10 best jobs for teens that pay more than US$15/hour

Money doesn’t grow on trees — it’s a life lesson that many learn early on, especially when you’re a teenager whose allowance depends on your parents.

If you grew up or watched shows about teens in Western countries, you might see the pattern of them seeking other sources of income like babysitting or picking up a job as a wait staff. Whether it’s for saving up for a gift or college or university, taking up a part-time job is a common hustle for many.

One common feature about these jobs is that most of them don’t require you to have a degree. In fact, some of the best jobs for teens actually pay generously despite their low applicant requirements. 

Starting out work while young will also give you great experience and prior insight into the adult world. Regardless if it’s a part-time job, a summer gig, or even a remote project you work on after school, it helps to take your mind off schoolwork, build confidence, and broaden your knowledge.

The best part of it all? Universities and employers value students with work-based skills. Having work experience as a teenager points to an ability to manage time, work with others, and take direction – all valuable skills for any aspiring graduate.

But with so many jobs on the market, it’s hard to ignore the ugly side of things, where certain endeavours can get you into trouble — or worse, expelled, as Hermoine Granger says.

The worst jobs for teens you can imagine

There are bad jobs, and then there are bad, bad jobs. Jobs that are so bad, they can affect your future in higher education, or worse, your career. 

Let’s be clear — we’re not infringing your personal freedom and choice when it comes to these. If you choose to do any of these in the future, that’s your personal decision – however, things are different when you’re a teenager.

Sure, it might be quick and possibly easy money, but it will never be worth the damage it might cause you in the long run.

OnlyFans

The New York Post reported a disturbing amount of children using fraudulent personal details to sell explicit videos and imagery on OnlyFans.

Founded in 2016, OnlyFans exploded in popularity when many turned to the site as a financial source during the pandemic. The platform’s policy requires users to be over 18 years old, with a verification process that strictly abides by regulatory requirements.

In 2021, OnlyFans had 130 million active users, some of whom subscribed to the most popular creators. Some top OnlyFans creators report earnings of up to a whopping US$100,000 per month. 

Users vary largely in age, with 42% between 18-34, 32% between 35-54, and 26% over 55 years old. However, it was revealed that kids as young as 12 were actively using the site, using things such as their relatives’ passports or identities to create accounts. 

For example, a minor in Nevada was featured in graphic videos of a sexual nature. Another minor attempted to sell fetish content of her feet in exchange for money but was pressured by her followers into posting increasingly explicit content.

“Some of the girls have thousands of followers on Instagram, and they must be raking it in,” said one anonymous underage user. “I wanna be just like them.”

The nightmare doesn’t end there. There are worse outcomes, like blackmail, forgery, or even the spread of artificially generated adult content. It compromises personal safety, not just for you, but for the people around you too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axp8Lxyo8_8

Dealing with illegal substances

Illegal substances involve more than just drugs — there’s alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, to name a few. 

Alcohol is by far the most commonly abused substance among teens and young adults. A disturbing 61.5% of teens have abused alcohol by 12th grade. 

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Over 50% of teenagers aged 12-18 have misused a drug at least once. By 12th grade, 46.6% of teens have tried illicit drugs.

How do they get access to these illegal substances, especially when most of them are still living with their family and are likely under parental supervision? 

The answer: School. There is an astonishingly large availability of drugs in high schools, with underaged dealers making furtive exchanges away from the watchful eyes of their families or educators. There are also online drug circles and black markets that any Internet-savvy child can seek out.

While it’s an easy way to make a quick buck, some teenagers actually see it differently. In this Quora post, a user breaks it down into three main reasons — social capital, the thrill of going against the rules, and independence. 

And of course, once caught, you can kiss your chance at university goodbye. 

Instead of dabbling in these sorts of frivolous activities, let’s look at some jobs for teens that actually pay well — more than US$15 an hour, in fact.

Who said babysitting can’t be for furry babies? Source: AFP

Best jobs for teens that pay more than US$15 an hour

All of the pays were taken from Indeed.

Babysitting

Pays: $16.83/hour

It may not involve sitting behind a counter or menial tasks like arranging stock, but you’ll be surprised at how much babysitting can teach you. 

Taking calls, arranging availabilities, and speaking to children and parents will help you in many ways. You’ll develop time management, responsibility, problem-solving, and communication skills. Plus, you’ll up your patience levels too, which is always a bonus. 

Hourly rates are very competitive, especially if you have experience in childcare like dealing with your younger siblings. Families may even offer bonuses for special occasions or longer hours. 

