Ways to Make Money for Teenagers
Making money as a teenager can be both exciting and empowering. From helping out in your community to picking up part-time jobs or even freelancing online, there's a world of possibilities. Let's jump into some of the best options that can help you get started.
The opportunities available to teenagers will naturally depend on where they live. Urban teens may have access to different options than those in suburban areas, and both will have opportunities distinct from those in rural settings. This list offers a wide variety of ideas - take a look and see which ones might work best for your area and situation.
Help Your Neighbors with Odd Jobs
The easiest way to make money when you are very young is to help people around your neighborhood. You will be working in the area you are familiar with, and you won't need to travel far, which is important as you probably don't have a car yet.
Reach out to your neighbors and let them know you're interested in odd jobs. You can do this in a few ways. Use Nextdoor app, a social platform that connects neighbors, or join a local community group on Facebook to let the neighbors know about your services. Distribute a flyer with a list of all things you can help. Or do both to increase the likelihood of landing a gig. Your list of services can include anything you are comfortable doing. Here are some examples.
1. Upholstery cleaner. To get started, you will need to make a small investment in a portable upholstery shampoo machine. Once you are equipped, reach out to your neighbors and offer your upholstery cleaning services. To make your pitch more appealing, try showcasing your skills with a free sample cleaning on a small part of their sofa or chair.
2. Small engine repairer. Learn how to repair lawnmowers and snow blowers. Many people discard this equipment simply because it won't start and they don't know how to fix it. Often, with just $10-$20 in parts and a bit of effort, you can get them running again. Once repaired, sell the equipment and repeat the process for a steady income.
3. Garbage bin cleaner. Another great idea is to offer garbage bin cleaning services. To get started, you will need a hose with a high-pressure nozzle or a small electric pressure washer, along with some long-handled scrub brushes. Try visiting homes the day after trash pickup in your neighborhood to offer your services. After cleaning, you can apply a deodorizer to keep the bins smelling fresh until the next pickup.
Since most people would rather avoid dealing with unpleasant odors, this service has the potential to quickly attract customers and bring in a decent income.
4. Sound technician. Learn to operate a sound board. Local places of worship often need sound technicians and aren't usually concerned about prior experience. You don't have to be religious to secure the job either. This opportunity is a good start toward understanding a potentially lucrative industry.
5. Garage sale assistant. Working as a garage sale assistant is a great job for teens, especially on weekends or during summer break when they have more free time. You can earn money by helping neighbors or family friends organize and run their sales. Tasks might include setting up tables, arranging items before the sale begins, greeting customers, handling money during the sale, and assisting with cleanup and packing away unsold items at the end of the day.
It's a simple and flexible way to earn extra cash while gaining valuable experience in customer service, organizational skills, money management, and teamwork - skills that can be useful in many future jobs.
6. Community caretaker. You can also look into more conventional jobs for teenagers within your neighborhood:
- Lawn mowing, leaf raking, trimming, weeding, mulching, gutter cleaning, and other yard work.
- Dog-walking and pet-sitting.
- Windows washing.
- Babysitting.
- Running errands.
- Snow shoveling.
7. Start a car detailing service. Before getting started, learn proper detailing techniques by watching YouTube tutorials and practicing on your parents' cars. Once you’re confident, gather basic supplies like soap, rags, sponges, and polish.
You can offer to wash and detail cars right in people's driveways, providing the convenience of home service, which makes your offering even more appealing. Add extra services like interior cleaning, waxing, or tire shining to stand out and attract more customers.
8. Tutor younger kids. If you are skilled in a subject like math or coding, you can use your knowledge to earn money by offering after-school tutoring sessions to younger kids.
9. Teach computer basics and software skills to the elderly. What comes naturally to you might feel overwhelming for some older adults. Help seniors overcome their technology struggles while earning some extra cash. You can help them with common struggles like setting up and using email, managing photos, connecting to Wi-Fi, navigating smartphones or tablets, learning to use social media, and even basic troubleshooting.
