20 Jobs for Teens in 2026 (Hourly Pay, Online, and Summer)

Your first job is a strange milestone. You want money, sure, but you also want something that fits around school, does not destroy your weekends, and ideally teaches you something you can put on a college application later. The good news: in 2026, teen hiring is strong across hospitality, retail, online work, and seasonal jobs, with many roles starting at $13 to $20 an hour.

This guide covers 20 jobs for teens, sorted by what kind of work you actually want: in-person classics, online and remote, or summer-only seasonal. Each one has a realistic pay range and a quick note on what you need to start.

What Counts as a Good First Job

Before you start applying, here is what actually matters in a teen job:

Reasonable scheduling. Schools come first. Look for managers who hire teens and already understand homework, tests, and sports.
Skills you can keep. Customer service, basic cash handling, and reliability all carry into your next job and your resume.
Manageable physical demand. A 4-hour shift is normal. A 10-hour shift on your feet during finals week is not.
Legal compliance. Federal law (the Fair Labor Standards Act) and most state laws limit hours and tasks for workers under 16. Check your state's rules before you commit.

8 Strong In-Person Jobs for Teens

1. Fast Food Worker

Fast food is the classic teen job for a reason. The training is built for first-time workers, the schedules flex around school, and you learn customer service quickly.

Average pay: $13 to $16 per hour in most states, with raises after 6 months at most chains.
What you need: 14 minimum at most chains (16 for fryer and grill in many states), reliable transportation to shifts, and a willingness to work weekends.

2. Gardener or Lawn Care Helper

Mowing, trimming, raking, and planting beats sitting indoors all summer. If you live in a neighborhood with houses, you may not even need to apply anywhere; many teens make solid money advertising on Nextdoor or local Facebook groups.

Average pay: $15 to $20 per hour for solo neighborhood work.
What you need: basic equipment (or use the homeowner's), physical fitness, and reliability.

3. Babysitter

Babysitting still pays well, especially in cities and with families who want a regular sitter. Babysitters with CPR certification or sibling experience get more bookings and higher rates.

Average pay: $17 to $22 per hour.
What you need: patience, a good track record with kids, and a CPR or Red Cross babysitting certification helps a lot.

4. Cashier

Grocery stores, drugstores, and big-box retailers all hire teen cashiers. The work involves real customer interaction, so you build communication skills fast.

Average pay: $14 to $17 per hour.
What you need: 16 in most states, basic math, and comfort being on your feet for a shift.

5. Barista

Coffee shops are popular teen jobs because the environment is faster-paced and the tips can be solid. Starbucks and other chains hire teens at 16, while independent shops sometimes start younger.

Average pay: $14 to $18 per hour plus tips.
What you need: 16 typically, attention to detail, and on-the-job training (you do not need barista experience to start).

6. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

Apps like Rover and Wag will not hire under-18 workers, but neighbors will. Walking dogs after school is one of the highest-paying flexible teen gigs.

Average pay: $15 to $25 per hour for direct neighborhood arrangements.
What you need: comfort with dogs of different sizes, reliability, and word-of-mouth references.

7. Delivery Driver (16+ With License)

Pizza delivery and local food chains hire 16- and 17-year-olds with a valid license and clean record. The hourly base plus mileage plus tips can add up fast.

Average pay: $14 to $18 per hour plus tips and mileage reimbursement.
What you need: a valid driver's license, parental insurance approval, and a reliable vehicle.

8. Server or Busser

Restaurants hire teen bussers (and in some states, servers at 18) for evening and weekend shifts. Tips can push real-world earnings well above minimum wage.

Average pay: $14 to $18 per hour plus tips.
What you need: stamina, a friendly personality, and willingness to work nights and weekends.

6 Online Jobs for Teens

Working from home or your laptop in a coffee shop is realistic in 2026, though many platforms still have an 18-and-up minimum. The roles below either accept under-18 workers or have direct paths around the platform.

9. Tutor (Peer or Younger Students)

If you are strong in a subject (especially math, science, or test prep), tutoring younger students through Wyzant (18+), local tutoring centers, or direct family referrals is one of the highest-paying teen jobs.

Average pay: $17 to $30 per hour for direct or center work, more with strong test scores.
What you need: solid grades in the subject, patience, and ideally testimonials from past students.

10. Customer Service Representative (Older Teens)

Some companies (especially gig-style customer service through Working Solutions and similar) hire 18-year-olds for remote phone, chat, and email support. Strong communication skills and a quiet space matter most.

Average pay: $15 to $22 per hour.
What you need: 18 minimum, a reliable computer and internet, and a quiet workspace.

11. Content Creator

YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram creators in the 16-to-19 age range now make real money through ads, brand deals, and creator funds. The catch is that it takes time to build before any of it pays.

Average pay: $0 for months, then variable. Established teen creators can earn $20 to $100 per hour of effort over time.
What you need: a phone or camera, a clear niche, and consistency. Treat it as a long-term project, not a quick paycheck.

