There are high-paying jobs for teenagers out there. It's just a matter of finding the right one. This blog post will consider some high-paying job options that are perfect for teens and how to land them.
What is good pay?
The average hourly wage for a teen in the United States is $19 as of March 27, 2023. While ZipRecruiter shows wages ranging from $6.73 to $30.53 an hour (and everything in between), most teens see pay rates within the range of $12-$19 per hour, with some variation based on location and years of experience.
Finding jobs at these higher-paying levels may be more challenging without previous work experience or advanced skillsets, but opportunities exist even if you're just starting out!
| Hourly Rate | Percentage Of Jobs |
| $6.73 – $8.89 | 1% |
| $8.89 – $11.06 | 5% |
| $11.06 – $13.22 | 10% |
| $13.22 – $15.38 | 21% |
| $15.38 – $17.55 | 17% |
| The average wage is $19.00 an hour | 12% |
| $19.71 – $21.87 | 9% |
| $21.88 – $24.04 | 6% |
| $24.04 – $26.20 | 7% |
| $26.20 – $28.36 | 4% |
| $28.37 – $30.53 | 3% |
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities With Jobs For Teens
If you're an aspiring teen looking for a job, we have good news: plenty of cities have high pay for your age group. In fact, in 10 out of our 50 major metropolitan areas across America, teens can earn more than $14 per hour on average.
| City | Hourly Wage |
| San Francisco Bay, CA | $23.71 |
| Union City, CA | $23.04 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $23.00 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $22.88 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $22.40 |
| Manhattan, NY | $22.31 |
| Livermore, CA | $22.29 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $22.19 |
| American Canyon, CA | $22.16 |
| Redwood City, CA | $21.94 |
Best Paying Jobs for Teens
One of the most challenging aspects of entering adulthood is being unable to work. However, this does not mean there aren't jobs available if you are under 18 and still in high school or college. You may be surprised by all the different options out there.
There are many reasons teens want to work: from earning some spending money, saving up for a big gift (like an iPhone), or even paying their way through college. Here's our list of eighteen lucrative careers open for teenagers with little experience but lots of potential. We hope these inspire your search.
Online Jobs for Students
If you're looking to work from home, there are plenty of jobs for teens that allow this. Working online is perfect for students who want a flexible schedule. Online careers often involve creative thinking and effective communication skills, which will be helpful later in life.
1. Virtual Assistant
National average salary: $19.19 per hour
A virtual assistant is a helper to someone who's very busy and needs to get various tasks done. As a VA, you will be someone's “go-to” when they don't have time for any of the work themselves. Depending on your boss's specific requests, this could include anything from sales, marketing, scheduling meetings, or editing/proofreading. Usually, with this type of job, you work virtually and communicate via phone or video chat software like Zoom or Facetime.
2. Take online surveys
National average salary: Varies
While many people might not think of filling out surveys as a job, it's an easy way to make money and share opinions. Online survey takers are often students who enjoy this side gig because they can work when they have time, and online wages typically range from $9 to $11 per hour based on Glassdoor ratings.
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3. Tutor
National average salary: $23.94 per hour
Imagine a world where talent and intelligence are shared instead of hoarded. There's an incredible opportunity for you to make the most out of your academic skills by becoming a tutor–no matter what level or subject. It could be at nearby schools, after-school programs, or online tutoring.
Why not help someone else reach their potential while also improving yours?
4. Transcribe videos
National average salary: $28 per hour
Think about all the lectures, interviews, and presentations you have had to take notes on in school. Now imagine not having to do any of that work again but just transcribing it for a small fee!
Freelance transcription services are always looking for people who can type fast enough with impeccable spelling skills, so they don't need experience or special training – only time and internet access will suffice.
5. Entry-level web designer
National average salary: Varies
Your website reflects your skills and personal brand, so you want it to be the first thing potential employers see. Before launching an online portfolio for consideration as an entry-level web designer, code it well enough for success and ensure your site stands out from other websites with its unique design or features.
The Highest Paying Summer Jobs for Students
If you're a student, summer jobs are an excellent opportunity to jumpstart your resume and make some extra money. Investing time during the summer season will help you get ahead of student loans and add experience for when it's finally time to enter the workforce.
Summer is ideal for students to earn income to cover various expenses. Working over the summer break then allows students to focus solely on academics in term time without worrying about how much side gig work might interfere with homework assignments!
6. Camp Counselor
National average salary: $25 per hour
Summer is the best time to get outside, and there are many camps for kids. Camp counselors have all sorts of responsibilities, like leading games during camp activities and supervising children while they play sports on field trips.
