Are you a teen looking for ways to make your own money?
You’re in luck– we’ll show you how to make money doing what you love and how to start your own business with these good ideas that will help jumpstart your future financial success.
We want to help you make the most of your teen years and start building your financial future now. So what are you waiting for?
How To Make Money As A Teen & Grow Your Wealth Today
Would it surprise you if I told you that there are tons of easy ways for teenagers to make money without worrying about child labor laws?
Some of these jobs will be simple gigs like dog walking and lawn mowing, while others may require more graphic design or web development skills.
1. Surveys
You can take online surveys from the comfort of your own home or wherever you are and a few dollars pretty quickly! And with some survey sites, you can earn points for watching videos, online shopping, playing games, and more!
You’ll earn points for each survey you complete, which you can redeem for cash or gift cards. You can hook up most of the apps with your PayPal or bank account, but those free gift cards are great!
2. Blogging
Blogging is one of the online money-making opportunities for a teen to earn potentially a lot of money online.
There are so many different ways to make money blogging. You can set up your own blog with a web host like BlueHost and start earning money with ads. Some brands will even pay you to write sponsored posts.
It’s a fantastic way to make money as a teenager because you can do the writing from home and promote anything that interests you. Pick something that interests you and write about it.
3. Proofreading
Teens can make money proofreading by looking for errors in the text. For example, a blogger can hire a teen to proofread a blog post to ensure that all the sentences are properly formed.
Proofreading is a great way to start earning money because it does not require any special skills or training. All you need is a good eye for detail and the ability to spot mistakes.
Proofread Anywhere has a FREE workshop that can help you get started.
4. Freelance Writing
If you’re a teen with a knack for writing, there are plenty of ways to earn money freelancing. Maybe you love to write stories, articles, or essays. Freelancing is a great opportunity to share your work with others and be paid for it.
As a teen trying to get into freelancing, you can find online writing gigs, write for blogs or local newspapers, or even start your own blog and sell advertising space.
Not sure how to get started as a freelance writer? Earn More Writing can help!
5. Freelance Other Skills
There are also various other skills teenagers can learn and then use to find freelance work. Popular options include graphic design, web development, and photography.
People are always looking for freelancers with these skills, so it’s a great option if you know how to do one or more of these things!
6. E-Commerce
E-commerce is another great way for teens to make money online, which can start it as a part-time job while in school and make it a full-time job over the summers- or for a long-term career.
You basically create an e-commerce Etsy shop or Shopify store and sell products like t-shirts, bath bombs, or whatever you like!
Our top 2 picks for things to sell include printables and stickers, which make great money, especially if you have an artistic flair. All you need is some creativity and patience with detailed work.
7. Virtual Assistant (VA)
Virtual assistants do all sorts of tasks. You can schedule appointments, manage emails, order supplies, and plan events—you name it! You can get a free workbook here to see how you can start as a VA
Another popular virtual assistant job is online bookkeeping. In fact, a bookkeeping job is a perfect way to make money as a teenager because it does not require much prior knowledge or experience, and it can be done from any location with a computer.
8. Flipping Items
Flipping items is when you buy something cheap and then sell it for a higher price. It’s a great way to make money quickly and easily!
To help you get started, we suggest the FREE workshop from Flea Market Flipping. It’s a course that teaches people how to earn money by buying and selling items they find at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.
9. Tutor Academics
It’s possible to make a lot of money by tutoring as a teenager. You can tutor classmates, other kids from your school or other schools, or even online students you don’t know yet.
It’s a flexible job which means you’ll have the freedom to work when convenient for you! Plus, all of your earnings are yours to keep, so it’s basically an easy way to make extra cash.
You can look online with Tutor.com or TutorMe!
10. Tutor Skills
People are always looking to learn new things. If you’ve got the skills, you can easily tutor skills like singing, drawing, or playing an instrument if you’re skilled in that area. Finding jobs tutoring skills is the same as finding a job tutoring academics.
You just have to post on your local Facebook marketplace groups or put up flyers at your school. If you’re good, people will contact you quickly!
11. Coach Sports
Coaching sports is another great option for earning money as a teenager. You can coach sports like football, basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer.
All you need to do is have the background knowledge for whatever sport you’re coaching. Then just let the parents of kids on your local youth team know that you’re looking for more work!
