[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/side-hustles\/make-money-as-a-teen\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/side-hustles\/make-money-as-a-teen\/","headline":"How to Make Money as a Teen","name":"How to Make Money as a Teen","description":"As a teen, life is so much more fun when you have spare money...","datePublished":"2023-02-24","dateModified":"2023-04-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/christine-song\/#Person","name":"Christine Song","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/christine-song\/","identifier":83,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/829931a65a82a639c89de33c7ea733652eb4747bbc9744c7e3efe0f6a9ad5ae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/829931a65a82a639c89de33c7ea733652eb4747bbc9744c7e3efe0f6a9ad5ae1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Money Done Right","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","width":488,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/make-money-as-a-teen.jpg","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/make-money-as-a-teen.jpg","height":460,"width":1900},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/side-hustles\/make-money-as-a-teen\/","about":["Side Hustles"],"wordCount":7584,"articleBody":"As a teen, life is so much more fun when you have spare money to go out with friends. With a part-time job, you can have financial freedom, and even better, save money to buy a car! Financially wise teens can also save for college.What Age Can I Start Working?The U.S. Department of Labor says you can start working at the minimum age of 14 for a limited number of hours if you\u2019re under the age of 16.In some states, your school has to issue you a work permit until you turn 18 years old.However, exceptions to these laws exist.Children Under the Age of 14 May Be Employed in the Following Fields:Family businessesAgricultureNewspaper deliveryActingMinor chores around private homesCasual baby-sittingThe U.S. Department of Labor says:If you are a parent reading this article, you will be surprised at how many jobs your teen can work to gain excellent work ethics. It only benefits them to understand the value of money and labor at an earlier age.Read below to find out all the different jobs you can do to start earning money today!Table of ContentsToggle1. Act2. Babysit3. Be a Golf Caddy4. Car Washing5. Cottage Home Business6. Code7. Crafts8. Do Tasks9. Dog Walking10. Draw Caricatures and Face Paint for Parties11. Get a Paper Route12. Help Seniors13. Lifeguard14. Make a YouTube channel15. Make Dog Treats16. Office Work17. Organize a Bake Sale18. Painting Interiors19. Teach Music20. Tutor21. Umpire or Referee22. Work in an Afternoon Program23. Work as a Camp Counselor24. Work at an Amusement Park25. Work at Your Local Market26. Work in the Food Industry27. Work in a Movie Theater28. Work in Retail29. Work in a Restaurant30. Work as a Freelance Writer31. Yard Work1. Act\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAct\t\t\t\tPros: It\u2019s fun to act and be on the screen.Cons: When you are younger, your ability to act is dependent upon a parent driving you and helping you navigate Hollywood.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limitHow Much Can You Make:$29\/hour (U.S. average)What Do you Need:The ability to act on screen or on stage\t\t\t\tYou can begin acting as young as an infant, as long as your doctor gives a thumbs up to you being healthy enough to work. In California, if you\u2019re a minor working in the entertainment industry, you\u2019ll need to register for a permit.Your parent(s) need a lot of time, energy, patience, and excellent people skills to work with a WIDE variety of people in the industry.You might find a lot of fun being filmed, recorded, or on stage. However, the one huge need younger teens have is a parent who is willing to drive them around. Hollywood is filled with a lot of strange people, so an adult should help you navigate this.If you don\u2019t have parents to drive you around, you can consider getting your own recording studio and voice acting.What is the hard part?You can get called last second to audition or play a part, so you might have to give up your friend\u2019s birthday party or that fun event you\u2019ve been planning to attend with friends.Though the national average wage for actors is $29\/hour, keep in mind that there are actors that get paid in the millions who are pulling the average up. Begin by finding an agent or consider Kids Casting.2. Babysit\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBabysit\t\t\t\tPros: You can play with kids.Cons: There\u2019s always the possibility you may be placed in an emergency situation and will need to navigate yourself and the young children through it.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Varies per stateHow Much Can You Make:$17.50\/hour (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Common sense\t\t\t\tIf you have a reputation among your parents\u2019 friends for being responsible and mature, then parents will naturally ask to hire you as a babysitter.You can expand this business by putting yourself out there on babysitting apps or getting hired by babysitter businesses.Parents appreciate it if you know first aid and how to administer CPR. Your personality needs to be able to exert authority over children.How Do You Prepare?You need to have a lot of common sense \u2013 know what to do if the child has a seizure, breaks a bone, or begins to choke on something. Know what to do if an earthquake hits or a fire breaks out. Know where the first-aid kit is and how to call 911.Other than that, have a good time playing games with some kids and making money while you do it!3. Be a Golf Caddy\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBe a Golf Caddy\t\t\t\tPros: You can learn a lot about golf naturally and get exercise as you earn money.Cons: You have to be out in the sun and it can be physically taxing.