Remember being at your favorite summer camp when you were younger? Why not come back now you're a teen and join in on the fun by becoming one of their energetic staff members this season?!
7. Dog Walker
National average salary: $17.62 per hour
Dog walkers ensure that dogs get a good workout with their daily walks. The dog walker is responsible for checking on food and water supplies and cleaning up after them during walks. If you're in shape physically and love animals, this might be your perfect profession!
8. Lifeguard
National average salary: $13.45 per hour
Lifeguarding is probably every teen's dream come true with its paychecks and flexibility in hours – all while being able to spend more time at pools or beaches during those hot summer days! Becoming a lifeguard requires a few prerequisites, such as taking courses through the American Red Cross when turning fifteen.
9. Mowing lawns
National average salary: $21 per hour
A great way to get outside and make money is lawn care. Basic tasks like mowing grass, trimming plants, raking leaves and shoveling snow are perfect for a teen who loves being outdoors.
10. Landscaper
National average salary: $23.46 per hour
Landscapers spend most of their time outdoors but also work with plants and trees inside greenhouses. Landscaping offers a variety of skills that can be applied to other careers, like interior design or teaching children about nature.
As a teenage landscaper, you'll spend your days working under sunny skies, caring for greenery at business buildings or private homes. You will maintain gardens by planting new flowers, bushes, and trees; mowing grasses; pulling weeds from flowerbeds; maintaining outdoor furniture such as chairs/tables, etc.
11. Caddy
National average salary: $18.00 per hour
You might not be able to hit the shots Tiger Woods does, but if you're interested in being a caddy and love golfing yourself, it could turn into something more. You'll have flexible hours and can bring home up to $100 on some days. Plus, all that walking will make those legs look great for summer.
High-paying jobs for teens with no experience
Even with no experience, you can find a job – many teens work in retail or restaurants. You will be surprised at the number of jobs available to high school students without any prior employment history.
Teenagers often get their first taste of working for themselves by finding summer and part-time jobs perfect for them, such as babysitting children, stocking shelves at their favorite store, ringing up customer purchases at cash registers, bagging groceries behind the counter; the list goes on!
12. Mover
National average salary: $18.07 per hour
Moving is a lot of work. Movers are responsible for safely packing your belongings, transporting them to the new location, and unloading everything without damaging anything. Moving can be very physically demanding; you must have enough stamina to carry heavy objects over long periods.
13. Trade Apprentice
National average salary: Varies
Apprenticeships are a great way to get started in the workforce. You can enter an apprenticeship by choosing from one of many different occupational fields, including health care, construction, law enforcement and food services.
These positions allow you to learn while earning money and provide mentors who will guide your learning process through hands-on experience, so when you complete your apprenticeship program, you'll be ready for whatever comes next.
14. Babysitter
National average salary: $20.57 per hour
A babysitting role might be perfect if you love spending time with children. You can work from home or even in your neighborhood and keep little ones entertained when their parents are busy.
A babysitter's day can range from hanging with kids outside on the swing set, having them watch movies with you, or even playing games like tag.
15. Pet Sitter
National average salary: $12.41 per hour
Pet sitting is perfect for animal lovers who don't mind getting their hands dirty. You may walk dogs or visit pets at their homes, feeding them and cleaning up after them as needed.
If you have a home with space available, it's possible your pet sitter duties could include boarding animals while owners are away on vacation. No matter what tasks you do- feeding cats or walking Labradors in the park- you'll be rewarded by furry friends daily.
Other High-Paying Jobs to Consider
The following jobs for high school students are summer staples. Love or hate them, these positions can be a great way to make some extra cash this year and gain valuable experience in different industries.
16. Food Service Jobs
National average salary: $14.63 per hour
Foodservice is an exciting and rewarding industry that can offer a variety of positions. One such job, the restaurant server, benefits from generous tips for providing excellent customer service in addition to food preparation duties.
17. Retail Sales Associate
National average salary: $12.00 per hour
Many teens thrive in the retail environment, as it is a place where they can work flexible hours to make some money. These jobs are often seasonal and available at convenience stores or clothing retailers. For example, when you leave school for winter break, you have more time than usual, so stocking shelves would be excellent while earning cash during downtime.
18. Catering staff
National average salary: Varies
Imagine being a part of the magic that is a wedding reception. Many summer events need support staff – from waiting on tables to prepping food. Your hourly rate can also vary depending on which type of event you're involved with.
19. Stocking Inventory
National average salary: $14.00
Stocking shelves is a great first job for teens. You can learn about customer service and merchandising while getting an employee discount and saving money.
