Teens today no longer have to mow lawns or babysit after school to make some side cash. Thanks to the internet, online jobs for teens are now available. You don’t even have to go out of the house anymore to earn some pocket money aside from your allowance.
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If you do a web search on how to make money online as a teen, you’d get overwhelmed with just how many options are available.
You’re lucky to be a teen at such an exciting time, and if you still can’t believe the availability of online jobs for teens, here’s a comprehensive guide of opportunities you are free to explore.
Two Types of Online Jobs for Teens
Anyone who is serious about learning how to make money online as a teen should know there are two routes they can take.
Part-time to full-time jobs
This type of opportunity is similar to traditional office-based jobs, only you do them at home.
From admin jobs to IT, writing, research, customer service, and a whole lot more, it’s almost impossible not to find a job you like.
The best thing about online jobs is that you can commit to part-time or full-time hours only when you’re available, so these would work for teens still attending school.
You can sign up for part-time jobs during the school year and full-time jobs during the summer or if you decide to take a gap year.
Create Passive Income
Passive income is the dream of many online workers because they essentially work on one project and wait for it to earn income each month.
There will be less or sometimes no more work involved in the future, but earnings will continue for as long as the project is live.
This could be anything from a blog with Google Ads, affiliate marketing via Facebook, an ebook, a podcast, and so on. Here are 25 recommended ways of earning money while you sleep.
I recommend learning these money-making opportunities and trying them out. Remember, it’s never too early to establish a source of passive income.
33 Best Online Jobs for Teens That Actually Pay
To build this list, note that I chose only work-at-home jobs known to have flexible work hours (e.g., part-time, per-project basis) and entry-level positions with very minimal requirements, which should be perfect for teens aged 12 and above.
Without further ado, here’s our ultimate guide of online jobs for teens so you can decide which ones will work for your schedule, skills, and interests.
1. Stream your video game playing sessions
This job will definitely make gamers think about their hobbies in another light.
You can stream yourself playing video games and people will sit there and watch you play. Some may even pay to watch you play.
Develop your online personality, grow your following, and you can make some serious cash in no time.
Minimum age: 13 (for Twitch)
2. Become an Instagram influencer
This isn’t technically a job, but for the right teen, it can very well be.
If you’ve got mad makeup skills, a singing voice that can give Adele a run for her money, or any other talent, you’d be surprised at how quickly you can build a fan base.
As an influencer, you are paid to promote products or services not only on Instagram but also on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites for each post, campaign, or ad.
Minimum age: 13 (for Instagram)
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3. Test New Products
Did you know major brands like Nike, adidas, Red Robin, and so many more pay people to test out new products before they hit the shelves?
Companies will mail you upcoming products and pay for your opinions on them. Most of the time, you get to keep what you receive as well!
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company; ask a parent or guardian to help you
4. Perform Data Entry
You’d need to be a fast typist with research skills. No education or specific experience requirements are needed.
Pay is by project or per entry.
Plus, you’re free to work only on your downtime.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
5. Answer Surveys
I know what you’re thinking, “not another post mentioning paid surveys…”
While surveys can get a bad rep online, there are some legit opportunities out there. I narrowed down the list to the best and highest paying survey sites to join.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
6. Become a Virtual Assistant
As a VA, you’ll perform day-to-day admin tasks, such as answering emails and calls, scheduling meetings, researching, and more. Pay starts at $3 to $10 per hour.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company, but most require you to be at least 18
7. Transcribe Audio and Video Files
If you’re good with words and can type fast, there are legitimate transcription jobs for the taking.
Those who are bilingual would have twice the opportunities and with higher pay as well.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company, but most require you to be at least 18
8. Work In Customer Service
Part-timers can handle emails, calls, online chat, text messages, or other communication channels of companies from around the world.
These are home-based jobs with an hourly rate of $8 to $25.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company, but most require you to be at least 18
9. Write for the Web
If you’ve got a flair for words, there are plenty of writing opportunities available for you.
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You can find work as a blogger, copywriter, ghostwriter for a book, recipe, and so on.
Teens with advanced writing skills can even work as a proofreader. Pay rates would vary (some are paid by the word, others on a per-project basis).
Minimum age: None normally
10. Proofread other people’s writing.
If you prefer to check other people’s writing, online proofreading jobs might be a better fit for you, especially if your spelling and grammar are great.
Besides, this will be good practice for when you’re writing and proofreading your own essays for class.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
11. Help Manage Social Media Accounts
Out of all the online jobs for teens, social media management is probably the most natural fit for anyone from this generation.
Teens are the ones who love interacting on social media the most. Social media management is a matter of transposing this enthusiasm for interaction into social media accounts of online businesses and companies.
Many of these positions are part-time and can be performed virtually anywhere in the world.
You do have to be aware of pop culture, industry news, and the companies’ target audience to do this job well.
Minimum age: 13 (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook); varies depending on the minimum age to use other social media sites
12. Online Tutor Your Peers
Do you love teaching your classmates or younger siblings? The great thing about the internet is that it allows you to connect to people from all over the world. You can get paid to tutor homework or teach people subjects you’re passionate about.
