Best Jobs for Teens: Where to Find Teen Jobs in (2024)

Are you a teenager looking for a job to earn extra cash? Do you need access to job sites that don’t require experience? You’re in the right place!

With the gig economy in full swing, getting paid for on-site and online jobs with flexible schedules has become a norm. The best thing is many of these jobs accept entry-level employees, including young teens, to join their workforce.

Whether you’re looking for a summer job or an on-the-job training opportunity for future career prospects, multiple job search platforms provide ample options.

So let’s look into 2023’s top job openings for teenagers, learn their pros and cons, and see where you can find them!

10 Best Jobs for Teens in 2023

Whether you want to work for a local business or start a work-from-home career during your free time, these jobs help you earn money while enhancing practical skills for daily use:

1. Library Assistant

As a library assistant, you’ll be in charge of most admin or clerical tasks in your local library. You’ll support your librarian in ensuring the smooth flow of the library’s daily operations.

Common tasks include organizing bookshelves, issuing library cards to visitors and patrons, answering phone calls, checking books in and out, helping visitors find books and materials, cataloging new stocks, etc.

The average salary of a library assistant in the U.S. is $15.60 per hour.

What You’ll Need to Be a Library Assistant

Some libraries accept 14-year-olds for volunteer work, with schedule restrictions. To get paid, you should be at least 15 years old and obtain a work permit if required by the library.

Soft skills are mandatory since you’ll be dealing with people from all age groups. You’ll also need strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and basic computer literacy.

Pros

• Peaceful working environment
• Comfortable workplace
• Short working hours
• Great for networking opportunities

Cons

• Low demand
• Not suitable for remote work
• Can feel lonely

Top Places to Find Library Assistant Jobs

• Public libraries
• College or university libraries
• Official websites of schools or local government
• Indeed

2. Fast Food Worker

Do you want to work in a fast-paced environment? Restaurants and food chains can be ideal if you enjoy a loud, lively workplace and the chance to practice your customer service skills while facing clients.

Fast food attendants are responsible for assisting chefs in preparing food, cleaning tables, stocking beverages and condiments, taking customer orders and payments, and packing orders in bags and carry-out containers.

The hourly wage for fast food workers runs between $9.38 to $18.51.

What You’ll Need to Be a Fast Food Worker

Most fast-food chains have a minimum age requirement of 14 to 16 years for their staff. The hiring process is often straightforward, with no necessary experience or technical know-how, as training will be provided once hired.

Extra skill sets that give you an edge over other applicants include multi-tasking, adaptability under pressure, cash handling, and strong interpersonal skills.

Pros

• Teaches you time-management skills
• Discounted food rates
• Opportunities for promotion

Cons

• Can be stressful when multi-tasking
• Prone to customer complaints
• Shifting schedule

Top Places to Find Fast Food Worker Jobs

• ZipRecruiter
• Indeed
• Local fast-food restaurants

3. Camp Counselor

Camp counselors love being around children and younger teens. If this is you, then you shouldn’t miss out on the chance to earn cash during summer vacation by supporting local camps.

As a counselor, you’re responsible for creating schedules for campers and communicating all activities to the parents. You’ll also help enforce behavior policies, safety protocols, and first aid practices.

Your earning potential varies depending on whether you work at a residential camp, where you’re expected to live on-site during weekdays, or a day camp. But the running average pay nationwide is $15.85 per hour.

What You’ll Need to Be a Camp Counselor

Most camps require their counselors to be at least 18 years old by the time of application. Some accept 14 to 17-year-olds as junior counselors to support their lead staff.

Other requirements common across states include health certifications, proving you’re fit for physical work, and a high school diploma.

You must also possess other valuable skills, including leadership, problem-solving, excellent communication, and decision-making skills.

Pros

• Fun and friendly environment
• Weekends are off
• Excellent on-the-job training for leadership skill enhancement
• Lots of physical and creative activities

Cons

• Intense outdoor heat during the summer
• Hard-to-manage kids
• Potential for physical injuries

Top Places to Find Camp Counselor Jobs

• Local residential or day camps
• American Camp Association
• Indeed

4. Dog Walker

Do you love dogs? You can get paid to walk them!

Dog walking can be the most rewarding side hustle for teens who want a chill and relaxing job in the company of their furry friends.

Your job will revolve around your client’s dogs. You’ll pick them up from home, walk them for a specified duration agreed by the owner, and bring them home safely.