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years old, though some golf clubs allow 13 year oldsHow Much Can You Make:$20 - $25\/hour plus tipWhat Do you Need:A positive attitude, the ability to carry a golf bag, standard golf attire, scorecard, pencil, towel, extra tees, and knowledge of the course\t\t\t\tOne of the ways you can make money as a young teen is as a golf caddy. Golfers pay $20 – $25 per hour for beginner kids, but if you have your future in mind, you have potential to make as much as a few thousand dollars per week as a professional caddy.Generally, a professional caddy makes 5% – 10% of what your golfer makes. If a professional wins $10 million, the caddy will make around $700,000.You should know the basics of golf. Some golfers might ask you for counsel. You should also know the clubs by name when the golfers ask you for them.Be prepared with:A positive attitudeThe ability to carry a golf bagStandard golf attire when at a golf clubA scorecardA pencilA towelExtra teesWater bottlesKnow the course well and where bodies of water on the course are. Rake a sand trap when your golfer is done and fix divots.It\u2019s best to be silent while they play. You\u2019ll want to keep a careful watch on where the ball goes as the golfer will sometimes ask you where it fell.4. Car Washing\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCar Washing\t\t\t\tPros: You can exercise and meet people as you work. If you do this with a friend, it\u2019s even more enjoyable.Cons: If you do this regularly, it can be physically exhausting. If you wash cars in the heat without shade, you can get sunburned.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Depends on if you\u2019re getting hired by a company or washing cars for neighborsHow Much Can You Make:$13.80\/hour plus tip (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Soap, a hose, and towels\t\t\t\tCar washing is a job you and a friend can have even as young teens. Walk around your neighborhood and ask people if you can wash their cars for a certain fee. Many neighbors would be happy to pay you.If you want to work at a car wash, you may need to be of driving age in your state. Most car washes need the washers to move the cars when they are finished.This is one job where you can enjoy flexible hours and get school work done at the same time. Be ready to exercise as this line of work is physically taxing.If you work at a car wash, you can gain knowledge on the workings of the business and open one up for yourself in the future.5. Cottage Home Business\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCottage Home Business\t\t\t\tPros: You can enjoy working within your own home. It\u2019s also fun to sell what will bring others happiness.Cons: You gain all the stress that a normal business has.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limit; you just need identification (a passport or school ID will suffice).How Much Can You Make:Varies, depending on what you sellWhat Do you Need:A kitchen\t\t\t\tPerhaps you are a teen who has a gift for baking or making delicious food. One of the ways you can make money is to start your own home business.Here are some item you can sell:Cakes or cupcakesDry cake mixCookies or barsCrackersDry cookie mixDonuts, tortilla, kale chipsPies (except custard pies)Breads, rolls, biscuits, muffinsDry bread mixesJams, jellies, preservesDry nuts or trail mixesDry cerealsGranolaPopcorn or kettle cornCandy, chocolate, caramels, fudgeDry herbs and seasoningsYou would need to obtain a Cottage Food license. Read here to find out the information on how to get a license within your state.There is no official minimum age limit to obtain a Cottage Food license. You only need to have identification of some sort; a passport or school ID should suffice.In general, you normally have to follow these steps:Fill out an application.Get zoning clearance or a permit.Get a kitchen inspection by the public health department.Get a business license within your state.Some states mandate that you take a food processor course for a few hours.If you want to start small and market to family and friends, you can get your business started by word-of-mouth.The hard part about starting a business is you need to handle all this on your own:Customer serviceLogo-creatingPackagingLabelingPricingMailingMarketingRead 31 Things to Sell to Make Money under \u201cFood\u201d for more information.6. Code\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCode\t\t\t\tPros: You can choose your own schedule.Cons: If something is wrong with the game, hundreds or millions of players will tell you what they think and quite brutally.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years old to legally work at a companyHow Much Can You Make:$33\/hour (U.S. average)What Do you Need:A working computer\t\t\t\tPerhaps you enjoy working on your computer at home and prefer solitude over office politics. Coding would be an excellent job for you.You simply need computer programming software to get you started. It helps to have knowledge of computer programming languages, such as Java, Python, or C++.Jake Silverman began coding at the age of 15. Soon afterwards, a company began to pay him to code – first $15\/hour and then $25\/hour. Now at the age of 19, he is a game programmer at a game studio, Simple Games Inc.\u201cI enjoy coding and I get to choose my own schedule!