20+ Great Online Jobs For Teens

Let’s face it: we’re living in the 21st century. 

From our social lives to our schoolwork, almost every aspect of modern life is digitalized or computer-accessible —  but what does that mean for jobs for teens?

Well, a lot of things.

No longer are newspaper routes, fast food, or babysitting the only teen job options. You can now open that computer and find a whole new digital job market that you can tap into. Some may see many of these as gig economy jobs, as they allow anyone the opportunity to make some extra money.

Almost every day there are new online jobs for teens allowing them to make money from home. There’s so much opportunity, packed into an internet connection and a few-inch hard drive —  and for those of you scouring the web for an online or remote job, have no fear, there’s plenty here!

Related: High paying jobs for teens.

This list focuses on “jobs” rather than “careers”.

What is the difference exactly?

Jobs are usually more short-term projects, or a more general means to make money. Careers are what you hope to do into adulthood that will be your main source of providing for your life!

Maybe you are looking for a summer job, or want to work during the school year for some extra spending money. Either way, getting a job as a teen is a great idea – not just to make money, but gain important life skills.

Now, all that being said, let’s check out some of the best online jobs for teens.

We are providing resources and websites in this article, but have not tested or used them. If you are under 18, please have your parents review all websites before offering your personal information to them.

Online Surveys

We’ll kick this list off with perhaps one of the most infamous types of digital jobs out there —  online survey taker. Each of these websites has a different age requirement, so be sure to check the details of each before you signup!

There are so many survey sites out there including Google Opinion Rewards, LifePoints, and more. Each survey site varies greatly in the method of payment, how often you’re paid, what kind of surveys you’re taking, and when you’re able to take them. Some sites also give you credits that you have to spend on the site itself, rather than being able to cash out somewhere else.

These credits are redeemable for gift cards — essentially free gift cards, so long as you don’t count the expense of your time.

Let’s take a quick look at some of your survey taking options:

Google Opinion Rewards

An app downloadable on the Google Play or Apple Store, Google Opinion Rewards sends out a survey about once a week, give or take. They’re typically short —  say a minute or less —  and pay up to $1 in Google Play or Paypal credit. Check the program out here!

LifePoints

Completing a LifePoints survey lets you earn points, with those points being redeemable for various e-gift cards, Paypal credit, and the like. Most of the surveys seem to take about 10 minutes or less, but there are definitely some awfully fast survey takers. They’ve also got an app available on both the Google Play store and Apple App store. Check them out here.

Survey Junkie

Interestingly enough, Survey Junkie has two options for a quick dime. SJ Opinion is the standard survey taking method where you earn points to redeem, while SJ Pulse taps into your digital browsing behaviors in exchange for rewards. Naturally, what you choose to do with sites like this is up to you and your comfort level —  to be a survey taker is to give up a bit of privacy with every question you answer, after all. 

Regardless, you can redeem your earned points for cash via PayPal of a variety of e-gift cards from stores like Amazon, Walmart, or even just a plain old Visa. You can learn more here.   

If none of the above tickle your fancy, there are quite a few other options out there to consider. There’s a slew of news articles about survey sites, and plenty of advice sites like Save The Student give a good review of some of these surveys, too.

Lastly, let’s talk about a bit of advice to help you succeed. I’d love to say that no one would go on the Internet and just lie, but unfortunately, that’s never quite the case.

So, if online survey taking is the online job for you, keep the following in mind:

• Never pay to take an online survey. You’re trying to earn money online. If any site asks you for money or sketchy donations, there’s good reason to believe you’re about to be scammed.
• Remember the time investment. Filling out a survey might feel like a 5-minute venture, but this isn’t always the case. Some survey questions may take upwards of 15 minutes or beyond, so always keep a realistic expectation about the time investment versus the money you’ll actually make.
• Don’t expect to get paid quickly. With how many of these sites operate, you need to accrue points or money before you cash out in full. This can take days, or even weeks.
• Don’t depend on the income. Online surveys top the list os ways to make money, but there are definitely better paying online jobs. Taking surveys work best as an off-to-the-side job, something you do for a little extra cash when you don’t mind losing a few minutes to a questionnaire.
• Be aware of your privacy. All in all, a survey is a bunch of questions that want to know more about you, the individual. If you’re signing up for survey sites, be sure to acknowledge that these companies will learn something about you —  and be sure to weigh that cost against any benefits you’re looking to earn.

Start A T-shirt Brand

Starting a t-shirt brand is a great way to kick start a fashion career and create some side-money. Check out the success of Eli Zied, who was 17 when he started Habits365. If you have the skills you can create your website and do print-on-demand apparel. Alternatively, you can use a site like CafePress to get started with your brand.

This is a great option for the younger teens as can be as young as 13 to start selling your designs on CafePress.

Transcriber

Transcription is not the easiest job, but it can be well-paying and is great for those that would like to work alone. This is another online job for teens top-pick from Blue Collar Brain due to the flexibility, ease, and pay.

