25 top online jobs for teens and students to work from home

Making money as a teenager often requires creativity and ingenuity. You need to work around your school schedule, and some jobs have minimum age requirements.

However, remote work has opened up more options for teens. You can fill out online surveys, offer tutoring, sell goods on reputable e-retailer sites, or freelance as a writer, graphic designer, or tech support. Many online jobs offer flexible scheduling and the freedom to work from anywhere. In some cases, all you need is Wi-Fi, which you can find anywhere these days.

25 online jobs for teens

Before starting any job or job search, discuss your skills and strengths as a family to determine what might be a good fit. Get inspired by these popular online teen jobs to earn extra cash.

• Virtual translation and editing services ($20-30/hr)

• Mystery shopper ($22/hr)

• Virtual recreation coordinator ($16/hr)

• Online tutor and homework helper ($25/hr)

• Customer service representative ($19/hr)

• Data entry ($19/hr)

• Virtual assistant ($26/hr)

• Social media associate ($23/hr)

• Freelance writer ($24/hr)

• Freelance graphic designer ($24/hr)

• Freelance editing and proofreading ($31/hr)

• Photo and video editing ($37/hr)

• Music production and mixing ($31/hr)

• Sell stuff online (up to $18/hr or $500–1,000/month)

• Be a TikTok host or YouTube influencer (varies)

• Sell online courses (varies)

• Complete online surveys ($0.50 to $5 per survey)

• Test websites and apps ($3 to $30 per test)

• Complete paid tasks (varies)

• Take and sell stock photos (varies)

• Offer digital art commissions (varies)

• Create and sell digital downloads (varies)

• Voiceover work (varies)

• Run a newsletter or Substack (varies)

• Telemarketer ($28/hr)

1. Virtual translation and editing services ($20-30/hr)

Bilingual skills are in high demand. If you’re fluent in or a native speaker of more than one language, part-time and full-time opportunities abound, from “localizing” website content (translating English pages into other languages) to quality control to building and maintaining glossaries.

Many news and entertainment outlets also need freelance translators to interpret and convert scripts, articles, and videos, and edit them for accuracy.

2. Mystery shopper ($24/hr)

Get paid to shop! Some online and brick-and-mortar retailers regularly evaluate how they’re doing in the marketplace by using mystery shoppers. Remote mystery shoppers might conduct market research, evaluate customer service, assess sales techniques, and provide feedback on their shopping experiences.

3. Virtual recreation coordinator ($24/hr)

Many local community centers need help planning and managing their programs and services. Think youth programs, parks and recreation, athletics, summer camps, and classes. Eligible teens and students can make good money helping with administration, recruiting, enrollment, marketing, and communications. Most positions start at $18 or higher.

4. Online tutor and homework helper ($26/hr)

Got a special skill? You can share your expertise virtually on a wide range of topics, from music to math. Some companies list online tutoring jobs, or you can offer tutoring (with parental and school permission) to other students, friends, or family.

5. Customer service representative ($20/hr)

Being a customer support agent involves answering common questions, resolving or escalating customer issues, processing returns, and guiding people to get what they need. It might be over the phone, chat, email, or a combination.

6. Data entry clerk ($19/hr)

For detail-oriented teens, data entry can be a simple way to earn a steady income. It involves organizing information, updating spreadsheets, or inputting numbers. It can be a viable option for anyone who prefers quiet, focused work.

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7. Virtual assistant ($27/hr)

For the resourceful teen, being an online assistant involves tasks like scheduling, answering calls or emails, making reservations, and completing various tasks from home.

8. Social media manager ($23/hr)

Why not use your online skills to earn money? Businesses often need professionals to help with their social media accounts, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and others. They may also need help with business-specific profile pages, such as Airbnb, Yelp!, or Google.

9. Freelance writer ($23/hr)

If you have good writing and grammar skills, you can get paid to produce articles, blog posts, website content, social media posts, and more. See more jobs and careers for creative people.

10. Freelance graphic designer ($23/hr)

Graphic designers get paid to create web graphics, promotional materials, social media graphics, infographics, and more. If you have an eye for design, this can be a good way to expand your skills while earning some money.

11. Freelance editing and proofreading ($34/hr)

Teens with a keen eye for detail, grammar, and writing can earn money by editing or proofreading documents or online content. It’s especially helpful if you’re bilingual. Many employers look specifically for writers, editors, and proofreaders proficient in multiple languages.

Prefer behind-the-scenes work? You might love one of these best jobs for introverts.

12. Photo and video editing ($33/hr)

Many companies need skills in editing or producing digital assets such as art, imagery, photography, and video content. Teens can work directly with clients or connect with photographers to edit their content.

If you’re into YouTube, you can also earn money watching videos or streaming Netflix.

13. Music production and mixing ($24/hr)

Musically inclined teens can also earn some money by producing music and other audio files. You could even get paid to compose music or become a recording artist yourself.

14. Sell stuff online (up to $20/hr)

Selling on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other online marketplaces is a common business opportunity for teens. You could sell homemade T-shirts, jewelry, crafts, or resell items. It’s a fairly straightforward model: Buy your supplies and inventory low, sell high, and remember to account for all the costs of doing business (materials, shipping, your time).

15. Be a TikTok host or YouTube influencer (varies)

You must be over 16, but creating content can make money (eventually). Content creators on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram primarily make money through advertising revenue or sponsorships. Streamers on Twitch can earn through paid subscribers or sponsorships.

One recent trend is TikTok hosting, where you serve as an online brand ambassador, demonstrating or describing products and how they work.

16. Sell online courses (varies)

If you have something to teach others, you could record content and sell courses to multiple people. It’s an exciting business opportunity because it requires significant upfront effort, but minimal maintenance once your courses are published. Passive income can be a powerful way to diversify your income sources.