\u201d \u2013 Jake SilvermanCoding can be more stressful than other jobs because if it doesn\u2019t work perfectly, you have a bunch of harsh critics who tell you exactly what they think.You also have to interact with people of different skill sets who communicate quite different than coders do, like the creative or artistic department.However, it is a job with excellent pay and flexible hours, so if you can do it, enjoy it!7. Crafts\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCrafts\t\t\t\tPros: You can work from home and do what you enjoy.Cons: You might not enjoy the shipping and packaging aspect; also, customer service can be a bear.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:13 years oldHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:Supplies for your craft and packaging materials\t\t\t\tIf your giftedness lies with your hands and being able to create art or sew amazing items, then you might be happy to know that you can make an income on Etsy or Amazon Homemade.Some items you can sell:ArtJewelryPrintsTrivetsDecorated notebooksSewn projects (clothes, pillows, totes, etc.)Leather pursesAnything knitSoapsCards and stationaryCandlesStickersPotteryT-shirtsWhere do you sell?.simple_table-52244 table tr th{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}.simple_table-52244 table tr td{\ttext-align: center;\t\t}EtsyAmazon HandmadeYou can sell on Etsy when you are 13 years old with an adult as a manager. An adult must be the owner of the account.All financial information such as a credit card or PayPal account, and Etsy Payments has to be the parent\u2019s information and accounts.The minimum age to sell on Amazon is 18 years old, so you do need a parent\u2019s account to sell if you are any younger. One positive is that Etsy has a low listing fee: $0.20 per item for four months.Etsy\u2019s commission and processing fee:6.5% transaction fee, 3% + $0.25 payment processing feeThe average person makes $44,000 on Etsy, but keep in mind, that\u2019s with a lot of hard work given over to marketing and hours spent building clientele.Be forewarned that it\u2019s hard to get noticed when surrounded by millions of active sellers. There are just as many failure stories as success stories of Etsy stores.Unfortunately, some people end up in the negative after buying supplies and packaging materials.8. Do Tasks\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo Tasks\t\t\t\tPros: You can help out people that you love while making money.Cons: You will probably be doing what they don\u2019t want to do.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Any ageHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:A positive attitude\t\t\t\tYour parents and your grandparents are probably willing to pay you good money to do projects that they can\u2019t get to \u2013 clean the garage or basement or hang pictures.Pros of doing tasks for your family and friends:You probably feel the most comfortable haggling your wage with your family.You\u2019ll be helping out loved ones.You might not have to leave home to get paid.Your grandparents love to see you around their home.Sometimes your grandparents need someone to fix their computer or reset up their television. They might need someone to clean their house and would prefer you over a stranger.Though it can sometimes require you extra patience, spending time with your grandparents is one of the best things you can do.9. Dog Walking\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDog Walking\t\t\t\tPros: You can spend time with furry loves!Cons: Some dogs can be difficult, aggressive, or whine a lot.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:You need to be old enough to handle the dog and not get lost walking.How Much Can You Make:$33.86 (U.S. average)What Do you Need:A love for animals, poop bags, an extra leash and collar; possibly waterproof clothing\t\t\t\tIf you begin a business as a dog walker, you can easily make enough money to buy yourself a used car.At the same time, you would be helping clients who love their dogs but can\u2019t walk them; some people are physically challenged or ill; others are much too busy.First, market your business on social media, around the neighborhood, and on neighborhood apps. If you can drive, you can market yourself in a wider range – such as at the dog park or the pet store. You could even place yourself on a dog walking app, like Rover.What do I charge?Set your prices for 15, 30, 45, 60 minute durations and let the client request what they need.You need to be at an age and maturity to handle a dog, but if your business expands beyond neighbors, you\u2019ll need to be old enough to travel by car to get to some dogs.Though it\u2019s nice you don\u2019t have any office drama, the con is that sometimes you need to deal with difficult clients, like ones who don\u2019t pay you on time.Also, be ready to walk dogs in all types of weather, rain or shine.10. Draw Caricatures and Face Paint for Parties\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDraw Caricatures and Face Paint for Parties\t\t\t\tPros: You can be creative and work with children.Cons: You might get a child who is unhappy about how you face painted them.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Any ageHow Much Can You Make:Average $125 - $200 per partyWhat Do you Need:A face paint kit; paper and art supplies for caricatures\t\t\t\tTeens who are gifted at art can offer their services to do caricature drawings or face painting at parties.You get very creative and have a lot of fun with this. Most of the time, your clients will be thrilled with whatever you produce.You get to work with all sorts of people and kids. The only con might be when a kid doesn\u2019t like how you face painted them and the meltdown that might ensue. But you can look around at all the happy kids and know you did well.11. Get a Paper Route\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet a Paper Route\t\t\t\tPros: You get great exercise as you work.Cons: There might not be days off and you have to deliver in all weather.