You’re also expected to inform their owners of any strange behavior the pets exhibit while outside. Occasionally, you can be assigned to feed them.

The average pay for dog walkers is $17 an hour.

What You’ll Need to Be a Dog Walker

Dog walkers need to have a genuine love for dogs. It’s a non-negotiable attribute that owners can easily spot based on their dog’s reaction to your presence. Prior experience in pet care or dog walking tasks is also advantageous.

In order to become a dog walker, you must be physically fit, reliable, and punctual. For applicants ages 16 to 18, a valid driver’s license may be required, especially if your walking routes need you to transport the dogs far from their homes.

Pros

• Stress-free work
• Flexible schedules
• Doubles as your regular exercise
• Opportunities to meet new friends outdoors

Cons

• Difficult to find clients for beginners
• You have to walk the dogs come rain or shine
• Potential for difficult clients

Top Places to Find Dog Walker Jobs

• Neighborhood
• Family or friend recommendations
• Indeed

5. Amusement Park Worker

Are you eyeing a bustling work environment that allows you to practice your people skills?

Working at amusement parks can give you this benefit. You meet people of all ages and enjoy park discounts and in-house perks for employees!

Theme parks have various work opportunities like food service, retail shop staff, security, entertainment, custodial officer, and maintenance staff. Depending on your chosen area, your job may include issuing tickets, operating rides, and looking after guests.

The pay range differs from location and work, but the amusement park staff’s average salary is $12.22 per hour.

What You’ll Need to Be An Amusement Park Worker

Many theme parks require staff to be 18 years old for full-time work. Others can accept as young as 14 with short-hour workload and tasks that don’t involve physical labor.

Bigger amusement parks can require a high school diploma and CPR certification for those working as lifeguards. Employers will also be looking for stamina and time management skills.

Pros

• Dynamic and diverse environment
• Park tickets and discount perks
• Access to company-sponsored events like parties
• Educational reimbursement opportunities
• Opportunities for promotion

Cons

• Difficult-to-manage crowds during peak seasons
• Weekend and holiday work schedules
• Long work hours, usually spent standing or moving

Top Places to Find Amusement Park Worker Jobs

• Indeed
• Local theme parks
• Job Monkey

6. Data Entry Staff

Do you need a beginner-friendly job you can do from home?

Then try applying for a data entry position. It’s one of the most accessible online jobs in the market that only requires a good internet connection.

The job description is simple. You convert raw data into a readable, written format that’s easy to digest for target readers. This can include audio recording transcription jobs, inputting figures in a database or spreadsheet, and typing handwritten notes in MS Word.

While not considered among the highest-paying jobs on our list, the hourly average pay of $17.81 is still decent for starters since most beginner jobs will likely give you only $10 to $11 an hour.

What You’ll Need to Be a Data Entry Staff

Aside from competent typing skills, job seekers don’t need much technical knowledge to start. An exception is when clients require you to access software and program for transcription jobs.

Otherwise, a strong internet connection, comprehension skills, and excellent typing speed are all you need.

Pros

• Flexible hours
• Fully remote
• Open to all skill levels

Cons

• High competition
• Inconsistent pay
• Potential for scam clients

Top Places to Find Data Entry Jobs

• Upwork
• Fiverr
• Indeed

7. Tutor

If you’re enthusiastic about teaching kids and have the soft skills to match it, online tutoring jobs can be your gateway to long-term employment opportunities.

As a tutor, you’re responsible for assisting kids with their projects and homework, reviewing class discussions, and helping them understand concepts they’re struggling with at school. This includes devising planned lessons with unique activities that resonate with the student.

Teen tutor jobs in the US pay an average of $22.37 per hour. This can increase depending on your skill level, experience, and result quality.

What You’ll Need to Be a Tutor

Since you’re expected to provide feedback to students about their performance, having great communication skills is required. You must also be at least 18, preferably with a high school diploma.

To succeed in this position, you must be patient, positive, and a proactive learner. These skills help you adapt to different kids’ learning speeds and intelligence levels.

Pros

• Opportunities to expand professional network
• Intellectual fulfillment
• Effective for improving your people skills
• Lots of room to improvise and have fun

Cons

• Can be hard to find clients that match your specialization
• Potential for odd work schedules
• Unrealistic expectations from parents

Top Places to Find Tutoring Jobs

• Upwork
• Indeed
• Glassdoor

Read More: How to Start a Tutoring Business

8. Babysitter

If you like taking care of babies and kids and don’t mind spending hours with them, then babysitting or assisting daycare facilities can be a great starting point.

