It can be a daunting task trying to find the best high-paying jobs for teens. Luckily, teenagers can work a variety of different jobs to gain valuable work experience while they’re young.
While most teenage jobs offer minimum wage and short hours due to schooling, there are also several high-paying jobs that teenagers can enjoy from the comfort of their homes.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 29 of the Best High-Paying Jobs for Teens in 2023.
Whether you’re saving up for college or looking to kick-start your career, these jobs offer a fantastic chance to earn substantial income, increase your skillset, and build a strong work ethic.
Now, let’s begin!
Best High-Paying Jobs for Teens
1. Camp Counsellor
Hourly Wage Range: $20-25 per hour
As a camp counsellor, teenagers are paid to lead groups and create meaningful relationships.
By stepping out of your comfort zone, you can begin leading activities and adventures that will create lasting memories.
There are a number of different camps you can sign up for that include academic camps, sports camps, wilderness camps and general camps.
With a strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, and lead group activities, teens can earn a good wage while moving away from home.
2. Server
Hourly Wage Range: $15-$20 per hour.
Plus Tips!
Servers are critical for the restaurant business and it is a great starting point for teenagers to build their customer service skills.
They serve as the face of the restaurant, and help to create lasting memories for customers so they keep coming back.
The jobs entails serving food and or cocktails, as well as any special requests for the individuals or families who are ordering dine in or takeout.
One bonus is that servers have the ability to earn tips, often known as ”gratuity”, thus increasing their earning potential and hourly wage.
This makes the server position one of the best high-paying jobs for teens looking to starting making extra cash!
Special Consideration: Individuals must have a special licence/certification and be of age to serve alcoholic beverages. Check the requirements for your jurisdiction.
3. Busser
Hourly Wage Range: $15-$20 per hour.
Plus Tips!
Bussers are an integral part of the busy restaurant industry.
Dependant on the restaurant size, servers may take part in busser duties.
However, if the restaurant is large enough there will be dedicated bussers for sections of the restaurant.
Their job duties entail loading the dishwasher, cleaning and polishing tableware and cutlery, as well as clearing tables.
Bussers also have the opportunity to earn a small percentage of the tip out, which can leave some extra cash in their pocket at the end of the night.
4. Retail Sales Associate
Hourly Wage Range: $15-$20 per hour.
Retail Sales Associates play an important role in driving sales for retail brands such as Footlocker, Nike, Adidas and other name brand retailers.
This is a great starting point, and is a common part-time job that teenagers do to gain work experience while in school.
This job allows you to work independently or as part of a team, helping customers find what they need at affordable price points.
If you’re ambitious, out-going and willing to work as apart of a team, a retail sales associate is a great starting point for jobs for teens.
5. Tutor
Hourly Wage Range: $20-50 per hour.
Tutoring is a flexible and well-paid job option for academically proficient teens.
As a tutor, teens are able to leverage their academic proficiency to teach older or younger students on their subject expertise.
Sharing your knowledge in subjects like math, science, or languages can be both highly rewarding and well compensated.
Furthermore, if you’re working independently you can set your own price and work with as little or as many students as you like.
6. Virtual Assistant
Hourly Wage Range: $15-50 per hour.
Virtual assistants provide administrative support remotely, helping individuals or businesses with tasks like scheduling appointments, managing emails, and conducting research.
This job is for technologically savy teens, who are able to be efficient and provide ongoing support for the right people.
However, this is may not be a realistic job for teens whom are still in school and it is much better if you’ve graduated high school as the working hours are during school time.
If you’re willing to learn, are coachable, and can multi-task, a job as a virtual assistant provide ultimately flexibility.
7. Copywriter
Hourly Wage Range: $20-40 per hour.
Copywriters create persuasive content for advertisements, websites, and other marketing materials.
As a teen, you’re often still in the early stages of honing in on your writing abilities.
However, for teens that academically gifted with superior writing abilities can leverage their skills as a copywriter.
The best part is, that you can do this virtually on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, and earn an income from the comfort of your home.
8. Photographer
Hourly Wage Range: $20-40 per hour.
If you have a passion for capturing moments through the lens, photography can be a worthwhile endeavour for teenagers.
You can choose to shoot photos for family, friends, schools and more, and best of all you get to set your own price.
Past experience and a portfolio website will definitely help increase the odds of consistent clientele.
A bonus will also include great social media and editing skills to sell additional services to your clients.
9. Video Editor
Hourly Wage Range: $20-30 per hour.
Video editing is a high in demand skill right now and teens who are social media savy and well verse in Adobe Premier Pro and Final Cut place themselves at an advantage.
It involves assembling and polishing raw footage to create captivating videos.
With the growing demand for video content, this job can offer excellent earning potential and can be done virtually.
This makes video editing one of the best jobs for teens in the 2020’s.
