16 high-paying jobs for teens with no experience

Teens looking for a way to earn their own money often struggle to find good-paying jobs, especially if they don’t have experience. The good news? Plenty of high-paying opportunities are out there! Whether you want a flexible side gig or a stepping stone to future career success, here are some of the best-paying jobs for teens that require little to no experience.

1. Babysitter ($15 to $25 per hour)

Babysitting is one of the highest-paying jobs for teens. Parents are always looking for responsible sitters, and rates can climb based on experience and certifications like CPR training. If you're unsure whether you're old enough to start, find out how old you have to be to babysit. To boost your chances of getting hired, check out these tips on how to become a babysitter.

💡 Why it’s great: Flexible hours, great for building responsibility, and no formal experience needed

2. Tutor ($15 to $30 per hour)

If you're great at subjects like math, science, or English, tutoring can be a rewarding way to earn money while helping others succeed. Whether you assist younger students in person or work remotely through platforms like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors, you’ll gain valuable teaching experience and build confidence in your own skills.

💡 Why it’s great: High hourly pay, work from home, and looks great on a college application

3. Grocery store associate ($12 to $18 per hour)

Working at a grocery store is a great way for teens to gain real-world experience. You'll interact with customers, learn how a business runs, and develop teamwork skills by helping out at the register, stocking shelves, or bagging groceries. Plus, the steady hours make it a reliable option for teens looking for consistent work.

💡 Why it’s great: Consistent hours, opportunities for raises, and entry into retail jobs

Be a financially smart family!

Be a financially smart family!

From saving for the future to understanding credit, see how families are thriving with Greenlight.

Try Greenlight today

4. Lifeguard ($12 to $20 per hour)

Lifeguarding is a great way for teens to earn money while developing important safety and leadership skills. With the right certification, you can work at pools, beaches, and water parks, ensuring a fun and secure environment for swimmers.

💡 Why it’s great: Summer-friendly job, excellent responsibility-building, and good exercise

5. Pet sitter or dog walker ($15 to $25 per hour)

If you love spending time with animals, pet-sitting or dog-walking can be a fun way to earn money. Whether you help neighbors care for their pets or use apps like Rover to find clients, this job offers flexibility and the chance to bond with furry friends while making extra cash.

💡 Why it’s great: Set your own rates, spend time with animals, and flexible schedule

6. Landscaping and yard work ($15 to $25 per hour)

If you enjoy working outdoors, landscaping and yard work can be a great way to earn money. From mowing lawns to raking leaves and planting flowers, these tasks help beautify neighborhoods while giving you a chance to stay active. Many homeowners prefer hiring teens for these jobs instead of professional services, making it a great option to find work locally.

💡 Why it’s great: Outdoor work, flexible hours, and no experience required

7. Restaurant server ($10 to $15 per hour plus tips)

Working in a restaurant as a server, host, or busser can be a great way for teens to develop customer service skills while earning money. Although the base pay may be lower than other jobs on this list, the ability to earn tips for good service can make this job lucrative if you’re working at the right restaurant and deliver excellent service.

💡 Why it’s great: Social job, tips add up, and good experience for future hospitality jobs

8. Retail associate ($12 to $18 per hour)

A retail job is a great way for teens to build confidence and develop people skills. You’ll help customers, organize merchandise, and work the cash register while learning how to multitask in a busy environment. Plus, many stores offer employee discounts, which is a nice perk if you love shopping.

💡 Why it’s great: Employee discounts, steady hours, and teamwork experience

9. Movie theater worker ($11 to $16 per hour)

A job at a movie theater is perfect for teens who love films and a fun, fast-paced environment. You might be selling tickets, serving up popcorn, or making sure theaters are clean between showings. The best part? Free movies and snacks while you earn a paycheck.

💡 Why it’s great: Fun work environment, flexible shifts, and free entertainment

10. Receptionist ($13 to $18 per hour)

A receptionist job is a great way for teens to get comfortable in a professional setting while learning valuable communication skills. You'll greet people, answer calls, and help keep things running smoothly at an office, gym, or salon. It’s a solid opportunity to build confidence and gain experience that can be useful in many careers.

💡 Why it’s great: Great for developing communication skills and office experience

11. Warehouse or stock worker ($14 to $20 per hour)

Working in a warehouse or stockroom is a great way to stay active while earning a good paycheck. You’ll help keep things running by stocking shelves, organizing inventory, and packing orders. It’s a fast-paced job that builds attention to detail and time management skills, which can be useful in many careers.

💡 Why it’s great: High pay, active work, and valuable logistics experience

12. Car wash attendant ($12 to $16 per hour plus tips)

A car wash job is a great way to stay active while making money. You’ll be on your feet drying cars, vacuuming interiors, and handling light detailing. Many customers tip for good service, so the harder you work, the more you can earn.

💡 Why it’s great: No experience needed, fast-paced work, and tip potential

13. Kennel assistant ($11 to $16 per hour)

If you love animals, working as a kennel assistant is a great way to gain hands-on experience caring for them. You'll help feed, clean, and exercise pets at shelters, pet hotels, and vet clinics, ensuring they stay happy and healthy while learning valuable skills for a future in animal care.

💡 Why it’s great: Perfect for animal lovers, hands-on work, and potential for future veterinary careers

14. Barista ($12 to $18 per hour plus tips)

Working as a barista is a great way to build customer service skills and gain experience in a fast-paced setting. You’ll be taking orders, making drinks, and chatting with customers, all while earning tips. Plus, if you love coffee, you’ll probably pick up some barista tricks along the way.

💡 Why it’s great: Fun work environment, social interactions, and skill-building for future food service jobs

15. Delivery driver ($15 to $25 per hour plus tips)

If you have a driver’s license and enjoy being on the go, food delivery can be a great way to earn money. With companies like DoorDash or local restaurants, you can set your own schedule, work independently, and earn extra cash through tips.

💡 Why it’s great: High earnings with tips, flexible hours, and minimal supervision

16. Online chat support and data entry ($12 to $20 per hour)

If you’re good with computers and like the idea of working from home, online chat support or data entry could be a great fit. You might answer customer questions, organize information, or input data, all while setting your own schedule. It’s a flexible way to earn money and pick up useful tech skills.

💡 Why it’s great: Work-from-home flexibility, no experience required, and a great way to build tech skills

Start earning and gaining experience

Finding a high-paying job as a teen isn’t impossible! Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig or a stepping stone to your future career, these jobs offer great pay, flexibility, and valuable skills.

Teach the value of hard work. Assign chores and allowances, track progress, and help kids learn to earn and manage money with Greenlight. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†

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.

†Valid for new customers only. Subject to identity verification and minimum load requirements. Your first monthly fee will be billed to your parent wallet seven days after successful registration. To receive a refund of your first monthly fee, you must request to close your account on or before the day immediately preceding your first Monthly Billing Date. See the ‘Account’ tab of Settings by tapping the gear icon on the Greenlight app home page to confirm when your risk-free trial ends. See Terms for details.