How to Make Money as a Teenager: The Best Side Hustles for Teens

As a teenager, you’re probably looking for every dollar you can find. Whether you’re looking to go to the movies with your friends, save money for your first car, or just pad your bank account for your next tank of gas – it can be difficult to find ways to make money as a teen.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the best ways to make money as a teenager and much more. Let’s get started!

Below are some of our top tips if you’re a teen looking to make extra money!

1. Start a Lawn Care Side Hustle

Lawn care is among the most popular way for teens and high schoolers to make money in the summer months (as long as you don’t mind working in the heat).

With this side hustle, you’ll gain business skills that can be a great asset to carry with you in the future.

You’ll need some equipment to get started, but these items can usually be purchased for less than $1,000. For example, you’ll need a lawnmower, trimmer, and blower at minimum. Gas cans, trimmer line, and other supplies will also be vital. As your business grows, you can always purchase more equipment to meet your needs.

So, how much money can you make with lawn care and landscaping?

Ultimately it will depend on your location and the amount of work that is required to complete the job. For a simple mowing, trim, and blow, it’s common to charge between $30 and $70. This could take as little as 30 minutes to complete!

For landscaping work, it’s common to charge by the hour. Hourly rates can reach over $50 per hour.

Landscaping can be one of the best ways for teenagers to make money, so why not give it a try?

2. Walk Dogs

Walking dogs is a great way to make money for many teens, and it can be a lot of fun too!

With this side hustle, you could easily make $15-$20 for a simple 30-minute walk. If you have more than one dog, or if you can walk multiple dogs at once, you could make even more!

Check out sites like Rover.com to scout the local competition and set up a profile of your own.

3. Pet Sitting

If you love animals and want to make extra money, pet sitting could be the perfect option for you.

With pet sitting, you’ll get paid to watch over animals while their owners are away. The amount of money you can make will depend on the number of animals you’re watching and the duration of the work.

It’s possible to make $200+ a week pet sitting — just make sure to ask mom and dad first if you’re still living at home!

4. Babysitting

Babysitting is another excellent way for teens to make extra cash nights and weekends.

The amount of money you can make babysitting will depend on how long you are working and the number of children you’re watching over. It’s common to work around 5 hours and make $100 or more for your time. Not bad!

Set up a profile on Care.com for access to tons of local gigs.

5. Part-Time Jobs

Picking up a part-time job at your local restaurant or movie theater is common for many teens.

While these jobs are usually low-paying, they can be a good way to get your foot in the door and obtain real life experience in the workforce.

Here are some good job ideas for teens:

• Movie theater
• Local gyms
• Daycares
• Restaurants — the restaurant I worked at as a teen came with the added benefit of unlimited free food!
• Camp counselor

An app like Steady can help connect you with part-time and full-time local job listings. Check out our full Steady app review for more details.

6. Lifeguarding

Lifeguarding is an excellent summer job to make money as a teen. While the pay is nothing insane, it’s a solid way to get paid to be in the sun.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need to get your lifeguard certification to get started with this job. This will typically cost around $250.

May lifeguarding jobs will pay around $12 to $15 per hour but it’s a more laid back and low-stress job.

7. Referee

Refereeing is a fun way for teenagers to make money on nights and weekends.

Typically, referees are paid between $20 and $30 per game or more for amateur games. As you gain more experience you can move up to high school officiating to make even more.

8. Create a Helpful Website

Blogging is a great digital side hustle for teens to make extra money. This side hustle requires very little money to get started — usually less than $100 for a domain name and hosting.

Next, you’ll want to create a strategy for your blog and ways to market your blog to get traffic.

Finally, it’s time to start creating content for your blog. This can take the most amount of time but it’s also the most important – so don’t cut corners here!

To make money from your blog, there are a few methods. Between display advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored post opportunities, there are plenty of income streams available.

The income you can make from your blog can be quite lucrative. Some blogs make over $10,000 a month!

For example, Tami Smith reported earning up to $20,000 a month from her site in the women’s fitness niche.

