Make Money As A Teenager 30 Best and Effective Ways

Making money as a kid today offers more options than ever before, thanks to the rise of digital platforms and gig economies. Whether through traditional jobs or online opportunities, kids and teens can learn valuable lessons about work, responsibility, and financial management. This guide explores various ways for making Money As A Teenager while gaining experience, skills, and even a sense of independence.

Note: If you’re a teenager reading this, always get your parent’s or guardian’s advice before starting any side hustle.

Why Make Money As A Teenager Matters for Kids

Kids who earn money early can use it to save for future goals like education, large purchases, or even retirement. They also gain exposure to potential career paths and develop skills like communication, negotiation, and problem-solving. Furthermore, they learn valuable lessons about budgeting, taxes, and financial independence.

Key Takeaways

• Traditional Jobs: Babysitting, lawn care, and part-time work in retail or food services are popular among kids and teens.
• Digital Opportunities: With tech-savvy skills, kids can explore options like blogging, programming, and social media management.
• Federal and State Regulations: Different laws apply depending on the minor’s age and the type of job, so be sure to check local regulations.
• Valuable Life Lessons: Earning money helps kids build strong work ethics, learn time management, and practice financial literacy skills such as saving and investing.

Top 30 Jobs for Kids to Make Money As A Teenager

1. Babysitting

Babysitting remains a go-to job for many teens. It’s a job that teaches responsibility and engagement with younger children, and it often offers flexible hours.
How to start: Take a babysitting course to learn first-aid and safety skills. Spread the word with neighbors, friends, and family.
Earnings: $10–$20 per hour, depending on location and number of children.
Pro Tip: Build a reputation by being reliable and trustworthy to get more referrals.

2. Lawn Care

Lawn care offers kids a great opportunity to earn money through tasks like mowing, weeding, and raking. These jobs teach discipline and responsibility.
How to start: Offer services to neighbors or advertise through flyers and local online platforms.
Earnings: $20–$50 per lawn, depending on size and services provided.
Pro Tip: Provide additional services like trimming bushes to increase your earnings.

3. Car Washing

Car washing is a simple, hands-on job that requires minimal startup costs and can be done from home or door-to-door.
How to start: Advertise in your neighborhood or set up in a busy location like a community center.
Earnings: $10–$30 per car.
Pro Tip: Offer package deals for a wash and wax combo for returning customers.

4. Retail or Food Service Jobs

Teens 14 and older can work in local stores, fast food chains, or restaurants, gaining valuable work experience.
How to start: Apply in person or online to local businesses that hire part-time workers.
Earnings: Minimum wage ($8–$15 per hour, depending on location).
Pro Tip: Develop strong customer service skills to stand out and potentially earn raises or promotions.

5. Dog Walking

For animal lovers, dog walking provides a fun way to earn money while staying active. It’s perfect for kids who want flexible hours and outdoor work.
How to start: Reach out to neighbors, friends, and family with dogs. Post on community boards or apps like Rover.
Earnings: $10–$25 per walk, depending on location and duration.
Pro Tip: Build a client base by being punctual and responsible, which can lead to regular gigs.

6. Tutoring

Teens who excel in subjects like math, science, or English can make money tutoring younger students.
How to start: Offer tutoring services to younger kids in your neighborhood or advertise at school.
Earnings: $15–$30 per hour, depending on the subject and grade level.
Pro Tip: Specialize in test preparation (like SAT/ACT) to charge higher rates.

7. Selling Crafts or Upcycled Goods

Kids with creative skills can sell handmade or upcycled products online or at local markets, allowing them to combine hobbies with income.
How to start: Create an online store on platforms like Etsy or sell at craft fairs and flea markets.
Earnings: Varies based on product; small items might sell for $10–$50.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating unique, high-quality items to stand out in a crowded market.

8. Freelancing

Teens with skills in writing, graphic design, or coding can make money freelancing online through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
How to start: Create a profile on freelance websites, showcasing your work and offering competitive pricing.
Earnings: $5–$100+ per project, depending on skill level and job complexity.
Pro Tip: Build a portfolio and ask satisfied clients for reviews to increase your visibility and job offers.

9. Blogging or Vlogging

Teens passionate about specific topics can start a blog or YouTube channel to share their interests and earn money through ad revenue and sponsorships.
How to start: Choose a niche topic, create high-quality content regularly, and promote your blog or channel on social media.
Earnings: Can vary greatly, from $50–$500+ per month depending on traffic and engagement.
Pro Tip: Engage with your audience by responding to comments and building a community to grow your following faster.