12. Umpire/Referee Sports
Being an umpire or referee is another exciting option to earn money as a teenager. As an umpire or referee, you’ll make sure no one cheats on the field and ensure that everyone follows the rules of the game.
All you need to do is contact people in charge of hiring umpires or refs for your local teams. Then just let them know you’re looking for work so they can give you an opportunity!
13. Social Media Management
Want to manage a company’s social media accounts?
You can work a part-time job all while spending time on your phone as a social media manager by managing a company’s Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, or any other type of account.
Social media can be a great way to earn money as a teenager since it’s what you already know. You’ll help other people build their following and social media platforms.
14. Sell Art Pieces
If you’re artistic, selling art pieces on Etsy or Shopify can be a great way for you to make extra money as a teenager.
You just need to post your art online and let people know where to purchase the piece. Then once someone purchases it, all you have to do is ship out the finished product.
15. Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing involves promoting products on your social media accounts. You’ll get paid to post photos, videos or follow brands on social media.
You can find influencer marketing jobs by contacting brands or companies. Then let them know you’re interested in becoming an influencer for their brand!
16. Video Games
Playing video games is one of the most popular hobbies for people of all ages. If you like to play games, then this can be an easy way to make good money.
All you have to do is start up your own YouTube channel or Twitch to stream video games and let your subscribers know that you’re open to paid sponsorship opportunities.
To find money-making opportunities, just contact different companies and brands about sponsoring your channel. You can also approach brands for affiliate links to talk about while you play video games, and you make money easily off of that.
17. Streaming Online
Many people make money by streaming videos on a YouTube channel. Mastering YouTube can show you how to get started- you could make thousands a month from learning these tips and tricks!
Just choose a gaming category on the platform you’re using and start streaming! People watching your videos can donate money to support you if they enjoy what they see and you’ll be on your way to having a passive income by making money online.
18. Sell Online Courses
People always look for people to teach them what they know, and you can make money as a teenager by showing people how to do stuff!
Selling online courses is an online money-making business that doesn’t take a lot of money to start.
By creating an online course and offering lessons people can purchase, you’ll be making a steady stream of passive income, like teaching people to code or use a computer.
19. Video/Photo Editing
Are you a whiz with any software? Then video editing and photo editing could be perfect for you! It would help if you used different programs, like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere Pro.
Just search forums or Craig’s List for jobs posted by companies looking for someone to do some video editing or photo editing. Then take your skills and apply!
20. Musician
Are you a musician? If so, then making money as a teen playing gig is an excellent way to make some cash! You need to find local venues that will allow you the opportunity to play.
You can also upload your music online and sell it on platforms like iTunes or Spotify. Just send people links to buy your songs and watch the money roll in!
Musicians can also become Youtubers and try to build their audience. Then they’ll be able to get paid for ad revenue on YouTube videos.
21. House Helper
Being a house help is one of the most dependable side hustles to earn money as a teenager. This can be an easy and fun way to earn some cash while still being able to enjoy your summer vacation with your friends.
You’ll get paid for helping out in someone’s home, whether it’s running errands, making beds, washing dishes, hanging curtains, or offering cleaning services for the elderly.
Being a house helper could be perfect for you! Just let people know that you’re available to help out homeowners by doing small jobs around their homes.
22. House Cleaner
If you have a knack for cleaning, becoming a house cleaner could be your perfect job as a teen.
Just post flyers in your own neighborhood or find neighborhoods with big houses, and clean them on the weekends! It’s very flexible, and there’s lots of work to go around if you do a good job.
You can get referred to more and more clients as you start cleaning for more people, and that just racks in extra cash for you!
23. Wash Cars
Do you like washing cars? Then becoming a car washer could be your ticket to easy cash!
Most people wash their cars but don’t want to clean them in the winter when there’s salt on the ground. That’s where you come in!
Just put the word out around neighborhoods and offer to wash cars for $20 or more. It’s a simple job, but also easy to do!
24. Dog Walking
Love dogs? Then becoming a dog walker could be perfect for you! Just offer to take dogs on walks in the neighborhood and charge people $10 or more per hour.
You can even let people drop their dogs off at your house, which is easier on you if you can’t drive yet. They often have to pay extra for you to come to them, or if you walk multiple dogs for them.
Rover is a great site to use to find jobs walking dogs.
