16 Best Online Jobs for Teens - DollarSprout (2023)

Being a teenager can be expensive. As you get older, most parents want you to start losing more weight—not just with chores, but financially as well.

So now you need money. Movie tickets, clothes, tech, and all the other stuff you want won't pay for itself. It's time to get a job.

I got my first job at McDonald's when I was 16. In the town I grew up in, fast food and retail were pretty much the only options for inexperienced high school kids like me who wanted (or needed) a job.

McDonald's taught me a lot, but let's be honest. If I had the chance to work online as a high school student, I would have jumped at the opportunity. Today these opportunities are everywhere.

No two online teen jobs are exactly alike, but most of them fall into one of three categories:

• Traditional “jobs” that are online, like customer service
• business opportunities
• One-off gigs that pay off relatively quickly

Which path you take depends on your circumstances, your goals and your income goals.

Let's dive in.

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Traditional jobs you can do online

If you are looking for a realistic, reliable wayearn income onlineIn the immediate future, you have many options. Fair warning: these are probably the least exciting options here, but they come in handy.

1. Remote Customer Service Representative

Age requirement: 16 and older

Customer service is the perfect online job for teenagers who enjoy solving problems and helping others. Plus, it's a great way to get hands-on experience dealing with all kinds of people—a skill that will help you no matter what career you end up in. These can be phone or chat based, so if you're nervous about speaking to people on the phone, get in touchOnline-Chat-Jobthere might be more up your alley.

One company hiring teenagers for remote work is U-Haul.

As a customer service representative at home, you will assist customers with booking moving vehicles. Pay starts at $9.50/hr.

For more customer service-oriented jobs, go toAs a matter of fact.

2. Social-Media-Marketing-Assistent

Age requirement: 14 and older

If you're a typical teenager, social media is a daily part of life. Your parents might see it as a massive distraction and waste of time, but you can turn your social media skills into a steady job if you use them wisely. (Learn how to become a social media manager.)

Local businesses everywhere need help managing their social media accounts, but that's often the last thing on an overworked business owner's mind. For example, my favorite golf course in town hasn't posted anything on their Facebook account since 2018 - a few years ago! That's a huge marketing channel they're missing out on that a daredevil like you could fill.

If you already know the ins and outs of social media marketing, find a job by contactingsmall businesses near you, oder check outAs a matter of factto see if companies are actively hiring in your area.

3. Online-Tutor

Age requirement: 14 and older

If there's a subject at school that you're particularly good at, you can start getting paid for that expertise by tutoring other students. Whether it's biology, calculus, history or anything else, there's money to be made.

Most tutoring sites pay by the hour, typically between $15 and $30 an hour. Some also let you set your own rates or offer group classes — which can further boost your income.

If a tutoring platform won't accept someone your age, create an online resume, share the link to it on a business card, and then post it in a prominent place in your community (eg, at a local coffee shop, with permission).

• If you are 17 or younger, visit a site likeSimply employed(and look for suitable entries).
• If you are 18 or older, visit sites likeKaplanAndTutor.com.

Related:The 10 Best Places to Find Online Tutoring Jobs

4. Data Entry Specialist

Age requirement: 16 and older

If you're detail-oriented, comfortable with spreadsheets, and don't mind repetitive tasks, you can get an online job as a data entry specialist. Data entry usually involves taking numbers or text from one source and typing them into another. Yes, pretty boring. But money is money and there is nothing wrong with a job like this.

You can find flexible data entry jobs through sites like FlexJobs. The only downside to FlexJobs is that there is a monthly fee to view the vacancies. So if money is tight, you can try other sites like Indeed.com.

Related:The 9 Best Places to Find Online Data Entry Jobs

Online business opportunities for teenagers

If you're more of a long-term thinker and want to challenge yourself to create something from nothing,Starting an online businessis one of the smartest things you can do. It's hard work and there's never a guarantee you'll make money, but the potential payout is much higher than any regular job or online gig you'll find.

These are good resume builders too. In the start-up process you will learn a lot about how the internet economy works and show future employers that you are willing to think outside the box and tackle difficult projects.

5. YouTuber

Age requirement: from 13 years

Marques Brownlee, also known as MBKHD, started uploading videos to his YouTube channel for technology reports in 2009 at the age of 15. Today he has over 14,000,000 subscribers and makes over $100,000 a month from his channel.

It all started with a 3 minute clip in which he described a remote control:

While Brownlee's extreme success is an outlier, the good news is that you don't need millions of subscribers to make a full-time income from YouTube. In fact, many full-time employees have fewer than 100,000 subscribers, and some far fewer. If there's a topic you're passionate about and you're ready to learn the art of making great videos, the sky's the limit on YouTube. Consistency is the key!

Related:How to Make Money on YouTube (Beginner's Guide)

6. Blogger

If the thought of making videos for the whole world to see scares you, blogging is a great alternative. And yes, people still read blogs (you're reading that right now, aren't you?).

The most successful bloggers out there are usually the ones who focus on a specific niche or topic and don't stray much from it. For example, DollarSprout is a blog about side hustles and entrepreneurship. You won't find us writing about what we had for lunch or the last concert we went to.

As you begin to become known for the topic you are writing about, your audience will grow at an ever-increasing rate. With an engaged audience, you can make money from ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and more. Building a following is a slow process at first, but it can ultimately pay offa big way.

Related:DollarSprout's Guide to Starting a Blog

7. Instagram or TikTok influencer

Age requirement: from 13 years

become an influenceris the dream of many teenagers. However, like any other business, it requires a lot of hard work and persistence. Most people think that going viral is the key to success, but it's not. Most influencers grow their accounts slowly and steadily.

The amount of money you can make depends on how many followers you have, how engaged they are and how big your influence is. You can make money by collaborating with brands, creating sponsored posts that sell other people's products, or selling your own products or services.

Parents should be involved in negotiations with companies that want to work with your account. If necessary, contracts that contain important guidelines and specifications must be checked.

Example: Jacob Sartorius is a 17-year-old on TikTok with over 23 million followers. His TikTok presence allowed him to sign a deal with RCA Records.

@jacobsartoriusThis is how I put my pants on♬ Wing$ – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

8. Goods distributor

Age requirement: from 13 years

CafePress is an online gift store that sells items like t-shirts, coffee mugs, and water bottles. You design and create items to sell and it does the marketing for you. Its categories include:

• men's clothing
• women's clothing
• baby clothes
• Accesories
• home and decor
• drinkware
• Stationary
• stickers and signs

You can design your own products using the"Design it Yourself"section on the site. Select the product you would like to design and use the CafePress design tools to produce the product.

The amount of money you make depends on how much markup you put on your items. You can choose how much you want to charge, so it's entirely up to you. You earn 5% to 10% of the retail price for each item you sell. Since the profit margin is so low, it's a good idea to promote your products on other platforms to increase your sales.

You must be 13 or older to use CafePress, and youth between the ages of 13 and 18 must have parental supervision.

9. Freelance copywriter

Age requirement: from 13 years

Freelance copywriting can be a perfect online job for teenagers if they enjoy the thought of itget paid to write. Plus, you can customize it to fit your schedule and write as much or as little as you like. You can write more during the summer and winter holidays.

Fiverr is an online freelance marketplace where you can buy or sell services for as little as $5.

Jobs on this site are referred to as "Gigs". Typical gigs include graphic design, digital marketing, writing and translation, video and animation, programming and engineering - basically anything you can do online.

You can rate your Gigs however you want, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you're just starting out, you might want to start offering lower prices and increase them as you gain more reviews and experiences. Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and offer higher tiers or packages at a premium price.

Related:How to Become a Freelance Writer (A Guide From One Making Over $200,000/Year)

10. Craft Sellers on Etsy

Age requirement: 18 or 13 with parental supervision

If you're an arts and crafts junkie and want to take it to the next level, you can become an arts and crafts seller on Etsy. Etsy is a website where you can sell unique, handmade, or vintage items. Teens 13 and older can use Etsy, but those under 18 must have permission and supervision from their parent or guardian, who must be the account owner.

LeiLei Secor opened her Etsy shop,DesignedByLeiwhen she was 16. When she was 19, she had doneover $100,000 from Etsy by selling handmade rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Secor then used most of her income to pay for her tuition at the University of Virginia.

You can also sell printable PDFs and other digital items on Etsy if you have a talent for graphic design. Whether you sell digital products or physical goods, the amount of money you make depends on your craft, whether you spend money on materials or software, and how much people are willing to pay for your items.

Related:The 23 Best Places to Sell Crafts Online

Other ways for teenagers to make money online

Somewhere between online-only jobs for teens and online businesses are gigs. These are random, sometimes one off, opportunities to make a little extra money online. You can't always count on it for steady income, but you might be able to pick up a few gigs each month that can add up.

11. Baby sitter or house sitter

Age requirement: Must be at least 18 years old

While babysitting isn't a job you can do online, teens can still connect with families and find babysitting gigs online.

AnPflege.comThey can offer babysitting, house cleaning, pet sitting, and other in-house services. You should include your location, years of experience, certifications (eg, CPR, first aid), and availability.

You set your own prices. Remember that teenagers who are new to babysitting or pet sitting should charge less than adults with years of experience. If you are not sure which tariff to charge, you can useCalculator from Care.comto see what other people in your area are charging.

12. Music critic

Cut the cakeis a website that pays people for reviews. You can review songs, clothing, commercials, and more before they're released. Their feedback helps artists, record labels, and brands make important decisions about their products. The website doesn't make it clear what the minimum age is to join Slice the Pie, but some sources say it's 13 years old.

Some reviews earn you more money than others, which you can see on the category page. Depending on the quality of your review and your star rating on the site, you will also get paid more. For example, a 1-star reviewer earns $0.03 per track review, while a 5-star reviewer earns $0.15 for each track reviewed.

You can cash out to receive funds through PayPal once your account has $10 or more. You also get bonus points for recommending your friends. Parents should monitor what their children repeat.

Related:10 places where you get paid cash to write reviews

13. Voice Actor

Age requirement: from 13 years

Young people from the age of 13 can registerVoices. comas long as a parent or guardian manages the account and agrees to abide by the Child Online Safety Terms

The site is a free online marketplace that connects voice actors with clients who need their talent. Employers post opportunities and the actors submit a demo along with an offer to the potential clients.

Voice actors find work in commercials, podcasts, video games, and radio. This is a great way for teens interested in broadcasting, acting, or entertainment to find part-time work and learn about the industry.

The price per project varies. This is a perfect job for teenagers who love theater and broadcasting or are avid members of the drama department.

14. Online Freelancer

Age requirement: from 13 years

Fiverris an online freelance marketplace where you can buy or sell services for as little as $5.

Jobs on this site are referred to as "Gigs". Typical gigs include graphic design, digital marketing, writing and translation, video and animation, programming and engineering - basically anything you can do online.

You can rate your Gigs however you want, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you're just starting out, you might want to start offering lower prices and increase them as you gain more reviews and experiences. Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and offer higher tiers or packages at a premium price.

If you're good at graphic design, animation, video production, audio editing, music, or more, you can make decent money by listing your services on Fiverr. Check out the site to see what types of services other people are offering. If you are 18 or older, you can also visit Upwork.com, a similar platform.

15. Graphic Designer

Age requirement: 16 and older

If you're comfortable with design software and programs like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, you can work part-time as a graphic designer for sites like Redbubble and Society6. These sites allow you to upload designs that you can then sell on coffee mugs, pillows, and stickers.

Artists on Society6 make about 10% of retail, while average designers on Redbubble make 17%. You need to promote your work on social media to get more sales, so don't be afraid to share it on your profiles.

Related:How to become a graphic designer in 8 steps

16. Survey Respondents

Age requirement: from 13 years

Companies always want to improve their products and are looking for direct feedback from consumers. That's why they offerpaid online surveys— to gain valuable insights from existing and potential customers. There is a constant demand for this type of work, making it one of the best online jobs for teens. Paying for taking surveys typically ranges from a few cents to $10 or more per survey, but most are on the lower end of that range.

➡ Switch between tabs to learn more about each survey page.

Tips for teens working online

Before you sign up with any site, keep these tips in mind if you are looking for the best ways to make money online as a teenager.

Get a PayPal account

Most online job boards pay through PayPal. In order to accept payments through this platform, you need to sign up for your own account. You must be at least 18 years old to register for an account. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must open the account and act as the primary account holder.

Setting up a PayPal account is easy. Once you've signed up, you'll need to link it to a bank account. PayPal sends a few small deposits into your bank account and lets you verify the amounts.

Keep your parents informed

While it's tempting to keep your new side hustle a secret, if you suddenly start making extra money and don't explain where it came from, your parents might be concerned.

For your own safety and benefit, let them know what you are doing. Tell them how you researched online teen jobs to make money. A strong work ethic, especially when young, is impressive and they will appreciate your initiative. They may also know of some ways or ways they can help you get a job that you hadn't thought of.

Check the age requirements

Before signing up with any of these companies, check their age requirements. You don't want to jump at an opportunity only to find out you're too young to take it. You may be required to show ID, so don't try to lie about your age.

Track your money

It is important to know how much money you make or spend on your business. To track your income and expenses, you can use a notebook and pen, a Google or Excel spreadsheet, or abudgeting app. PayPal also provides a summary of how much money has been deposited into or withdrawn from your account.

By tracking your money, you'll know who's paying on time, where most of your income is coming from, and how much you're spending on expenses like supplies and gas. Knowing this information will help you decide when to increase prices or if you need to increase (or decrease) the services you offer.

More income means more opportunities

As long as it doesn't interfere with your homework or extracurricular activities, the benefits of working orsidelineas a teenager, the cons outweigh the cons. Also, online jobs are easier to do when you have a busy schedule, and you don't need a car for many of these gigs.

You will learn how to manage your time and money which are useful skills before going to college. Earning and managing your own money can teach you valuable lessons such as: B. how to save, pay taxes, budget for wants and needs, and open a bank account.

You will also learn negotiation skills, how to deal with difficult customers and how to speak to use feedback. An after school job makes a great resume builder and could even be something you write about in a college essay or job application.

What's next?

• How to write a resume from start to finish
• How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Attention (Tips + Examples)
• 11 extracurricular activities that will help your resume stand out