10. Social Media Management

Tech-savvy teens can assist small businesses in managing their social media presence by posting regularly and curating content.
How to start: Reach out to local businesses or family friends to offer your services.
Earnings: $50–$200+ per month, depending on the number of platforms managed.
Pro Tip: Stay updated on viral trends to help clients increase their social media engagement.

11. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting allows teens to care for animals when their owners are away, often providing a more flexible schedule than other jobs.
How to start: Offer services to family, friends, or advertise in local groups.
Earnings: $15–$50 per day, depending on the pet and the required care.
Pro Tip: Provide extra services like grooming or overnight stays to increase your earnings.

12. Yard Sale and Selling Used Items

Selling unwanted clothes, toys, or gadgets through a yard sale or online platforms like eBay can help teens earn quick cash.
How to start: Organize a garage sale or list items for sale online.
Earnings: Varies based on items; typically $5–$100 per item.
Pro Tip: Clean and present items well to increase their value and appeal to buyers.

13. Lifeguarding

Teens who are strong swimmers can work as lifeguards at local pools, beaches, or water parks during summer months.
How to start: Take a lifeguard certification course, which includes CPR and first-aid training.
Earnings: $10–$15 per hour.
Pro Tip: Look for lifeguard jobs at amusement parks, which may pay more due to the higher level of responsibility.

14. Online Tutoring

Teens who excel in specific subjects can offer tutoring services online, reaching students beyond their local area.
How to start: Sign up on tutoring platforms like Wyzant or offer services through video calls.
Earnings: $15–$40 per hour.
Pro Tip: Offer specialized services, such as test prep or language tutoring, to attract a broader audience.

15. Paper Route

Although less common now, delivering newspapers remains a reliable job for younger teens, especially in smaller towns.
How to start: Contact your local newspaper to inquire about delivery routes.
Earnings: $50–$150 per week.
Pro Tip: Be consistent with early morning deliveries to build a strong relationship with customers.

16. House Cleaning

Teens can offer house cleaning services to neighbors or family friends, helping with tasks like vacuuming, dusting, or organizing.
How to start: Offer services to friends, family, or post ads in the community.
Earnings: $15–$30 per hour, depending on the scope of work.
Pro Tip: Offer specialized cleaning services like deep cleaning or organizing closets to attract more clients and higher pay.

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17. Photography

If you have a passion for photography, you can offer services for events like birthdays, family portraits, or even pet photography.
How to start: Invest in a good camera or use your smartphone, and create a portfolio of your work. Advertise on social media.
Earnings: $50–$200 per session, depending on experience and location.
Pro Tip: Offer edited photos as part of the package to add value and attract more customers.

18. House Sitting

House sitting can be an easy way for teens to earn money while keeping an eye on homes when homeowners are away.
How to start: Ask neighbors or family friends if they need someone to watch over their house while they travel.
Earnings: $25–$50 per day.
Pro Tip: Offer to water plants or care for pets while house sitting to increase earnings.

19. Snow Shoveling

For those living in areas with heavy snowfall, snow shoveling can be a lucrative seasonal job during winter months.
How to start: Offer services to neighbors after snowfalls, and promote through flyers or social media.
Earnings: $20–$50 per driveway, depending on the size and difficulty.
Pro Tip: Offer additional services like salting sidewalks to increase earnings.

20. Gift Wrapping

During holidays or special occasions, teens can offer gift wrapping services to busy customers who need help preparing presents.
How to start: Offer services through local stores or market your services on community groups and social media.
Earnings: $5–$10 per gift, depending on size and complexity.
Pro Tip: Create unique, stylish wrapping designs to charge a premium for your services.

21. Event Assistance

Teens can help set up, clean, or serve at events like birthday parties, weddings, or community gatherings.
How to start: Contact local event planners or advertise to family and friends who may need help.
Earnings: $10–$20 per hour.
Pro Tip: Offer to take on extra tasks like running errands or helping with decorations to increase your value at events.

22. Camp Counselor

Teens can work as camp counselors during summer at day camps or overnight camps, helping with activities, supervision, and care for younger children.
How to start: Apply at local summer camps or through school programs.
Earnings: $200–$400 per week, depending on the camp and responsibilities.
Pro Tip: Develop leadership and mentoring skills to become a lead counselor for higher pay in future summers.

