Getting a job in your teen years is one of the best ways to set yourself up for future success. Beyond helping you earn cash, getting a job at a young age teaches you about responsibility, hard work, personal finance and many other valuable life lessons. Of course, finding a job can be challenging. Your age can bar you from certain jobs, and you need to make sure that you can balance it with school, extracurriculars and your social life.
Having a hard time finding the right option? Check out the great jobs for teens below!
1. Dog Walker
Salary: $30,077/yr
If you love animals and have experience with pets, being a dog walker could be a great first job for you. Beyond local dog walking businesses, you might consider working for an app like Wag or Rover, or even just offering to take the neighbors' dogs around the block.
2. Dishwasher
Salary: $23,334/yr
It may not be the most glamorous job, but everybody has to start somewhere! Restaurants are almost always looking for dishwashers, and often turn to high school students to fill their open roles.
3. Server
Salary: $23,271/yr
If you're interested in working in the foodservice industry but don't want to be a dishwasher, consider becoming a server at a restaurant. It is a common first job for many people, and depending on how well you get tipped, can be quite lucrative!
4. Camp Counselor
Salary: $21,198/yr
Good news — you don't have to stop going to summer camp just because you grew up. Let the good times roll by becoming a camp counselor, where you'll supervise children and oversee activities. This job can also help prepare you for career paths that involve working with children down the line, like teaching and child psychology.
5. Cashier
Salary: $22,711/yr
Cashiers are needed across many different businesses, from supermarkets to fast food restaurants to retail stores. It's a highly social role that will help you hone your customer service and personal finance skills.
6. Sales Associate
Salary: $17,920/yr
Sales associate jobs are especially common at retail stores, so if you have a favorite store you love to shop at, it's worth asking if they're hiring! Not only will you gain valuable experience interacting with customers and coworkers — you also often get an employee discount.
7. Tutor
Salary: $23,345/yr
Whether your specialty is math, English or history, odds are, there is a student who could benefit from you sharing your knowledge. For specialized fields, like computer science, the pay can be especially high.
8. Host/Hostess
Salary: $23,024/yr
Another job in the foodservice industry, hosts interact with customers when they first walk in and lead them to their table. A friendly disposition and social skills are a must for this highly visible role.
9. Landscaper
Salary: $26,601/yr
Those who enjoy working in the outdoors or working with their hands may want to consider a landscaping job. Whether you work for a local landscaping business or just mow a few neighbors' lawns, there are plenty of options out there.
10. Prep Cook
Salary: $24,187/yr
Love food and cooking? Good news — you can turn your passion into cash when you become a prep cook. Often the entry point into the kitchen, prep cooks help prepare ingredients for chefs. This might include washing and chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients and cutting meet.
11. Brand Ambassador
Salary: $33,648/yr
If you think you might be interested in a career in sales or marketing, Brand Ambassador could be a great job for you. Brand Ambassadors work with companies to promote their products in local markets — think handing out samples, working events and hosting promotional events.
12. Lifeguard
Salary: $22,852/yr
Lifeguard is a quintessential teen job, perfect for swimmers, water polo players, divers or anyone with an interest in aquatics. After obtaining certification, look for jobs at gyms, country clubs, athletic clubs, schools, parks and community pools.
13. Caddie
Salary: $30,240/yr
Another great job for athletes, caddies carry golfers' equipment and offer advice. Familiarity with golf and social skills are a must.
14. Barista
Salary: $22,559/yr
Your coffee habit doesn't need to cost you — in fact, it can earn you money. Everywhere from large coffee chains like Starbucks to small mom-and-pop cafés hire baristas to make drinks for their customers, and the relatively high turnover for the position means there are frequently openings available.
15. Receptionist
Salary: $29,844/yr
If you're looking for an entry-level position in an office, you might want to consider becoming a receptionist. Receptionists are needed everywhere from local dentist offices to Fortune 500 companies, so there should be no shortage of options available. In addition to greeting visitors and answering phone calls, receptionists often file and organize paperwork, so strong organization skills are paramount.
16. Delivery Driver
Salary: $27,949/yr
Delivery drivers have always been a staple at pizzerias, but now, with the advent of apps like Instacart and Caviar, this job is becoming even more popular. Of course, to become a delivery driver, you'll need a valid license and typically your own car as well.