Many people need assistance with tasks and will be glad to support a motivated young entrepreneur.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the minimum age for working is 14 with some exceptions. Federal child labor law also restricts the hours and types of work that teens under 16 can do and prohibits any hazardous occupations for teenagers under 18.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, teens under 14 are allowed to help neighbors with yard work, babysitting, and some other tasks as those jobs are not covered by the FLSA.
The child labor rules and exceptions may differ from state to state. Ask your parents to help find the rules specifically for your state.
Get a Part-Time Job
1. Work at a restaurant. Restaurants are often looking for extra help, making them a great place to start your job search. Visit your local fast-food spots or sit-down restaurants and ask about available openings. Added perks might include earning tips in addition to your paycheck, and some places may even offer free meals as an employee benefit.
2. Work at a local grocery store. Grocery stores are always looking for workers, giving you a strong chance of landing a job if you apply. Depending on the store, your role could involve a variety of tasks, such as bagging groceries, collecting and organizing shopping carts from the parking lot, stocking shelves, assisting customers, or working at the checkout counter.
3. Movie theater attendant. As a movie theater attendant, you will help keep the theater running smoothly by handling tasks such as ticket sales, serving food and drinks, and cleaning up after shows. Perks may include free movie tickets, making it an exciting job for movie enthusiasts.
4. Work in an amusement park or other recreational setting. If you live near a theme park, water park, or any type of amusement park, it could be a fun and exciting place to work. Perks often include free food and even season passes for employees, adding extra value to the experience.
If amusement parks aren't available in your area, explore other options within the entertainment and recreation industry, such as music venues, bowling alleys, golf courses, skating rinks, or arcades, where teens are often hired for a variety of roles.
4. Work in a library. Some libraries hire teenagers as pages or shelvers to sort books, organize materials, and assist with general maintenance tasks around the library. It's a low-stress job with typically flexible hours. Depending on the role, you might also help patrons by checking out items, answering phone calls, assisting with finding materials, and answering basic IT questions, such as helping with printing or email setup. Shelving is a key part of the job, so it's helpful to familiarize yourself with the library's organization system before applying.
5. Work at a retail store. Retail stores are another common place for teenagers to find part-time work. You can apply to work at clothing stores, electronics stores, bookstores, or any other type of retail establishment in your area. Retail jobs often involve tasks like stocking shelves, assisting customers, operating the cash register, and maintaining the store's appearance.
How To Make Money as a Teenager Online
Most remote jobs are typically filled by skilled professionals, making it difficult to compete without a strong skill set. However, there are still opportunities for teenagers to earn money online. Here are some ideas you can explore to get started.
1. Sell your skills on Fiverr. If you have in-demand digital skills, you can turn them into income by offering gigs on Fiverr. Whether it's web design, social media marketing, video editing, or another expertise, Fiverr's online marketplace is a great platform to showcase your talents and start making money.
2. Sell your crafts online. If you like making crafts of any kind, you can make money by selling your handmade items online. You ask your parents to help set up an Etsy store for your creations and see if you can make a small business out of it.
3. Make money on social media. Earning money on social media doesn't happen overnight - it requires time and dedication. However, it can be a worthwhile long-term strategy for building an income stream or even a career. Many teens successfully earn money by reviewing products, creating tutorials, streaming, or producing engaging content on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, and other popular social media channels.
Always check terms and conditions before using any online platform to make sure you meet the minimum age and other requirements.
Why it's Important to Start Earning at an Early Age?
You might feel that odd jobs won't take you far - but everyone has to start somewhere. The sooner you begin, the sooner you will gain experience and learn from your mistakes (and there will likely be a few along the way).
However, these jobs is an opportunity to practice important financial skills and decision-making. More importantly, they can help you build essential business skills like negotiation and communication, time management and understanding opportunity cost, and tracking expenses, while also fostering good financial habits like saving and budgeting that will serve you well throughout adulthood.