23. Music Lessons

If you play an instrument, you can offer lessons to younger kids who are just starting to learn.
How to start: Offer lessons to kids in your school or neighborhood, or advertise through community boards.
Earnings: $20–$50 per hour.
Pro Tip: Offer group lessons or beginner packages to attract more students and increase earnings.

24. Gardening and Plant Care

For teens with a green thumb, helping with garden maintenance or indoor plant care can be a rewarding way to earn money.
How to start: Offer services like watering plants, planting flowers, or trimming hedges to neighbors.
Earnings: $15–$30 per hour.
Pro Tip: Specialize in organic or eco-friendly gardening techniques to attract environmentally conscious clients.

25. Holiday Decorating

Teens can help decorate homes or businesses for the holidays, providing services like hanging lights or setting up holiday displays.
How to start: Offer services to neighbors or post ads in local groups before major holidays.
Earnings: $50–$200 per job, depending on the complexity of decorations.
Pro Tip: Offer take-down services after the holidays to earn extra money.

26. Virtual Assistant

Teens with organizational skills can offer virtual assistant services, helping small businesses or individuals with tasks like email management or data entry.
How to start: Sign up on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, or reach out directly to small businesses.
Earnings: $10–$20 per hour, depending on tasks and experience.
Pro Tip: Develop time management and communication skills to take on more clients and increase your hourly rate.

27. Transcription

For teens with good typing skills, transcription offers a way to earn money by converting audio files into text.
How to start: Sign up for transcription platforms like Rev or TranscribeMe.
Earnings: $10–$25 per hour.
Pro Tip: Focus on accuracy and speed to maximize earnings, as many transcription jobs are paid per minute of audio.

28. Dropshipping

Dropshipping allows teens to sell products online without holding inventory by partnering with suppliers who ship products directly to customers.
How to start: Set up an online store through platforms like Shopify and choose a niche product to sell.
Earnings: $100–$1,000+ per month, depending on sales volume.
Pro Tip: Invest in online marketing through social media ads to attract more customers and boost sales.

29. Refereeing Sports

Teens with knowledge of a particular sport can work as referees for youth sports leagues, such as soccer, basketball, or baseball.
How to start: Contact local youth sports leagues or apply through community recreation centers.
Earnings: $20–$50 per game.
Pro Tip: Obtain certifications for higher-level refereeing to work at more competitive events and earn more money.

30. Selling Stock Photos

Teens with photography skills can sell their photos as stock images to websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.
How to start: Sign up on stock photo websites and upload high-quality photos in popular categories like nature, technology, or people.
Earnings: $0.25–$5 per image download.
Pro Tip: Focus on creating diverse and in-demand images, and regularly update your portfolio to maintain steady earnings.

Benefits of Earning Money As a Kid

• Financial Literacy: Kids learn about budgeting, saving, and making smart spending choices early on.
• Work Ethic: Holding a job fosters responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.
• Skills Development: Jobs teach valuable soft skills such as time management, communication, and teamwork.
• Career Exploration: Kids gain insight into potential career paths and industries that align with their interests.

Tips for Managing Money After you Make Money As A Teenager

While earning money is exciting, learning how to manage it is equally important. Parents should help their kids open savings or checking accounts and discuss saving for future goals, such as college or a major purchase. Here are some tips:

• Start Saving Early: The power of compound interest means that money saved early can grow significantly over time.
• Tax Responsibilities: Teens with earnings may need to file taxes. Income under $14,600 is not taxable, but once earnings exceed this amount, a tax return must be filed.
• Consider a Roth IRA: For kids with earned income, a Roth IRA can be a smart way to save for the future. Contributions grow tax-free, and the principal can be accessed for significant purchases like college or a home.

Important Regulations for Young Workers

Federal child labor laws set specific restrictions on the types of jobs and the number of hours minors can work. Kids under 14 can generally only perform jobs like babysitting, acting, or delivering newspapers. Teens aged 14 and 15 can work up to three hours on a school day and eight hours on a non-school day, while older teens can work unlimited hours except in hazardous occupations.

Conclusion 

Earning money as a kid is not only about the cash—it’s about building a foundation of skills, responsibility, and financial literacy. With numerous opportunities both online and offline, young people can explore their passions, learn valuable lessons, and set themselves up for future success.

FAQs About Make Money As A Teenager