16 Online Jobs for Teens: Best Gigs for High School Students

Being a teenager can be expensive. As you get older, most parents will want you to start pulling your weight more – not just with chores around the house, but financially.

So now you need money. Movie tickets, clothes, tech, and all the other stuff you want aren’t going to pay for themselves. It’s time to get a job.

I got my first job at McDonald’s when I was 16 years old. In the town where I grew up, fast food and retail were pretty much the only options available to high school kids like me with no experience who wanted (or needed) a job.

McDonald’s taught me a lot, but let’s be real. If I had the chance to work online as a high schooler, I would have jumped on the opportunity. Today, those opportunities exist everywhere.

No two online jobs for teens 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 reasonably fast

Which route you take depends on your circumstances, what you want to accomplish, and what your income goals are.

Let’s dive in.

Traditional Jobs You Can Do Online

If you are looking for a realistic, dependable way to earn income online in the immediate future, you have a lot of options. Fair warning: these are probably the least exciting options here, but they are practical.

1. Remote customer service representative 

Age requirement: 16 and older 

Customer service is the perfect online job for teens who enjoy problem-solving and helping others. Plus, it’s a great way to get real-world experience in dealing with every different kind of person — a skill that will help you no matter what career you end up in. These can be telephone-based or chat-based, so if you’re nervous about talking to people over the phone, an online chat job might be more up your alley. 

One company that hires teens for remote work is U-Haul.

As an at-home customer service rep, you’ll assist customers with booking moving trucks. Pay starts at $9.50/hr.

See more customer service-oriented jobs on Indeed. 

2. Social media marketing assistant

Age requirement: 14 and older 

If you’re a typical teen, social media is a daily part of life. Your parents may see it as a massive distraction and a waste of time, but you can turn your social media savvy into a steady job if you’re smart about it. (Learn how to become a social media manager.) 

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

If you already know the ins and outs of social media marketing, find a job by reaching out to small businesses in your area, or check out Indeed to see if companies near you are actively hiring. 

3. Online tutor

Age requirement: 14 and older 

If there is a subject you excel at in school, you can start getting paid for that expertise by tutoring other students. Whether it’s biology, calculus, history, or something else, there is money to be made.

Most tutoring sites pay by the hour, usually somewhere in the $15 to $30 per hour range. Some will also allow you to set your own rates, or offer group tutoring lessons — which can boost your earnings further.

If a tutoring platform won’t accept someone of your age, create an online resume, share the link to it on a business card, and then leave it in prominent places in your community (like a local coffee shop, with permission). 

• If you’re 17 or younger, check out a site like SimplyHired (and look for eligible listings). 
• If you are 18 or older, check out sites like Kaplan and Tutor.com.

Related: 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. Working in data entry usually involves taking figures or text from one source and inputting them into another. Yep, 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 one downside to FlexJobs is that there is a monthly fee to view the open positions, so if money is tight you can try other sites like Indeed.com. 

Related: 9 Best Places to Find Online Data Entry Jobs

Online Business Opportunities for Teens

If you are more of a long-term thinker want to challenge yourself to create something out of nothing, starting an online business is one of the smartest things you can do. It’s hard work and there is never any guarantee that you will make money, but the potential payoff is much higher than any normal job or online gig you will find.

These are also good resume builders. In the process of starting a business you’ll learn a lot about how the internet economy works and you’ll be showing any future employers that you are willing to think outside the box and tackle difficult projects.

5. YouTuber

Age requirement: 13 and older

Marques Brownlee, aka MBKHD, started uploading videos to his technology reviews YouTube channel in 2009 when he was 15 years old. Today, he has over 14,000,000 subscribers and earns over $100,000 per month from his channel. 

It all started with a 3-minute clip of him describing a remote:

While Brownlee’s extreme success is an outlier, the good news is that you don’t need millions of subscribers in order to earn a full-time income from YouTube. In fact, many full-timers have fewer than 100,000 subscribers, and some substantially less. If there is a topic you are passionate about and you are willing to learn the art of making great videos, the sky is the limit on YouTube. Consistency is key! 

