24 best ways to make money as a teenager

Are you a teen looking to make money but don’t know where to start? At Greenlight, we’re here to help you earn money and manage it, too. Grow your wealth and enjoy every step in the process. 

Types of jobs for teens

The good news? There are plenty of jobs you can apply for. Search based on your availability, experience, and interests to find a good match.

Holiday or summer jobs for teens

Holiday or summer jobs are perfect for students and teens who want to get meaningful experience in a short time. If you don’t have enough time to work during the school year, a seasonal or summer job may be right for you.

Top seasonal jobs

• Lifeguard: Hourly wages start at nearly $16. If you’re a strong swimmer with excellent leadership skills, get certified as a lifeguard during the summer. 

• Camp counselor or CIT: There are thousands of camp counselor jobs in the U.S., especially in summer. It’s a great way to build management and leadership skills. If you don’t meet the age or other criteria, many organizations offer counselor-in-training (CIT) programs for teens.

• Seasonal retail sales: Have you seen those holiday lines? They need help! Many retailers need extra part- or full-time help during the holidays. 

• Seasonal stock associate: Many businesses and shippers like Amazon need more help during peak shopping and delivery seasons. 

• Tutor: Get paid to share your knowledge and help other kids and students during winter, summer, or spring break.

Pro tip: Beyond money, summer jobs can be a great way to explore different types of careers and industries as you think about the future.

Part-time jobs for teens

If you have a few free hours after classes or on weekends, you might be surprised how much money you can save. 

Working part-time also lets you dip your toes into work without too much responsibility.

Popular entry-level part-time jobs

• Coffee barista: Working those fancy espresso machines is a true skill! Being a barista or cashier in a coffee shop is a great blend of customer and food service experience. Plus, think how much you’ll save on coffee. 

• Smoothie or ice cream cashier: Whether you make the sundaes or just ring them up, ice cream, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and Boba tea shops are always looking for part-time help. 

• Movie theater attendant: The great thing about this job is you can often fill multiple roles depending on the theater. You might run the popcorn machine one day, sell or check tickets the next, or clean up after the credits roll.

Internships for teens

Internships are usually educational experiences for students or apprentices. While some are unpaid, many internships offer stipends or an hourly wage. 

Internships can give you valuable experience and introduce you to future careers and employers. Many successful people started as interns, including Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey. 

First, decide which industry you’re interested in. Then, look for posted internships with reputable companies in that space. If you’re into finance, major players like Deloitte and Ernst & Young have well-established internship and student programs. For medicine or science, look to hospitals or university programs.

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The government offers tons of internships in different branches, including federal. Search the Federal Internship Finder.

How to apply to jobs as a teen

Once you know what type of job you’re looking for, here’s what you’ll need to apply for jobs and internships.

Resume and cover letter

A resume is typically a one-page document that includes a brief overview, usually a bulleted list, of your skills, accomplishments, related coursework, and work experience. Most employers require candidates to submit resumes (sometimes with a cover letter) to apply for a job. Resumes are brief, straightforward, and follow a specific format.

A cover letter is a short (but still formal) message that highlights your qualifications and experiences in more detail — almost like a mini-essay. Cover letters are written in paragraph form to convey a story about why you feel you’re right for this specific job. 

While not all employers ask for cover letters, it’s standard practice with a resume, and they can help you stand out from other candidates. 

Pro tip: There are tons of free resume and cover letter templates online. No need to build it from scratch.

Interview prep

Most jobs will require you to have one or more interviews before you’re offered a position. This means you’ll have to prepare for questions about your skills, strengths, and capabilities. For example, if you’re interviewing for a cashier position, they might ask if you’re good at basic math since you’ll be handling money.

A bank account or money app to help manage your money 

Once you land a job, you need a place to store your money – ideally, an account where you can set up direct deposit. Greenlight makes it easy for teens to set up Direct Deposit, Savings Goals and more. 

Ways to make money as a teen

1. Work at a grocery store or supermarket. 

Grocery stores typically hire cashiers and sales associates year-round. Through a job like this one, you can gain valuable customer service experience.

2. Serve up coffee, smoothies, and other treats. 

Coffee, smoothie or juice shops regularly hire baristas to help make and serve drinks. They may need help with food service and cleaning, too. Tips are often a bonus!

3. Go retail.

If you like shopping and clothes, consider being a sales associate at a clothing store. Employees typically get special discounts as a perk. Think about all the money you can save — your wardrobe and virtual piggy bank will be happy. 

Common positions include cashier, fitting room attendant, and sales associate. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll work your way to buyer!

4. Sell clothes or resell items with free apps. 

Selling old electronics, gently used clothing, jewelry, or unwanted items can help you rack in a few extra bucks. There are many free apps where you can list your items for free. With so many shipping options, you might not have to leave your house. Just make sure to check in with a parent before you start.

Clean room, happy wallet. Cha-ching!