12. Proofreader (Older Teens)

If you have strong English skills, proofreading short-form content for blogs, indie authors, and small businesses is a low-friction online side gig. Most paid platforms require 18, but direct client work is open to all ages.

Average pay: $24 to $31 per hour for experienced work.
What you need: excellent grammar, a portfolio of sample edits, and ideally a Grammarly Premium account.

13. Freelance Writer

Blogs, small businesses, and content sites hire freelance writers, and many do not screen by age. If you can write clearly and meet deadlines, you can build a small client list while still in high school.

Average pay: $20 to $40 per hour for solid intermediate writers.
What you need: three to five strong writing samples, a simple portfolio site, and willingness to pitch directly.

14. Editor (Older Teens)

Editing is one of the more accessible online roles for older teens with strong English skills. Indie authors, small newsletters, and student publications all need editing help.

Average pay: $20 to $36 per hour.
What you need: a strong eye for grammar and structure, a portfolio of edited samples, and a willingness to do small jobs first to build a track record.

6 Summer Jobs for Teens

If you only work during summer breaks, these roles are built around teen hiring.

15. Camp Counselor

Day camps and overnight camps hire heavily for the summer. Pay is decent, the work is fun, and the leadership experience looks good on college applications.

Average pay: $20 to $30 per hour for day camps; overnight camps often pay a flat seasonal stipend ($1,500 to $5,000 plus room and board).
What you need: 16 minimum at most camps, comfort with kids, and ideally CPR or first aid certification.

16. Amusement Park or Theme Park Worker

Six Flags, Cedar Fair, and Disney all run massive summer hiring drives for ride operators, food service, and gift shops. Disney's college program also takes 17- and 18-year-olds for longer stints.

Average pay: $14 to $18 per hour, more for ride operators at major parks.
What you need: 16 typically, stamina for long shifts, and a friendly attitude.

17. Lifeguard

Pools, beaches, and water parks hire lifeguards every summer. The certification takes a couple of weekends, and the pay is solid.

Average pay: $15 to $20 per hour, more in cities.
What you need: 15 or 16 minimum (varies), strong swimming skills, and Red Cross or YMCA lifeguard certification (most pools will help you get this).

18. Swim Instructor

If you swim well and like teaching, swim instruction at local pools and YMCAs pays better than lifeguarding and runs on similar schedules.

Average pay: $20 to $28 per hour.
What you need: strong swimming background, water safety instructor (WSI) or American Red Cross teaching certification, and patience with beginners.

19. Junior Counselor or Camp CIT

Counselor-in-training programs at day camps are a stepping stone if you are not quite old enough for full counselor pay. Many camps hire CITs at 14 or 15 for partial pay or stipends.

Average pay: $10 to $14 per hour, plus camp experience for your resume.
What you need: 14 minimum, comfort with kids, and willingness to start at the entry level.

20. Tour Guide (Older Teens)

If you live in a tourist city, walking tour companies and historic sites sometimes hire 17- and 18-year-old guides for summer. The work pays well with tips.

Average pay: $16 to $25 per hour plus tips.
What you need: 17 or 18 minimum, strong public speaking, and deep knowledge of the tour topic.

How to Find and Land a Teen Job

Most teen jobs do not get filled through fancy applications. They get filled through these channels:

Walk in. Restaurants, retail stores, and local shops still hire walk-in applicants. Show up during a slow hour, ask for the manager, and bring a one-page resume.
Ask people you know. Family, family friends, and your friends' parents often know about openings before they get posted. Tell people you are looking.
Search online with filters. Indeed, Snagajob, and ZipRecruiter all have age and shift filters. Snagajob is especially strong for hourly teen work.
Apply through company sites. Chick-fil-A, Target, Trader Joe's, and most major retailers have application portals on their sites.
Check community boards. Local libraries, community centers, school job boards, and Nextdoor often have neighborhood gigs you will not see anywhere else.

Resume Tips for First-Time Teen Workers

You do not need a long work history to put together a strong first resume. Focus on:

Volunteer work. Community service, church work, and school volunteer roles count as real experience.
Leadership at school. Sports captain, club officer, student government, and tutoring all show responsibility.
Awards and academic standouts. Honor roll, AP scores, and competition placements all matter to first-job employers.
Specific skills. Languages, coding, design tools, social media, and certifications (CPR, lifeguard, Red Cross) all carry weight.
References. Teachers, coaches, and youth group leaders can vouch for you when you have no past employer.

Final Thoughts

Your first job is less about the paycheck and more about learning how to show up, deal with customers, and manage your own time. The 20 jobs above all do that, and most pay more than minimum wage. Pick the one that fits your schedule and the kind of work you want to learn from, then go ask in person.

If you want help getting your first resume to look like the work of someone who knows what they are doing, our team can help. Get a free expert resume review and walk into your first interview with a resume that does not look like a first resume.

20 Jobs for Teens in 2026 (Hourly Pay, Online, and Summer Roles)