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

6. Blogger

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

The most successful bloggers out there are usually the ones who focus on a particular niche or topic and don’t deviate 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 latest concert we went to.

As you start to become known for whatever topic you write about, your audience will begin to grow faster and faster. With an engaged audience, you can make money with ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and more. Building a following is a slow process at first, but can eventually pay off in a big way.

Related: DollarSprout’s Guide to Starting a Blog

7. Instagram or TikTok influencer

Age requirement: 13 and older

Becoming an influencer is the dream for many teenagers. Like any other business, though, it requires a lot of hard work and consistency. Most people think that going viral is the key to “making it”, but it’s not. Most influencers grow their accounts slow and steady.

Example: Jacob Sartorius is a 17 year old on TikTok with over 23M followers. Because of his TikTok presence, he was able to sign a deal with RCA Records.

@jacobsartoriusthis is how i put my pants on♬ Wing$ – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

The amount of money that you can make depends on how many followers you have, how engaged they are, and the size of your influence. You can make money from partnering with brands, sponsored posts, selling other people’s products, or selling your own products or services.

Parents should be involved in negotiating with any companies who want to partner with your account. There may be contracts to review, which have important guidelines and stipulations.

Related: How This Couple Makes $1,000 a Month Cooking on TikTok

8. Merchandise distributor  

Age requirement: 13 and older 

CafePress is an online gift shop 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 clothing
• Accessories
• Home and decor
• Drinkware
• Stationary
• Stickers and signs

You can design your own products by using the ‘Design Your Own’ section on the website. Select the product that you want to design, and use the CafePress design tools to produce the item.

The amount of money that you make depends on how much markup you put on your items. You get to choose how much to charge, so it’s entirely up to you. You’ll earn 5% to 10% of the sale price for each item you sell. Because 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 at least 13 to use CafePress, and teens between 13 and 18 must have parental supervision.

9. Freelance copywriter

Age requirement: 13 and older

Freelance copywriting can be a perfect online job for teens if they enjoy the thought of getting paid to write. Plus, you can fit it around your schedule and write as much or as little you want. You can write more during summer and winter breaks.

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 tech — basically anything that you can do online.

You can price your gigs however you like, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you’re just starting out, you might want to offer lower prices at first and increase them as you get more reviews and experience. Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and have higher tiers or packages at a premium price.

Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer (A Guide By One That Makes $200,000+/Yr)

10. Craft seller on Etsy

Age requirement: 18, or 13 with parental supervision

If you are an arts and crafts junkie and want to take it to the next level, you can become a craft seller on Etsy. Etsy is a site 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 will need to be the owner of the account.

LeiLei Secor opened her Etsy shop, DesignedByLei, when she was 16. By the time she was 19, she had made over $100,000 from Etsy by selling handmade rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Secor then used most of her income to help pay for her college tuition at the University of Virginia.

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

Related: 23 Best Places to Sell Crafts Online 

Other Ways for Teens to Make Money Online

Somewhere in between fully online jobs for teens and online businesses lies gigs. These are random, sometimes one-time opportunities to make a little bit of extra money online. You can’t always depend on these for consistent income, but you might be able to pick up a few gigs each month that can add up.

11. Babysitter or house sitter

Age requirement: Must be at least 18 years old

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

On Care.com you can offer babysitting, house cleaning, pet sitting, and other in-home services. You should include your location, years of experience, certifications (e.g., CPR, First Aid), and availability. 

You set your own rates. Keep in mind that teens who are new to babysitting or pet sitting should charge less than adults with years of experience. If you’re unsure what rate to charge, you can use Care.com’s calculator to see what other people in your area are charging.

12. Music reviewer

Slice The Pie is a website that pays people for reviews. You can review songs, clothes, commercials, and more before they’re published. Your feedback helps artists, record labels, and brands make important decisions about their products. It’s not clear from its website what the minimum age is to join Slice the Pie, but some sources say it’s 13 years old.

Some reviews will pay you more money than others, which you’ll see on the Category page. You’ll also get paid more depending on the quality of your review and your star rating on the site. For example, a 1-star reviewer earns $0.03 per track review, while a 5-star reviewer makes $0.15 for each track reviewed.