9. Tutoring

If you’re a smart student and want to earn extra money, why not consider tutoring? With this side gig, you can help other students with their homework and earn a nice income in the process.

Your income will depend on your level of expertise in the subject and the difficulty of the subject.

Some tutors can make over $50 per hour for their time – which is an awesome income for most teenagers. Platforms like WyzAnt make it easy to set up a profile and connect with students.

10. Car Detailing

Car detailing is an excellent way for teenagers to make money in their spare time. This is a popular summer side hustle when the weather turns nice.

With car detailing, you can make $50-$100 for a few hours of work depending on the level of detail and current condition of the vehicle.

For vehicles in poor condition, it can take a few hours to complete your work.

With this side hustle, you will need some equipment and supplies to get started, all of which can be purchased for less than $500.

I recommend purchasing a portable vacuum, cleaning supplies, brushes, and hoses to get started with this side hustle.

11. Snow Shoveling

If you live in the northern part of the country (or anywhere where there is common snowfall) shoveling snow can be a great method to increase your income as a teen.

It’s possible to earn over $25 per hour with this side hustle. As a bonus, this method requires little to no money to get started. You’ll just need a snow shovel (and maybe some salt) to get started.

12. Clean Homes

While cleaning homes might not be the most attractive way for teens to make money, it can be a good method to bring in some extra cash if you have the hustle.

To clean homes you’ll need to be equipped with some basic supplies that cost less than $500. For example, a vacuum, cleaning supplies, and dusters are some of the basics that every cleaner needs.

Depending on the size of the home and the detail of your cleaning, it’s possible to earn $25-40 an hour.

Alternatively, you could set up a “drop servicing” business, where you go out and connect with customers while contracting with other cleaners to fulfill the work.

13. Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube has become one of the most popular search engines in the last few years giving teens a massive opportunity to cash in.

To make money from YouTube you’ll need to create videos that are high quality and interesting to watch.

Just like with other forms of content creation, it can take some time to get started and start profiting from your efforts, but over time it can be a very lucrative venture.

(Lately I’ve been earning around $500 a month from my YouTube channel.)

Once you’ve built up a following, you can monetize your videos by including ads. You’ll need to reach some criteria before you’ll be accepted into YouTube’s ad platform.

You can learn more about YouTube’s monetization features here.

Some YouTubers make millions from their content!

14. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is a great way for teens to make money online. As a freelance writer, you can write about a variety of topics to make extra money.

The amount of money you can make will vary depending on your experience. For new writers, it’s common to charge $50-150 per article. As you become more experienced, those rates increase.

Depending on your writing speed, this can be a great income for many teens.

To find work as a freelance writer, you can register on freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr, or network with online publishers to find people needing your services.

15. Start a Podcast

Starting a podcast is a fun way to make money and discuss your thoughts and opinions with the world.

To start a podcast, you’ll need some basic audio equipment, a topic to discuss, and a platform to host your podcast.

Once you have these items, it’s time to start recording your content. To monetize your podcast, you can include advertising or sell sponsorships.

The amount of money you can make will depend on the number of listeners you’re able to attract. Some of the most popular podcasts can make millions of dollars each month. Just ask Joe Rogan!

16. Delivery Apps

Food delivery with apps like DoorDash is an easy way for teens over 18 to make additional income on their nights and weekends.

One of my favorite things about this side hustle is that you can work on your own schedule whenever you want.

It’s possible to make over $20 per hour delivering food which is a great income if you have a car or truck to make deliveries.

17. Try Grocery Delivery

Just like food delivery services, there are several grocery delivery services you can work for to earn money in your spare time.

With Instacart for example, you set your own schedule and work whenever you want, which is desirable for many teens.

The amount of money you can make will depend on your location, but for most drivers it’s possible to earn $15-22 per hour.

For more, check out our full Instacart shopper review, which includes an interview with an Instacart shopper who earned over $10,000 in his first few months.