25. Pet Sitting services
Pet sitting can be a great opportunity to make money as a teenager, and it’s totally feasible as a part-time job. I know plenty of people who started in high school and did it all through college, so your future self may thank you for this one.
Rover is where I started as a dog walker, and I know plenty of people rely on finding Rover for good pet sitting jobs too!
Just offer the service of taking care of pets while their owners are away on vacation or at work. You can charge a certain amount per day and then walk, feed, and play with the animal all in one spot.
26. House Sit
If you don’t want to walk dogs or take care of animals, house sitting could be right for you. Just let people know you’re a responsible teen and will watch over their houses while they’re away.
Just let people know that you’re available to stop by their homes to water the plants and check to make sure no one breaks in. Remember to lock up the house, especially if it has a pool!
This can be a great opportunity if someone needs to go out of town.
27. Packing/Hauling
Are you strong and not afraid to get dirty? Then packing and hauling could be your dream job!
People will pay you to help pack and haul their things, especially if they want to move and don’t have enough friends to help them out!
Just let people know that you’re available on weekends to do hard labor for extra money.
28. Lifeguard/Teach Swimming
Are you good at swimming? Then becoming a lifeguard could be perfect for you to make good money.
Offer to watch over the pool at apartment complexes or even people’s backyards. Apply at local pools or beaches. You can have shifts where you work 8+ hours per day, and people will pay you to do it!
You might even be able to save a life if there are younger kids around who don’t know how to swim!
29. Sell Unused Stuff Online
Did you get a new phone or wear your favorite jeans for the first time? Why not sell stuff like electronics on sites like eBay and Decluttr to make back some of the money you spent. When you’re selling things, be sure to check out how much that same item is selling for in other stores.
If you’re not sure what to sell, ask your parents or another adult about their old stuff that they could stand to get rid of!
30. Sell Your Clothes Online
Make some money with those clothes you don’t wear or want anymore! Rather than donating your clothes, try selling your clothes online.
You can look on clothing sites like Poshmark and list each item for a price you think is reasonable. Plus you can turn this into a thrifting side hustle- you can scour your local thrift store for trendy clothes and sell them for profit.
If you make some good finds, people will gladly pay big bucks for name-brand stuff- even used clothes.
31. Babysitting services
Babysitting is another traditional way to make money as a teen by taking care of younger kids while the parents are away. This job doesn’t usually pay much, but you can easily get money saved up for whatever you want!
32. Waiter/Waitress
Waiting tables is a great way to make money as a teen. Not only is it an easy job to get, but it’s also a great way to learn about customer service and how to work in a team.
Plus, you can often earn tips, which can add up over time. If you’re interested in becoming a waiter or waitress, your best bet is to start by looking for restaurants that are hiring. You can also check with local staffing agencies or online job boards.
33. Camp Counselor
Another great job for teens is working as a camp counselor. You get to work with kids, and you also get to spend time outdoors in the summer. Many different camps are always looking for counselors, so it’s a great job to look into. You can learn more about working as a camp counselor by doing a simple online search.
34. Grow & Sell Food
It’s possible to make money as a teen by growing and selling food. You could start your garden and sell the produce or go to local farmers’ markets and sell whatever you grow.
You could also get involved in a community-supported agriculture program, where you buy a share of the harvest upfront and then receive weekly or biweekly boxes of fresh produce from the farm. This is a great way to get fresh, local produce while supporting your local farmers.
35. Golf Caddy
Many people enjoy playing golf. That creates a great opportunity for teens who want some work as a golf caddy.
Many golf course owners need caddies to help them out with their customers, so there are plenty of jobs available nationwide. It’s a fun job, and you can learn a lot about golf while you’re at it.
36. Yardwork
A lot of people spend their summers working on their yards. They plant flowers, trim the grass, and even paint or repair a fence. They also possibly need help with their yard work.
Helping people do yard work is a great way for teens to make money. Not only is it a way to help out those in the community, but it’s also a great way to learn about landscaping and gardening. Plus, it can be a lot of fun!
37. Shovel Snow
Wintertime in many parts of the country means one thing: snow. If you’re a teenager who’s looking for ways to make money, shoveling snow is a great option.
It’s important to be aware that most people only want to hire someone who is physically able to shovel the snow. That means being in good shape and having the energy to work outside for a few hours.