Location may even play a part – the average hourly rate in New York can go up to US$22.87.

In Oregon and New Jersey, you are not allowed to pump your own gas. Instead, an attendant will come out to assist you. Source: AFP

Gas station attendant 

Pays: US$20.12/hour

Gas station attendants help man fuel station dispensers and equipment, pump gas, and handle the register and stock shelves. Sometimes you might even be required to wash windshields and do quick checks on fluid levels in cars.

Job responsibilities can vary, but the ability to multitask and good customer service are staples. It’s also a pretty active role, so you will most likely be required to stay on your feet and move around a lot. 

Lawn scaping 

Pays: US$18.15/hour

Forget just mowing the lawn. It’s time to branch out – literally.

Lawnscaping is one of the best jobs for teens who have time off from school and are itching to get out of the house. Duties include mowing lawns, trimming hedges, raking leaves, washing porches, and maintaining plants and flowers. During winter, you may be required to shovel snow or get rid of ice. 

You provide your services with your own equipment or choose to borrow your employer’s. Either way, it’s a great job to keep you in shape whilst earning good money. 

Personal assistant 

Pays: US$16.40/hour

Being a personal assistant to an individual or an organisation can pay generously, especially if it’s a big leader or business. Tasks will vary from paperwork, administrative work, building schedules, or even going on coffee runs. 

Don’t forget that you can also be a personal helper for senior citizens or those who are recuperating from illness or injury. Your job will be running errands, unpacking groceries, or even preparing their meals.

The best thing about this summer job? You get to splash around on a hot summer day. Source: AFP

Swimming instructor 

Pays: US$24.77/hour

If you’re a swimmer, consider becoming a swim instructor or being an assistant to one. You’ll most likely need a lifeguard/CPR certification, so make sure you’re properly qualified first.

Swim instructors coach others on proper swimming techniques, including diving, breathing, and different types of swimming strokes. As a teenager, you’ll most likely work with children for the most part, and you will supervise them as they get accustomed to the kiddy pool.

Youth sports referee

Pays: US$18.51/hour

If you’re interested in sports or refereeing, becoming a junior referee for recreation, school tournaments, and town leagues can be a great entry point. 

As a referee, you’ll be officiating sports like badminton, baseball or football. Of course, you’ll need to have ample knowledge of the sport, and being in good shape is also important if you’re consistently running around to ensure a fair game. 

DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub are just a few examples of delivery food apps that you can explore. Source: AFP

Delivery driver

Pays: US$17.35/hour

From pizza to fried rice, local restaurants in your area need delivery drivers to ensure hungry people get their food on time. DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub and more always need delivery drivers, especially with the rise of online food ordering since the pandemic. 

You don’t need a car or even a driver’s license to become a delivery driver. A bicycle is more than enough — just make sure you pad up well and always wear your helmet. 

Server

Pays: US$15.83/hour

Pretty straightforward – take orders, serve food and drinks, clear tables and be great at customer service.

On-the-job training is common, but you’ll need a friendly disposition and plenty of stamina (lunch and dinner hours can get hectic, after all.) And since you might have heard about some horror stories from servers, patience and the ability to keep things under control is a key skill to master. 

And while not all countries practice tipping their servers, some do, so there’s that extra bit to look forward to too. 

Caddying is a pretty physically demanding job, so make sure you’re prepared for it. Source: AFP

Caddy

Pays: US$18.68/hour

If you’re looking for a fancy summer job, this is one of the best jobs for teens out there. After all, look at Troy and Chad in High School Musical 2. 

Caddies usually work in golf courses or holiday resorts, helping golfers carry bags, cleaning golf balls and clubs, measuring yardages and keeping scores. As an added bonus, you might even get to drive a golf cart around. 

If you enjoy golfing and have a lot of experience with the sport, this may be a good job for you. It opens up a lot of networking opportunities, as most golfers are businessmen or leaders who use golf as a way to connect with their clients. 

Tutor

Pays: US$24.84/hour

Another straightforward role; you’ll teach and aid students with their homework and exam preparations outside of regular school hours. You may even be responsible for reviewing their performance in class, giving them homework and creating strategies to work with their strengths and weaknesses. 

Of course, you’ll have to have good grades or at least be knowledgeable about the subject area you’re teaching.

Tutoring will also boost your communication skills and train your patience, two skills that you’ll definitely appreciate when you head to university and beyond.