31 Ways to Make Money as A Teenager – How Teenagers Run the Rat Race

Last updated on September 21st, 2024 at 10:28 am

 

There are lots of searches online about how to make money as a teenager online or offline. And that is why we decided to come up with a detailed list of how teenagers can run the rat race.

Teenagers can make money in different ways but no matter how easy, it may still require putting in some effort. Nowadays many jobs can be done online but some would need one to appear physically like pet sitting, house sitting and dog walking.

Compared to way back online jobs were limited but currently, they are more than enough. This means in case it’s hard for you to find a traditional gig like dog walking, look out for something that you can do online like freelance writing and blogging.

Whether you want to make money online or offline we are going to get you covered in a few paragraphs. As a teen, you want something that can shape you up for the best yet at the same earning, right?

Sure, there are lots of ways to do it as we are going to see. It’s time to get into the best ways teenagers can make money with very little effort, ready?

Why Is It Important for Teenagers to Work?

There are so many things I learned from working to make money when I was still a teenager. And this is why I strongly agree that teens out there should also hustle for a living.

Though some teens are provided for, they need to understand how to deal with finances early before they live on their own.

Guess what? The way a teen spends that hard-earned money is different from money obtained freely. This is what I gained when I was a teenager working different jobs.

• Confidence

There are lots of things that I learned through exposure that I didn’t know in the first place like associating with people, time management, communication skills, and more. And I had to take time to understand how to go about work and private life.

Many teens before leaving home think they can’t make it alone which isn’t true. Yes, it can be hard in the first place but as time goes on you learn to do things on your own at the workplace and while at home.

And in this, a teen starts to believe in himself when he works things out on his own without a parent’s help. If a teen realizes that everything is possible, he or she will begin standing on his own and then do more research to become better.

• Real-Life Skills

Though teens are not yet adults they need to learn applicable skills to get them there like how to make money on social media as a teenager.

Whether professional or personality skills it all works out for them to have a better life. Most of these skills can be obtained depending on the kind of work they are doing.

It gets much easier for a teen who has acquired both professional and personality skills to get along with people at work.

Make Money as A Teenager – 31 Ways to Do It

Teens can make money through online platforms or acquire jobs online and physically reach out to those interested in the service. You don’t have to be with a lot of skills to qualify for the jobs that are going to be listed here.

Though age varies for some jobs as a requirement you won’t fail to have one that suits you among the many available. Let’s now dive into the different ways one can make money as a teen.

1. Blogging

Starting a blog in any niche of interest as a teenager is one of the great ways to earn online at a low cost. With blogging you don’t have to leave home to work, you do everything online.

Bloggers make money through affiliate marketing, AdSense, sponsorships, and selling courses. But here you don’t expect to make money as soon as possible since it needs patience with some little effort.

Some bloggers give up before the business picks up since it may take longer to produce positive results. Whether affiliate or AdSense income it can’t be gotten in a single month or day, it takes time.

And if you need things to work out fast then this is not for you in the list of jobs for teens. The best part, you can start a blog with less than $100 which is hard to find when starting any other form of business.

Yes, I mean it. I started my blog with Bluehost for just $35 a year with a basic plan. Many teens are good at stringing sentences and in case you’re the type, why not get started?

I didn’t take any courses to get started with blogging in the first place though later on, I had to enroll when I made some money. Thanks to YouTube and Google.

2. Review Songs

If you’re a fan of music this is another great way to make money online as a teen without much hustle. One of the best platforms to make money by reviewing songs is SliceThePie.

And how to do it? What you do is enjoy the music online and then leave a review about it. Artists and record labels use the information to make better their work before officially going out to the public.

Reviewing songs requires some skill since your earnings are compared to the quality of reviews that you made. The threshold minimum withdrawal limit on the platform is $10 and it’s paid out through PayPal.

3. Tutoring

Not everyone who is into tutoring was very smart in class. It’s possible to make money teaching kids since many parents don’t have the time but ready to pay for the service.

Let people know about your job but you need to be connecting with kids. Use all possible ways to advertise your service if you are to make money for example using social media and posters.

Tutoring it’s a good job but ensure that the parents you connect with have good intentions. In case of any business that comes up, talk to your family about where you are going to work to keep safe.

4. Proofreading 

Some people and companies hire others to help them in correcting spelling and grammatical errors in their work. Identifying spelling and grammatical errors is the last step in publishing content and it’s done by a proofreader.