38. Deliver Food
Delivering food can be a great way for teens to make money. You can find restaurants or catering companies that need drivers to deliver food to customers or other businesses. The best part is that you can often set your hours, so it’s a flexible job to work around your school schedule.
Once you’re at least 18, you can start delivering food with DoorDash or Postmates!
39. Deliver Newspapers
Delivering newspapers is a great way for teens to make money.
The most obvious way is the traditional route: get up early and drive around with bundles of papers in your care delivery.
40. Photography
Teens can make a lot of money by doing photography. There are so many opportunities for teens to make money by taking pictures. You can take pictures of weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other special events.
You can also take pictures of products for online or local businesses, like for marketing, or selling stock photos to the general interweb.
41. Odd Jobs/Handy Person
It can be tough being a teenager and trying to make money. But there are ways to do it! One way is to work as a handy person. This could include yard work, painting, moving furniture, and more.
If you have some skills and are willing to put in the hard work, this can be a great way to make some money. So if you’re looking for a way to make some cash, give odd jobs a try!
42. Decorator
Decorating can be a great way for teens with a creative eye to make money. You can work with local stores to help them decorate their window displays, or you can look for people who need help decorating their homes.
43. Work In Retail
Retail work can be a great way for teens to make money. It’s often easy to find jobs in retail, and the hours are usually flexible. Plus, you can often get discounts on merchandise. If you’re interested in working in retail, check with your local stores to see if they’re hiring.
44. Grocery Cashier
Teens can make money by working as grocery cashiers at their local supermarket. This is a great job for those who are patient and friendly. The hours are usually flexible, and it’s a great way to learn about customer service.
Many grocery stores offer full-time and part-time employment. Grocery cashiers work as part of a team, scanning groceries and providing customer service to those who enter their local supermarket.
45. Barista
Teens can make money working as a barista. Baristas prepare and serve coffee and other drinks in a café or coffee shop. They often work with customers one-on-one, which can be a great way to build customer service skills.
In most cases, baristas are paid an hourly wage, plus tips. So if you’re looking for a fun, friendly job that pays well, working as a barista may be the perfect option for you!
46. Work Somewhere Cool
It may be both fun and enjoyable to earn money as a teenager! One great way to earn some cash is by working somewhere cool, like an amusement park. You’ll get to enjoy the rides and attractions while you work, and you’ll also get to meet new people. So if you’re looking for a summer job that’s both enjoyable and rewarding, consider applying to work at an amusement park.
47. Party DJ
Take that love of music and make some money with it! Teens can make money by becoming DJs for birthday parties, school dances, and more.
As a party DJ, you will be in charge of playing music for events and parties. You will need to have some basic knowledge of music plus good sound equipment, but you can start small with both and work your way up. One small gig can turn into more, and then you’ll have money to invest back into your business- soon you could DJ at weddings or awesome concerts!
48. Party Entertainment
Teens can make money by becoming party entertainers. This can include things like face painting, balloon animals, magic tricks, and more. If you’re outgoing and enjoy entertaining people, then this may be the right job for you!
49. Invest
Sites like Robinhood and Betterment can get you started with whatever money you have and makes it easier to start investing. The earlier you start, the more money you have down the road!
If you’re careful and do your research, you can make a lot of passive income by investing. Talk to your parents or another adult about how to get started investing.
50. Movie Theater Usher
Ushers are an important part of a movie theater team, and many theaters are happy to hire teens as ushers. Ushers do various tasks, such as helping people find their seats, taking tickets, and answering any questions guests might have.
Teens who love movies and want to learn more about the theater experience might enjoy being an usher.
51. Reach Out To People!
It can be tough to make money as a teenager. But there are ways to do it! One great way to make some extra money is to reach out to family friends for help. Many people are willing and able to help teenagers get their start in the workforce.
Reaching out to people can take a lot of courage, but it can pay off in the end. There are plenty of people who are happy to help teens find good jobs and opportunities. So don’t be afraid to ask around for help!
Key Takeaways
Making your own money as a teen can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.
You can start making money today with some of these online opportunities, which is a great idea for those who want money soon and on your own schedule!
Try to find opportunities to sell your products or services. There are many ways to do this, and it can be a great way to make extra money. Get creative! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
One thing to remember – start saving money now and don’t go spending money now that you have it! It’s never too early to start saving, and it can be very beneficial when you’re older. It can help you pay for college without taking student loans.