18. Take Online Surveys

There are plenty of paid survey sites you can use to make additional income in your free time.

While you’re not going to become a millionaire with this method, it’s a great way to earn a few dollars here and there.

Several online survey sites, including Survey Junkie and Swagbucks, allow users age 13 and up to earn money for completing short surveys and other assignments, like watching advertiser videos.

As a bonus, many survey sites and apps will offer a welcome bonus that’s essentially free money.

19. Flipping

There are many kinds of flipping that teens can do to make some extra cash. For example, furniture flipping can be an easy way to make an extra few hundred dollars each month.

Flipping is a great side hustle because it doesn’t require any special skills to get started. You’ll need a little bit of money and time to make money flipping.

20. Sell Stock Photos

Selling stock photos is a creative side hustle that many teens can use to make extra money.

There’s no need to buy expensive equipment, as most smartphones can take high-quality photos. If you’re a serious photographer, having a high-end camera won’t hurt!

You’ll want to purchase some photo editing software to help you get your photos ready for sale. Photoshop and Lightroom are among the most popular options.

You can sell your photos through online stock photo sites like Shutterstock, or you can create your own website to sell them.

21. Painting Houses

Homeowners dread painting rooms and are willing to pay top-dollar for someone to do it for them.

Painting the interior of a home doesn’t take long and can be a great way to make money on the weekends. (Exterior painting is how I made money in college!)

To start, you’ll need to purchase some basic painting supplies like brushes, rollers, or a paint sprayer to speed up the process.
You can find work painting houses by networking with your friends and family or posting your services on sites like Nextdoor.

The amount of money you can make will depend on the size of the rooms you’re painting and the type of paint requested. It’s possible to make over $100 per room you paint, which can take less than an hour to complete.

22. Help People Move

Moving is another dreaded process of becoming a homeowner. Teenagers make great candidates to help people move because they have time and strength.

The amount of money you can make will depend on your area but it’s possible to make $100 per day with this side hustle. Check out sites like Bellhops or Dolly to get connected with nearby gigs.

23. Work as a Social Media Manager

Nobody understands social media better than teenagers. Why not profit from your knowledge?

Working as a social media manager allows you to be on your phone or computer all day and you can set your own hours.

The pay fluctuates depending on your experience and the amount of work requested but in many cases you can make over $30 per hour with this side gig.

24. Play Video Games

There are many popular video game streams that make millions from their gameplay.

While this side hustle might sound too good to be true, it’s a completely valid way to make money as a teen.

By using platforms like Twitch you can stream your gameplay and make money from the ads or donations viewers send you.

However, not everyone will be successful with this fun side hustle. You’ll need to be skilled at the games you stream if you want to make a serious income.

For more casual gaming, you might consider some popular game apps where you can win real money.

Blackout Bingo

For example, the popular Blackout Bingo game app turns classic bingo from a game of luck into a game of speed and skill. Each game only takes about 2 minutes to play, and you can earn real-world rewards and cash prizes (except in AZ, AR, CT, DE, IN, LA, ME, MT, SC, SD, and TN).

At press time, the app has a 4.5-star rating on the App Store from 70,000+ reviews, with players calling it fun and addicting. The most common complaint is that Blackout Bingo’s ads — which apparently claim you can win big money with little effort — are misleading.

25. Sell Online Courses

Online courses can be extremely profitable and a great method for teenagers to make some extra cash. For example, 18-year-old Andrew Seguin reported earning thousands of dollars a month teaching finger-style guitar!

If you have a specific skill and have the time to develop a course, this can be a great idea to make money.

(Some courses can sell for hundreds of dollars making it a great way to grow your income.)

Before creating a course, you’ll need to think about how you will market and sell your course? If you have an audience already (like a blog, social media following, or email list) this can be a great audience to sell your courses.

If you don’t have an audience, you might need to rely on affiliate marketing or Facebook ads to make sales.

Creating an online course will require a significant amount of time and some money to get started, but once you’ve done the work it can be an excellent source of passive income for your finances.

