23+ Best Summer Jobs For Teens: Earn Money During Break!

We’ve put together a list of the 23 best summer jobs for teens that are fun and pay well.

Some ideas include becoming a virtual assistant, blogger, freelance writer, or dog walker.

All are easy jobs that pay $20 an hour, and they can all go from easy summer jobs to full-time jobs when you’re back at school.

Quick Picks

I’ve had a lot of excellent side hustles in my life, and I have worked some of the best summer jobs for teens!

Here are a few of the best summer jobs that you could even do year-round if you wanted to:

Quickest Money Maker: Online Surveys 
Best Real-Life Job: Proofreading
Best Job for Younger Teens: Dog Walking
Best Job for Older Teens: Blogging

23 Best Summer Jobs For Teens

1. Proofreader

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $500 – $3,000 per month

If you have a keen eye for spotting mistakes, then consider becoming a proofreader.

Companies need experienced editors to review their documents and ensure everything is perfect before it gets published.

The best way to start proofreading is by taking this free workshop from Proofread Anywhere.

This is a great summer job because it can also turn into a part-time job during the school year and can be done from anywhere you have an internet connection.

2. Blogger

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $100 – $10,000

If you’re a teen interested in writing, consider starting a blog. You can write about topics that interest you and monetize your writing to get paid for it.

We highly recommend making money with a blog because we started it as a fun side hustle, and it became our sole income!

It took some time to grow our audience, but the pay from our hard work has been worth it. Some blogs earn thousands every month, and with the right plan, so can yours.

The easiest way to get started blogging is to sign up for our free Start Your Blog Boot Camp, our workbook that helps you plan out your blog and sets you on the path to success!

3. Freelancer Writer

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $100 – $3,000 per month

If you have a knack for writing, consider becoming a freelance writer. Companies constantly seek writers to create content for their websites, blogs, and social media channels.

Freelance writing is a great part-time job because it can be done in your free time and can be done anywhere, including your room, the beach, or even the study hall at school.

The best way to get started is to sign up on sites like FlexJobs and start applying for writing jobs.

4. Virtual Assistant (VA)

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $100 – $1,500 per month

If you’re a teen looking to make money from home, then becoming a virtual assistant could be the perfect job for you.

VAs provide administrative support to companies and entrepreneurs. You can do anything from scheduling appointments and responding to emails to managing social media accounts and Facebook groups.

To get started, we recommend taking this free workshop, 5 Steps to Become a VA.

5. Transcriptionist

Minimum Age Requirement: 14

Potential Earnings: $300 – $2,000 per month

Transcriptionists are in high demand because businesses and individuals always need their recordings turned into text documents.

A transcriptionist listens to audio or video recordings and types out what they hear. It’s a good summer job for teens because it doesn’t require any previous experience or special skills

Our favorite free workshop to get started with transcribing is Transcribe Anywhere. You’ll learn valuable skills on becoming a transcriptionist and how to get started quickly!

6. YouTuber

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $100 – $10,000+ per month

Creating videos and becoming influencers are popular summer jobs for teens that can turn into so much more.

The best thing about being a YouTuber is that it’s really flexible and can be done around your schedule. High school can be their own boss and get to work; no job interview is required!

YouTubers also have the freedom to choose the topics they want to talk about, which can be a great way to express yourself and share your interests with the world.

YouTubers make money by monetizing their videos through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate links. It can take time to grow your channel and following, but once you do, it can be a great way to make good money while doing something you enjoy.

The best way to get started is by taking the course Mastering YouTube. You can learn how to create and edit quality content and go from $0 to $1,000+ per video every month!

7. Online Store

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $100 – $5,000 per month

An online store can be a great summer job for teens because it’s a fun and creative way to make money. Plus, it can get teens interested in business and teach them how to run their own businesses.

To start an online store, you’ll need to create a website or blog and design a store banner. You’ll also need to create product listings and write descriptions for each item.

The easiest way to get started is by creating a store on Shopify. Shopify can easily design a store, accept payments, and manage orders all in one place.

8. Photographer

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $50 – $1,000 per session

If you love taking photos, you might consider becoming a photographer!

From offering mini family photo sessions to taking pictures of events and products, there are plenty of ways to make money as a photographer. You could even work with local businesses to do photo shoots of their products and services.

Another way to make money with photography is to sell your photos on stock photo sites. People can buy your photos for a few cents or dollars at a time; all you have to do is add them to a site.

