In addition to traditional jobs like babysitting, fast food service, and summer camp counselor roles, teens today can also tap into the digital economy for creative and gig work. These kinds of jobs are paid per project, not per hour, which might be ideal for tech-savvy teens.

Let’s look in more detail about the variety of jobs that teens might find in today’s market that can match their interests and fit their schedule.

Benefits of Earning Money as a Teenager

Getting a job allows teens to earn spending and saving money, as well as learn valuable financial lessons that can serve them throughout their life. When teens earn money, they can, for example, help pay for their education or contribute to their households. Additionally, teens with special skills or interests can potentially get a head start on a career. Teens can also gain financial independence and start saving for their financial future.

Teens who have jobs can start to develop a strong work ethic and positive work habits that can serve them well throughout their life. Making money teaches young people time management, hones their communication and negotiation skills, and empowers them to understand their rights.

As they earn from their efforts, they can learn more about the careers that fit their interests and skills. These learning opportunities can benefit them in the future as they apply to colleges and search for other employment opportunities.

How to Make Money as a Teen

Teens can earn money in a number of ways, but the job must meet federal and state laws regarding wages, working conditions, and other factors.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces federal child labor laws to protect working minors against exploitation. The minimum age for employment is 14 for nonagricultural jobs, and young people under the age of 18 cannot work in hazardous occupations, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

Legally, 14- and 15-year-olds are limited to work outside school hours. They cannot work more than three hours on a school day or eight hours on a nonschool day. After age 16, teens can work any schedule. There are additional standards for minor-aged employees who are full-time students, apprentices, or living with disabilities. States also have additional regulations that can affect a teen’s employment.

Here are some common job opportunities for teens who want to make money:

Babysitting

Minors can babysit other children, but some states have age restrictions. Babysitting is work that requires that the teen is responsible enough to keep another minor safe and that they can engage with children. Consider enrolling in a brief babysitting training program to gain additional preparation and qualification for the role.

Car Care

Pumping gas, dispensing oil, and washing and hand polishing a car are roles that teens can take. They can be physically demanding and have set hours if the teen works for a business. But, independently, teens can also wash cars for money. Older teens may want to formalize their business as a limited liability company (LLC) to take advantage of tax and employment benefits once they age into adulthood.

Farm Work

According to federal law, teens as young as 13 can start doing farm work outside of school hours, and those older than 16 can work any farm job anytime. Teens can work on farms owned or operated by their parents or someone standing in place of a parent. They can also work on farms that employ their parent(s) or that receive parental consent.

Food Service

Teens can perform kitchen work, including cleaning fruits and vegetables, washing dishes, cooking, and reheating food. Working in this industry can also include restaurant work like hosting, washing dishes, and even management. A food service job will teach teens food preparation and time management skills that will benefit them over the long haul.

Internships

According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, if interns or students are considered employees of a for-profit employer, then they can receive compensation for their work.

However, not all internship positions are paid, so the teen should do some research into the role before relying on it as a source of money. Nevertheless, internships are a great way to gain experience in a desired field while making some extra cash.

Knowledge Work

Intellectual or creative work such as tutoring, singing, playing an instrument, and teaching are options for teens to make money. By applying their interests and skill set, teens pursuing a job through knowledge work allows them to learn the different paid roles available for their hobbies and skills.

Lawn Care and Other Errands

Yardwork, deliveries, and loading/unloading equipment can be performed by a teen. Lawn care and maintenance can also be physically demanding. It may include working long hours in hot weather or lifting heavy items for extended periods of time. But for teens who like getting their hands dirty, especially in nature, this can be a fun work opportunity. Of course, teens who do not have a driver’s license cannot take a job that requires driving a motor vehicle.

Lifeguard

Teens older than 15 can work as a lifeguard at pools and amusement parks. A lifeguard job typically requires you to pass basic safety courses and complete specific training. This is a great job that teaches responsibility and safety skills that are valuable at any age. 

Paper Route

Minors under 14 are permitted to deliver newspapers because this type of work is exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act requirements. The newspaper industry is declining as more people turn to online news, but teens who have the opportunity to take a newspaper route may find it is a flexible job that can fit into their busy school schedule.

Retail

Per federal law, minors as young as 14 can work in retail occupations, such as cashiering, stocking, price marking, and selling. There is often a wide range of different retail positions available that a teen could take to make money. Retail jobs have a set schedule and tasks that can teach teens what it’s like to work for a business.

Selling Recycled/Upcycled Goods

Crafty kids could earn money by hand-making items for resale or repurposing pre-loved items for new customers. This could entail fashion, art, furniture, or more. Sales can be made in person, on consignment to a retail store, or online, teaching valuable entrepreneurial sales skills.

Work in Parents’ Business

Barring jobs in manufacturing, mining, or any other of the 17 occupations that the U.S. government considers hazardous for teens, minors can work for a business owned by their parents.