Many companies out there are looking for people to take on proofreading tasks with teens inclusive. In case you’re planning to start a blog, this is great in helping you make right your grammar and spelling.

Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are great places to look out for proofreading gigs for teens. And if you want to take the gig to another level there are online proofreading courses available to help you acquire professional skills.

5. Babysitting

If you love kids this is for you and you can start making some good money here. Some people are earning a living through Babysitting yet with no skill at all.

But as a teen still, you should acquire some professional skills such that you can get a better pay. When you start offering the service ensure that people get to know about your existence to contact you.

Do you know about the care.com platform? Here you can sign up to advertise your service online.

Signing up with the platform isn’t hard at all having gone through background checks. After you’re approved expect to get better pay since it’s one of the most trusted professional platforms compared to other sitters.

6. Part-Time At a Restaurant

Working at a restaurant doesn’t require professional skills as long as you are good at communication. Most restaurant skills for part-timers can be gotten on the job as you make money.

Different positions may be available and waiting to be filled by teenagers like waiters, waitresses, cashiers, cooks, and more.

Working at a restaurant you earn a salary but there are also tips at times that add to your income. Just in case you have a dream of becoming a chef it helps you learn the basics as you build your career.

7. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing can make you money as a teenager through different websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and others. But if you want to get it professional you need to use sites like freelance.com.

However, some of these platforms before using them require you to get acceptance from parents. And when a teen gets started here, he or she will also learn more about structuring professional content.

Some teens that sign up on these platforms to work make around $10 to $15 on average

8. Use Poshmark

This is an online platform for buying and selling clothes. You might be having some clothes that no longer fit you but are still in good condition, they can be sold on Poshmark.

It’s a great way to earn some extra money as you hustle in different ways. Not only do you make money just but it also helps you create more space in your room.

9. YouTube

A lot of teens make money through YouTube but you need to be at least 13 years of age. And if you don’t have a Google account you better get it now since it’s key.

Also, with this platform, you must be patient till when you gain potential subscribers to be able to make money. The effort you input now will pay you in the future but with quality content.

Don’t wait to make quality, start with what you can then things will work out in your favor as time goes on. I don’t about you but there are lots of topics to talk about on the platform as a teen like fashion, gaming, music, DIY, and more.

YouTubers make money through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, courses, and Ads. Don’t wait to become an expert at what you want to do, start with the little you know experience is gotten with practice.

10. Become A Social Media Accounts Manager

If you are good at using social media start managing accounts for businesses like blogs and big companies. When some businesses grow for example blogs, the owners get busy most times and hence need people to run their social media accounts.

However, it requires some experience like said start with the little knowledge that you have then upgrade skills later. Social media experts make some good money while working from home.

Keep up to date with the latest social media updates and trends such that you can offer quality to be on top of the game. In the United States social media experts make $24 per hour on average which is some good money.

11. Works As a Virtual Assistant

You need to be computer literate with some communication skills to become a virtual assistant. Businesses need people to receive client calls, schedule meetings, design publications, work on social media content, and more.

All these activities are done by a virtual assistant at a cost to the business. You don’t have to mind about age try your luck with platforms like RemoteCoWorker, Zirtual, and Virtual Gurus when you find an opportunity available.

And in case you want to get better at what you are doing taking a virtual assistant course is a wise option. A virtual assistant job is a work-from-home job which means you can have the time to do other things.

No matter where you are around the world, you can work as a virtual assistant since some companies are not geo-specific to applicants.

12. Data Entry

Data entry isn’t that hard in case you a computer literate though some employers prefer working with adults most. There are lots of data entry jobs that teens can take on to make money for a living.

A data entrant that makes the most money is good at speed when typing, I don’t know about you but you can’t become fast without being practical. Though you’re still at school working as a data entrant doesn’t require much skill for you to make money.

13. Pet Sitting

If you love pets this is a great way to make money as a teenager. Some people have busy schedules that make them end up not getting time for their pets hence being ready to pay the service providers.

Taking care of pets like dogs, cats, and birds is interesting in case you enjoy being with them. Pet Sitting is among those jobs that won’t take you much time to earn compared to YouTube and Blogging.

You don’t have a job, right? Pet sitting is an option that you can give a try.

Let the neighbors know about your service to get clients that will give you work. Asking about age? Don’t worry about age as long as you can connect with pets that’s enough to get you going.