20. Painter
National average salary: $17.99 per hour
House renovations are common during the summer, creating jobs for teens. You can find painting work inside and outside of homes and fences if you run out of houses to paint before school starts again. Before starting any project, you must know what kind of paints will best suit your surface type.
21. Youth Sports Referee
National average salary: $18.00 per hour
Playing soccer, swimming, tennis, or basketball is fun and can keep you active. Have you ever thought about becoming a referee for one of these sports?
Youth referees are part-time officials who help with the instruction, supervision, and officiating during sporting events made up of children under 18 years old. They ensure players follow the rules and treat each other fairly to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest job but pays a lot?
Finding easy jobs that pay well is a common goal for many. But what if you want to make boatloads of money without taking on the stress? Luckily, there are options available. House or dog sitting can offer an enjoyable and high-paying opportunity with little experience necessary.
What is the highest-paying job that only requires a high school diploma?
If you're looking for a career option that does not require more than a high school diploma, consider these three options: pharmacy technician, gaming manager, or mail carrier. Pharmacy technicians earn an average of $16 per hour after one year of accredited pharmacy training.
Gaming managers oversee all aspects of casino games at casinos around America and have excellent opportunities to earn around $35,000 annually. Mail carriers make about $17 per hour delivering mail across the U.S.
Final thoughts
Finding a job while in high school can be challenging, but with the proper research and dedication, you can earn more than minimum wage.
If you're looking for summer work or want to make extra money on weekends, plenty of opportunities await. An excellent place to start is searching “jobs for teens near me” and exploring your options.
3. Tutor
National average salary: $23.94 per hour
Imagine a world where talent and intelligence are shared instead of hoarded. There's an incredible opportunity for you to make the most out of your academic skills by becoming a tutor–no matter what level or subject. It could be at nearby schools, after-school programs, or online tutoring.
Why not help someone else reach their potential while also improving yours?
4. Transcribe videos
National average salary: $28 per hour
Think about all the lectures, interviews, and presentations you have had to take notes on in school. Now imagine not having to do any of that work again but just transcribing it for a small fee!
Freelance transcription services are always looking for people who can type fast enough with impeccable spelling skills, so they don't need experience or special training – only time and internet access will suffice.
5. Entry-level web designer
National average salary: Varies
Your website reflects your skills and personal brand, so you want it to be the first thing potential employers see. Before launching an online portfolio for consideration as an entry-level web designer, code it well enough for success and ensure your site stands out from other websites with its unique design or features.
The Highest Paying Summer Jobs for Students
If you're a student, summer jobs are an excellent opportunity to jumpstart your resume and make some extra money. Investing time during the summer season will help you get ahead of student loans and add experience for when it's finally time to enter the workforce.
Summer is ideal for students to earn income to cover various expenses. Working over the summer break then allows students to focus solely on academics in term time without worrying about how much side gig work might interfere with homework assignments!
6. Camp Counselor
National average salary: $25 per hour
Summer is the best time to get outside, and there are many camps for kids. Camp counselors have all sorts of responsibilities, like leading games during camp activities and supervising children while they play sports on field trips.
Remember being at your favorite summer camp when you were younger? Why not come back now you're a teen and join in on the fun by becoming one of their energetic staff members this season?!
7. Dog Walker
National average salary: $17.62 per hour
Dog walkers ensure that dogs get a good workout with their daily walks. The dog walker is responsible for checking on food and water supplies and cleaning up after them during walks. If you're in shape physically and love animals, this might be your perfect profession!
8. Lifeguard
National average salary: $13.45 per hour
Lifeguarding is probably every teen's dream come true with its paychecks and flexibility in hours – all while being able to spend more time at pools or beaches during those hot summer days! Becoming a lifeguard requires a few prerequisites, such as taking courses through the American Red Cross when turning fifteen.
9. Mowing lawns
National average salary: $21 per hour
A great way to get outside and make money is lawn care. Basic tasks like mowing grass, trimming plants, raking leaves and shoveling snow are perfect for a teen who loves being outdoors.
10. Landscaper
National average salary: $23.46 per hour
Landscapers spend most of their time outdoors but also work with plants and trees inside greenhouses. Landscaping offers a variety of skills that can be applied to other careers, like interior design or teaching children about nature.
As a teenage landscaper, you'll spend your days working under sunny skies, caring for greenery at business buildings or private homes. You will maintain gardens by planting new flowers, bushes, and trees; mowing grasses; pulling weeds from flowerbeds; maintaining outdoor furniture such as chairs/tables, etc.