Your primary role is to provide care and attention to kids while their parents are away. This means preparing their meals, monitoring their hygiene, sending them to school, and entertaining them with games and other activities.

The salary range differs based on the task inclusions you’re asked to do. It runs between $7.21 to $24.28 an hour.

What You’ll Need to Be a Babysitter

While certifications are involved in becoming a full-fledged babysitter, anyone starting at 14 can do it without those required licenses.

Two critical elements to becoming an effective babysitter are care and patience. You must be fun and engaging, too, as kids get bored quickly!

It’s important to note that states have different stipulations in the minimum age requirements for babysitters. Texas, for example, doesn’t set any, but Illinois requires the youngest babysitter to be at least 14 years old.

Pros

• No time pressure
• You can offer the service to friends and family with kids
• Great opportunity to positively impact a child’s growth
• You set your hours

Cons

• Children can be difficult
• Saying goodbye to little ones can be sad
• Some parents may not come home on time

Top Places to Find Babysitting Jobs

• Families around the neighborhood
• Family and friends with kids
• Indeed

9. Kennel Assistant

Teens who gravitate towards animals and love caring for them will be perfect for kennel assistant jobs. You’ll work at animal shelters and veterinary clinics without a college degree.

As a kennel assistant, you’ll work closely with veterinary technicians and other staff to implement proper disease control protocols. You’ll help transport animals to and from their kennels, ensure they’re well-fed, calm distressed animals, and clean kennels of food debris and other waste.

The average hourly pay for this job varies per location and runs between $10.05 to $17.18.

What You’ll Need to Be a Kennel Assistant

Being passionate about animal welfare is a key attribute required for this position. Some clinics may assign you to potty training, requiring patience and organizational skills.

The ideal candidate must be physically fit and at least 16 years old, though clinics that need assistants to work evenings, weekends, or holidays may require a minimum age of 18.

Pros

• Enhances knowledge of different animal behaviors
• Increases familiarity with animal medications and abnormalities
• Gives a rewarding feeling

Cons

• Can involve intense labor and dirty jobs
• Often requires you to start early at work

Top Places to Find Kennel Assistant Jobs

• Local animal shelters
• Veterinary clinics

10. Car Wash Attendant

Car washing is one of the most straightforward side hustles with a single goal – to clean up your client’s vehicle. Prior experience is an advantage but often not required.

As an attendant, you’re expected to have excellent customer service skills, given that you’ll be talking to clients and asking them about their cleaning preferences. You’ll inspect the vehicles, report any damage, operate equipment, etc.

The average pay for this job is $13.83 an hour, subject to changes based on your location and company.

What You’ll Need to Be a Car Wash Attendant

You can work on this job as young as 16, though companies may favor older applicants due to the physical stamina required to lift equipment and heavy objects.

On top of excellent communication skills, you’ll also get an edge if you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, can handle simultaneous tasks, and learn fast with less supervision.

Pros

• Easy job application
• Opportunities to meet new friends
• Enhances your knowledge in car cleaning and maintenance

Cons

• Washing big vehicles can tire you out
• Repetition bores you over time

Top Places to Find Car Wash Attendant Jobs

• Indeed
• ZipRecruiter
• Local car wash companies

Related: How to Start a Car Wash Business by Yourself

Similar Jobs

Looking for more niche-focused side hustles in your free time? Check out these alternatives:

• Remote Administrative Assistant Jobs: Use your organizational skills to help companies and individuals manage the admin side of their business.
• Medical Transcription Jobs: Are you familiar with medical jargon? Be a medical transcriptionist from scratch. Know where to find gigs and learn the basic skills to land your first job.
• Typing Jobs from Home: Leverage your superb typing skills and earn extra bucks from home. This is a beginner-friendly gig with cross-industry global demand!

Frequently Asked Qeustions

Wrapping Up

Getting paid as a teenager is possible in the booming digital economy. But even in your local community, you can already start acquiring experiences to help you succeed in your dream job years from now.

Ask around your local community and check online job sites for recommendations. There are many opportunities that might work for you only if you look for them!

Have you tried any of the jobs we have on the list? Share your tips with us in the comments!