If you want to step up the business sign up with platforms like hepper.com, dogvacay.com, Rover.com, petkeen.com, and more.

14. Work As a Personal Assistant

Some people who have busy schedules are looking for others to help them out as personal assistants. You don’t have to be very skilled to become a personal assistant provided you are conversant with technology.

Yes, you need to know how to use a computer and some other tech-related gadgets. Personal assistants are there to assist their employers with small duties they can’t do themselves.

Where it requires professional skills, they can be acquired on the job After all teens are very flexible.

15. Become A DoorDasher

If you’re 18 years of age sign up with DoorDash to make food deliveries from restaurants using the app. There are many other platforms where you can sign up but here the requirements are not complicated for starters.

You can schedule working hours depending on your spare time to deliver orders for cash. Earnings depend on the deliveries you make hence more deliveries more money.

Other alternatives to DoorDash through which you can make money include UberEats, Postmates, Caviar, and more.

16. Work As a Brand Ambassador

Being a brand ambassador is a game of numbers since you’re required to refer clients to earn. Do you know that you can make up to $10 per student referral that you make to platforms like the Boostapal website?

And also, when your parents join Boostapal shopping through Boostapal partner stores you’re paid some money. Signing up with Boostapal is at no cost to you at all when you want to get started.

17. Lawn Care Business

Mowing lawns and pulling weeds at people’s homes is a great way to make money fast for teens. Let your first clients be your neighbors, friends, and family members around.

But as a teen in this digital world of today, clients can be gotten even online when you advertise the business. People have busy schedules with little time to mawn the lawn.

Take advantage of such opportunities to make money from the lazy homeowners during your spare time. I know it feels awkward for some but it’s a great way to start earning as early as possible to have a living.

18. Dog Walking

Are you a fan of dogs? If yes, then this is really for you as a teen who wants to earn.

This is not a full-time job; it can be done during your free time. Like any other business, you need to advertise the service then people will contact you to walk their dogs.

Yes, they contact you to offer the service at a cost because they don’t have the time to do it for themselves. Dog walking is a fun way of making money since you’re earning while doing something that you love.

19. Offer Snow Clearing Services

When it comes to the winter season many places are filled with snow. As a teenager, you can talk to neighbors who have no time to clear the snow around their homes to help them out at a cost.

And some will be ready to pay for your service without hesitating. Clearing snow, you don’t have to be an expert provided you have the right tools to use.

Make money shoveling driveways, compounds, parks, sidewalks, playgrounds, and other places affected by snow. Don’t forget to advertise your service to neighbors through posters and social media platforms.

20. Video Editing and Photography

These two businesses move together since they are both done using almost the same equipment. Sometimes cameras that are used to take photos are at the same time used to shoot videos.

Teens can make money by taking videos and photos for occasions like weddings, birthdays, baby showers, introduction ceremonies, and more at a charge. However, you need some skills to offer quality and the skills can be learned through platforms like YouTube or taking a course.

Photography and video editing courses for starters are not that expensive on platforms like Skillshare. When you get the right skills as teens gigs will start coming your way to earn.

21. Testing Websites and Apps

Many companies around the world pay users to test their websites and Apps helping them identify where to make improvements. They want to bring out quality in the market that’s why they ensure that thorough research and studies are done.

To get approval to test websites and apps for companies you must be at least 17 years of age. There are several platforms with different requirements through which teens can make money by testing websites and apps.

And some of the platforms include PlaybookUX, UserTesting, and TrymyUI. With testing websites, you can work from wherever you are around the world as long as you have a computer and internet connection.

22. Completing Surveys

Teens can make money answering surveys online but you need to be at least 13 years of age to sign up. Survey sites are many online it’s upon you to choose one that meets your needs when getting started.

Organizations use this process to get clients’ opinions about their products and services in the market. Completing surveys can be a great way to make money whenever you have some spare though the earnings are not that much.

If you’re looking for high-paying gigs as a teen then this is not for you better try elsewhere. Asking which survey sites to work on, right? Some survey sites for teens include Toluna, Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, and more.

23. Cash Wash Service

There are modern means to use washing cars in a very short time like a car wash but it’s not enough. As a teen when you come up with such an idea and then advertise your service you can earn some money through neighbors.

However, with this when offered business you’ll have to move to people’s places to do the work. I don’t know about you but this is a great start as a teenager with an interest in working.

24. Sell On Etsy

If you are a hands-on teen this platform is really for you to make money. With Etsy, you can sell things like crafts, shirts and T-shirts, Caps, paintings, and more.