11. Caddy
National average salary: $18.00 per hour
You might not be able to hit the shots Tiger Woods does, but if you're interested in being a caddy and love golfing yourself, it could turn into something more. You'll have flexible hours and can bring home up to $100 on some days. Plus, all that walking will make those legs look great for summer.
High-paying jobs for teens with no experience
Even with no experience, you can find a job – many teens work in retail or restaurants. You will be surprised at the number of jobs available to high school students without any prior employment history.
Teenagers often get their first taste of working for themselves by finding summer and part-time jobs perfect for them, such as babysitting children, stocking shelves at their favorite store, ringing up customer purchases at cash registers, bagging groceries behind the counter; the list goes on!
12. Mover
National average salary: $18.07 per hour
Moving is a lot of work. Movers are responsible for safely packing your belongings, transporting them to the new location, and unloading everything without damaging anything. Moving can be very physically demanding; you must have enough stamina to carry heavy objects over long periods.
13. Trade Apprentice
National average salary: Varies
Apprenticeships are a great way to get started in the workforce. You can enter an apprenticeship by choosing from one of many different occupational fields, including health care, construction, law enforcement and food services.
These positions allow you to learn while earning money and provide mentors who will guide your learning process through hands-on experience, so when you complete your apprenticeship program, you'll be ready for whatever comes next.
14. Babysitter
National average salary: $20.57 per hour
A babysitting role might be perfect if you love spending time with children. You can work from home or even in your neighborhood and keep little ones entertained when their parents are busy.
A babysitter's day can range from hanging with kids outside on the swing set, having them watch movies with you, or even playing games like tag.
15. Pet Sitter
National average salary: $12.41 per hour
Pet sitting is perfect for animal lovers who don't mind getting their hands dirty. You may walk dogs or visit pets at their homes, feeding them and cleaning up after them as needed.
If you have a home with space available, it's possible your pet sitter duties could include boarding animals while owners are away on vacation. No matter what tasks you do- feeding cats or walking Labradors in the park- you'll be rewarded by furry friends daily.
Other High-Paying Jobs to Consider
The following jobs for high school students are summer staples. Love or hate them, these positions can be a great way to make some extra cash this year and gain valuable experience in different industries.
16. Food Service Jobs
National average salary: $14.63 per hour
Foodservice is an exciting and rewarding industry that can offer a variety of positions. One such job, the restaurant server, benefits from generous tips for providing excellent customer service in addition to food preparation duties.
17. Retail Sales Associate
National average salary: $12.00 per hour
Many teens thrive in the retail environment, as it is a place where they can work flexible hours to make some money. These jobs are often seasonal and available at convenience stores or clothing retailers. For example, when you leave school for winter break, you have more time than usual, so stocking shelves would be excellent while earning cash during downtime.
18. Catering staff
National average salary: Varies
Imagine being a part of the magic that is a wedding reception. Many summer events need support staff – from waiting on tables to prepping food. Your hourly rate can also vary depending on which type of event you're involved with.
19. Stocking Inventory
National average salary: $14.00
Stocking shelves is a great first job for teens. You can learn about customer service and merchandising while getting an employee discount and saving money.
20. Painter
National average salary: $17.99 per hour
House renovations are common during the summer, creating jobs for teens. You can find painting work inside and outside of homes and fences if you run out of houses to paint before school starts again. Before starting any project, you must know what kind of paints will best suit your surface type.
21. Youth Sports Referee
National average salary: $18.00 per hour
Playing soccer, swimming, tennis, or basketball is fun and can keep you active. Have you ever thought about becoming a referee for one of these sports?
Youth referees are part-time officials who help with the instruction, supervision, and officiating during sporting events made up of children under 18 years old. They ensure players follow the rules and treat each other fairly to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest job but pays a lot?
Finding easy jobs that pay well is a common goal for many. But what if you want to make boatloads of money without taking on the stress? Luckily, there are options available. House or dog sitting can offer an enjoyable and high-paying opportunity with little experience necessary.
What is the highest-paying job that only requires a high school diploma?
If you're looking for a career option that does not require more than a high school diploma, consider these three options: pharmacy technician, gaming manager, or mail carrier. Pharmacy technicians earn an average of $16 per hour after one year of accredited pharmacy training.
Gaming managers oversee all aspects of casino games at casinos around America and have excellent opportunities to earn around $35,000 annually. Mail carriers make about $17 per hour delivering mail across the U.S.
Final thoughts
Finding a job while in high school can be challenging, but with the proper research and dedication, you can earn more than minimum wage.
If you're looking for summer work or want to make extra money on weekends, plenty of opportunities await. An excellent place to start is searching “jobs for teens near me” and exploring your options.