What's the best paying job I can get as a teen?
Hi, I'm 16f and I'm trying to get a job that pays decently but I don't know what places would hire a minor. Any suggestions?
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If you're looking to get a job while in high school that not only pays decent, but also helps set you up for your full on career later on in life, I'd highly recommend going to connect with local small businesses in your area.
See what kind of administrative or marketing issues they're having and talk to them about how you could help. This will help you gain some valuable business experience that goes beyond typical food service that a lot of other teens get.
Plus it gives you an opportunity to tackle more interesting and complex problems and deliver more value.
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See what kind of administrative or marketing issues they're having and talk to them about how you could help. This will help you gain some valuable business experience that goes beyond typical food service that a lot of other teens get.
Plus it gives you an opportunity to tackle more interesting and complex problems and deliver more value.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Internships – If you’re okay to start with an unpaid roles, you should absolutely intern in fields related to your dream job. Come up with a list of companies and pitch yourself. Say, “I’ll be the hardest working intern you’ve ever had. I just want experience.” People love helping ambitious young people. You're the next generation of change-makers. A lot of professionals I interview on my podcast are frustrated by the lack of professionalism in Gen Z, so you can really stand out by just being serious. I just talked to a lawyer who said many teens only want to work Fridays, from 11 to 3, and only remote. That’s not how you stand out. The extra mile is never crowded. An unpaid internship can lead to a very high paying full-time offer.
2. Jobs that involve data or metrics, like social media management, project management, or anything that involves tracking stats or performance. These roles also build transferable skills.
3. Side hustles – be a self-starter. Start something that no one can take from you. In this crazy economy, proving you can build something—even small—builds confidence and demonstrates initiative. You can make a lot of money selling baked goods, handmade crafts, or services.
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1. Internships – If you’re okay to start with an unpaid roles, you should absolutely intern in fields related to your dream job. Come up with a list of companies and pitch yourself. Say, “I’ll be the hardest working intern you’ve ever had. I just want experience.” People love helping ambitious young people. You're the next generation of change-makers. A lot of professionals I interview on my podcast are frustrated by the lack of professionalism in Gen Z, so you can really stand out by just being serious. I just talked to a lawyer who said many teens only want to work Fridays, from 11 to 3, and only remote. That’s not how you stand out. The extra mile is never crowded. An unpaid internship can lead to a very high paying full-time offer.
2. Jobs that involve data or metrics, like social media management, project management, or anything that involves tracking stats or performance. These roles also build transferable skills.
3. Side hustles – be a self-starter. Start something that no one can take from you. In this crazy economy, proving you can build something—even small—builds confidence and demonstrates initiative. You can make a lot of money selling baked goods, handmade crafts, or services.
I've always encouraged kids to create their own businesses. This can be as simple as a lawn mowing business, a bakery, or a summer camp. One of the best examples of this is a teen I know who makes 20 loaves of Sourdough every Saturday and delivers them around town for $10 each. Another one I know hosted a sports camp for a week in the summer and made a ton of money taking care of kids for 9-5 for a week and teaching them sports. One of the best parts of this is that parents in the community want to support you, so it's typically pretty easy to find clients and make a good buck! Plus, colleges love to see that you're a self starter, so it looks good when you're applying. You can also try remote video editing, as one of my teenage daughters does that and makes a lot.
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if you're still in school (which i assume you are) think about what services you could offer online, since a remote parttime job would be easier to handle than fulltime in person. there's probably limited options but you could offer to tutor other kids if youre really good in a subject, you could sell crafts on etsy or ebay or facebook marketplace, get a poshmark and sell your used clothes... you could also earn money as a social media influencer or youtuber but i wouldnt put my eggs in that basket, ha. you never kno though
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A lot of coffee shops and restaurants will hire teens. Try car washes, movie theatres, golf courses, hardware stores, or even your local library.
Or, try working a side gig if you can't find a major company that will hire you. Depending on your skills and what you're interested in, you could do things like babysit, house sit, pet sit, walk dogs, mow lawns, rake leaves, etc. Advertise with flyers in your neighborhood, post on sites like Nextdoor and Facebook groups for your town (or ask your parents to post for you), and use word of mouth to get leads.
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Or, try working a side gig if you can't find a major company that will hire you. Depending on your skills and what you're interested in, you could do things like babysit, house sit, pet sit, walk dogs, mow lawns, rake leaves, etc. Advertise with flyers in your neighborhood, post on sites like Nextdoor and Facebook groups for your town (or ask your parents to post for you), and use word of mouth to get leads.