26. Sell Printables

Digital products are very similar to online courses, except they are much simpler to create and sell.

These digital assets can be things like checklists, cheat sheets, planners, and other small assets that can be purchased online.
You can sell your digital products through sites like Etsy or your own website.

The amount of money you can make will depend on the price you set for your products and the number of products you can sell.

It’s possible to make an extra $1,000 a month with this side hustle.

27. Test Websites for Cash

If you’re searching for an online side hustle for teens, testing websites can be an easy way to make a few bucks in your free time.

With this gig, you can make $10 for every 20 minutes of testing. You can use a site like UserTesting to get started. All you need is a computer and Internet connection to get started!

28. Make Crafts to Sell

Making and selling crafts can be a fun and creative way to make a profit as a teenager.

If you have a knack for arts and crafts, this could be the perfect side hustle for you.

You can sell your crafts at local craft fairs or online through sites like Etsy.

The amount of money you can make will depend on your profit margins and the number of products you can sell each month but it’s completely possible to make over $1,000 a month from this side gig.

29. Sell Products on eBay

Selling on eBay is not a new side hustle by any means, but it can still be a great way to make money for some teens.

By finding wholesalers you can purchase products in bulk and sell them online for a small profit on each sale. Or you can source from local thrift stores, estate sales, yard sales, or online marketplaces.

This side hustle can become a full-time business for some people, like it did for Rob and Melissa Stephenson.

30. Donate Plasma for Money

Donating plasma is an easy way to make money if you don’t mind a tiny amount of pain.

Visit a local plasma donation center to see if you qualify first, but it’s possible to make $20-50 per donation. You can donate a few times per month making it a good way to make extra money.

31. Work as a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is an easy way to make money as a teenager.

All you need to do is sign up for a site like Secret Shopper (ages 18 and up) and start accepting assignments in your area.

The amount of money you can make will vary but it’s possible to make $25 per visit or more.

One app I use while I’m out and about is Field Agent, which points me to quick and easy mystery shopping gigs around town that usually pay $4-10 apiece.

32. Write an eBook

Thanks to self-publishing companies like Amazon and others, becoming an author has never been easier. Previously, becoming a published author would take a significant amount of money and time.

Now, you can get started for much less. If you have a passion for writing and want to become an author, consider selling an eBook.

These are digital copies of books that can be an excellent source of passive income.

33. Use Investing Apps to Make Money

There are plenty of investing apps you can use to invest in the stock market and grow your money. Teens 18 and older can create a free account with Robinhood, and even get a free share of stock when you sign-up.

While this isn’t necessarily a side hustle, it can be a great way to build wealth over the long-term.

You might be thinking that you need a large income to invest, but you can get started with as little as $5 or $10.

34. Pet Waste Removal

As a 13 year-old, Kyle Graham founded Call of Doodie Pet Waste Removal in Jacksonville, FL. At its peak, Kyle reported earning about $250 a week from his pooper scooping business.

Obviously, it’s not the most glamorous gig in the world, but it is one that’s well-suited for recurring revenue. Set customers up on a weekly payment plan and keep people’s yards clean.

35. Earn Scholarships or College Credit

One of my most lucrative teenage side hustles was taking AP classes that let me graduate from college early, saving a bunch of tuition in the process. On top of that, I applied for several local scholarships that helped reduce my education cost.

Sometimes you’ll find these $1,000+ scholarships that don’t take a ton of time to apply for, which works out to be a pretty good hourly rate!

How to Make Money as a Teenager: Final Thoughts

There are plenty of ways to make money as a teenager – but some are easier than others. It’s best to try out a few methods and see which ones you prefer.

Between working as a lifeguard, tutoring other students, or starting an online business – there’s sure to be an option that suits your interests. For more ideas and business growth tactics, make sure to subscribe to the top-rated Side Hustle Show podcast.

Remember, your teenage years can be some of the best of your life, so be sure to enjoy your time as a teen before they’re over.

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