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limit; up to the discernment of the newspaperHow Much Can You Make:$9.84 (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Rubber bands and plastic bags\t\t\t\tDelivering papers is one of the handful of jobs that you can have as someone under the age of 14 to make money.Though most people think that newspapers are going out of fashion, there are many people, like the elderly, who don\u2019t have the internet or still prefer to read the newspaper with a hard copy in hand.If you\u2019re interested in a job, call the circulation department of your local newspaper. Mention if you plan to deliver on bike or with a car.Your job may start as early as 3 a.m. and finish around 6 a.m. Your job may also include folding papers.Here are some of the pros to delivering papers:Don\u2019t have to think hardGreat exerciseBuilds self-confidenceTeaches you to be on timeNo boss bothering youTipsHere are some of the cons of delivering papers:Possibly no weekend or any days offNeed to deliver in all weather \u2013 including rainy daysWear and tear to your carSome newspapers dock your pay if you deliver a wet newspaper or get a customer complaint.Lastly, if you ride a bike, remember your bike safety — flags, headlights, reflexive tape, and you\u2019ll need a basket for newspapers.It\u2019s dark outside, and you\u2019ll be delivering during hours that criminals are out, so be careful.12. Help Seniors\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHelp Seniors\t\t\t\tPros: Things usually move slowly in the home of a senior, so you won\u2019t feel as stressed as in an office.Cons: You might need patience to work with the elderly. Some seniors can be difficult.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limitHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:A positive attitude\t\t\t\tThe elderly need a lot of assistance to live a regular life. If you enjoy the company of older people and have the patience for the slower pace that they move in, this might be an excellent job for you.You can list yourself on Care.com or market yourself on social media.Here\u2019s a list of some of the things they might need you for:Helping them with household choresMeal prepKeeping them companyVacuuming, sweeping, moppingWashing dishesDoing laundryShoppingCleaning the bathroomsPicking up prescriptions at the pharmacyGrocery shop for themTaking them to their doctor appointmentsYard workBathing, dressing, feedingMobility assistanceBeing a friendIf this is something that you might enjoy, they surely would enjoy having a teen around them to add some youthfulness to their lives!13. Lifeguard\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLifeguard\t\t\t\tPros: Enjoy a day at the beach instead of at the office. Your job is usually relaxing.Cons: You have to risk your life when people drown. Other times, it can be very boring.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years old (However, most certification courses have an age 15 minimum.)How Much Can You Make:$14.17 (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Lifeguard certification\t\t\t\tLifeguarding is easy money. Though there are some cons, like needing to risk your life on rare occasions, most of your time is spent lounging by the pool or beach.If you want to become a lifeguard, you\u2019ll first need to get your certification through YMCA, local Red Cross, or other organizations.Usually the classes are 2-3 days long over the weekend. Students must be at least 15 years old by the last day of class.You\u2019ll learn CPR training, First Aid, and AED training. You\u2019ll learn about strange waves and tides, like riptides. They call drowning the \u201csilent killer,” so you\u2019ll learn to recognize swimmers struggling and how to use floatation devices.Next, pass the certification test. Here is an example of what you need to pass in order to get certified through the YMCA:After you pass the certification test, call around local pools, beaches, lakes, community centers, and water parks to see who is hiring.If you want to be a beach lifeguard, you must be in great shape and also be a strong swimmer. You might want to practice running on sand.Lifeguarding can sometimes get boring, especially when there are no swimmers, and you do risk getting sunburned.Every two years, make sure your certification is up to date and doesn\u2019t expire.14. Make a YouTube channel\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake a YouTube channel\t\t\t\tPros: You can help people and have fun with it.Cons: You\u2019ll have to deal with haters along the way.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:13 years oldHow Much Can You Make:$5 for every 1,000 video viewsWhat Do you Need:A camera, editing software, a computer\t\t\t\tAlmost every teen has watched YouTube now and might have considered starting their own channel; you get to be creative and express yourself, and it doesn\u2019t cost you any money to start a channel.But beware \u2013 you will have to deal with haters. On the flip side, you also get to enjoy befriending people around the world. Video making is time consuming and there will be difficult lulls in your creativity.Most YouTube channels fail, so chances are that you probably won\u2019t be famous, but if you are, you will have to deal with privacy concerns.You\u2019ll need a good camera, editing software, and a computer. If you\u2019re filming yourself, a mic, and ring light would help.The following information is from Mint:How Much Does a YouTuber with 1 Million Subscribers Make a Year?The average YouTuber salary for those with at least 1 million subscribers is $60,000 per year.How Much Do YouTubers Make for 1 Million Views?A video with advertisements and 1 million views can pay a YouTuber between $2,000 – $3,000.Who is The Richest YouTuber?MrBeast is now the richest YouTuber, earning $54 million in 2021.How Much Do YouTubers Make with 100k Subscribers?On average, YouTubers with 100,000 subscribers can make between $600 – $1,000 per week, bringing in between $2,400 – $4,000 per month.Study How to Boost Your Algorithms:Study SEOs.Be consistent so your audience will grow.Market your channel through other sources.Make your thumbnail and title click-worthy with multiple-word tags.Be engaging.If being on the screen doesn\u2019t bode well with you, you could also make money as a social media manager.15. Make Dog Treats\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMake Dog Treats\t\t\t\tPros: If you love dogs, this can be a passion for you.Cons: It might be a pain dealing with your state\u2019s regulations.