Most teenagers have monthly allowances. But they also have expenses like car insurance, school trips, workout subscriptions, and phone bills, which sometimes cannot be covered with a monthly allowance. It’s actually one of the reasons many teenagers are always looking for ways to generate additional income.
One of the best ways a teenager can earn money is by getting a part-time job or some other gig they can work on for several hours. Whether you choose to sell your stuff online, organize a garage sale, or manage social media channels – there’s a sea of options available. You just need to know where to start.
Read on to discover some creative and informative ways that will show you how to make money as a teenager.
How to Make Money as a Teen
There are many benefits to making money while you’re young.
First off, it will help you learn how to manage your finances. Second, it will teach you important lessons about working with other people and how to adapt more easily to different environments. And third, earning your own money will make you more independent and boost your confidence.
But before you start looking for ways to make money as a teen, it’s important to first decide what you’re looking to earn.
Do you want to earn fast and easy money so you can have a little extra to spend on entertainment and eating out? Or do you need something more long-term, like saving up money for college or university?
Below you’ll find some simple jobs you can try doing on a daily or weekly basis. These are traditional teen jobs that are easy to find and will pay you solid rates.
1. Try a local coffee, smoothie, or juice shop
This is perhaps the most common and possibly one of the best ways to make money as a teen. Most towns have at least a coffee or juice shop that would be willing to hire teens looking for part-time work.
Plus, most of them offer flexible hours and competitive wages. You can even take on extra shifts during peak periods like summer vacations and after-school hours.
2. Become a babysitter or pet sitter
These are the second most common ways to make money as a teenager. But even though they’re traditionally known as teenage gigs, they’re not as simple or as easy to do as some may think.
Some teenagers don’t get along with kids or don’t meet legal babysitting age requirements, while others are allergic to dogs or cats, and even if they wanted to, they wouldn’t be able to do this job.
3. Wrap gifts for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries
If you have creative skills and know how to wrap presents, then this is a great opportunity to make money as a teen. You can find people in your neighborhood who are willing to pay you for wrapping their gifts.
And if you’re really good at it, you may even start getting referrals from friends and family members.
4. Put up flyers for local businesses around town
Flyer distribution is a great gig and one that’s not limited to teens only. All you need to do is contact a few of the local businesses and offer your help in promoting their services or products by distributing their flyers around town.
It’s a job that usually pays an hourly rate though some even pay per distributed flyer.
5. Paint houses during the summer break
Making money as a teenager during the summer is much easier compared to the winter. This is because everyone knows teenagers have extra time on their hands. Plus, it’s the season for remodeling and house painting.
So, if you’re willing to take on a labor job, get in touch with some local contractors and offer your services. It usually pays an hourly rate, and with enough hard work, you can earn enough to up your allowance throughout the entire year.
6. Become your neighbors’ favorite lawn mower
When it comes to traditional strategies and ways for teenagers to make money, lawn mowing is perhaps the most universal. Whether for fun, as punishment for doing something naughty, or to help their grandparents or parents – literally, everyone has mowed a lawn at least once in their lifetime.
So, for this gig, all you need is the knowledge of how to properly handle a lawn mower, and that’s it. You can start advertising your services door-to-door right away. And if you need a lawn mower, you can always borrow it from your parents.
7. Snow shoveling
It’s the winter version of lawn mowing and house painting and the best way for teens to make money during Christmas break. When it snows, everyone needs their driveway cleared, so why not help out your neighbors for a few extra bucks?!
You’ll need a shovel and some basic techniques on how to properly hold it so you don’t get tired easily, and that’s it. You can start advertising your services yourself or ask some of your neighbors to recommend you.
8. Offer your tutoring services to students
If you excel in a particular subject, why not put your knowledge to good use and offer tutoring sessions?
You can make money as a teenager by providing students that are behind on a subject with the skills and knowledge they lack to overcome this hurdle. Plus, it’s a great way to build up your resume while still making some cash.
