Top summer jobs for teens looking to make serious bank

Schools out for the summer! OK, now what?!

We’re sure you have plenty of fun stuff to keep you busy — but do you have the bread to pay for it all? 

That’s where a summer job might come into play. Lots of companies are hiring right now, and high schoolers can take advantage of their flexible schedules over the summer months to earn some cash.

But what are some good summer jobs for teens? We’ve got you covered. 😉

25 summer jobs for teens

We’ll start with a few tried and true classics and then look at what’s trending (and potentially lucrative) in summer jobs.

1. Babysitting 🍼

Babysitters are always in high demand, but even more so during the summer months when kids are out of school, and parents still need to work. Plus, many states don’t have a minimum age requirement to babysit. Skilled teens can make some decent coin by providing child care — hourly rates for babysitting have increased nearly 20% in recent years.

According to UrbanSitter, the national average hourly rate for a babysitter in 2024 was $23.61 for one child and $26.57 for two. Of course, what you can realistically charge for babysitting varies widely depending on location, experience, and other factors. But generally, you’re looking at anywhere from $15 to $26 an hour. 

Bonus: Babysitting is typically a flexible job you can work around your schedule.

Benefits of babysitting:

• Flexible hours

• High demand during summer

• Great for gaining responsibility

How to get started:

• Offer your services to family, friends, and neighbors

• Create a profile on babysitting websites like Care.com

• Get certified in CPR and first aid

2. Lifeguard 🏊

Did you know there’s a national lifeguard shortage? Becoming a lifeguard at a local pool or outdoor swim spot is a classic summer gig for teens — and it can pay pretty well. Training to be a lifeguard can net you more than $20 an hour in some areas. 

Some states have a minimum age requirement to be a lifeguard, but many areas and training programs allow teen lifeguards to start as early as 15.

Requirements:

• Certification in lifeguarding and CPR

• Minimum age requirement (varies by state)

• Strong swimming skills

Where to apply:

• Local pools

• Community centers

• Beaches

3. Camp counselor ⛺

Youth camps are big business — they contribute $70 billion to the U.S. economy. Want a piece of that pie? More than 12,000 camps across America (!) are looking for workers to help with everything from supervising kids and organizing and leading activities to cooking, cleaning, and doing basic office tasks.

Benefits:

• Develop leadership skills

• Enjoy outdoor activities

• Build friendships

How to apply:

• Check with local camps and community organizations

• Look for job postings on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor

• Contact camps directly to inquire about openings

• Need experience? Look for counselor-in-training (CIT) programs

Get more tips here on how to become a camp counselor.

4. Pet sitting and dog walking 🐶

Yep, you can get paid to work with animals. Pet sitters and dog walkers are in high demand during the summer as people go away on vacation. Many professional pet care organizations have a minimum age requirement of 18. But younger teens can offer dog walking or pet sitting locally. Depending on your location, you could make anywhere from $10 to $60 per walk.

Benefits:

• Work with animals

• Flexible schedule

• Stay active

How to find clients:

• Advertise your services around your neighborhood, in local community groups, or on social media

• Network with family and friends who own pets

• Volunteer or visit community boards at your local veterinarian or animal shelters

• Look for care tips and best practices from professional organizations like Care.com, Rover, PetSitter, or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

5. Golf caddy 🏌️

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When the sun comes out, so do the golfers. As a caddy, you typically work for the golf course earning minimum wage — but you can also get tips from the golfers you caddy for. Teens with good communication skills and a friendly attitude may be able to earn more in tips.

Benefits:

• Potential for tips

• Enjoy working outdoors

• Learn about golf

How to get started:

• Contact local golf courses

• Ask about caddy programs and application processes

• Network with golfers to find opportunities

6. Landscaper 🧑‍🌾

Landscaping is yet another industry that really ramps up during the summer. Lawn mowing alone opens up a lot of job opportunities, and many of these roles are entry-level and appropriate for teens. That said, you may need a vehicle and may be expected to work in different locations on different days, so solid transportation is a must.

Benefits:

• Good physical exercise

• High demand in summer

• Learn valuable skills

Requirements:

• Reliable transportation

• Basic landscaping skills

• Willingness to work outdoors

7. Pool cleaner 💧

If you live in a warmer climate where a lot of people have swimming pools, you can get a job cleaning pools in the summer. This gig can require a bit of specialized training (since you’ll be handling chemicals), but as such, it might pay more than minimum wage.