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Any ageHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:Dog recipes, ingredients, and packaging materials\t\t\t\tBefore you get too excited about making dog treats, know that each state and county has different regulations when it comes to selling dog treats.You also need to check with your own city and county to see if they allow minors to get a business license.Some states require a commercially licensed kitchen; others don\u2019t. You will need to get a business license and have to deal with things like taxes. If all of the above makes your eyes glaze over, then read on for different ideas.Other than the initial hoops you have to jump through, you can enjoy creating dog treats, helping dogs stay healthy by avoiding fillers and preservatives.You can also have fun with the shapes and presentation of your treats, earning momey while keeping flexible hours.Don\u2019t forget to build a website and have cute packaging. Find a way to let customers pay online.16. Office Work\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Work\t\t\t\tPros: You can work sitting down in an air-conditioned or heated room.Cons: You have to deal with office politics and personalities.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years old, unless it\u2019s a family officeHow Much Can You Make:They\u2019ll usually offer you minimum wage for your state.What Do you Need:Some basic computer skills and people skills\t\t\t\tIf you are polite and respectful towards your parents\u2019 friends, it could land you a job. A lot of them need someone to work in their office.You could work as a receptionist, office clerk, administrative assistant, or in the field of customer service.The great positive is that it\u2019s not physically difficult. You routinely walk into an office for a set number of hours and get your work done.The difficult part is the possible office drama with difficult personalities. You also may not enjoy being stuck indoors with a computer and phone.As a teenager, I had a job like this during the summer, and it was pretty easy money.17. Organize a Bake Sale\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOrganize a Bake Sale\t\t\t\tPros: If you\u2019re naturally gifted at baking, this will be fun for you.Cons: If you do this regularly, you might need a permit.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Any ageHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:Recipes, the ingredients, and the ability to bake\t\t\t\tEvery city is different when it comes to allowing bake sales without permits. Call your city council to see if you don\u2019t need a permit and mention if it\u2019s for a fundraiser, as different rules apply.Or risk it for 1-2 hours; the worst that can happen is you get told to pack it up and leave.If you\u2019re going to do this regularly, it\u2019s better for you to get a permit and insurance in case someone gets food poisoned.More problems arise when you try to sell near public events and leech off of other businesses or if you cause any traffic by causing cars to pull over in busy intersections.You can set these up at schools or on street corners with your lemonade stand.SafetyBe sure to list ingredients to make sure that no one has an allergic reaction to anything you bake.One of my friends had an entrepreneurial son who started selling bags of popcorn and other candy at school to friends. When he popped popcorn, other kids smelled it and wanted some; he made a lot of money off of schoolmates!Have a tip jar available to make even more money!18. Painting Interiors\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPainting Interiors\t\t\t\tPros: Flexible hoursCons: It\u2019s physically taxing and you can\u2019t make mistakes.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years old, unless it\u2019s for a familyHow Much Can You Make:$18\/hour (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Paint, brushes, rollers, pans, painter\u2019s tape, tarp, etc.\t\t\t\tPainting is a lot more difficult than it looks. The preparation usually takes more time than the painting. People want exact, straight lines on their ceilings and baseboards.You need to be able to tape up and cover everything that is not going to be painted. If you get paint on furniture or on baseboards, then you\u2019re going to be ruining someone\u2019s property.The pro of painting is that you get a lot of job flexibility; you can take jobs you want and say no to others.The difficulty is that it\u2019s pretty physically tiring and dirty, and you are dependent on referrals if you want more work.Also, depending on your fear of heights, you might not enjoy painting an area with high ceilings when you need to balance on a ladder.You will need the following supplies. You can ask the homeowner to pay for these, and since you are a teen, they might agree to it!PaintBrushesRollersPansPainter\u2019s tapeTarpAnd possibly moreIf you do find the work easy, you might want to think about starting a business. You can also break into wallpaper installation.19. Teach Music\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTeach Music\t\t\t\tPros: You can make money in a short amount of time and share your passion for music.Cons: Dealing with difficult parents or kids. Most hours are in the afternoon and evening.