While some websites require tutors to have degrees or teaching licenses, many tutoring positions don’t have strict requirements. You can earn as little as $5/hour or up to $25/hour, depending on the subject you’re teaching.
What’s awesome about these jobs is that you can start tutoring with just your mobile phone and a Skype app.
13. Teach English
Don’t have a specific topic you’re good at? You can still teach online if English is your first language and you come from an English-speaking country and know the ins-and-outs of your mother tongue. There are tons of ESL companies today and most of them pay by the hour.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company, but most require you to be at least 18
14. Offer Coaching
Coaching may not sound like a usual online job for teens, but if you have the expertise and the time, it’s a great way to earn some side cash.
You can be a fitness coach, or you can go into personal development or any skill that can be taught through a video call.
How cool would it be for a teenager to become an online fitness coach to fellow teens in need of changing their lifestyles into healthier ones?
You can do this as an employee for coaching sites and earn by the hour or start your own vlog and control your earnings.
Minimum age: 13 (for YouTube); varies depending on coaching site
15. Perform SEO Work
Age is only a number when it comes to the Internet and skills we can master related to the web.
One category of jobs that were only created recently involves SEO (search engine optimization), so if you’ve always been interested in Google and the search engine giant’s algorithms, and the methods of bringing websites to the top of search engine results, you’ll find that the SEO industry is filled with online jobs for teens to adults.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
16. Graphic Design
Kids in school are taught photo-editing programs as early as in kindergarten, so it wouldn’t be surprising for teenagers to be masters of Photoshop or any other software preferred by graphic designers.
The online jobs for teens in graphic design are never-ending; you can create digital flyers, posters, infographics, ad banners, website logos, social media content, and so many more. Payment for your work depends if you’re working by the hour, per-project, or per item or file.
Minimum age: None, normally
17. Draw Cartoons
Teens with a passion for illustration also have amazing opportunities to earn from home.
While these jobs are usually paid per order, you can commit to as few or as many as you can. You can actually get paid to draw caricatures, cartoons, illustrations, anime, portraits, and many more.
You can check out the going rate for artwork similar to what you’re offering from places like Fiverr, Zazzle, and so on.
Minimum age: 13 (for Fiverr, Zazzle)
18. Sell Your Photos
Not only will teens with a love for photography be able to master their skills, but they can also earn money along the way.
Do it as a freelancer first, so you can control your time and workload, but you can find local photography gigs from family portraits to product photography.
You can also try selling your photos on 500px or PhotoDune.
Minimum age: 18 (for Foap); 14 (for 500px, with parent or guardian account); 13 (for PhotoDune, with parent or guardian account)
19. Try Your Hand at Calligraphy
You might already have taken up lettering and calligraphy as a hobby, but did you know you can earn from your writings and scribbles?
Use your calligraphy skills to create and sell posters, home décor, and other artwork. You can also accept assignments for bespoke items such as wedding invitations, thank you cards, and so on at Etsy.com.
Minimum age: 18 (for Etsy)
20. Write Closed Captions
Earn anywhere from $10 to $75 an hour when you transcribe videos, TV shows, movies, and other video content to create closed captions or subtitles.
There are several companies that hire closed captioners regularly. Make sure to check if they hire part-timers before sending in your application.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
21. Lend Out Your Voice
Has anyone ever told you that your voice belongs in an audiobook or in a movie?
Explore the world of voiceovers and learn how voice talents earn through companies like InternetJock.com or Voices.com.
Note that these sites get a huge chunk of your earnings, so if you prefer to receive 100% of what you work for, you can start freelance voice-over gigs on Fiverr.
Minimum age: 13 (for Voices.com, Fiverr)
22. Create Music
Aside from voiceover jobs, there are plenty of online jobs for teens who are musically gifted.
Whether you’re good at singing or rapping, playing the ukulele, writing lyrics, or composing original music, you can earn as much as you want.
Writing jingles, for example, can get you anywhere from $20 to $500, while composing a musical score for a company’s ad can go as high as $1,000 or more.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
23. Listen to music.
Yes, something as mundane as listening to music online can be a job now.
Some websites pay you for your feedback, while others will pay you to listen to ads in between songs.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
24. Produce Videos
Video making is yet another hobby that you can turn into a money-making venture.
Because people love to watch videos, companies are using this medium for ads and everything else; think product releases, announcements, company news, and so on.
Teens with 2D or 3D animation skills could also launch a career in video production. Considering 10-second videos cost $50 to $500 each, that’s something definitely to think about.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
25. Answer Questions Online
For those with a natural love for solving problems, learning new things, and finding answers to various questions, research is a field you’d likely thrive in.
You can dedicate your downtime to answering questions online or providing a more customized service such as those offered on Fiverr to solve school-related problems, life-as-a-teenager questions, and so on.
Minimum age: 13 (for Fiverr)
26. Plan Vacations
You don’t have to travel far to get a gig as a tour planner.