Benefits:

• Potential for higher pay

• Work independently

• Learn about pool maintenance

How to get started:

• Advertise your services locally

• Look for job postings from pool cleaning companies

• Get trained on proper pool maintenance techniques

8. Car washer 🚗

More people getting car washes = more car washing businesses hiring summer workers! This is a minimum wage job typically, but it’s usually also entry-level and open to teen workers.

Benefits:

• Entry-level job

• Opportunity to earn tips

• Work outdoors

How to apply:

• Local car wash businesses

• Mobile car wash services

• Advertise your services independently

9. National Parks worker 🏞️

Love spending time in nature? Uncle Sam wants to pay you to do it as a National Parks intern. The National Parks Service has “Pathways Programs,” which help high schoolers find paid internship programs working in national parks while also exploring options for more permanent careers working for the government. These internship opportunities are posted on USAJobs.gov.

Benefits:

• Experience working in nature

• Explore career opportunities with the government

• Gain valuable work experience

How to apply:

• Visit USAJobs.gov and search for Pathways Programs

• Apply for internships that fit your interests

• Contact local parks for potential openings

10. Retail worker 🛍️

Retail workers are always needed at grocery stores, local businesses and big-box retailers. These jobs typically pay minimum wage, but they are teen-friendly, and you may be able to work around your schedule.

Benefits:

• Flexible hours

• Customer service experience

• Employee discounts

Where to apply:

• Local retail stores

• Online job boards like Monster and Indeed

• Big-box retailers

11. Restaurant worker 🧑‍🍳

Restaurants also experience more busy times during the summer months and are often looking to hire food service workers for both the front of house (like servers and hosts) and the back of house (like cooks and dishwashers).

Benefits:

• Earn tips

• Learn valuable work skills

• Flexible hours

Where to apply:

• Local restaurants

• Chain restaurants with summer hiring programs

• Online job boards

12. Business owner or entrepreneur 🧑‍💼

Ever dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur? This summer might be the perfect time to start taking steps toward creating your own business. You could make and sell crafts, start a dog-walking company, or begin a podcast — just to name a few ideas. See our guide to small business ideas for teens to get inspired.

Benefits:

• Be your own boss

• Potential for high earnings

• Develop business skills

How to get started:

• Research business ideas

• Create a business plan and start marketing

• Network with potential clients

13. Online jobs 💻

You can work online from home, depending on your skills. Teen employment opportunities exist for freelancers, virtual assistants, designers, social media managers, and more. See our full round-up of online jobs for teens to learn more.

Benefits:

• Work from home

• Flexible hours

• Develop tech skills

Where to find jobs:

• Freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr

• Job boards with remote work listings

• Company websites

14. Referee or coach ⚽

While school sports may be on pause over the summer, tons of recreational leagues run during the summer months — and they often need referees, coaches, and helpers to set up games. These gigs typically pay per game, rather than per hour, as it’s more of a side hustle.

Benefits:

• Stay involved in sports

• Earn money per game

• Build leadership skills

How to get started:

• Contact local sports leagues

• Look for postings on community boards

• Volunteer to gain experience

15. Tutor 📚

If you excel in a particular subject, tutoring can be a great way to earn money and help other students. Many parents look for summer tutors to help their children catch up or prepare for the upcoming school year.

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

• Help others

• Reinforce your knowledge

How to get started:

• Advertise your services at local schools and community centers

• Join tutoring websites like Wyzant

• Offer online tutoring sessions

16. House sitter 🏡

House sitting involves caring for someone's home while away, including watering plants, collecting mail, and ensuring security. This can be a perfect summer job for responsible teens who want to earn money with a less traditional work schedule.

Benefits:

• Low-stress job

• Flexible hours

• Potential for repeat business

How to get started:

• Advertise your services locally

• Use house-sitting websites like TrustedHousesitters

• Network with family and friends

17. Library assistant 📖

Working at a local library can be great for teens who love books. Tasks may include shelving books, assisting with events, and helping patrons find materials.

Benefits:

• Quiet work environment

• Access to a wide range of books

• Learn organizational skills

How to get started:

• Contact your local library for job openings

• Check for volunteer opportunities to gain experience

• Look for job postings on local government websites

18. Farmhand 🚜

Working as a farmhand can be a rewarding summer job if you live in a rural area. Duties might include feeding animals, planting crops, and maintaining farm equipment.