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limitHow Much Can You Make:VariesWhat Do you Need:Knowledge about a musical instrument and the ability to teach\t\t\t\tThere is always a shortage of piano teachers, and if you are a teen, you can charge a lesser fee than professionals for teaching beginning levels.In order to teach your kids a holistic approach to music, be sure to find a systematic curriculum to take them through. For piano players, Faber\u2019s Piano Adventures comes highly recommended by many professionals.The great benefit of teaching music is sharing your passion for music with students who are eager to learn. You gain a great relationship with kids and don\u2019t have to deal with office drama.The hard part can be dealing with difficult parents or kids. Most hours are in the afternoon after school and in the evening.20. Tutor\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTutor\t\t\t\tPros: You can earn good money in a short amount of time.Cons: Dealing with difficult parents or kids\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:No age limitHow Much Can You Make:$24.84 (U.S. average)What Do you Need:Knowledge on a certain subject and the ability to teach\t\t\t\tIf academia is your forte, you can help people of all ages by tutoring them in fields that they struggle with. As a teen, you could charge less than professional tutors and gain more business.The best part about tutoring is that you can build relationships with students and be their encouragement during hard times.Subjects Students Need Help With:Math \u2013 early math, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, etc.SAT and ACTScience \u2013 physics, chemistry, earth science, astronomy, etc.English, Spanish, or French as a languageEnglish \u2013 reading, writing, ESL, spelling, vocabulary, grammarCollege essays and applicationsThe difficulty might be in dealing with difficult parents, like those who pay you late or cancel last second. Sometimes a student might not want to learn but are being forced to by their parents.But if you\u2019re willing to deal with some difficulties, the reward of helping to change students’ lives is a joy you don\u2019t want to miss out on.21. Umpire or Referee\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUmpire or Referee\t\t\t\tPros: It pays well.Cons: When you\u2019re dealing with angry coaches or parents, it\u2019s hard to not let it get to you.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Some baseball leagues let kids as young as age 11 become umpires and referees.How Much Can You Make:$26.07\/hour (U.S. average wage)What Do you Need:You will probably have to take an umpire or ref class.\t\t\t\tA lot of baseball leagues let kids begin umpiring as young as 11 and 12 years old. Your baseball league will usually have you sign up for a class to learn how to umpire.You usually receive a pitch counter, plate brush, and official shirt. You\u2019ll have to be at least a couple years older than the game you are umpiring.You need a decent knowledge of the game and the ability to stand up to angry coaches and parents. You get yelled at a lot and work solo most of the time.The pay is usually good for teens, and some places will still pay you if the game is rained out. Another great plus is that you get a lot of variety while you work. No game is the same.Pam Hayashida, called the BoxingMaven, started to ref amateur boxing and slowly worked her way up to becoming a professional boxing judge. Though she wouldn\u2019t recommend reffing boxing for teens, you too can work your way up to the pros in a different sport.22. Work in an Afternoon Program\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork in an Afternoon Program\t\t\t\tPros: You can make connections with kids. It\u2019s fun playing games and doing crafts. You also get holidays off.Cons: You have to work every school day.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At minimum, your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:A love for children\t\t\t\tMore and more parents are working full time and can\u2019t pick their kids up from school at 3 p.m. Parents love having their kids in beneficial afterschool programs like tutoring or art; other times, they just want their kids to have fun.For the most part, your job will be enjoyable \u2013 playing with kids. Every once in a while, you\u2019ll have to break up arguments, confront a bully, or deal with whiny, irritable kids.\u201cIt\u2019s super fun to bond with kids and supervise kids playing games! You also get to do crafts with them. It\u2019s such a great transition from childhood into adulthood! I\u2019m blessed to do this as a teen!\u201d \u2013 Elena Bennett (age 17) who works at Legacy Christian Academy in an afterschool program.The con is that you don\u2019t get to work two or three days a week like most teen jobs. You have to work every school day, but the plus is that you get your holidays off! Who doesn\u2019t want a part-time job with built-in vacations?23. Work as a Camp Counselor\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork as a Camp Counselor\t\t\t\tPros: You can be outdoors in nature, enjoying peers and kids.Cons: You will sometimes be assigned a difficult child.