The truth, is you need to be creative to make sales on the platform.

25. Start Shopping Through Rakuten

Most times when it comes to shopping it might be you doing it at the nearest stores. Let your parents know about the Rakuten shopping platform and its benefits.

With Rakuten, you earn cashback on online purchases that you make. Signing up with Rakuten is at no cost to you at all when you want to get started enjoying the benefits but also you earn a free $10 as a sign-up bonus.

You earn some good money here as a teen whenever purchases are made online.

26. Apply To Work in An Amusement Park

Places like amusement parks are very at good hiring teenagers to work there. Yes, teens are very flexible since they move with the trend compared to adults.

Working at an amusement park is very interesting because you’re interacting with different people. And there are lots of benefits availed by the park and tips from appreciative clients.

27. Offer Decoration Services

Reach out to people around that offer decoration services to offer you a job. And if you want to learn more about decoration, make use of platforms like YouTube and Google to benchmark on experts.

There are many people on these platforms with tutorials on DIY in line with decorations of all types like home decor.

This kind of work sounds as if it is seasonal but truthfully it’s a game of numbers. When you have many clients, you’ll have bookings throughout the year.

28. Teach Computer and Internet Skills

If you have computer and internet skills, why not trade them at a fee to those interested in learning? Though we are in the technological era some people are not yet computer literate and are ready to pay for the service.

Advertise your service to neighbors and through social media such that people get to know about you. You don’t have to be a computer genius to teach others yet many are just looking for the basics of computer knowledge.

29. Graphics Designing

You can become a graphics designer since the service is in high demand nowadays. Many businesses want custom-made expert designs for their brands for recognition.

However, you need to have some knowledge about programs like Adobe InDesign, GIMP, Pixlr, PicMonkey, procreate, Canva, Capture One Pro, and PhotoWorks.

There are many platforms through which you can land paying gigs like Fiverr, Upwork, and more. To sign up with some paying sites you need to be at least 13 years of age.

Therefore, Graphics designing is a great way to start making money so long you have some Art skills.

30. Sell Books

Did you know that you can make money selling books using an app? There are apps like BookScouter used to scan bar codes of books to sell then you’re directed to shops with a ready market.

Other platforms that offer the same service include Cash4books, Alibris, AbeBooks, and more. Whether it’s a ready market or not the main issue is selling books immediately or putting it on market in a resale shop.

It’s another way that you can make money as a teen without much hustle in case you have books you no longer want on your bookshelf.

31. Work At a Flower Shop

You don’t need to be an expert in flowers to apply for the job. Some of the jobs available include taking care of flowers and making flower deliveries to clients.

With most of the jobs at flower gardens or shops, you don’t need to be a professional.

How To Put Money to Good Use as Teenager

If you’re making some money as a teenager you need to utilize it with best practices. Saving for Future Investments Plans is the best way to go.

When I was a teen, I always had plans of putting up an investment. And this very much pushed me to seriously save since it was the only way I could raise some capital for investment.

If you are a teen making some good money and you have a plan, saving can help you get there much faster. But also, investing in learning is one of the best things that you can do with your money since anything that you want to put up requires you to be informed.

FAQs

What Is the Best Way to Make Money as a Teenager?

Sure, there are better means of making money but this depends on how urgent and the means you’re using to make money. Someone using a shopping app earns cashback whenever shopping is done whereas starting a blog can take over 6 months for someone to earn.

But if a blog picks up then you start earning the sky is the limit when you do things correctly, which is not the case with a shopping app.

Which Side Hustles Can Make Up To $100 A Day for A Teenager?

There are different ways you can make up to $100 a day though you need to put in some effort now to pay you in the future. Some of the ways you can achieve the $ 100-a-day milestone include blogging, freelance writing, tutoring, selling on Etsy, Dog walking, and more.

Is It Safe for Teenagers to Work Online?

Yes, it is safe but where there is a need for getting consent from a parent most platforms do mention it. And this ensures that teens are safe using certain platforms where parental guidance is required.

You also don’t provide a lot of information about yourself apart from the little that is used while processing payments.

Conclusion About Ways to Make Money as A Teenager

Making money as a teenager isn’t hard at all but you need to ensure that you do things correctly to earn. This means that for some income-generating activities, you need to put in some effort to make the most out of them.

Some businesses require you to learn the basics before getting started for example blogging, videography, and photography.