9. Lifeguard
If you’re a good swimmer and enjoy being around water, why not invest in your future by becoming a licensed lifeguard?
True, most states require lifeguards to be 15 or older, but it can still be a great way to make money. Not only will you get paid for your time, but you’ll also gain valuable skills and experience in the process.
10. Become a golf caddy
If you’re a golf enthusiast, this could be the easiest way for you to make money as a teenager. Most golf courses have an option for hiring teenage workers that are willing to help out golfers during their rounds.
It’s not just a great gig to earn a few bucks, but it’s also good exercise! Plus, being around professional golfers will give you an idea of what it takes to make it in the sport.
11. Apply as a summer camp counselor
If you’ve experienced the joys of summer camp as a child and liked it, why not do it again, but this time in a different role?
Many camps rely heavily upon teen counselors, either for day or residential sleepaway activities. It could be an incredibly satisfying opportunity to help others discover what makes camp so special!
12. Work at an amusement park
Working at amusement parks is yet another of the many easy ways to make money as a teen. They’re always looking for younger people to work on their attractions and rides.
Not only is this a great part-time job, but it can also give you the chance to meet new people. Plus, you’ll probably get free admission to most rides!
13. Apply for an internship
There are many ways for teens to earn money, but the best option for those who’ve made up their minds to go to college is to apply for an internship.
This will not only make you a decent amount of money but will also help you gain valuable experience in a field that is of interest to you. Plus, it will look great on your resume.
But before you start applying for anything, just make sure to do thorough research on several companies and see what growth opportunities they offer.
How to Make Money Online as a Teen
In addition to the traditional jobs you can do as a teenager, there are plenty of other jobs available online. And the best part about these gigs is that you can do them whenever you want.
All you need is a good internet connection and a computer. Another upside is you can do some of these on your mobile. So here’s a roundup of the most popular online jobs for teens.
14. Take online surveys
The internet is full of online survey sites that pay people for their opinions on various topics, ranging from products to politics. Most of these have minimal requirements for anyone who wishes to participate, which is why they’re one of the easiest ways for teens to make money online.
What’s also great is that online surveys are great for any adult who wishes to make money in less than an hour, so you can even ask one of your parents to join in and start earning together.
15. Become a virtual assistant
We live in a digital world, and the role of virtual assistants is yet to see its rise. But even now, there are lots of companies looking for people to help them with administrative tasks, and being able to do it remotely makes it even more desirable.
All you need are solid organizational skills and a few hours of free time to get started.
16. Try freelance writing
For teens with good writing skills, freelancing can be an excellent choice. But what makes it the best way to make money as a teen is that it can turn into an actual job or a career choice.
Admittedly, you’d need to up your research skills, but you’ll be able to write content for websites, blogs, or even books. All you need is a laptop and a steady internet connection.
17. Create videos for YouTube
YouTube is one of the most visited websites in the world, and with it comes great potential to make money.
You can create videos on any topic you’re passionate about and monetize them by allowing third-party companies to post ads. And if your videos are popular, you’ll not only be able to make money online as a teen, but also make a career out of it.
18. Start your own blog
Blogging is not only an enjoyable way to express yourself about topics you love, but it’s also one of the ways teens can make money online.
It works by allowing pay-per-click advertisements to be published on your blog, accepting sponsored contributions, and more.
19. Start your own business online
If you’re not interested in working for someone else, there’s always the option to start your own online business. You can launch a store on Etsy by selling items you’ve made yourself, assisting people in finding jobs that are in demand and are suited to their character, and so much more.
Whatever business idea you might have, and you think is missing on the market, try it. The point of it all is to fill in the market gap.
20. Manage social media channels
Social media management is one of the most fun ways for teens to make money. You probably spend most of your time on social media anyways, so why not make some cash out of it?!
Many companies and individuals are looking for people to manage their social media accounts, and most of the time, you don’t need any prior experience. You just need is a knack for understanding the way people interact on these platforms.