Benefits:

• Physical activity

• Learn about agriculture

• Work outdoors

How to get started:

• Contact local farms directly

• Look for job postings in community centers

• Network with farmers in your area

19. Amusement park worker 🎢

Amusement parks often hire teens for various roles, from ride operators to concession stand workers. This can be a fun and dynamic summer job.

Benefits:

• Free or discounted park admission

• Meet new people

• Work in a fun environment

Where to apply:

• Local amusement parks

• Online job boards

• Company websites

20. Movie theater attendant 🎬

Working at a movie theater can be a great summer job for teens. Tasks include selling tickets, serving concessions, and cleaning theaters.

Benefits:

• Free or discounted movie tickets

• Flexible hours

• Work indoors

Where to apply:

• Local movie theaters

• Chain theaters with summer hiring programs

• Online job boards

21. Theme park mascot 🦸

If you love entertaining people and don’t mind wearing a costume, being a theme park mascot can be a fun and rewarding summer job.

Benefits:

• Entertain and make people smile

• Enjoy working in a lively environment

• Build performance skills

Where to apply:

• Local theme parks

• Amusement parks with character programs

• Entertainment companies

22. Water park attendant 💦

Working at a water park is an excellent option for teens who enjoy being around water. Jobs may include ride operation, guest services, and food concessions.

Benefits:

• Fun work environment

• Stay cool during the summer

• Meet new people

Where to apply:

• Local water parks

• Online job boards

• Company websites

23. Festival worker 🎉

Many festivals and events happen during the summer and need workers for various roles, from ticket sales to event setup and teardown.

Benefits:

• Exciting and dynamic work environment

• Short-term commitments

• Access to festival events

Where to apply:

• Contact festival organizers directly

• Look for job postings on community boards

• Apply through event staffing agencies

24. Ice cream shop worker 🍦

Summer is peak season for ice cream shops, making it an excellent time for teens to get hired. Duties may include scooping ice cream, handling cash, and maintaining the shop.

Benefits:

• Fun work environment

• Free or discounted ice cream

• Flexible hours

Where to apply:

• Local ice cream shops

• Chain ice cream stores with summer hiring programs

• Online job boards

25. Summer intern 📝

Many companies offer teen summer internship programs, providing valuable work experience in various fields such as marketing, engineering, and administration.

Benefits:

• Gain professional experience

• Build a network of professional contacts

• Learn about different career fields

Where to apply:

• Company websites

• Online job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor

• School career centers

Tips to land a summer job as a teen

Job seekers, listen up: Here’s how to find teen jobs, apply, and get those perks (and paychecks).

Consider a side hustle 👩‍💻 

• Not quite ready for a serious job? Or is your schedule pretty packed already? A summer side hustle might be a better fit, allowing you to work more on your terms and around your schedule. Some easy side hustle ideas for teens include pet sitting, lawn mowing, babysitting, or selling unused items online.

Look for age-appropriate job listings 👀

• You can find listings for jobs online, on sites like Monster, Indeed, or Glassdoor. But heads up: Double-check if the website or the job has a minimum age rule. On some job websites, you must be at least 16 (sometimes 18) to apply or sign any contracts. And some jobs require that you be at least 18, so keep that in mind.

Network with friends and family 👪

• Talk to your friends and family to see if they know anyone hiring for a summer job.

Consider a part-time job ⌚

• You may not want to burn up your entire summer working full-time. Opting for a part-time work schedule lets you gain some work experience while still having a summer.

Write a great resume ✍️

• You may not have a ton of previous work experience, but that’s OK — you can still write a resume to wow employers and set yourself apart from other applicants.

Look into youth employment programs in your area 🖱️

• Some local, state, and federal government agencies have youth employment programs to help teens find jobs. These programs often partner with local businesses to make hiring teens easier and provide more flexible opportunities.

Learn how to manage your money

Once you do land a job, you’ll start getting paid! And you’ll need a way to cash checks or accept direct deposits. Talk to your parents about Greenlight, the money app for teens. Greenlight lets you get direct deposits into an easy app-based account and then manage your money using a debit card, investing tools, and more.

Young adults have tons of employment opportunities

High school students have lots of options when it comes to summer gigs — it’s just a matter of knowing what to look for and putting in the work to land a job that’s a good fit for you!

Remember, once you start getting paid, think about what you want to do with your money. Sure, some spending money is great, but you may also want to consider saving or investing (with your parent's help) some of it for your future.

Greenlight makes it easy to manage your money, invest, budget, spend, and save — all in one easy app.

Ready to learn about the world of money? Sign up for Greenlight today!

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.