9. Dog Walker

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $50 – $1,000 per month

If you love animals, there are summer jobs right up your alley, including dog walking.

People are always looking for someone to walk their dogs while they’re at work or away. You could even walk several dogs at the same time!

You can find jobs on sites like Rover and get paid to take furry friends out for walks. Plus, it’s a great way to get some exercise and make money at the same time!

10. Pet Sitter

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $50 – $1,000 per month

Pet sitting can be a fun way to make money during the summer! Pet sitters look after animals when their owners are away on vacation.

This can be either stopping by a few times a day to feed and play with the animal or staying overnight in their home.

You can find pet-sitting jobs on sites like Rover, which connects you to clients faster than any other site or word-of-mouth.

11. Babysitter

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $50 – $1,000 per month

Babysitting younger children can be a great job for teens because it’s a fun way to make money and allows you to work flexible hours.

Plus, there are a lot of online platforms like Bambino Sitters and Sitter City that make it easy to find babysitting jobs.

Many cities offer babysitter training courses through the Red Cross that teach you how to safely and responsibly care for children of all ages.

12. Cashier

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Potential Earnings: $300 – $2,000 per month

Being a cashier is one of the most common summer jobs for teens. You can get paid at least minimum wage, plus potentially get a discount at the store you work at.

It’s also a great way to learn essential skills like how to use a cash register, customer service skills, and get experience in dealing with money.

I found the customer service skills very helpful for working with clients on our Shopify store and ensuring our products met everyone’s expectations.

13. Retail Worker

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Potential Earnings: $300 – $2,000 per month

Retail workers are responsible for helping customers find the products they need, ringing them up and handling the payments, bagging the products, and sometimes helping to stock the shelves.

It’s a great summer job for teens because you can learn customer service skills, money-handling skills, and how to work in a team.

Plus, many retail stores offer employee discounts which can help you save money on college shopping.

14. Waiter/Waitress

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Potential Earnings: $300 – $2,000 per month

Being a waiter is a great summer job for teens because it’s a fun way to make money, and you can learn customer service skills.

Your duties as a waiter include taking orders, bringing food and drinks to the table, and collecting payments. You’ll also need to keep the dining area clean and tidy.

Waiting tables can be a busy job, but it’s an excellent way to make money during the summer.

Waiters and waitresses are needed at restaurants, cafes, and catering companies. The easiest way to find a job is to sign up with the app Steady.

15. Amusement Park Worker

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Potential Earnings: $500 – $4,000 per month

Working at an amusement park can be a lot of fun and a great way to make money during the summer. There are a variety of jobs available at amusement parks, from ride operators to food workers at the snack bar to ticket takers.

Amusement park jobs are a good choice for teenagers because they typically operate during the summer months when high school and college are on break.

And, of course, working at an amusement park is just really fun, and you can possibly get free tickets!

Amusement parks usually hire seasonal workers before the summer season, so it’s recommended to start the job search early and be prepared for job interviews in the spring.

16. Valet

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

Potential Earnings: $200 – $3,000 per month

If you like cars, you might consider becoming a valet this summer!

Valets are responsible for parking and retrieving cars for their owners at places like restaurants and hospitals. They may also be asked to perform minor repairs on the car, such as filling up the tank with gasoline or changing a flat tire.

Being a valet can be a fun way to make money and drive around luxury cars!

17. Lifeguard

Minimum Age Requirement: 16+ (may vary depending on location)

Potential Earnings: $500 – $3,000 per month

Being a lifeguard can be an exciting and rewarding way to spend your summer vacation. Not only do you get to work outdoors, but you also get the chance to save lives!

Lifeguards need to be strong swimmers and have basic swimming certifications and CPR and First Aid training. So if you’re looking for a job where you can help people, this could be the perfect summer job for you.

Summer camps, pools, and beaches all need lifeguards, so there should be plenty of job opportunities!

And since the hours are usually during the day, it leaves plenty of time for you to enjoy your summer evenings.

18. Surf Coach

Minimum Age Requirement: 16

Potential Earnings: $200 – $3,000 per month

If you like surfing and have basic lifeguard knowledge, being a surf coach could be the ideal job. Help teach younger kids how to ride the waves and make some extra money while doing something you love.

As a surf coach, you would help people of all ages learn how to surf and improve their skills. Surf coaching can be done in various settings, such as at a beach, in a pool, or even in an indoor surfing facility.

