25 Jobs for Teens and High School Students

A good first job can help you earn cash and give you valuable work experience.

By Jon Simmons, Monster contributor

Jobs for teens need to fit your life. That means they can't require loads of experience, have a rigid 9-to-5 schedule (hello, school), or—let's be honest—be boring. Never fear, there are good jobs for teenagers within your reach, right here on Monster.

Have you lost count how many times the 'rents have asked what your plans are? As prodding as they may be, mom and dad have a point: Sooner rather than later, you’ll need to get your first job. First though, you might need to fill out some paperwork to be eligible for work, depending on the state you live in and your age.

If you're under age 18 (or under age 16 in some states), it's smart to check which employment and/or age certificates, if any, are issued by your state. So if you're looking for jobs for 14-year-olds or jobs for 15-year-olds, there's a chance you'll need these certificates before you can legally work.

The U.S. Department of Labor website has lots more information on your work eligibility as a minor, but you can also ask your high school guidance counselor to point you in the right direction.

Bonus: You can put these jobs on your resume, which can be part of your college application. Jobs for high school students are great ways to show admissions counselors that you've got the drive to succeed.

Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Monster data, we found 25 jobs for teens so you can start gaining experience—and put cash in your pocket.

25 Jobs for Teens

1. Babysitter

What you’d do: Babysitting is one of the most common jobs for teens, as it demonstrates responsibility. As a babysitter, you’ll watch kids, play with them, keep them safe from harm, and make sure they get to bed on time.
What you’d need: Working with kids requires patience and a good sense of humor. It also helps to be flexible, since parents might need you to step in with just a few days’ notice. CPR certification may give you an edge.
What you’d make: The median pay for a babysitter/nanny is $14.29 per hour.

Find babysitter jobs and nanny jobs on Monster.

2. Barista

What you’d do: Get ready to serve coffee (and a variety of other drinks) to a bunch of customers eager for their java fix.
What you’d need: As a barista, attention to detail and great people skills are key. On-the-job training will likely be provided to teach you how to prepare a bevy of beverages. Check out this barista resume sample and sample cover letter for a barista.
What you’d make: The median pay for a barista is $11.57 per hour.

Find barista jobs on Monster.

3. Busser

What you’d do: One of the joys of eating out is not having to clear the table, but busboys and busgirls get paid to do that. As a busser, you’ll clear tables in timely manner so the dishwasher can clean tableware and get it ready to be used again.
What you’d need: Bussers are constantly moving around a restaurant, so a keen eye for a finished meal and an ability to work on your feet are both important.
What you’d make: The median pay for a busser is $11.14 per hour.

Find busser jobs on Monster.

4. Call Center Representative

What you’d do: Call center reps work for a variety of businesses, including retailers and technology firms. Be ready to answer questions via phone, messaging, and email.
What you’d need: The employer will usually supply on-the-job training, but an interest in technology (computers, messaging systems) and a willingness to hunt down the answer if you don't immediately know it are important prerequisites.
What you’d make: The median pay for a call center representative is $30,855 per year.

Find call center representative jobs on Monster.

5. Camp Counselor

What you’d do: Yes, there are jobs for teens that actually pay you to have fun. There are many kinds of camps—wilderness camps, sports camps, academic camps—but in general, counselors help plan and lead fun activities with groups of kids.
What you’d need: If you’re interested in being a camp counselor, you should have an interest in working with groups of kids and a passion for whatever subject matter you’re teaching.
What you’d make: The median pay for a camp counselor is $13.51 per hour

Find camp counselor jobs on Monster.

6. Car Wash Attendant

What you’d do: Although many car washes are automated these days, most of them still need people to guide the cars onto the tracks and ring people up. Depending on the company though, you might also be physically washing and drying the exterior of cars.
What you’d need: On-the-job training will likely be provided. You’ll likely need strength and stamina to perform the more physical duties.
What you’d make: The median pay for a car detailer is $12.36 per hour.

Find car wash attendant jobs on Monster.

7. Cashier

What you’d do: Cashiers work in a variety of settings—grocery stores, hardware stores, etc.—but the job is relatively consistent: You ring people up and sometimes also help them bag their items.
What you’d need: On-the-job training will likely be provided. Since you’ll be working on your feet, good stamina is a plus, and so are solid people skills and a knowledge of the store’s prices.
What you’d make: The median pay for a cashier is $11.29 per hour.

Find cashier jobs on Monster.

8. Catering Coordinator

What you’d do: Part-time catering positions can range from answering phone inquiries to helping to prepare food to delivering it on time to events around town.
What you’d need: You’ll need flexible hours and a passion for food. Being organized and detail-oriented go a long way, too.
What you’d make: The median pay for a banquet worker is $11.14 per hour.

Find catering coordinator jobs on Monster.

9. Delivery Driver

What you’d do: From pizza to pad thai, local restaurants in your area need delivery drivers to make sure hungry people get their food on time.
What you’d need: A driver’s license and good driving record are usual necessities.
What you’d make: The median salary for a food and beverage delivery driver is $32,391 per year.

