In today’s job market, it can be hard for a teenager to find a job.
I remember looking for jobs when I was 15 – they were hard to come by! Don’t let the idea of not having a car keep you from finding work.
If you’re willing to work, you can find something that’s worth your time.
I wish I had this list of jobs for 15-year-olds when I was a teenager!
Unfortunately, I can’t turn back time, but you can take advantage of your spare time with these teen job ideas.
Editor’s Note: Hey, if you’re not 15, I wonder if you tried any of these jobs when you were a teen. Leave a comment!
1Make Money with Swagbucks
Basically this is a free site that offers you a bunch of ways to earn cash, gift cards, or other rewards.
You can earn by answering polls, taking surveys, doing simple tasks (like giving feedback about a website), trading in old video games or books, and even playing games on their site.
I have tried it out and have received multiple payments from them, so I can attest that it is legit.
While you won’t get rich doing this, to me it seems like a great way for internet-loving teens to make some money. Find out more in our Swagbucks review or get started here.
2Start a Tutoring Business
Tutoring services are in demand by parents of students who do not understand some of the essential school classes. The rates for tutoring may be difficult to calculate at first, but if you are successful and the child shows a significant improvement, then you may be able to negotiate a higher rate.
Start at $10 per hour and work your way up from there.
3Typing Service
Teenagers who have good typing skills can offer their services to business owners who do not type well or would rather have someone else type for them.
Try charging per word!
4Start a Babysitting Co-op
Babysitting service may seem like a hit-or-miss low-paying job, but there are ways to create a unique service for people and drive business to the point where the next logical step can take place: networking.
By pooling with a few close friends, you can offer more availability options. One way to increase the amount you can charge is by taking a CPR course and obtaining babysitting certification through the Red Cross.
5Sell your parent’s old books
I made $170 bucks doing this in just a few hours. Here is what I did…
https://youtu.be/FafS-c4YaRY&showinfo=0&rel=0
Even if you don’t have a ton of books laying around, you could always go to thrift stores or garage sales to get some and use the method (before you buy the books) and probably make a really nice profit.
6Become a Craigslist Scavenger
Scavenging includes any legal method to obtain items that people no longer want and only care to have removed. People set things at the curb the night before garbage collection, post advertisements on bulletin boards at grocery stores, laundromats, and more.
The teenager may have to clean the item up or even make minor repairs before selling it, whether at their own rummage sale, Craigslist, or at a local auction.
7Become an eBay Expert
If you are good at selling items, especially on eBay, you can offer services to other people to sell their items for them. This is generally a commission-based job with rates between 30 and 50 percent of the net profit on the item. You can also use your eBay skills to sell those items that you find for free.
8Get Outside and Ask for Work!
Many homeowners are willing to pay teenagers to mow their lawn and perform other yard work. This is a very easy way for a 15-year-old to find a job, especially during summer vacation.
9Become a Gopher
If you don’t mind running errands for others and have the ability to get around town on public transit or a bike, you might consider an errand running service (what I like to call ‘gopher’ jobs – go for this and go for that).
This would include services such as grocery shopping, mailing letters and buying postal supplies at the post office and other errands. These types of jobs typically pay a lower rate of whatever the individual offers and what you will accept. However, simple errands often lead to more jobs and almost always additional referrals.
10Work at a Restaurant
Many local restaurants hire 15-year-olds to bus tables and perform kitchen tasks, such as salad preparation or washing dishes. State labor laws may restrict certain tasks that an individual under the age of 18 can do; for example, operating machinery.
11Turn Crafts into Cash
If you’re a crafty teenager, you might consider making crafts and selling them on sites like eBay or Etsy. Afghans, quilts, clothing, fishing lures, shelves, Christmas ornaments – you name it! If you can make it, you can probably sell it on Etsy.
12Housesitting
People who have a working relationship with a teenager may employ them for odd jobs like housesitting or petsitting while they are on vacation. This usually involves bringing in the mail, feeding fish and other unattended pets, etc.