5. Take surveys.

Think you have to be a grownup to work from home? Taking surveys can earn you money from anywhere. Survey junkie is just one of many sites where you can get started.

Pro tip: Many survey sites don’t pay with cash; they often compensate you with gift cards or ask you to earn points before turning them into payment. And look out for scams! Never offer up your sensitive information and steer clear of companies that charge startup or membership fees.

6. Be a golf caddy.

Are you a golfer or an athlete? Working as a golf caddy lets you stay on the green while making some green of your own. It’s also great exercise fetching all those balls. Best of both worlds.

7. Work as an assistant coach or referee.

Similarly, if you want to be more hands-on — coaching or becoming a referee could be a great alternative. If you want to teach younger kids how to hit the perfect serve or kick a soccer ball, being an assistant coach may be the right fit for you.

8. Become a summer camp counselor.

Many summer camps enlist the help of teens to fill their counselor positions — at day camps or sleepaway residential camps. If you enjoyed camp as a kid, you might enjoy being a camp counselor for others, too. If you need experience first, look for counselor-in-training programs.

9.  Tutor people.

Help and teach other students by becoming a tutor. Figure out what subjects you feel comfortable teaching — like Math or English. Then, spread the word about your services with friends and family.

10. Start dog walking or pet-sitting.

Most adults don’t have summers off, and many of them need help taking care of their pets during the day. If you’re a dog lover (like us), consider offering dog walking services to your neighbors.

11. Work on a farm.

Like to be outside and complete tangible tasks? Lots of farms need extra help, from bailing and hauling hay to cleaning horse stalls.

12. Start a blog.

Blogs are a great way to make passive income while building up your personal brand. Blog about baseball, dance, makeup, or anything else you’re passionate about. If your blog gets enough visitors, you can monetize it with ads.

13. Start a YouTube channel or podcast.

If you can build a large following, you can make money by posting YouTube videos or other content on social media. All you need is a good idea and a phone with a camera or basic sound recording equipment – and engaging content that advertisers want to sponsor. But internet safety is paramount, so always talk with your parent for approval first.

14. Get paid to refer people.

Teens can earn money by referring friends. You can earn up to $600 per calendar year just by sharing Greenlight with your group chats.

15. Intern at an established company.

You can get paid to gain work experience to help launch your career. Common entry-level internships include social media intern, software engineering intern or apprentice, marketing intern or coordinator, and software tester.

16. Work as an intern for a small business.

If you live closer to smaller businesses, consider asking the owner if they can hire you as an intern. Typically, smaller businesses can help you gain hands-on experience, like assisting customers online or helping create a marketing strategy.

17. Work as a babysitter.

Babysitting is a great way to help families near you — like your neighbors and family friends. Some families may be extra generous and provide meals and transportation. A win-win! Get certified in basic CPR and First Aid to increase your chances of landing a regular gig.

18. Become a lifeguard.

What better way to spend your summer than on the beach? If you’re at least 16 years old, a sunset lover, and can swim well, consider applying for a lifeguard position at your nearest beach. You’ll typically need training, CPR certification and a passing score on any swimming tests. No beach, no problem — community pools are always hiring too.

19. Do home improvements - at home!

Greenlight lets parents pay you for chores like washing dishes or doing laundry. Offer to handle some much-needed tasks or projects in exchange for money. It could be small things like folding or organizing to larger projects like yardwork or painting. 

20. Start a business.

Every business starts with an idea. If you have one, consider creating a business plan. Even lemonade stands and crafts can be lucrative with the right strategy. Then, use the resources around you to get started. You never know what it could lead to!

21. Launch an online business.

You don’t have to rent a space or even have an office to run a company online. From offering website design to making and selling slime, you can run operations virtually if you don’t need much space or equipment.

Not ready to DIY? Try these online business ideas you can start as a family.

22. Work remotely.

Online jobs are on the rise, even for kids. Hone in on 16 of the best online jobs for teens. 

With a bit of patience and a lot of time, you may be able to earn passive income in the long term. Take a deeper dive into how to build long-term growth to find out how. 

23. Bet on passive income.

Passive income is any money you earn with minimal effort. You can make passive income as a teen through things like compound interest, high-yield savings accounts, and strategic investing. Start by learning investment fundamentals.

24. Watch videos.

Some sites offer payment in exchange for engaging in content or watching videos online. You won't be earning much, but it's a great way to earn a little extra spending money on the side. Learn how to earn money by watching videos online.

How to manage your money as a teen with Greenlight

Now that you know how to make money as a teen, it’s time to talk about what to do with your earnings. It’s great to have spending power, but it’s important to save some, too.

By saving for longer-term goals like buying your first car or a new laptop, you’ll build better money habits to benefit your financial future. Using an all-in-one debit card and savings app like Greenlight can help you define your money goals. 

Sign up for Greenlight today to learn more about saving, investing, earning, and so much more!

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.