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:VariesHow Much Can You Make:At minimum, your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:Maturity\t\t\t\tSome camp counselors are for day-time summer programs. Others are camps that parents send their kids off to.My son will always remember his camp counselors taking him and his friends to the middle of Hume Lake at night and telling them scary stories.The age range for working camp counselors varies, depending upon the age of kids you\u2019re working with and if it\u2019s overnight or not.My sister-in-law was a camp counselor off of Catalina Island and she loved taking kids snorkeling at night through kelp forests.Dealing with difficult or complaining kids can be hard and take an emotional toll. You do have to have the maturity to handle those situations with grace and ease.You get to explore and make great new friends with your peer counselors. You create memories that will last you a lifetime.24. Work at an Amusement Park\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork at an Amusement Park\t\t\t\tPros: Free entry into the park and discounts on food and prizesCons: It\u2019s very loud, but some people might like that.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At minimum, your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:A decent sense of good customer service\t\t\t\tAn easy job for most teens would be to work at a local amusement park like Six Flags. You could also work at a carnival or state fair.Your jobs might entail taking out the trash, cleaning up, giving directions, instructing people with information like, \u201cLift up your hands so the lap bar can come down.\u201dIt\u2019s often very loud near a ride so you\u2019ll have to communicate with team members via hand signals. Standing on your feet in bad weather is also difficult.Probably one of the hardest things is dealing with customers who are angry about something you can\u2019t do anything about \u2013 long lines, their long walk, or the bad weather.The fun part is that you get to go to the park for free and you can also bring a friend for free, with great discounts on food and prizes.\u201cI got to take a friend into the park for free at any time; and when I stopped working there, they gave me more free tickets to wish me farewell.\u201d \u2013 former Six Flags teen employee Charlie Song.If there isn\u2019t a local amusement park, perhaps check out the bowling alleys and arcades near you.25. Work at Your Local Market\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork at Your Local Market\t\t\t\tPros: You get to talk to some nice people.Cons: You can get bored during slow hours. Some customers are rude. \t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At minimum, your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:The ability to be on your feet for several hours\t\t\t\tThere are plenty of grocery stores who will hire young teens to work for them.Some Market Jobs for Teens:CashierCart gathererOrder pullers for online ordersBakery assistantBaggerAisle cleaner (sweeping and restocking)Floral assistantYou get to meet some regulars and befriend them. You also get to be physically active as you work.The difficult part is that late night hours can get monotonous and dull. Some customers are demanding and rude. You might have to keep an eye out for customers that are high or stealing stuff.When the market is busy, the hours fly by quickly. It\u2019s a great place to start your first job.The following grocery stores hire teens as young as 14:Kroger (some locations)PublixGiant EagleSafeway (some locations)26. Work in the Food Industry\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork in the Food Industry\t\t\t\tPros: Discounts on foodCons: Rude customers\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At minimum, your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:Decent customer service skills\t\t\t\tA lot of teens start their first jobs in fast food, flipping burgers and making pizzas.You get flexible hours and whoopee \u2013 free fast food! On top of that, you usually work with peers so you can make friends. Most interactions with customers turn out well.A manager from In-N-Out once told me that he hires interviewees who come in smiling, so usually your co-workers are pleasant.The cons might be having rude customers, having bad ownership\/management, low pay, no tips; it can also be very boring at times and very busy at other times.\u201cI got discounts on food and was also able to take home any canceled orders.\u201d \u2013 Elijah Hahm, former employee of Pizza HutHere\u2019s a list of restaurants in the food industry that hire as young as 14 years old:Chick Fil ADairy QueenBoba placeCoffee placeSome McDonald\u2019sBen & Jerry\u2019sBaskin-RobbinsDunkin\u2019 DonutsBruster\u2019sCulver\u2019sRita\u2019s Italian IceUsually for fast food places where you have to use more dangerous equipment like a deep fryer or a meat slicer, you will have to be at least 16 years old.27. Work in a Movie Theater\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork in a Movie Theater\t\t\t\tPros: You get to see movies for free and receive a lot of other freebies.Cons: You have to clean up after people, and sometimes, it's vomit.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At least your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:Decent customer service skills\t\t\t\tDo you want to enjoy free movies?If you work at a movie theater, not only will you get to see free movies, most theaters will also give you free popcorn and soda. You might also get free movie goodies like posters, pins, cups, etc.AMC hires teens as young as 14 years old.What\u2019s the negative? With all customer service jobs, there\u2019s the headache of dealing with ridiculous, angry customers. You may rarely have to clean up vomit and tell parents they can\u2019t take their kids to rated R movies.If the pros outweigh the cons, then send in a job application to your local theater.28. Work in Retail\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork in Retail\t\t\t\tPros: Employee discountCons: Due to the tiring nature of the work, the burnout rate for retail is usually quick.