You generally receive some kind of audio, be it garbled or crystal clear, and have to transcribe what you hear — writing closed captions, essentially. Clips can be a short 2 to 4 minutes, or far, far longer depending on where you apply.

Sites like TranscribeMe have rates starting as $15 to $22 per audio hour, with monthly earnings topping out at $2,200. However, keep in mind that transcribing even an hour of audio can prove pretty difficult if the audio’s warped or staticky in any way. Average monthly earnings on TranscribeMe filter out to about $250, but transcription if the perfect online job for those looking to make their own hours.

I’d also highly recommend checking out Indeed’s more in-depth article about transcription jobs if this sounds like the online job for you. Some certifications may boost you along in the market, but, ultimately, transcription stands as one of the best online jobs for teens given its easy entry and accessibility. 

Artist or Graphic Designer

If you’ve got an artistic flair or Photoshop skills to match, freelance graphic design might be right up your alley. If you are a high school student looking to enter the art world, this is a great way to kick off that career.

According to Indeed, graphic designers in the U.S. make an average base salary of around $19.95 an hour —  though remember, freelance jobs are highly variable based on the client, their needs, and even just your skill level. Indeed also focuses on salaried graphic designers, as opposed to the hypothetical freelancer, you.

If you’re into either art or graphic design, definitely check out more in-depth articles on getting started, since this is only a simple primer.

Also, take an interest in other commissioned artists on Twitter, Instagram, or other social media outlets. Look at their rates and design work, and be sure to charge appropriately with your skill level so you don’t get priced out of the industry. As far as online jobs for teens go, being a freelancer of any kind comes with the ability to pick your clients — which might be wonderful for you.

Altogether, if you’ve got artistic skills, commissions are a fantastic way to make money online. As a commissioned artist, the job search becomes more of a client search — so if your skills aren’t honed or you don’t have a marketable style, be sure to try distinguishing yourself in your niche.

Content Writer

Hey, that’s me! Seriously.

Even as a high school student, my passion for writing was strong. That is why I decided to start doing some freelance writing!

Freelance content writing is a great way for teens to make money. With content being so important for digital media, print media, and even advertising; there is no shortage of opportunities if you have mad grammar skills.

For some articles, sure you’re just writing what needs to be said —  tutorials, opinion pieces, book reviews. You might even get to write in a more lit mag type of style; poetry, short stories, fictive works. 

For other projects, though, you’ve got to focus on keywords. You’ve got to read over competing articles. This is what’s referred to as SEO, or search engine optimization. When you Google something and see the top results, SEO is the driving force behind those rankings —  and as a content writer, you want to maximize what search terms you rank for.

But don’t let the complexity of that bog you down! It’s surprisingly easy to learn if you’re willing, and all that depends on whether or not you’re doing SEO-based content writing at all. If you’re adept at fiction writing and simply paid to submit your work, this online job comes with no strings attached.

Again, be sure you’re confident in your skills before you go out there and get to marketing yourself for any online jobs with this level of writing. Otherwise, check into Indeed or other sites for content writing jobs —  trust me, there’s plenty!

Video Editor

So, maybe you’re noticing a bit of a trend with the freelance jobs here. Video editors in the U.S. make an average base salary of about $20.73 as per Indeed, though as always that applies to formally hired individuals, rather than freelancers.

Nevertheless, if you like chopping up videos and piecing them back together to tell a tale, this is definitely one of the best online jobs to consider. Some prior experience with relevant software is definitely a good idea, but if you’ve always had an interest in video editing, getting out there and marketing yourself is never a bad idea.

Build up a portfolio of video content, network as best you can, and don’t be afraid of getting out there to make things happen. And that’s crucial to every freelance job!

Website Testing

Have a passion for all things tech? Then how about the opportunity to make some money by testing websites!

These jobs entail signing up for a testing service and then completing various tasks you are provided on a specific website. In many of these services, they have an age requirement of 16 years or older. Userlytics.com is one of those sites you can check into to learn more about how to test websites as a job.

Opinion Research

Like to give your opinion? Then why not get paid to do it! Most of these options are for teens ages 16 years and older.

Websites like YouGov and Toluna allow you to give your opinion on a variety of topics in exchange for points that you can then redeem for cash or gift cards at top stores.

Minecraft Gamer + Designer

Even 13-year olds can create an account on fiverr and begin providing Minecraft services to buyers. If you love playing Minecraft you can offer services including:

• Create Minecraft skins
• Best test Minecraft servers
• Play Minecraft with others
• Build villages and maps

Whatever you can think of to help Minecraft users you can try to offer to earn some money online! Don’t rule out trying to create your own video games too! You never know where the next bit hit will come from – it just might be you.

Online Tutor

Online tutoring jobs are much the same as in-person tutoring. With a national average salary of $24.78 as per Indeed, tutors are always in demand. Be it for high school or middle school, online tutors are expected to have a mastery of a given subject or course. You may need to be 18 years old for some positions, and most tutoring platforms require a web camera as the tutoring sessions themselves occur over a video conference. 