Teens can still provide online travel guide services by creating itineraries for future guests or selling local tours.
If you know your way around town, you can even suggest specific tours, such as food tours, kid-friendly tours, or any other off-the-beaten-path tours.
Minimum age: 13 (for Fiverr)
27. Develop an App
Of all the online jobs for teens available today, being an app or game developer is often at the top of teens’ wish list.
And this isn’t surprising at all.
If you have the coding skills, who wouldn’t want to earn up to $65,000 a year as a home-based game developer? Or a lifelong commission for mobile apps and in-app purchases?
Get started developing an iOS app or an Android app on their respective sites.
Minimum age: None normally
28. Conduct Family Tree Research
Had fun finding out all about your roots when you had to make your family tree in school?
What would you say if you can do this as a part-time job and get paid $25 to $100 per hour?
If you love research and you’re all about the receipts, this online job may be just the right fit for you.
Minimum age: 13 (for Fiverr)
29. Be a Video Game Tester
You probably already play a couple of video games yourself, so why not get paid to play them?
Being a video game tester is probably up there as one of the most coveted online jobs for teens.
But being a tester doesn’t only involve playing; you’ll need to have mad skills to go through every scenario possible, as well as the powers of observation to see if there are any bugs or mistakes in the game.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company, but most companies prefer applicants 18 years or older
30. Test websites.
You’re probably online almost all the time, so you might as well get paid to check out websites.
Website testers typically take note of a website’s design, how easy it is to navigate, whether forms and buttons are working, and all other details, with the aim of launching or updating a website that works the way it’s supposed to.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
31. Help People with Their Problems
If helping people comes out naturally to you, you can be someone’s “shoulder to cry on.” You can just listen to people’s problems, or give life/relationship advice.
Teens can get $5 to $10 an hour as an online counselor, which can grow to up to $25/hour with experience.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
32. Write Greeting Cards
Either you’ve got the words perfect for greeting cards, or you’re talented with meme-worthy drawings and cartoons, the greeting card industry would welcome you with open arms.
Check out more than 30 companies looking to hire talent for their greeting card business.
Minimum age: Varies depending on the company
33. Create Memes
Believe it or not, there are some companies that will pay you to create memes.
It sounds ridiculous, but the right viral content can go for quite a bit of money.
Minimum age: 13 (for Instagram, YouTube)
Some Reminders If You Want to Work Online
Here are some things to be mindful of if you want to make side cash from working online.
1. Be mindful of your personal information.
I wish I can tell you that the internet is a good place with fairies and rainbows and everybody getting along and having good intentions.
By now, you should know it’s not.
Being a teenager makes you all the more vulnerable to predatory adults and even other teens.
And you’d be surprised to know what they can do with your full name, photo, home address, and email address.
Always check the URL you’re going into if it’s a legitimate one. Before you apply to a company and before you submit your résumé, make sure to research the company and read their privacy policy and what they can do with your information.
If you have a bad feeling, trust it. Just close your browser and look for something else. There will be other websites and there will be other side gigs.
2. Know the federal and your state’s child labor laws.
(Yes, you’re not a child anymore, but that’s what the laws are called, so grin and bear it. It’s for your own good.)
Child labor laws are in place to protect minors from being exploited and injured in the workplace.
However, even if your workplace is technically at home and your office is on the internet, child labor laws still apply.
These laws mostly cover which industries you can and can’t work in, as well as limit the number of hours you can work during schooldays, weekends, and holidays.
Also, federal laws don’t require work permits for minors, but some states do, so check if your state is one of them.
In addition, bear in mind that you have the same rights as other workers.
Read more about your rights in this article.
3. Learn how to take care of your earnings.
Financial literacy is rarely taught in schools, so you might have to get out of your way to learn about this.
But this is one of those things that adults generally learn too late in life, so learning about it early can only be good for you and your future.
Of course, you can simply ask your parent, guardian, or any other trusted adult to hold on to your earnings, but nothing beats the feeling of making your own money, being able to spend it on things you want or need without having to ask money from others and having savings to boot.
This program is free and is a good starting point to learn about money and how you can use it to achieve your goals.
You’re never too young to know how to save, spend, and invest.
Going Beyond Part-time Online Jobs for Teens
The internet has given pretty much anyone (women/men, introverts/extroverts, disabled, young/old, and everyone in between) a chance to earn honest and legit cash in the comfort of their own homes. This includes teenagers.
Right now, you need to prioritize school and other extracurricular activities, but once you graduate, find more downtime, or need extra money, there are plenty more online jobs you can explore.
The jobs listed above are only just a handful of the opportunities that working from home will open up.
If you really wish to do the make-money-online route full time, I recommend that you learn everything you can about both types of online jobs and do a regular home-based job while working to increase your passive income.
This combo is the win-win and reason why online entrepreneurs are able to be their own bosses…and it’s never too early to begin your passive income-generating portfolio of online assets, so start today!
Which online job are you most interested to try? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