This option may not be applicable to all teens, but it can be an easy way to make money without doing much job searching. Plus, it can be a great learning experience for teens looking to follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Legal Restrictions on Age

Federal regulations for child labor apply to classifications of “agricultural” and “nonagricultural” work, and to specific ages. For example, for teens under 14, legal work is largely limited to performance, babysitting, delivering papers, agricultural work (older than 13), and working in a company owned by a parent. Teens who are 14 and 15 can work in nonhazardous jobs outside of school hours. Federal regulations state that they cannot work:

• More than three hours on a school day, including Friday
• More than 18 hours per week when school is in session
• More than eight hours per day when school is not in session
• More than 18 hours in any school week
• More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session
• Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day)

Teens 16 or older can work unlimited hours in any occupation except those declared hazardous by the U.S. secretary of labor.

Easy Tips for Teens to Make Money

Teens can start small by monetizing their talents. They can also turn to family and friends who own businesses for their first work experience.

Jennifer Sisson, a Utah mom of five says her kids started getting paid minimum wage at ages 11 and 12. Her oldest kids started worked in a family friend’s T-shirt business, occasionally helping set up and take down events. Her oldest kids continue to work, and her 12-year-old babysits.

Teenagers can also look for opportunities to make money in their local community. Because young teens are not allowed to drive as part of their employment, it may be more convenient for the teen to work locally.

Local work can include working at a local retail store or restaurant, babysitting, or tutoring for neighbors, as well as doing yardwork and odd jobs within walking or biking distance. Teens in farming communities may find seasonal opportunities where their parents, friends, or relatives already work. Finally, teens can sell things they no longer need for fast cash, although they won’t earn regular money as they do with wages. Whether through garage sales, trade-ins, or online sites, teens can try to sell items like used games, toys, or clothes.

Making Money Online

Making money online may be an even easier option for teens than a traditional job, according to , wealth advisor at Innovative Advisory Group. Many teens have computer skills and tech stamina that are highly sought after.

“Teens can certainly use their skills in social media or even just help parents sell stuff online from decluttering,” Wang says. Many of these jobs often offer remote work, so teens can work from home. Here are some examples for ways that teens can make money online:

Blogging or Vlogging

Blogging (writing) or vlogging (videoing) are ways for teens to create an online community around something they already love. Writing or sharing videos on their own website can generate income through ads and affiliate links.

Design and Dropship

Whether it is creating their own books, T-shirts, or merchandise, print-on-demand fulfillment has made it easier for teens to design something cool and put it on the web for sale through sites like Amazon, Etsy, Printify, and Printful. This option is great for teaching teens how to run their own business.

Freelance Work

Teens can be their own bosses with just the click of a button. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork can help connect them with clients around the world willing to pay them per project, not per hour, for work like writing or designing. While this option does provide flexibility in scheduling, prices vary widely for jobs and skills.

Influencing

Teens can safely create video or social media content connecting brands with online audiences. Platforms like Pinterest, Meta, TikTok, and YouTube offer ways to earn cash whenever a large audience tunes in, clicks, or buys. However, becoming an influencer is not guaranteed to make money and may take time.

Programming, Coding, and Building Games

Teens may have coding, programming, or gaming skills that could earn them money. They can build and sell apps, websites, and games. Otherwise, they can test or review sites, apps, and games, and receive compensation in return. This is a job option that can combine skills and hobbies to make profits.

Sell NFTs, Web3, and Metaverse Products

Teens are earning money in the online art market by creating and selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs). They have a higher risk tolerance and are quick to learn about cryptocurrencies. They can curate everything from events to virtual reality experiences that could put money in their pockets and their digital wallets.

Social Media Management

Many companies are looking for a tech-savvy person to assist with online marketing through regular posting on social media platforms. Teens can help create captions, take photographs, curate online community groups, and monitor viral trends for the best marketing ideas.

Tutoring and Teaching

Teens may still be learning, but they can also be good educators. Whether it’s teaching lessons on how to cook, play an instrument, or improve in school-based subjects, young experts can use virtual platforms to tutor or teach students anywhere around the world. Teens can take on more students virtually without leaving their homes to make more money than they would teaching only in person.

What to Do with the Money Earned

Teens may be tempted to spend their all money immediately, but if they learn essential money lessons first, they can practice healthy habits like saving that can serve them in the long term.

To help teach teens about banking, involve them in decisions about where to bank and which types of deposit accounts they want to use, such as checking or savings. Ensuring that your teen connects with a reputable bank can help set them up to build a long-term banking relationship.

Sisson says she helped her older kids have checking accounts that she believes are teaching them valuable financial lessons. “I feel like they’re getting a better grasp of how to manage money in a digital world,” she says. “They can track their spending, which holds them more accountable for what they spend.”

Second, teens need to consider income taxes. If their earned income from a job is under the standard deduction limit ($14,600 for a single person in 2024), they are likely not required to file a tax return. If their income surpasses that or if the teen is self-employed, then they must file their state and federal taxes.

Finally, if the teen has a job working for others or is self-employed, they may want to contribute to their own Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA), Wang says.

“Since the principal is always accessible, a Roth IRA can serve as a great college savings vehicle or for any large purchase, such as a house,” he says. Parents or guardians can help teens set aside a certain amount of savings for long-term goals like retirement. Starting early can help investments grow more with the power of compounding.

The Bottom Line

Getting a job is an exciting step in a young person’s life. In addition to balancing responsibility with independence, jobs can teach teens valuable life skills, such as saving, budgeting, and time management.

With so many different jobs out there for teens, whether it’s a traditional job or an online job, young people will find multiple opportunities to make money and learn key financial lessons.