10. Personal Fitness Trainer
Salary Range: $15-35 per hour.
Personal fitness trainers are essential for helping individuals track their macros, introduce meal plans, and stay in shape.
As years go on, younger and younger generations are prioritizing their health and desiring to achieve physiques that they can show off and be proud of.
Although you can be young with not much experience, that doesn’t mean that you don’t know what you’re doing when it comes to training.
If you have a passion for fitness and enjoy helping others achieve their health goals, becoming a personal fitness trainer can be a rewarding part-time job for teens.
11. Online Survey Taker
Hourly Wage Range: $15-20 per hour.
Online survey takers can enjoy taking surveys from the comfort of their own home.
Many companies pay individuals to take online surveys, providing an easy way for teens to make some extra money during their free time.
They can sign up for online survey taking companies like Branded Surveys, Survey Junkie, and Swagbucks to earn money and rewards.
If you’re looking for an easy, plug and play job, online survey taking can be a good place for teens to start.
12. Event Planner
Hourly Wage Range: $20-30 per hour.
Event planners coordinate and organize various events such as weddings, conferences, and parties.
Teens that are looking to jump into event planning will likely have completed high school and have some customer service experience.
They can also have other experience with problem solving and strong attention to detail.
Strong organizational and communication skills are crucial in this field, and can be rewarding when you help plan exciting life events.
13. DJ
Hourly Wage Range: $20-40 per hour.
DJ’s are crucial and often the life of big events like prom, weddings, tournaments and other high-profile corporate events.
The best part is there is no age limit to begin experimenting with music and becoming a highly sought after DJ.
With experience and a strong passion for music, you can start small with family parties and work your way up the totem pole.
If you have a knack for mixing music and entertaining crowds, becoming a DJ can be a a great high paying part-time job for teens.
14. Car Wash Attendant
Hourly Wage Range: $15-20 per hour.
Car wash attendants can often earn a decent part-time wage, with the potential for tips.
With its peak demand during the summer time, individuals are always looking to keep their cars clean and show off their exotic features.
While this job may now be the most enticing, it can be a great starting point for teens especially if employment is close to home.
If you are passionate about cars, this can be a great opportunity for teens to explore different cars and earn a decent part-time hourly wage.
15. Freelance Writer
Hourly Wage Range: $20-60 per hour.
Freelance writers create content for websites, blogs, magazines, and other publications.
The best aspect of becoming a freelance writer is the ability to write amazing content virtually.
Writers can leverage freelance writing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork to create enticing gigs for their subject expertise.
Strong writing skills, attention to detail, the ability to meet deadlines, and customer service skills are essential for this role.
16. Language Translator
Hourly Wage Range: $15-25 per hour.
Language translators can be an asset to individuals or businesses looking to leverage specific language expertise.
What’s great about this job is that some teens may already speak a second language or more, placing them at an advantage.
If you are fluent in multiple languages, working as a language translator can be a well-paid option.
You can freelance or work with translation agencies giving you multiple avenues to earn a great part-time wage as a teenagers.
17. Social Media Influencer
Hourly Wage Range: $30-$100+ per hour.
Social media influencers are often the envious population of this generation.
It seems that as years go by, younger and younger teens are earning millions of dollars per year leveraging their large social media followings.
With a strong online presence, you can become a social media influencer and earn income through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and advertisements.
However, it is not all lights and glamour and being a social media influencer can come with a lot of social anxiety and public scrutiny.
It you have what it takes, your earning potential can become infinite and your presence can help create a lasting impact on the world.
18. E-Commerce Store Owner
Hourly Wage Range: $25-60+ per hour.
Starting an e-commerce store has become a hot topic over the last decade.
The term ”dropshipping” consistently frequently the web and many people got rich building brands through e-commerce.
But don’t let this fool you…
Between 10-20% of dropshipping businesses succeed, and with rising advertisement costs it has become harder and harder to make money.
If you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, then this might be the right path for you.
But the reality is that 99% of people will simply give up before they see success.
19. Lifeguard
Hourly Wage Range: $18-25 per hour.
Becoming a lifeguard can be one of the best jobs for teens.
If you’re passionate about swimming and are willing to acquire the necessary certifications, this can be a great job opportunity.
Working as a lifeguard at pools or beaches offers a fulfilling job and a chance to earn competitive hourly wages while ensuring the safety of swimmers.
While this job might now be too exciting, you’re able to gain valuable customer service skills and work with your peers doing something you love.
20. Voice Actor
Hourly Wage Range: $30-65+ per hour.
A voice actor is not a common job that you see the average teenagers pursuing.
However, this can be an incredibly lucrative part-time job and career with high earning potential.
If you have a talent for voices and acting, becoming a voice actor can lead to lucrative opportunities in commercials, animation, audiobooks, and more.
