11 Side Hustles for Teens in 2024 – $1,000 a Month
By Maddy Scheckel Over 30% of American teenagers have a job.
Want to join them? There are plenty of part-time jobs for teens, and the options are only increasing as the world becomes more digital.
Some side jobs for teens are entirely online. While others are out in “the real world” but operate through apps or digital platforms.
Whether you want to work in front of a screen, behind the wheel, or in some other location, there are side jobs for teens like you.
Below, I’ve listed the best side hustles for teens, so you can make the right decision!
Best Side Hustles for Teens
I designed this list for teens who want to earn $1,000 per month.
Does that mean you can definitely earn $1,000 from any of them? Not necessarily. You might have to mix and match.
But if you consider your options (and you’re willing to work), you can definitely meet the $1,000 target.
And $1,000 is a lot – especially for most teenagers!
So if you’re a young person who aims for financial security, here are side hustles to consider.
- Where It Shines: Swagbucks Magic Receipts is the newest feature of the rewards program, offering members cash back at hundreds of grocery stores across various shopping categories. To earn, snap a photo of your receipt and watch the rewards roll in.
- How It Pays: Earn reward points called SB that can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers, food spots, subscription services, and more — like Amazon, Starbucks, and Hulu — or cash via PayPal.
- Average Cash Back Earned: How much you earn from each receipt varies, but you can earn a few SB with each one.
- Amount To Cash Out: You need at least $3 (300 points) to cash out.
1 – Complete Online Surveys
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
You can make decent money by completing surveys online. Just make sure you choose the right platform since each site has its own age requirements.
Once you’re 13, you can create an account with some standard survey platforms, including LifePoints and Mypoints. Other sites, including Branded Surveys and Swagbucks, let teenagers participate on an adult’s account.
Once you’ve registered with a platform, you’ll take surveys on a wide variety of subjects. They’re not usually hard, and they can even be lots of fun!
You’ll earn dollars or points as you go. When you’ve reached the platform’s cashout threshold, you can request your payment, which is often delivered as cash or a gift card.
For more ideas, read this full list of surveys that pay cash instantly.
2 – Play Games
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
I know it sounds too good to be true, but playing games online is actually one of the best side hustles for teens.
There are lots of platforms that pay you to play, and some are available to teenagers.
Swagbucks is one great option. You only have to be 13 to create an account. Once you’re signed up, you can get paid to play Solitaire, Angry Birds, and other exciting games. be sure to check out other survey sites like Swagbucks.
Mistplay is another fun gaming platform, but they recently changed the rules, so you have to be 18 years old to play. I mention it here because it’s one of the most popular gaming sites on the web, and it’s still a great option for older teenagers.
And then there’s Blackout Bingo, an addictive game that’s available to anyone 17 or older. Learn more in, “Is Blackout Bingo legit?“
Check out more ways to earn gift cards by playing games.
Got gift cards you don’t want? Learn how to get instant cash for gift cards.
3 – Babysitting/ Caregiving
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
When it comes to part-time jobs for teens, babysitting is a classic – and for a good reason!
It’s fun, it pays well, and it helps society in an important way. I mean, what could be more important than caring for others?
According to Care.com, the average pay for after-school babysitters is $17.40/hr, but you could make more or less depending on your location and level of experience.
It’s possible to find jobs by word of mouth, but you could also go through an online platform like Care.com or Sittercity. These sites make it easy. Simply sign up for an account, then apply for the jobs you see listed.
Just be aware that both of these sites have a minimum age of 18 to create an account, and those under the age of 13 are not permitted to use the site.
So, if you’re between the ages of 13-17 years old, then you’ll need to rely on a parent-monitored account until you can create your own.
4 – Dog Walking and Pet Sitting
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
People are busier than ever these days – meaning they need help with their pets. If you’re an animal lover, you can take advantage and make dog walking or pet sitting a lucrative side hustle.
Online platforms can make it easier to find work. Rover is specific to caring for pets, while Care.com caters to babysitters and pet sitters alike. Both these sites have a minimum age of 18 to create an account.
But what if you’re younger? Will your dog-walking career have to wait?
Not at all! You’ll just have to ask a parent or guardian to make an account and monitor it with you.
Source: Unsplash
5 – Become a Delivery Driver
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 16
Ah, delivery drivers. The people that hold society together! Because where would we be without pizza, chicken wings, and impossible burgers delivered fresh to our front doors?
Becoming a delivery driver doesn’t just make you an American hero. It could also earn you around $17/hr, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s pretty lucrative for a side hustle!
Of course, your career as a delivery driver depends on your age. If you’re not old enough to drive, you’ll have to find a different gig for now.
And even if you can drive, you won’t be able to work for most delivery apps until you’re 18. That means local pizza shops and restaurants are your best bet – go ahead and apply to them directly.
But if you’re 18 or older, then you can drive for delivery services like Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber. You’ll get to choose your own schedule and work as much or as little as you want!
6 – Sell Crafts
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
Are you artsy by nature? Then it might be time to monetize that skill by crafting objects you can sell on the market.
Start by perusing the web to see what sorts of things people are buying. Once you land on an idea, practice – then market your wares!
But how?