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Usually 16 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At least your state\u2019s minimum wageWhat Do you Need:Basic customer service skills\t\t\t\tThere\u2019s nothing that will teach you how to fold clothes in box format like working for your local Gap. Most of your time is spent folding, cleaning, reorganizing, and facing products in the correct way; you\u2019ll never be able to look at a shelf of products the same again.Working in retail helps you learn a lot about business and sales. During work hours, you have to be outgoing and shed social anxiety. It\u2019s usually not hard to get hired at a store, and your hours are flexible.On top of that, you gain an employee discount on anything in the store.Because you\u2019re on your feet all day, the turnover rate for retail is high.\u00a0 On top of that, CNBC Lauren Thomas reports that 40,000 – 50,000 stores are predicted to close by 2026.The following companies are said to set their hiring age at 16:Abercrombie & FitchAeropostaleAlbertsonsAmerican Eagle OutfittersBanana RepublicBarnes & NobleBJ\u2019s Wholesale ClubCharlotte RussianCVSFood LionForever 21GapGUESSH&MHarris TeeterHollisterHomeGoodsHot TopicJCPenneyJusticeKmartKohl\u2019sLevi’sMarshallsMeijerOld NavyPacSunRalph LaurenTargetT.J.MaxxTrader Joe\u2019sWalmartWalgreensYou definitely want to work in a retail store before they become obsolete.29. Work in a Restaurant\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork in a Restaurant\t\t\t\tPros: Discounted food and tips (if waitressing)Cons: Some customers are extremely rude.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:14 years oldHow Much Can You Make:At least your state\u2019s minimum wage plus tipWhat Do you Need:Nothing but you may want good walking shoes\t\t\t\tMy 17-year-old son was looking for a job and asked a restaurant owner if he had any job openings. The owner hired him on the spot without an interview to wash dishes.Restaurants are always looking for people who are willing to do dishes or bus tables. After you are hired, you can work your way up to being a greeter and a waiter.It\u2019s hard being on your feet for several hours and dealing with cranky customers, but the tips might be worth it. You can also get discounted or free food!The customer service skills are transferable, as you can learn to deal with rude people with grace. You can also stay physically fit since your job is very active.30. Work as a Freelance Writer\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWork as a Freelance Writer\t\t\t\tPros: Work from the quiet of your homeCons: It might be difficult to write professionally on top of all the homework you have to do.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:13 years oldHow Much Can You Make:$33What Do you Need:A laptop or computer and writing skills\t\t\t\tOn Fiverr, you can start writing professionally after you are 13 years old. You can start freelancing and ghostwriting for people.The benefit of working as a writer is that you can do it within the quiet of your own home and without office drama. You also get flexible hours and can even work at night.The negative might be that you have to write more after completing all of your writing homework for school. However, if creative writing is your niche, you might not get enough of that at school.It also might be a headache trying to figure out your taxes as a contractor on your own. But if your parents can help you figure that out, then go for it!31. Yard Work\t    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYard Work\t\t\t\tPros: You get to enjoy the outdoors in a relaxing environment.Cons: You have to work in all weather.\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Old You Have to Be:Mature enough to be responsibleHow Much Can You Make:$15.82\/hour (U.S. average)What Do you Need:A lawnmower and possibly other gardening tools\t\t\t\tIf you are willing to be a neighborhood kid who will mow multiple lawns, your neighbors will surely be happy to pay you rather than an expensive gardener. You would not be allowed to work any dangerous equipment until you are older.The pro of doing yard work for neighbors is that you get to spend your work day outdoors and that is always good for your mental health. You also can keep a flexible schedule and work around your school schedule.If you are working for an elderly neighbor, they might be willing to fund your curious green thumb experimenting with gardening in their yard.Depending on what you agree to do, it can get labor intensive. Though the sun is great for vitamin D and your general health, you do have to be careful about UV rays and skin cancer. Make sure to sunscreen yourself and cover up.Closing Tips:Working as a teen \u2013 managing your free time and school \u2013 can be difficult. Most teen friends want to play and live up their teen life, so it\u2019s hard to be responsible.If you are punctual, mature, and do an excellent job, then not only will you gain valuable life lessons, but you will gain adult advocates for life. People who hire you will give you raving recommendations for future jobs.For more ideas, read How To Earn an Income in High School: 15 Best Jobs for Teens. If you can drive, you can also look into 23 Easy Ways to Make Money With Your Car. If you don\u2019t want to drive to work, consider Bored? 25 Money Making Hobbies That Will Make You Richer."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Fast Money","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Side Hustles","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/\/side-hustles\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Make Money as a Teen","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/fast-money\/side-hustles\/make-money-as-a-teen\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]