17. Complete online surveys ($0.50 to $5 per survey)

Some companies pay people to complete online surveys or give feedback about their businesses. Sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and MyPoints are good places to research. You won’t earn a ton, but it can be a fun way to earn a few extra bucks.

18. Test websites and apps (up to $38/hr)

Third-party testers quality check products and help companies detect issues with their sites. Reputable platforms help connect testers with clients.

19. Complete paid tasks ($18/hr)

Some survey sites, like Swagbucks, pay users to complete small tasks and jobs. You might watch a short video, play video games, or sign up for a free service. Payouts vary, but options abound.

20. Take and sell stock photos (varies)

If you have a decent eye for photography and a smartphone, you can upload your photos to stock image platforms like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock and earn money every time someone downloads your image.

21. Offer digital art commissions (up to up to $30/hr)

If your teen draws digitally, they can offer commissioned works through social platforms or marketplaces. These are custom, made-to-order pieces for individual customers or clients.

22. Create and sell digital downloads (varies)

Design-savvy teens can make templates, planners, or digital art to sell online through Etsy or other marketplaces. Once uploaded, they can be sold repeatedly.

23. Voiceover work (varies)

Teens with strong vocal delivery can audition for voice acting jobs. Think animation, podcasts, or online ads. Parental guidance and permission are usually necessary to manage profiles and contracts.

24. Run a newsletter or Substack (varies)

Teens with a niche interest (sports, books, pop culture, etc.) can write and publish a regular newsletter. With enough readers, they can monetize it through subscriptions or partnerships.

25. Telemarketer (up to $28/hr)

If your teen is comfortable talking on the phone, telemarketing can help build confidence and communication skills. It often involves making calls, sharing information, or helping promote products, all while learning professional etiquette.

Explore more of the best jobs for teens.

Where to find online and freelance jobs for teens

Start with safe, reputable websites designed for part-time or freelance work. Examples include:

• Indeed, Snagajob, and ZipRecruiter: For general online job listings.

• Fiverr and Upwork: For freelance gigs like writing, design, or tutoring.

• FlexJobs: For verified remote roles.

• Local community boards: Some organizations post online roles for students.

Parents should help teens vet any platform, confirm payment methods, and avoid sharing personal information publicly.

How teens can avoid online job scams

Not every online job posting is legitimate, and first-time job seekers are often targeted by scammers who post ads for fake jobs on job sites, social media, and even text. They promise a job, but their only goal is to grab your money and personal information. Knowing the red flags before you start your search can save you frustration and protect your personal information.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Offers promising hundreds of dollars a day for minimal work are almost always scams.

• Never pay to get a job. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay a fee upfront to get started, and if they ask you to pay for training, certifications, supplies, work equipment, or starter kits, it’s a scam.

• Protect your personal information. Never share your Social Security number, bank account details, or home address with an employer you haven’t checked out.

• Stick to reputable hiring platforms. Sites like Indeed, Snagajob, and Fiverr have safeguards in place to help filter out fraudulent listings.

• Trust your gut. If an employer is pressuring you to respond quickly, communicate only through personal email, or skip an interview altogether, block them.

• Loop in a parent or trusted adult. Before accepting any online job offer, run it by someone you trust to get a second opinion.

Why online jobs are a smart option

Online jobs are one of the most practical and well-rounded opportunities available to teens today. Here’s why so many teens are making the shift to working online.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the biggest benefit of working online. Between school, homework, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to squeeze in a part-time job, too. But with an online job, you may be able to work when it’s convenient for you.

• Have the flexibility to work from home on your schedule

• Explore different career interests

• Take on more or fewer hours depending on your school workload

• Skip the commute to work from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection

Variety

There’s a lot of variety in online jobs, giving you the chance to work on a new skill or find something you’re passionate about. You might even discover a new interest you want to pursue in college.

• Try out different industries without a long-term commitment

• Find work that aligns with your hobbies or strengths

• Build a portfolio of experience across multiple roles

Work skills and experience

• Learn time management and responsibility

• Gain work experience for your resume

• Boost your confidence and independence

• Develop communication etiquette

Money management skills

Last but not least, money! Extra cash never hurts, but you also get to practice money management skills, like budgeting, saving, and investing. Learning how to save and invest now will be invaluable throughout your life and can help you build wealth.

• Earn your own spending money

• Start saving for future goals like college or a car

• Learn how to use and manage debit card spending

Learn how to manage your income with Greenlight

Whether you land a part-time job, start freelancing, or become an influencer, you’ll need to manage your new income properly.

At a minimum, use a banking* solution to help you save, spend, and manage your money. And once things get rolling, you may want to look into investing your profits.

Make smart money moves. Greenlight is the all-in-one family money app for teens, with parent-approved investing for beginners, direct deposit, and powerful tools to manage your own money.

FAQs

What age do you have to be to get an online job as a teen?

Several types of online jobs are available to teens 13 and older, though some platforms require you to be 18. Always check the minimum age requirements before signing up.

Do I need any experience to get an online job as a teen?

Most entry-level online jobs require little to no experience. Skills like reliability, basic communication, and a willingness to learn are often enough to get started.

How do teens get paid for online jobs?

Most online jobs pay through PayPal, Venmo, , or platforms like Zelle. A parent or guardian must be involved in setting up any payment accounts if you’re under 18.

How many hours can a teen realistically work online per week?

Most teens can comfortably manage 5–15 hours per week alongside school, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities.

Do teens need to pay taxes on money earned from online jobs?

Yes, if a teen earns more than $400 in self-employment income or $15,750 in total income in a year, they’re generally required to file a tax return.

*Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), Member FDIC.

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