If you live in a relatively safe neighborhood, you can also go door-to-door offering your services to people. Knock on each door and ask if they have any chores that you could help out with. It'll be more effort to do this than putting up flyers or posting online, but I think you'll get more work!
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Fast food and grocery stores often hire teenagers. Department stores and other retail positions are probably taking teenagers especially because the holidays are coming up and business is going to pick up.
Depending on where you live (rural vs urban) and what type of job you are applying to (ex. if it's a big corporate chain or a local family owned business) you may be able to/need to apply online or in person but you probably don't need a resume for these types of jobs, so if you don't have work experience it's probably fine.
Talk to older friends and family and see if their workplace would hire a teenager even for seasonal work. Even if you get a part-time or temporary gig it can give you experience that will make it easier to get another better job.
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Depending on where you live (rural vs urban) and what type of job you are applying to (ex. if it's a big corporate chain or a local family owned business) you may be able to/need to apply online or in person but you probably don't need a resume for these types of jobs, so if you don't have work experience it's probably fine.
Talk to older friends and family and see if their workplace would hire a teenager even for seasonal work. Even if you get a part-time or temporary gig it can give you experience that will make it easier to get another better job.
If you haven’t already, ask your parents if they have any tips or leads. Most adults know someone with a small business and one of your parents may be able to put a good word in to get you a job with them. It may not be the most glamorous gig in the world depending on what the job is, but it’ll be easier to get hired than it would be going around filling out applications.
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Agreed about talking to friends and family especially if you are in a more rural area where it's harder to get jobs unless you know someone. My uncle has a farm nearby so I helped him all summer bailing hay. That's a summer job of course but there might be something like that you could do right now, if you dont want to wait till summer.
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Are you just looking for a summer job? I’m assuming you’re still in school if you’re 16. If it’s summer work you’re after, look online to see where you can lifeguard. Most areas have a lifeguard shortage right now so the pay is probably going to be better than whatever you find in fast food. Plus, the work is awesome. You just hang out, get a tan, and stare at hot people in their bathing suits all day. Or, become a camp counselor. Summer camps often hire teens and it can be a pretty fun gig!
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I like the lifeguarding idea. It’s not that hard and it pays well if my memory serves correctly. You can make a lot of money for a teen if you can get your foot in the door at any sales gig that offers commission-based compensation. These jobs give you more money if you perform better, so it’s easier to stay engaged and motivated than it would be if you were at a grocery store or fast food place or something.
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I started working as a swim instructor/lifeguard at my local pool and I LOVE IT. If you have any experience/interest in swimming, this is a fabulous job. It was super easy to get into, at least for me, and I know that pools everywhere are usually hiring. It also pays really well.
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I made my own job. I crochet for people. I don't get a whole lot of orders but when I do I get about $20. hope this helps!
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Caddying at a golf course. Most of the people there are rich and give you tips with a lotta moolah
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I'd consider dog-sitting or cat-sitting, where you take care of the whole house and pets for stretches at a time while people are away. I made some really good money doing this as a teen. It was under the table, and I got to stay in their house away from my family, too.
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Reader Tips from 18 Ways to Earn Money as a Teen
Check out websites like CashCrate that pay users to complete surveys, play games, watch videos, and more. Just be aware of potential scams and read all terms and conditions carefully first.
Mowing lawns for neighbors is a great way to earn fast cash, especially in the summer. Go door-to-door offering your services. You can make over $100 a day working hard at this.
When just starting out on platforms like YouTube, it takes time to build an audience. Stick to a consistent uploading schedule, promote your content, and stay patient.
Research legitimate websites that connect teens to local odd jobs like tutoring, pet sitting and yard work. But have a parent review any site before signing up.
Ask your parents or family members if you can do regular chores around the house for an allowance. Come up with a fair pricing structure based on each task.
Reader Tips from How to Get a Job As a Teen
If you can play an instrument you could charge for lessons. But make sure you can actually play the instrument and know the notes. You can give your student(s) your beginner music materials to learn off of.
Consider making your own products like keychains or artwork to sell locally or online. Custom, handmade items can go for decent prices.
Reader Tips from How to Get Your First Job (for Teens)
If you can, try to get a job that will help you later in life and that is related to a subject or long-term profession you are interested in. For example, Clair wants to be a doctor. Therefore, she may want to get a job as a doctor's secretary. But this may not be feasible for many teens so don't be afraid to just get a job bagging groceries. It will still help you get jobs in the future.
Use Glassdoor to read other people's notes about their interviews which can help you know in advance what questions a hiring manager might ask you. Glassdoor will also give you the low-down on good and bad jobs.