Some of the important skills you would need to be able to teach are the basics of surfing, such as how to paddle, pop up on the board, and ride waves.

You would also need to be able to give feedback on people’s surfing techniques and help them correct any mistakes.

19. Golf Caddy

Minimum Age Requirement: 15

Potential Earnings: $200 – $3,000 per month

If you want to spend the summer outside, consider becoming a Golf Caddy! Summer is a very busy time for golf courses, and they often have many open positions.

Golf caddies greet visitors, help players carry their clubs, give them water and snacks, and keep track of their scores. They also provide helpful advice on the course if players need it.

You don’t need any special skills or experience, just a willingness to learn and help out. It’s also a great way to meet new people and learn more about golf.

20. Pool Cleaner

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $200 – $3,000 per month

Being a pool cleaner is a great summer job for teens because it is an outdoor job, easy to get started, and pays well. The best part is there aren’t any age limits, so even younger teens can do it!

As a pool cleaner, you would be responsible for keeping swimming pools clean and free of debris. This includes vacuuming the pool, removing leaves and other trash from the water, and cleaning the sides and bottom of the pool.

Pool cleaners typically work part-time hours, so it is a perfect flexible job. It’s also a great job for those who want to get their first job experience.

21. Camp Counselor

Minimum Age Requirement: 14+

Potential Earnings: $100 – $1,000 per month

Camp counselors are one of the best summer jobs for teens because you’re basically being paid to hang out with other teens or younger kids and have fun!

Yes, you do have to make sure everyone’s behaving and staying on top of things at the summer camp, but it’s honestly no different than if you’re in charge of your drama club or basketball team.

Many jobs have some on-the-site training, depending on if you’re in charge of cabins or lessons or the mess hall, but you can typically tell the camp what you’re interested in and go from there.

22. Lawn Mower

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $100 – $2,000 per month

One of the most traditional teen summer jobs is mowing lawns. Lawn mowing is an excellent job for teens because it is easy to learn and do, pays well, and you can spend time outdoors.

As a lawn mower, you would be responsible for cutting the grass and keeping the lawn looking neat and tidy. You’d need to operate a lawn mower, weed eater, and other equipment safely and efficiently.

It’s also a great way to get your first job experience. If you want to become a lawn mower, start by offering your services to family members and friends.

23. Gardener

Minimum Age Requirement: None

Potential Earnings: $100 – $500 per month

Gardening is a great job for teens, just like lawn mowing, with less need to use machinery outside.

As a gardener, you’re responsible for caring for gardens and landscapes. This includes watering plants, weeding gardens, trimming bushes and trees, and planting flowers and plants.

To start, you need basic gardening tools like a watering can, weed eater, and hedge clippers.

Other Ways To Make Money & Save Money

Looking for even more good summer jobs for teens? Consider these options:

Take Paid Surveys

If you like to share your opinion, taking paid surveys could be a great way to make some extra cash for college. Some websites offer surveys and pay you for your time, all while doing it from home!

You can take as many surveys as you’d like and earn points for each one. Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards to your favorite stores.

You can get started taking online surveys on free sites like Survey Junkie. This is a great option for high school students because it can be done in any free time.

Watch Ads & Videos

Getting paid to watch ads and videos on your phone is another great way for students to make some extra cash.

Apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer users points when they watch ads. Points can then be traded for gift cards to over 100 popular retail stores.

The great thing is this can be done in your free time, and anywhere you have your cell phone. All you need to do is download the app, watch ads and videos, and get rewarded.

Get Shopping Rewards

Did you know there are ways to make money (and save money!) just by shopping? It’s true! Several apps and websites offer rewards for shopping at your favorite stores.

One of the best apps for getting cash back is called Upside. Upside partners with local gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants and offers users cash back on purchases.

If you want to save with online shopping, there are apps like Fetch Rewards, Honey, and Capital One Shopping

These apps can save time by automatically applying coupon codes and discounts to your purchases. If there aren’t any coupons available, you earn points toward free gift cards!

Our Thoughts

Finding summer jobs for teens doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t have to give up your social life to earn money this summer.

Whether mowing lawns, working cash registers, or taking surveys, there are plenty of ways for teens of all ages to make money during the summer months.

If you want a side hustle that can grow into a real job, I suggest starting a blog or becoming a proofreader.

If you want some quick money, try survey sites like Survey Junkie and answer easy questions for a few bucks.

With so many options, you can find something that fits your interests and skill set. Best of luck this summer!