It’s best to leverage digital platforms like Etsy.
Teens 13 or older can use Etsy with a parent’s account, and anyone 18 and up can create their own account. There’s no better way to reach a wide audience of potential customers.
7 – Tutor
Minimum Age Required to Participate: Varies (18 for some digital platforms)
Tutoring isn’t just a way to help people learn. It’s also one of the best side hustles for teens!
There are lots of tutoring opportunities out there. If you want to tutor in math, science, or some traditional subject, look for younger students who could need your assistance. Parents will pay big bucks to help their children keep up in school.
Or, if chatting with people around the world sounds interesting, you could try Cambly. It’s a platform meant to help people practice their English, and it’s super easy for the tutors. There’s just one caveat: You have to be at least 18 to sign up.
8 – Sell Clothes
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 13
Having unwanted clothes in your dresser is annoying. Why not profit from them?
Selling your old clothes is actually one of the easiest part-time jobs for teens. Just take some time to sort through your closet, setting aside items you no longer wear (or have outgrown). Then, sell them for a profit!
There are lots of apps that help people sell their clothes. I’d recommend starting with Poshmark since they’re one of the most famous and reputable platforms.
9 – Freelance Writing
Minimum Age Required to Participate: Varies (18 for some digital platforms)
If you have a way with words, you can make money through freelance writing – one of the best side hustles for teens.
These days, companies do a lot of their marketing online. That means they’re publishing blogs, articles, and social media posts, and they’ll pay talented writers to help them.
Start by looking for gigs on freelance platforms like Upwork. It can be tough to find work at first but stick with it. Eventually, you’ll start landing clients and enjoying the flexibility that comes with being a freelance writer.
10 – Help Complete Tasks
Minimum Age Required to Participate: Varies (18 for some digital platforms)
One of the best weekend jobs for teens is to help people complete household tasks.
From mowing lawns to changing light bulbs, there are a lot of tasks out there, and people will pay you to complete them.
You don’t have to be an expert in any one area, but being handy with tools never hurts. All you need is the willingness to work and the wherewithal to find gigs in your area.
Luckily, there are apps that can link you with potential clients. TaskRabbit has a minimum age of 18, but it’s a wonderfully easy-to-use platform once you’re old enough to use it.
11 – Sell Stock Images
Minimum Age Required to Participate: 18
If you’re 18 years old and you love photography, you could turn your passion into a lucrative side hustle.
The internet is full of images, and people are constantly downloading photos for their websites, blogs, and online stores. They often get those photos from stock image providers like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
These websites pay photographers for their work. And if you’re lucky, you could build a reputation for yourself online as people license your photos. In some cases, what started as a side job for teens could become a long-term creative profession!
Source: Unsplash
Commonly Asked Questions About Side Hustles for Teens
How Can a 16-Year-Old Make Money on the Side?
Some of the best side hustles for teens include taking surveys and playing online games. Platforms like Swagbucks and Mypoints let anyone age 13 years and up create an account and begin earning.
How Can a 14-Year-Old Make Extra Money?
Completing surveys and playing online games are two of the best side hustles for teens – especially for younger teens who could have a hard time commuting to a physical workplace. Mypoints and Swagbucks are awesome options for anyone 13 years and older.
What Side Hustles Make $1000 a Month?
Dog walking, babysitting, and freelance writing can all pay $1,000 a month. Give sites like Care.com or Upwork a try. And if your income from any of these falls short, you can make additional cash by playing online games or taking surveys on platforms like Swagbucks.
And if you’re looking to set up a bank account for your teen, boost their balance fast with one of these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.
Online Side Hustles for Teens?
Taking surveys and playing games are excellent part-time jobs for teens. The key is to find platforms that allow teenagers to register. I’d start with Swagbucks and Mypoints since both allow anyone 13 and up to participate.
Side Hustles for 15-Year-Olds Online?
The best online side hustles for teens are playing online games and taking surveys. You won’t get rich, but you can make money in a way that’s safe and easy. Swagbucks and Mypoints are reputable platforms, and both accept anyone 13 or older.
Side Hustles for Young Adults?
You can make money on the side by working as a freelance writer through Upwork, a stock image photographer for Adobe Stock, an online tutor with Cambly, or a delivery driver with Instacart or DoorDash. Not only can these gigs be lucrative, but they’ll also provide you with the flexibility to set your own schedule. Also, you can check out this article covering jobs that pay 100K a year without a degree.
Side Hustles for 12-Year-Olds?
12 isn’t too young to pick up a side hustle – but your options are limited. Once you turn 13, you can try dog walking or babysitting with Care.com. For more ideas, check out this article on surveys for kids.
Best Side Hustles for 16-Year-Olds?
Some of the best side jobs for teens include:
- Completing surveys with Swagbucks and Mypoints
- Babysitting with Care.com
- Dog walking with Rover
- Playing online games on Swagbucks, Mistplay, or Blackout Bingo
- Selling crafts on Etsy
Online Side Hustles for 13 Year Olds?
Some of the best weekend jobs for teens can be found online. Taking surveys and playing games are nice ways to earn some money online while you’re still too young for other jobs. Try Swagbucks and Mypoints – they’re available to kids 13 and over!
