Benefits include being able to set up saving pots and learning more about money skills via in-app Money Missions, as well as being able to make payments with Apple Pay and contactless debit cards.