21. Play video games
Testing video games is probably one of the best ways to make money online as a teenager, especially if you’re a gamer yourself. You can sign up to become a game tester and get paid to play different video games while giving feedback on them.
The great thing about playing video games is that it’s a job that doesn’t require any special skills, so even if you’re not a gamer yourself, don’t worry – you will be able to do it!
22. Video editing
Are you a whiz at editing videos? If so, consider offering your services as a video editor! You can help create promotional material for businesses, edit music videos for musicians, or even create tutorials for people.
And while it’s not exactly an easy way for teens to make money, it’s definitely one that’s well-paid and doesn’t require too much experience.
23. Try online tutoring
If you’re good at certain subjects, consider becoming an online or in-person tutor for students in your area. You can offer lessons and help students with their homework and get paid for it!
It’s an excellent way to make extra cash while also helping someone else out.
How to Make Money as a Teenager Without a Job
Considering many teenagers have classes and extracurricular activities, it’s understandable that they want to make money without having to commit to a traditional job.
Luckily, there are plenty of things teens can do that could earn them money without having to take on an extra commitment.
24. Flip items on eBay
Buying things at a low price and selling them for a higher price is called flipping. It’s also one of the best ways to make money online as a teenager without committing to a job.
You can start flipping items you already own or buy items through auction sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
From selling objects that your family no longer wants or buying items from garage sales or thrift stores, there are plenty of ways to make a profit by flipping. Sports memorabilia or Pokémon cards are particularly valuable, so we suggest you put these on your list.
25. Sell your hair
One of the oldest ways to earn money as a teenager or even an adult is by selling your hair. You can usually get anywhere from $50 to a couple of hundred bucks for a few inches of your locks. All you have to do is find a hair salon that’s willing to buy it.
26. Sell cookies or other baked products
If you have solid baking skills and are good with decorating foods, why not take orders for small festivities? Whether it’s birthday parties or bridal showers, people are always happier to buy homemade food rather than the one offered in retail stores.
You can bake from scratch or use pre-made mixes, and you can even sell other food items like sandwiches or cupcakes.
27. Organize a garage sale
One of the few easy ways for teens to make money is to sell stuff their parents bought but no longer use. Surely you have an attic full of stuff that can be sold for a few bucks. Why not organize a garage sale?!
You’ll need to advertise it properly and make sure you get the word out to boost attendance. Just don’t forget to price everything accordingly. If you do it right, you could walk away with quite a bit of money! Plus, you’ll get rid of all the junk that’s been cluttering up your house for years.
28. Teach music lessons
If you’re looking to earn money as a teen and are a talented musician, consider teaching music lessons to other kids in your area. You can offer one-on-one or group lessons, depending on what works best for you.
And even though it might take you some time to find kids or adults interested in learning the specific instrument you offer, it’s surely a fun way to make a few bucks and one that will not commit you to signing a job contract.
29. Sell your books
Selling books that you no longer use is perhaps one of the easiest ways for a teenager to make money.
You could either sell them online to websites such as Amazon, or you can even set up a table outdoors and sell them in person. Another option is to take them to a book resale shop.
30. Sell your photos
If you have an eye for taking gorgeous pictures, why not make some money off of them?
Consider Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Photoshelter, all of which are great options for posting your unique photos and giving you the opportunity to sell them to be used as stock images.
Find the Easiest Ways to Make Money as a Teenager for You
Before we leave you to make your choice, here are some final tips on how to find the option that is best suited to you.
- Assess your skills and what you are comfortable doing – this will help narrow down the options available to you.
- Research the options – it is important that you understand all of the risks and rewards involved with each option.
- Ask for advice from your friends who have already found easy ways to make money as a teenager.
- Speak to parents or trusted adults about the options to ensure you are making a wise decision.
- Be proactive and look for new ways to make money.
- Have fun and enjoy what you do, as you will be more likely to be successful if you are passionate about it.
Making money as a teenager does not have to be hard or intimidating. With the right attitude and some guidance, any teen can find ways to make money and even have fun doing it. So, get out there and start earning your pocket money.