But keep in mind that it can be extremely competitive and it may take some time until you land your first gig that you can showoff to your family and friends.
21. Virtual Tutor
Hourly Wage Range: $20-40+ per hour.
A tutor is a great first job for a teenager.
Virtual tutoring allows you to teach students remotely via video calls.
It provides flexibility and high earning potential, especially in subjects like math and science.
What makes becoming a virtual tutor much better than in person is that you can build leverage and work with multiple clients.
This leverage can inevitably increase your earning potential overtime, thus making a virtual tutor one of the best jobs for teens.
22. Stock Market Trader
Hourly Wage Range: $20-$40+ per hour.
Becoming a stock market trader is certainly not easy, and as a teen there will be a steep learning curve.
However, if you’re interest in finance and how the stock market works this could be a great learning experience.
You will inevitably face a lot of roadblocks and lose money, but those lessons can help build a strong foundation for years to come.
If you’re under the legal age to create an investment account, you may need parental consent and have to create a joint custodial account.
While this is not a good job for teens to earn a consistent, reliable wage the lessons they leave can be invaluable for their financial future.
23. Professional Gamer
Hourly Wage Range: $40-100+ per hour.
Becoming a professional gamer was not always a career that one could pursue, especially if you were a teen.
Prior to 1978, there were no professional gaming tournaments and professional gamers did not become popularized until the 2010’s.
If you excel in video games, you can participate in tournaments, compete professionally, and earn money through sponsorships, prize winnings, and streaming platforms.
However, keep in mind that it is extremely competitive and the earning potential in the beginning can be extremely low without additional endorsements and sponsorships.
24. Dog Walker
Hourly Wage Range: $15-25 per hour.
Dog walking is one of the simplest and easy jobs for teens.
If you love dogs and have spare time, dog walking can be a worthwhile endeavour.
Teens can also set their own prices and create fliers to attract dog walking services in their neighbourhood.
Dog walking is a flexible and well-paying job for teens, and can help them become more responsible as they take on more clientele.
25. Social Media Marketer
Hourly Wage Range: $20-45 per hour.
Social media marketers are crucial for individuals and businesses looking to grow their followings and earn more money.
Now more than ever, teens are the most technologically inclined and have a deep understanding of social media algorithms.
Social media marketers can help businesses grow their online presence and reach through strategic marketing campaigns on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
If this sounds like you, it may be a good time to leverage your expertise and earn an income of platforms that you consume on a daily basis.
26. Swim Instructor
Hourly Wage Range: $20-30 per hour.
Swim instructors can earn a great part-time wage and are often part-time lifeguards.
Lifeguards can increase their earning potential by becoming swim instructors, demanding a higher hourly wage.
They provide both fun and educational swimming lessons for both children and adults.
If you are a lifeguard or passionate about swimming, becoming a swim instructor can be a great job for teens.
27. Fitness Instructor
Hourly Wage Range: $25-35 per hour.
Fitness instructors can lead a variety of different fitness related classes.
As a fitness instructor, you can lead classes in gyms, studios, or offer private sessions, promoting a healthy lifestyle and earning a respectable income.
While experience is often required, if you’ve developed an expertise in yoga, pilates, zumba, boxing, or circuit training this may be the job for you.
Teens with domain expertise in fitness related training, can earn a great part-time hour wage as a fitness instructor.
28. Dishwasher
Hourly Wage Range: $15-20 per hour.
Plus Tips!
Becoming a dishwasher often comes with an undesirable connotation.
However, it can be a great starting point for teens that can transition into servers, bartenders or managers.
Working in the restaurant industry is certainly not for everyone, but if you’re young and need some extra cash it can be a good start.
If you live close by to a restaurant or establishment that is hiring dishwashers, it can be a great job for teens looking to gain valuable work experience.
29. Cashier
Hourly Wage Range: $15-18 per hour.
Cashiers are the face of establishments like discount retailers and grocery stores.
You are the customer service ambassador, scanning items and dealing with customer complaints.
While this job can be stressful as a teen, it is one of the most common first-time jobs for teens and young adults.
If you’re an introvert, becoming a cashier is probably not the best job for teens.
However, if you’re outgoing and love to interact with people from all walks of life, this can be a great start for teens.
Best High-Paying Jobs for Teens: Wrapping Up
These 29 high-paying jobs for teens offer a wide range of opportunities to earn substantial income while gaining valuable experience and skills.
From technology-related roles to creative pursuits and service-oriented professions, there is something for every interest and skill set.
Whether you’re looking to save for college, gain financial independence, or explore potential career paths, these jobs provide a stepping stone toward success.
Remember, hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude can go a long way in securing these lucrative positions as a teenager.
Ultimately, your work ethic, ambition, and drive to learn new things will help you improve your skillset and increase your income overtime.
