In today’s digital age, teenagers have unprecedented opportunities to earn money online while gaining valuable skills and experience. From traditional part-time jobs to creative entrepreneurial ventures, there’s a wide array of options available. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the 16 best online jobs for teenagers. We’ll explore various roles, provide tips for success, and offer insights into managing your earnings wisely. Let’s dive in!
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| 16 Best Online Jobs for Teenagers |
Best Online Jobs for Teenagers
Adolescence can be expensive. As you grow up, most parents will want you to start pulling your weight, not only with chores but also financially.
So, you need money. Movie tickets, clothes, technology, and all the other things you want won’t pay for themselves. It’s time to find a job.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to online jobs for teenagers, but most of them fall into one of the following three categories:
- Traditional online ‘jobs,’ like customer service
- Business opportunities
- One-off tasks that pay fairly quickly.
The path you choose depends on your situation, what you want to achieve, and your income goals.
Let’s dive into the details.
Traditional Jobs You Can Do Online
If you’re looking for a realistic and reliable way to make money online in the near future, you have several options. Keep in mind: these are probably the least exciting options, but they are practical.
1.Remote Customer Service Representative
Customer service is the ideal online job for teenagers who enjoy problem-solving and helping others. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to gain practical experience in interacting with various people – a skill that will be valuable no matter what career path you choose.
These jobs can be phone-based or chat-based, so if you’re nervous about talking to people on the phone, an online chat job might be more suitable for your needs.
Check out customer service job listings on Indeed.
2.Social Media Marketing Assistant
If you’re a typical teenager, social media is part of your daily life. While your parents might consider it a massive distraction and a waste of time, you can turn your social media knowledge into a stable job if you approach it smartly.
Local businesses everywhere need help managing their social media accounts, but it’s often the last thing on an already busy business owner’s mind. For instance, my favorite restaurant in town hasn’t posted on their Facebook account since 2019 – that’s several years ago! It’s a huge marketing channel they’re missing out on, and an ambitious person like you could fill that gap.
If you already understand the ins and outs of social media marketing, consider reaching out to small businesses in your area or check Indeed to see if companies near you are actively hiring.
3.Online Tutor
If there’s a subject you excel in at school, you can start getting paid for your expertise by offering tutoring to other students. Whether it’s biology, math, history, or something else, there’s money to be made.
Most tutoring websites like Superprof or Preply pay by the hour, typically between $15 and $30 per hour. Some also allow you to set your own rates or offer group lessons, which can further increase your earnings.
If a tutoring platform doesn’t accept someone your age, create an online resume, share the link on a business card, and leave it in prominent places in your community (with the relevant person’s permission, of course).
4.Data Entry Specialist
If you have an eye for detail, are comfortable with spreadsheets, and don’t mind repetitive tasks, you can find an online job as a data entry specialist.
Data entry work usually involves taking numbers or text from one source and inputting them into another. Yes, it can be rather dull. But money is money, and there’s nothing wrong with having a job like this.
You can find flexible data entry jobs on sites like Fiverr.
Online Business Opportunities for Teenagers
If you’re more of a long-term thinker and want to challenge yourself to create something from scratch, starting an online business is one of the smartest things you can do. It’s hard work, and there’s no guarantee of making money, but the potential gain is much higher than any regular job or online work you’ll find.
It’s also a great way to enhance your resume. By creating a business, you’ll learn a lot about how the online economy works and show future employers that you’re willing to think outside the box and take on challenging projects.
5.YouTuber
Brownlee, aka MKBHD, started uploading tech review videos to his YouTube channel in 2009 at the age of 15. Today, he has over 14 million subscribers and earns over $100,000 per month from his channel.
It all began with a 3-minute clip where he described a remote control.
While Brownlee’s extreme success is an exception, the good news is that you don’t need millions of subscribers to earn a full-time income from YouTube.
In fact, many full-time creators have fewer than 100,000 subscribers, and some have even fewer. If you’re passionate about a topic and willing to learn the art of creating great videos, the sky’s the limit on YouTube. Consistency is key!
6.Blogger
If the idea of making videos for the world to see terrifies you, blogging is a fantastic alternative. And yes, people still read blogs (you’re reading this, aren’t you?).
The most successful bloggers usually focus on a niche or specific topic and stick to it. For example, Dofinpro is a blog about personal finance and entrepreneurship. You won’t find us writing about what we had for lunch or the latest concert we attended.