You can cash out to receive money via PayPal once your account has $10 or more. You also get bonus points for referring your friends. Parents should monitor what their kids are reviewing.

Related: 10 Places That Pay You Cash to Write Reviews 

13. Voice actor

Age requirement: 13 and older

Teens as young as 13 can register with Voices.com as long as parents or legal guardians manage the account and agree to comply with the terms for keeping kids safe online

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 a quote to the prospective clients.

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

The rate per project varies. This is a perfect job for teens who love theater, broadcasting, or are avid members of the drama department.

14. Online freelancer 

Age requirement: 13 and older

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 tech — basically anything that you can do online.

You can price your gigs however you like, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you’re just starting out, you might want to offer lower prices at first and increase them as you get more reviews and experience. Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and have higher tiers or packages at a premium price.

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

15. Graphic designer

Age requirement: 16 and older

If you’re proficient with design software and programs like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, you can start a side hustle working as a graphic designer for sites like Redbubble and Society6. These sites let you upload designs which you can then sell on coffee mugs, pillows, and stickers.

Artists on Society6 earn about 10% of the retail price while average designers earn 17% on Redbubble. You’ll have 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 taker

Age requirement: 13 and older

Companies always want to improve their products, and they look for direct feedback from consumers to do so. That’s why they offer paid online surveys — to get valuable insight from existing and potential customers. There’s constant demand for this type of work, which makes it one of the best online jobs for teens. The pay for taking surveys is typically between a few cents to $10 or more per survey, but most fall on the lower end of that range.

Tips for Teenagers Working Online

Before you sign up for a site, keep these tips in mind when searching for the best ways to make money online as a teen.

Get a PayPal account

Most online jobs sites pay via PayPal. To accept payments through that platform, you’ll need to sign up for your own account. You have to be at least 18 to sign up for an account. If you’re younger than 18, your parent or legal guardian will have to open the account and act as the primary account holder.

Setting up a PayPal account is easy. Once you’ve signed up, you have to link it to a bank account. PayPal will send a couple of small deposits to your bank account and have you verify the amounts.

Keep your parents in the loop

While it’s tempting to keep your new side hustle a secret, if you’re suddenly earning extra money and not explaining where it’s coming from, your parents may be worried.

For your own safety and benefit, let them know what you’re doing. Tell them how you’ve been researching online jobs for teenagers to earn money. A strong work ethic, particularly from a young age, is impressive, and they’ll appreciate your initiative. They might also know of some opportunities or ways to help you find work that you didn’t think of.

Check age requirements

Before signing up for any of these companies, verify the age requirements. You don’t want to get excited about an opportunity only to find out you’re too young to take advantage of it. You may have to provide proof of ID, so don’t try to lie about your age.

Track your money

It’s important to know how much money you’re earning or spending on your business. To track your income and expenses, you can use a notebook and pencil, a Google or Excel spreadsheet, or a budgeting app. PayPal also provides a summary of how much money has been deposited into or withdrawn from your account.

Tracking your money helps you know who pays on time, where the majority of your income is coming from, and how much you’re spending on expenses like materials and gas. Knowing this information helps you decide when to raise rates or if you need to increase (or decrease) the services you offer.

More Income Means More Opportunity 

As long as it doesn’t interfere with your homework or extracurricular activities, the benefits of having a job or side hustle as a teen outweigh the cons. Plus, online jobs are easier to do on a busy schedule, and you don’t need a car for many of these gigs.

You’ll learn how to manage your time and money, which are useful skills to have before you go off to college. Making and managing your own money can teach you valuable lessons like how to save, pay taxes, budget for wants and needs, and open a bank account.

You’ll also learn negotiating skills, how to handle difficult clients, and how to talk to utilize feedback. An after-school job is a great resume builder, and could even be something you write about in a college essay or application.

What’s Next? 

• How to Write a Resume from Start to Finish
• How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You Noticed (Tips + Examples)
• 11 Extracurricular Activities That Help Your Resume Stand Out