25 legit summer jobs for teens looking to make serious bank

Schools are out for the summer! Now what?

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

That’s where a summer job comes in. Almost 36% of teens were working or applied for summer jobs last year, so now is a good time to get started. 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.

What are some good summer jobs for teens? We’ve got you covered with these 25 jobs. 😉

25 legit summer jobs for teens

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

1. Babysitting 🍼

Pay:

$14–$23+ per hour

Babysitters are always in high demand, and 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.

What you can charge for babysitting varies widely depending on location, experience, and other factors. For example, babysitting one child in South Dakota pays an average of $14.25 and $22.75 in New York’s Upper East Side.

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

• Post your availability on neighborhood message boards

• Create a profile on babysitting websites like Care.com

• Get certified in CPR and first aid

2. Lifeguard 🏊

Pay:

$10.42–$18.35 per hour

Did you know there’s a national lifeguard shortage? Becoming a lifeguard at a local pool or water park 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 ⛺

Pay:

$9.86–$18.56 per hour

Youth camps are big business, contributing $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 activities to cooking, cleaning, and 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 🐶

Pay:

$14.06 to $19.18 per hour

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 🏌️

Pay:

$13.22–$20.54 per hour

When the sun comes out, so do the golfers. Caddies assist golfers by carrying golf bags, keeping the course tidy during play, finding lost golf balls, and more. As a caddy, you typically work for the golf course, 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 more 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 🧑‍🌾

Pay:

$14.49–$27.14 per hour

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. 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

7. Pool cleaner 💧

Pay:

$16.35–$24.50 per hour

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

8. Car wash attendant 🚗

Pay:

$11.84–$22.21 per hour

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

9. Parks and recreation worker 🏞️

Pay:

$14.18–$17.23 per hour

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. There are also opportunities in your local and state parks.

How to apply:

• Visit USAJobs.gov and search for Pathways Programs

• Apply for internships that fit your interests

• Check websites for city, state, and regional parks for potential openings

10. Retail worker 🛍️

Pay:

$14.76–$17.82 per hour

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

11. Restaurant worker 🧑‍🍳

Pay:

$10.62–$20.26 per hour

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

12. Business owner or entrepreneur 🧑‍💼

Pay:

Pay varies

Ever dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur? This summer might be the perfect time to start. You could make and sell crafts, start a dog-walking company, play music at events, or help neighbors with their computers.

See our guide to small business ideas for teens to get inspired.

Benefits:

• Be your own boss

• Do something you’re good at

• Potential for high earnings

• Develop business skills

13. Online jobs 💻

Pay:

$10-$22 per hour, virtual assistants

$14–$22 per hour, tech support

You can work online from home, depending on your skills. Teen employment opportunities exist for freelancers, tech support, 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

14. Referee or coach ⚽

Pay:

$12–$24 per hour

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, so it’s more of a side hustle.

Benefits:

• Stay involved in sports

• Earn money per game

• Build leadership skills

15. Tutor 📚

Pay:

$14–$24 per hour

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

16. House sitter 🏡

Pay:

$14–$21 per hour

House-sitting involves caring for someone’s home while they’re 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

17. Library assistant 📖

Pay:

$12–$25 per hour

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

18. Farmhand 🚜

Pay:

$11–$22 per hour

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

19. Amusement park worker 🎢

Pay:

$10–$18 per hour

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

20. Movie theater attendant 🎦

Pay:

$12–$24 per hour

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

21. Gym attendant 🏋️

Pay:

$10–$14 per hour

Gym attendants help keep fitness facilities clean, organized, and running smoothly. Many gyms are open to hiring teens for entry-level roles like checking in members, wiping down equipment, and restocking supplies.

Benefits:

• Free or discounted gym membership

• Physical, active work environment

• Customer service experience

22. Festival worker 🎉

Pay:

$11 to over $23 per hour

Many festivals and events happen during the summer and need workers for various roles, including merchandise sales, ticket sales, clean up crew, and event setup and teardown.

Benefits:

• Exciting and dynamic work environment

• Short-term commitments

• Access to festival events

23. Instructor/lesson giver 🎓

Pay:

$15.00–$30.00 per hour

If you have a talent or skill, whether it’s playing an instrument, singing, acting, art, dancing, coding, or sports, you can teach it to others or assist instructors. Teens with expertise in a particular area can offer lessons or classes through a local organization or established program, working alongside experienced adults.

Benefits:

• Set your own schedule

• Strengthen your own skills by teaching them

• Build leadership and communication experience

Where to apply:

• Local dance studios, gyms, or music schools

• Community centers and recreation departments

• Word of mouth, social media, online job boards

24. Ice cream shop worker 🍦

Pay:

$11-$22 per hour

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

25. Summer intern 📝

Pay:

$11–$18 per hour

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

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).

1. 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, giving lessons, or selling unused items online.

2. 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.

3. Network with friends and family 👪

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Look into youth employment programs in your area 🖱️

Some local, state, and federal government agencies have youth employment programs to help teens find jobs. For example, the California Employment Development Department has teamed up with America’s Job Center of California to provide employment services for young job seekers. These programs also often partner with local businesses to make hiring teens easier and provide more flexible opportunities.

Learn how to manage your summer job 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.

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!

FAQs

At what age can teens work?

Teens can generally start working at 14 years old in non-agricultural, non-hazardous jobs, such as retail or fast food, subject to federal and state hourly restrictions. Children under 14 can perform limited tasks like delivering newspapers, babysitting, or working in family businesses.

How much do teen summer jobs pay?

The average pay in the U.S. for teen summer job pay is $17.07 and ranges between $9.13 and $22.60.

Do teens need a work permit to get a summer job?

Some states, such as Arkansas, do not require them, though many do require them for teens under 18 or teens under 16.

How many hours can a teen work during the summer?

In the US, teens aged 14–15 can work up to 40 hours per week during the summer, while those 16 and older have no federal restrictions on hours. State laws may be more strict, so check your state's laws.