As you start gaining recognition for your writing topic, your audience will grow more rapidly. With an engaged audience, you can make money through ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and more. Building an audience is a slow process at first, but it can eventually pay off.
7.Instagram or TikTok Influencer
Becoming an influencer is the dream of many teenagers. However, like any other endeavor, it takes a lot of work and consistency. Most people think that going viral is the key to “success,” but that’s not necessarily the case. Most influencers build their accounts slowly and steadily.
The amount of money you can earn depends on your follower count, their engagement, and the significance of your influence. You can make money by partnering with brands, posting sponsored content, selling other people’s products, or selling your own products or services.
Parents should be involved in negotiations with companies looking to partner with your account. There might be contracts to review that contain important guidelines and stipulations.
8.Merchandise Seller
CafePress is an online gift shop that sells items like T-shirts, coffee mugs, and water bottles. You design and create the items for sale, and CafePress handles the marketing for you. Its categories include:
- Men’s Clothing
- Women’s Clothing
- Baby Clothing
- Accessories
- Home and Decor
- Drinks
- Stickers and Signs
You can design your own products using the website. Choose the product you want to design and use CafePress’s design tools to create the item.
The amount you earn depends on the markup you apply to your items. You decide the markup amount, so it’s entirely up to you. You’ll earn 5 to 10% of the sale price for each item sold. Because the profit margin is quite low, it’s advisable to promote your products on other platforms to increase sales.
You must be at least 13 years old to use CafePress, and teenagers between 13 and 18 years old need to be supervised by their parents.
9.Freelance Writer
Freelance writing can be a perfect online job for teenagers if they enjoy getting paid for writing. Plus, you can adapt it to your schedule and write as much or as little as you want. You might choose to write more during summer and winter breaks.
Fiverr is an online freelance marketplace where you can buy or sell services starting at just $5.
On this platform, job listings are called “gigs.” They typically include graphic design, digital marketing, writing and translation, video and animation, programming, and technology – basically, anything you can do online.
You can set the price for your services as you see fit, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you’re just starting out, you might offer lower prices initially and increase them as you receive ratings and gain experience.
Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and offer higher levels or packages at a higher price.
10.Etsy Craft Seller
If you’re an art and craft enthusiast and want to take it to the next level, you can become an Etsy craft seller.
Etsy is a platform where you can sell unique, handmade, or vintage items. Teens aged 13 and above can use Etsy, but those under 18 need permission and supervision from their parents or guardians, who should own the account.
You can also sell printable PDFs and other digital items on Etsy if you have graphic design skills. Whether you’re selling digital products or physical goods, your earnings depend on your craft, the money you spend on materials or software, and the price people are willing to pay for your items.
Other Ways for Teens to Make Money Online
Somewhere between online jobs for teenagers and online businesses are freelance gigs.
These are sporadic, sometimes one-off opportunities to make a bit of money online. You can’t always rely on them for regular income, but you might be able to land a few gigs per month that can add up.
11.Babysitter or House Sitter
While babysitting isn’t an online job, teenagers can still connect with families and find babysitting gigs online.
On Yoopies, you can offer babysitting, house cleaning, pet sitting, and other home services. You’ll need to state your location, years of experience, and availability.
You set your own rates. Keep in mind that teens starting out in babysitting or pet sitting should charge less than adults with years of experience. If you’re unsure about your rate, check their guide to see what others in your area charge.
12.Music Reviewer
Maximiles is a website that pays people for their reviews. You can give your opinion on songs, clothing, ads, and much more before they’re published. Your feedback helps artists, labels, and brands make important decisions about their products.
Some reviews pay you more money than others, as you can see on the category page. You’ll also be paid better based on the quality of your review and your star rating on the site.
You can cash out money via PayPal once your account reaches $10 or more. You also get bonus points if you refer your friends.
13.Voice Actor
13-year-olds can sign up on Voices.com as long as their parents or legal guardians manage the account and agree to comply with online child safety conditions.
The site is a free online marketplace that connects voice actors with clients in need of their talent. Employers post job listings, and actors submit a demo along with a quote to potential clients.
Voice actors can find work in commercials, podcasts, video games, and radio. It’s a great way for teenagers interested in broadcasting, acting, or entertainment to find a part-time job and become familiar with the industry.
14.Online Freelancer
Fiverr is an online freelance marketplace where you can buy or sell services starting at just $5.