Now, the issue with online tutoring is that the companies employing online tutors generally require a certificate, a bachelor’s degree, or some level of education unattainable by high school students. 

Even so, local tutoring is always a better bet. Whether that involves marketing your services in your school or to your peers, you can enjoy all the usual requirements of highschool tutoring with the added benefit of going online.

Play Online Games

I know, sounds too good to be true – but it is a real opportunity. Survey websites like Swagbucks will pay you to play a variety of games in turn for some cash. Looking for something a bit more competitive and with a bigger payout?

Consider getting into eSports. There is real money to be made if you are extremely skilled and dedicated to your gaming craft.

Be A Forum Filler

Earn money by simply posting content on different forums. The Forum Wheel offers teens of all ages the opportunity to earn money by posting content in various online communities. This helps forum owners kick-start their growth, so you will be earning money and helping others while you are doing it. This is a great job for teens since it has no age requirement and is fairly easy to do.

Social Media Services

If you live and breathe social media and have a knack for getting people to engage with you, social media marketing can be a lucrative option. Brands, now more than ever, are always looking for skilled social media people.

Reach out to your favorite brands and see if there is an opportunity to do some freelance work for them. Make sure your own social media accounts are awesome before diving in though since those will be reviewed by the brands digital marketing team. Who knows, maybe this can lead to a social media manager job after high school!

Create a profile on websites like fiverr or upwork.com to start getting opportunities as well.

Start A Blog

Essentially, you are reading a blog right now. We started this website because we are passionate about helping young adults find their path in life.

So, why not start your own blog about a topic you are passionate about? If you have hobby, craft passion, or some type of skill that you can share with others there is money to be made. Once you build traffic you can do earn money though advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsorships just to name a few.

Sites like ZenSpill can help you kick start your blogging career.

Administrative Support

You will need to be a little older for most online administrative jobs. These types of opportunities are mostly for those 16 years of age and up. There is a lot of different opportunities out there for various administrative work. You might be doing data entry, research, customer support, and more.

Searching on job board websites like Indeed can help you locate online support jobs. There is also websites like VirtualVocations, but they do charge a monthly fee to do searches.

Customer Service Rep

Even high school students can apply for some customer service representative jobs! You can work for various companies either onsite or online helping customers with a variety of support requests they may have. You will need to enjoy helping people and have great communication skills. While many jobs may have an age requirement of 18 years of age, there are a lot of opportunities out there with a minimum age of 16 years.

Trade-In Old Books

If you are anything like our house, there are books everywhere. Many which just sit and collect dust having been read oh so long ago. Whether you have textbooks or reading books, there are opportunities for you to make some cash selling them online to websites like Bookscouter or Half Price Books.

Don’t be afraid to ask your local bookstores if they buy books as well.

Sell Old Clothes

If you are a fashionista with a closet full of clothes you no longer where, there is money to be made with websites like Poshmark. You can easily list your clothes for sale and allow others to purchase them. Of course, the challenge here is to not buy new clothes from the site and put your money away for a rainy day.

You can even attend local garage sales and try to find clothes you can sell as well.

Start A Podcast

If blogging sounds like too much work, then what about a podcast? If you have a lot to talk about – no matter what the subject, a podcast can be a great way to make money online. Once you build an audience, you can acquire sponsorships that can be lucrative if you are good at getting those listeners engaged.

Photographer

If you are out in the world taking pictures for fun, then why not turn that into some cash?

You can work with bloggers or create stock photos to share on websites to get some money for your creative efforts. Bloggers can always use unique photos for their blogs so those stock photos are always needed. If you have a great eye you can work with food bloggers, if you love animals you can work with pet bloggers! Find a niche and reach out to bloggers to see if they need your services.

Building your own portfolio can help you get your work out there – and listing your services on websites like fiverr or upwork.com can help too.

Crafts

If you like to crochet, knit, work with metal, or do any kind of craft – there is a ton of opportunity for you on websites like Etsy. Using your creative skills can make you a great side hustle that will also be fun.

YouTuber

If you have a skill or are super-engaging in some way, YouTube is a great way to make some money. Of course it will take some time to kick start this revenue stream since you need to build a following first, but once you do it can be lucrative.

Teach people how to do something or do silly antics (of course be safe) and you may just find yourself with a great side hustle.

Sell Random Items

This one takes a bit of work, but can be an effective way to earn some money fairly quickly. With the likes of Ebay or OfferUp you can easily sell just about anything. Browse your local classified ads, Craigslist, or see what you have laying around the house that you can sell.

Remember though, you will need to ship these items so you need to be able to get to the shipping store to send them out! So your parents may need to help a bit with this one.

Final Thoughts

First, we are proud of you for wanting to get out there and make things happen! When you make your own money, there is a feeling of pride that comes with it. Having the drive to find ways to earn money online as a teen shows you are a go-getter and the world needs more of those.

Whether you choose to go to college or get into a trade career, any job you have as a teen will help you succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions