In today’s fast-paced world, teenagers are no longer limited to traditional part-time jobs like flipping burgers or babysitting. The gig economy has opened up a world of opportunities for young adults to score extra cash and gain valuable life skills. Whether you’re saving up for something special or just want to become more financially independent, we’ve compiled the 50 best side hustles for teens in 2023. Read on to discover high-paying gigs that align with your interests and abilities.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the best side hustles for teens include walking dogs, babysitting, and hosting a yard sale.
- Having a side hustle as a teenager can help you become more responsible and gain life skills.
- One potential downside of working as a teen is negatively impacting your grades if you have poor time management.
Best Side Hustles for Teens
- 1. Walk Dogs
- 2. Babysitting
- 3. Pet Sitting
- 4. Sell Things You Don’t Need
- 5. Find a Part-Time Job
- 6. Mow Your Neighbors’ Lawns
- 7. Shovel Snow
- 8. Do Odd Jobs Around Your Neighborhood
- 9. Deliver With UberEats or DoorDash
- 10. Host a Yard Sale
- 11. Flip Items For Profit
- 12. Become a Part-Time Lifeguard or Swim Instructor
- 13. Work as a Summer Camp Counselor
- 14. Be a Caddie
- 15. Operate a Lemonade Stand
- 16. Do Household Chores
- 17. Be a Barista
- 18. Work as a Fast Food Crew Member
- 19. Be a Ski Instructor
- 20. Tutor Younger Kids
- 21. Sell Used Textbooks
- 22. Consider Acting
- 23. Be a Busser
- 24. Work as a Cashier
- 25. Offer Car Washing Services
- FAQs
1. Walk Dogs
Offer dog walking services to clients who don’t have enough time to help their beloved pets exercise. You can use apps like Rover to find legitimate and trusted fur parents who can pay you up to $30/hour to enjoy outdoor walks with their furry friends.
2. Babysitting
If you’re good with kids, consider offering professional babysitting services to earn at least the minimum hourly wage. When choosing this side hustle, it’s best to complete one or two babysitting courses first, so you’ll get equipped with the necessary skills to look after younger kids safely.
3. Pet Sitting
Apart from walking dogs, teens who love furry pets can also work as pet sitters. This gig requires you to take care of someone’s pet, either at their place or yours, for a set period of time. One reputable site you can use to hop on this gig is Petsitter.com.
4. Sell Things You Don’t Need
Help to declutter your house while earning extra cash by selling things you or your family no longer need. You can opt for the classic route of hosting a garage sale or try the modern way of selling used items through online marketplaces.
5. Find a Part-Time Job
If you want income stability, find a part-time job within or near your city. Ask your family and friends for leads, and don’t forget to check online job postings as well.
6. Mow Your Neighbors’ Lawns
Do you prefer a job without fixed weekly hours? Try working as a freelance mower for your neighbors’ lawns. Many homeowners would be delighted to pay you handsomely to take the chore of mowing off their hands.
7. Shovel Snow
After earning through lawn mowing in the warmer months, consider transitioning to snow shoveling in the winter. I recommend offering this service to your parents first and then branching out to neighbors that you think may need a helping hand dealing with snow.
8. Do Odd Jobs Around Your Neighborhood
Many of your neighbors likely have odd tasks, like fence painting or raking leaves, that they’d be more than willing to pay someone else to complete. So, don’t be too shy about going around a couple of blocks and asking your friendly neighbors if you can offer them a helping hand for a fee.
9. Deliver With UberEats or DoorDash
Once you turn 18, you can start working as a delivery driver for UberEats or DoorDash. Just note that while DoorDash allows car deliveries once you’re 18, UberEats only allows you to deliver by bike or foot until you reach 19.
10. Host a Yard Sale
Round up unused or unwanted items from your home and host a yard sale in your front yard or at the park. To make this earning venture even more exciting, you can even partner up with a couple of friends to offer more items to passersby!
11. Flip Items For Profit
Purchase bargain-priced items online, at yard sales, or through other resources and resell them for a higher price to earn a profit. The beauty of flipping items is that you can do this with pretty much anything, including toys, clothes, and furniture.
12. Become a Part-Time Lifeguard or Swim Instructor
If you have a knack for swimming, you can get paid as a part-time lifeguard or swimming instructor. As early as 15 years old, you may take the required courses to become a certified professional in both fields.
13. Work as a Summer Camp Counselor
Why not relive the passionate months of summer camps and rejoin them as a camp counselor? Your responsibilities in this job range from mentoring children and leading activities to ensuring campers’ safety. On average, you’ll get paid from $15 to $20 an hour.
14. Be a Caddie
For teens who fancy golf, working as a caddie is another viable side hustle that pays good money. By helping athletes carry their equipment, such as golf clubs and completing small tasks within the field, you’ll get paid an average of $22 an hour.
15. Operate a Lemonade Stand
Bring some nostalgic vibes into your neighborhood and earn money at the same time by running a lemonade stand. Depending on the demand, this side hustle can easily rack you up more than $50 a day, especially during the hottest summer days.
16. Do Household Chores
One of the best side hustles for kids is to do household chores in exchange for extra pocket money. While this isn’t the most profitable gig you can try, it’s certainly the easiest starting point that can ease you into the world of earning income.
17. Be a Barista
Make and serve beverages for customers as a teenage barista. While experience is not necessarily required to get a job placement, completing barista training courses will certainly help you get hired.
18. Work as a Fast Food Crew Member
It goes without saying that fast food chains are one of the fastest-hiring employers in the market. So, if you want a very good chance of scoring an interview even as a teen, consider applying at a couple of fast food branches near you.
19. Be a Ski Instructor
Teens who are skilled at skiing can become ski instructors and get paid at least minimum wage doing what they love. For potential coaches aged 14 years old, a CSIA Level 1 certification will be required, and a CASI Level 1 will be needed for teens who are older.
20. Tutor Younger Kids
Reach out to parents of younger kids in your school or within your social circle and offer tutoring services for subjects you excel at. Many parents like having teenagers as tutors because they can relate well to kids and make learning more engaging.
21. Sell Used Textbooks
Textbooks are some of the most expensive and in-demand books out there. Luckily, you can benefit from their crazy prices by selling used ones you find at home. You can use over a dozen websites to sell used textbooks, so finding a buyer shouldn’t take too long.
22. Consider Acting
Despite being relatively more competitive than other gigs, acting is also a great side hustle teenagers can try. This gig opens up the opportunity to work in exciting locations such as theaters, movie sets, and theme parks, which are great environments for teens to cultivate their social skills.
23. Be a Busser
If you’re interested in working in a restaurant, a great starting position to familiarize yourself with the environment is to be a busser. As one, you’ll be responsible for setting tables, serving food, and supporting other employees to improve the restaurant’s customer service.
24. Work as a Cashier
Another classic part-time position that’s popular for students is to work as a cashier. You can apply at grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, and coffee shops, increasing your chances of securing a position that’s guaranteed to pay at least minimum wage.
25. Offer Car Washing Services
Offering car washing services is a low-cost business idea that teens can absolutely excel at. If your house has a spacious driveway, you can conveniently offer this service at home. Alternatively, you can wash clients’ cars at their homes at an agreed-upon time and date.
In summary, teens looking to make extra cash in 2023 have a plethora of options to choose from. Whether you prefer working with animals, offering services to your neighbors, or even exploring creative endeavors, there’s a side hustle for everyone. These opportunities not only provide financial benefits but also offer valuable life experiences that can help teenagers grow and become more responsible.
FAQs
1. Are these side hustles suitable for all teenagers?
- While many of these side hustles are suitable for most teenagers, some may have age restrictions. Always check the legal requirements in your area.
2. How can I balance a side hustle with schoolwork?
- Time management is crucial. Set a schedule that allows you to focus on both your studies and your side hustle without overloading yourself.
3. What’s the best way to promote my services for these side hustles?
- Utilize social media, local community bulletin boards, and word-of-mouth to let people know about your services.
4. Do I need special equipment or training for these side hustles?
- Some side hustles may require specific equipment or training, such as babysitting courses or lifeguard certifications. It depends on the job.
5. Can I turn my side hustle into a long-term career?
- Some of these side hustles can lead to long-term careers, while others may remain part-time opportunities. It depends on your goals and interests.
