How to Make Money as a Teen: 21 Ideas With Real Numbers
21 ways to make money as a teen, from jobs with a paycheck to side hustles, with real median pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and tips to stay safe.
In this guide
Concert tickets, clothes, a car fund, or just not having to ask your parents every time. Whatever you’re saving for, there are real ways to make money as a teen. Some are jobs with a paycheck, some are side hustles you run yourself.
Here are 21 ideas, with real pay numbers for the jobs.
What jobs actually pay
The numbers below are the median hourly wage for each job in May 2025, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less. These are for all ages, so as a teen with no experience, you’ll often start lower. Pay also changes a lot by state and city.
| Job | Median hourly pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Babysitter | $16.82 |
| Tutor | $20.84 |
| Yard work and landscaping | $18.82 |
| Retail sales | $17.03 |
| Dog walker or pet sitter | $17.00 |
| Busser or dining room attendant | $16.34 |
| Lifeguard | $16.14 |
| Cashier | $15.81 |
| Ride or game attendant | $15.46 |
| Fast food or counter worker | $15.00 |
| Host | $15.00 |
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but many states and cities set a higher minimum. Check yours before you accept an offer.
Jobs with a paycheck
- Babysitter (median $16.82 an hour). A babysitting or first aid course helps parents trust you. Set your rate with our babysitting rate guide.
- Tutor (median $20.84 an hour). Great if you’re strong in one subject. Younger kids in your neighborhood are the easiest first clients.
- Yard work and landscaping (median $18.82 an hour). Mowing, raking and weeding for neighbors. Ask a parent before using power tools.
- Retail sales (median $17.03 an hour). Clothing, sporting goods and bookstores often hire teens for weekends and holidays.
- Dog walker or pet sitter (median $17.00 an hour). Start with neighbors and family friends, and do a meet-and-greet with each pet first.
- Busser or dining room attendant (median $16.34 an hour). Restaurants hire teens to clear and set tables. Tips may be shared.
- Lifeguard (median $16.14 an hour). You’ll need a certification course. The Red Cross lifeguarding course requires you to be at least 15 by the last day of class and pass a swim test.
- Cashier (median $15.81 an hour). Grocery stores, pharmacies and movie theaters are common first jobs.
- Ride or game attendant (median $15.46 an hour). Theme parks, mini golf, bowling alleys and trampoline parks.
- Fast food or counter worker (median $15.00 an hour). Flexible shifts and lots of openings. Easy to get hired with no experience.
- Host (median $15.00 an hour). Greeting and seating guests at a restaurant. A good fit if you’re friendly and organized.
Not sure what you’re allowed to do at your age? There are federal limits on hours and job types for teens under 16. See our guides to jobs for 14-year-olds, jobs for 15-year-olds and jobs for 16-year-olds.
Side hustles you run yourself
- Car washing for neighbors on weekends. A bucket, soap and towels are all you need.
- Snow shoveling in winter. Neighbors who are older or travel a lot are often happy to pay.
- Plant watering and house sitting while families are on vacation.
- Tech help for older neighbors: setting up phones, video calls and streaming apps.
- Party helper at kids’ birthday parties: games, face painting, cleanup.
- Selling things you don’t use, like clothes, books and games. Many selling apps require you to be 18, so do it with a parent’s account.
- Selling crafts or baked goods at school fairs, markets or to family friends. Check if your town requires a permit for food sales.
- Photos for events if you’re good with a camera: birthdays, sports teams, senior portraits for friends.
- Organizing closets, garages or playrooms for families who never have time.
- Seasonal decorating: helping neighbors put up and take down holiday lights (with an adult on the ladder).
For side hustles, you set the price. Ask what others nearby charge, start a bit lower while you build reviews, and raise your rate once people keep coming back.
Making money online
Online work sounds easy, but it’s also where most scams aimed at teens are. Any “job” that asks you to pay first, buy gift cards or send money back is a scam. Read online jobs for teens that aren’t scams before you sign up for anything.
Stay safe
- Tell a parent where you’re working and who you’re working for.
- Meet new clients with a parent for side hustles like babysitting and pet sitting.
- Never share your Social Security number with anyone except a real employer filling out official forms.
- Get paid in a way you can track, and agree on the price before you start.
Where to put your money
Once you’re earning, keep it somewhere safer than your sock drawer. Here’s how to open a bank account under 18, and a comparison of debit cards for teens. A simple rule: every time you get paid, save some before you spend any. Here’s how to save money as a teenager, even on a small income.