On this platform, jobs are called “gigs.” Typical gigs include graphic design, digital marketing, writing and translation, video and animation, programming, and technology – essentially, anything you can do online.
You can set the price for your services as you see fit, and the starting price can be higher than $5. If you’re just starting out, you might offer lower prices initially and increase them as you receive ratings and gain experience. Another option is to offer your basic service for $5 and offer higher levels or packages at a higher price.
If you have skills in graphic design, animation, video production, audio editing, music, or anything else, you can make money offering your services on Fiverr. Check the site to see what kinds of services others are offering.
15.Graphic Designer
If you’re proficient with design software and programs like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, you can start working as a graphic designer for sites like Redbubble and Cafepress. These platforms allow you to upload designs that you can then sell on coffee mugs, pillows, stickers, and more.
On Redbubble, designers earn an average of 17%. You’ll need to promote your work on social media to increase sales, so feel free to share it on your profiles.
16.Survey Participant
Companies always want to improve their products, and to do so, they seek direct feedback from consumers. That’s why they offer paid online surveys to gather valuable insights from their current and potential customers.
This type of work is in constant demand, making it one of the best online jobs for teenagers. Survey pay generally ranges from a few cents to $10 or more per survey, but most fall towards the lower end of this range.
i-Say: i-Say is one of the most popular survey sites. According to their website, they’ve paid out millions of euros to their users. Signing up is free, and the value of surveys varies from $0.5 to $5. The number of points to exchange depends on the reward you choose. Parents can monitor their young teens’ accounts to help them track earned points and available activities or surveys.
Pinecone Research: Pinecone Research is one of the well-known online survey sites. Once you sign up and provide some personal information, their matching engine will connect you with opportunities that fit your demographic profile. Besides surveys, you can earn points by taking on challenges and referring friends and family members.
Moweb: Moweb is another online survey website where you answer questions and provide honest opinions. You earn points for each survey you respond to, which you can exchange for money via PayPal. Surveys last between one and 20 minutes. As a general rule, the longer the survey, the more points you can earn.
Tips for teenagers working online
Before signing up on a website, keep these tips in mind when searching for the best ways to earn money online as a teenager.
Open a PayPal account
Most online job sites pay via PayPal. To accept payments through this platform, you need to open your own account. You need to be at least 18 years old to create an account.
If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian will need to open the account and be the primary account holder.
Creating a PayPal account is simple. Once the account is open, you need to link it to a bank account. PayPal will send a few small deposits to your bank account and ask you to verify the amounts.
Keep your parents informed
While it might be tempting to keep your new side activity a secret, if you suddenly start earning extra money without explaining its source, your parents could become concerned.
For your own safety and well-being, let them know what you’re doing. Tell them that you’ve been researching online jobs that allow teenagers to earn money. A strong work ethic, especially at a young age, is impressive, and they will appreciate your initiative.
They might also be aware of opportunities or ways to help you find work that you haven’t considered.
Check age requirements
Before signing up for any of these companies, verify the required age. You don’t want to get excited about an opportunity only to find out that you’re too young to take advantage of it. You might be asked to provide identification, so don’t try to lie about your age.
Track your money trail
It’s important to know how much money you’re earning or spending for your business. To keep track of 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 deposits or withdrawals from your account.
Tracking your money allows you to know who pays on time, where the bulk of your income is coming from, and how much you’re spending on materials and supplies. This information helps you decide when to raise your rates or if you need to increase (or decrease) the services you offer.
More income means more opportunities
As long as it doesn’t interfere with your schoolwork or extracurricular activities, the benefits of a part-time job or side activity in your teenage years outweigh the drawbacks. Moreover, online jobs are more manageable with a busy schedule.
You’ll learn to manage your time and money, valuable skills to acquire before heading to college. By earning and managing your own money, you’ll learn to save, pay taxes, budget for needs and wants, and open a bank account.
You’ll also learn negotiation, handling difficult clients, and advocating for feedback. A job after school is an excellent way to bolster your resume, and you might even mention it in an essay or a statement.
Conclusion
Exploring the world of online jobs as a teenager can be an exciting journey filled with learning experiences and financial rewards. The 16 opportunities we’ve discussed cover a wide range of interests and skills, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Remember to prioritize your safety, communicate with your parents, and manage your earnings wisely. As you navigate this digital landscape, you’ll not only earn money but also develop skills that will serve you well in the future.