Sometimes people utilize a house-sitter to actually stay inside the residence for a specified event, such as a funeral for a close relative. Try making these connections through your church or school.
13Work at School Carnivals or Events
You might be able to find work at your own school if they’re hosting an event. Check with the school office to see if they’re hiring students to work at the school carnivals or events. At my high school, students could work track and cross country events to make a few extra dollars.
14Hand Out Flyers for Businesses
Local businesses sometimes offer money to anyone who is willing to hand out flyers while canvassing large areas where people congregate. If it is lawful and permissible in your area, you may find work that involves leaving flyers underneath the windshield wiper of a parked car.
15Work at Summer Camps
Organizations that offer summer camp programs for elementary children usually hire teenagers as assistants in gaming activities and crafts. The students who have a CPR certification may have an upper hand in landing a job.
What other jobs would you recommend for 15-year-olds? Leave a comment!
Working on a farm is always a good option for teens in my area. There is usually a harvesting time that lasts about a month, and many teenagers can earn a few thousand dollars during that time. However, it is hard work and long hours but a great way to earn a good chunk of money without having to work the entire summer. Many of them will work before and after the season as well doing many different odd tasks.
I did this for a few summers as well as worked a night shift at a processing plant after a full days work at my day job when I was just out on my own. It was a great short term commitment to help get some extra money saved. Long days but I knew it would only last a few weeks.
When I was 15, I babysat/was a nanny to a baby. I made great money and did it 40 hours a week for my neighbor during the summer, and a little less during the school year.
Careful about lawn and yard work, especially with power or riding mowers. The homeowner’s liability does NOT cover anyone he pays for such work. My insurance man warned me against using anyone who did not have insurance of their own.
Number 8 sounds familiar to me… my Mom was always telling me to go talk to the neighbours to see if I could help them with their landscaping or do things for them, especially one summer when we had my uncle’s truck for a few weeks!
I am 15 and I live in Pittsburgh and I’m having a hard time finding a job 🙁 If anyone knows any type of jobs I’m available for. Please let me know. My E-mail is [email protected]
I am a 15 year old in Rotherham looking for a weekend job. Email me if anyone has suggestions [email protected],com
I am 15 & looking for a weekend job, or after school hours Monday to Friday, I live in Glasgow, email me if you have any suggestions, [email protected], thanks 🙂
I am 15 and looking for something to do for some extra cash but something to do with computers or cars or bikes. Ok probably do not want to trust a 15 year old to fix your car but I am very good at it. I am in south africa so if anyone in south africa is looking for someone let me know.
Forgot to mention that i live in springfield, mass
Hey! Thank you for the tips. I’ll recommend these to my friends.
Hey, im 15. I really need a job. I akready do some of these things. But, i really need the extra money to help my mom pay for my choir costumes and competitions. So, please, if anyone has anything for me to do, i will do it. I live in Cypress California.
Hey, Angel here. I’m 15 years old and I need a job to help pay for band expenses and away competitions cause they’re getting really expensive, and my dad doesn’t want to continue paying for them without any help. I live in Enid Oklahoma.
Hey I’m 15 I live in homestead Florida I need my to help my mom out and my self it’s not easy over here
Hey, my name is Hortencia from Jersey City and I’m 15 years old. I’m having a hard time finding a job, I’m waiting for my birthday to show up because there are jobs that are for 16 to 18 or older and I’m not between those ages yet. If anyone knows any type of jobs I’m available for please let me know. My email is [email protected] or inbox my iOS at 201-212-4211
Thanks 🙏 🙂
I am a 15 years old teen,i am looking for a job while schooling.
Im nandini frm india i need extra money like i want to help my family and don’t want to depend too much on them…if anyone has idea or anything plz let me know.
My interest is crafting..
thanks for the tips
Aww these jobs are cute and I will show this to my little brother.
hi i’m 15 years old and i’m looking for a weekend job so i can keep myself busy and earn abit of money, i like talking to people in the community and helping others,retail work attracts me email me if any offers: [email protected]
I am 15 year old girl and I need extra money to assist me in some other things.
I need a job to do from Monday to Friday after school.