Find delivery driver jobs on Monster.

10. Dishwasher

What you’d do: This is one of those jobs for teens that may feel like you’re doing your chores—except you’re getting paid. Where there are diners, there are dishes. As a dishwasher, you’ll be scrubbing plates and pans and putting them back in rotation.
What you’d need: Strong arms and legs, plus diligence, are key.
What you’d make: The median pay for a dishwasher is $11.16 per hour.

Find dishwasher jobs on Monster.

11. Dog Walker

What you’d do: Love dogs? Your neighborhood canine friends need exercise, and their owners aren’t always available to take them out for a stroll. That’s where you come in.
What you’d need: A love for pups is obvious, but you’ll also likely need to be able to commit to a daily or weekly schedule.
What you’d make: The median pay for an animal care worker is $13.67 per hour.

Find dog walker jobs on Monster.

12. Fast Food Worker

What you’d do: Feed people who are on the go by taking their order, answering any menu questions, preparing food, ringing them up, and seeing them off with a smile. You may also be charged with stocking and storing food items, cleaning duties, and light office work.
What you’d need: On-the-job training is usually provided, but customer service skills are a must.
What you’d make: Food service team members make a median of $11.66 per hour.

Find fast food jobs on Monster.

13. Gas Station Attendant

What you’d do: Depending on the state you live in, gas station attendants help man fuel station dispensers and equipment, pump gas, as well as handle the register and stock shelves.
What you’d need: Job responsibilities can vary, but the ability to multitask and good customer service are staples.
What you’d make: The median pay for a fuel attendant is $12.48 per hour.

Find gas station attendant jobs on Monster.

14. Janitor

What you’d do: Whether it’s at an office building, school, hotel, or elsewhere, cleaning duties land in the capable (and hardworking) hands of janitors, who keep facilities spotless.
What you’d need: Most janitors learn on the job, since no formal education is required, but physical strength and stamina are also important. Check out this sample resume for a janitor.
What you’d make: The median pay for a janitor is $12.38 per hour.

Find janitor jobs on Monster.

15. Lawn Care

What you’d do: Landscaping is one of the many outdoor jobs for teens on this list. Duties vary, but usually include mowing lawns, raking leaves, trimming hedges, and other tasks to keep a yard clean.
What you’d need: Sometimes you might need to provide equipment like lawn mowers and trimmers; other times your employer will supply them. Regardless, you’ll need to be in good shape for this physical work.
What you’d make: The median pay for a lawn care worker is $16.58 per hour.

Find lawn care jobs on Monster.

16. Lifeguard

What you’d do: The name says it all—you’ll be keeping watch over the pool, the lake, or the ocean to make sure everyone is staying safe and out of danger’s way. It's one of the most popular jobs for teens out there.
What you’d need: Lifeguards need a lifeguard/CPR certification, as well as a watchful eye. Oftentimes, the organization will supply this training.
What you’d make: The median pay for a lifeguard is $11.90 per hour.

Find lifeguard jobs on Monster.

17. Mover

What you’d do: When it’s time for a home or business to pack up and change locations, they call on movers to pack their items securely, transport everything, and then unload without damaging anything along the way.
What you’d need: Moving is highly physical work. You’ll need to be able to carry heavy objects for long periods of time.
What you’d make: The median pay for a mover is $14.36 per hour.

Find mover jobs on Monster.

18. Newspaper Delivery

What you’d do: Keep locals in the know by delivering the paper to neighborhood subscribers.
What you’d need: The main thing you’ll need is a means of transportation like a car or a bike, since newspaper carriers must travel around a neighborhood.
What you’d make: The median pay for a route delivery worker is $34,407 per year.

Find newspaper carrier jobs on Monster.

19. Personal Assistant

What you’d do: For high schoolers, personal assistant jobs usually take the shape of helping out a local business doing part-time administrative work for one of the organization’s leaders. Personal assistants can also act as helpers for the elderly, doing everything from running errands to yard work.
What you’d need: Flexibility, as the type of work can change from day to day, plus an unwavering sense of responsibility. Check out this sample resume for a personal assistant.
What you’d make: The median pay for a personal assistant is $33,083 per year.

Find personal assistant jobs on Monster.

20. Restaurant Host/Hostess

What you’d do: Hosts and hostesses greet guests as they enter the restaurant, help them find tables, and convey important information (how long guests will have to wait to be seated, for example).
What you’d need: You are often the first person guests will interact with when they come into the restaurant, so a friendly and helpful attitude is crucial.
What you’d make: The median pay for a host/hostess is $11.57 per hour.

Find restaurant host jobs on Monster.

21. Retail Sales

What you’d do: Retail has a number of jobs for teens, with sales being at the top of the list. Along with finding items and answering questions for customers, retail sales associates work the cash register, set up displays, and keep the store looking good.
What you’d need: No formal education is needed, as on-the-job training is the norm. Good organizational and people skills are helpful in retail sales positions.
What you’d make: The median pay for a retail sales associate is $29,417 per year

Find retail sales specialist jobs on Monster.

22. Swim Instructor

What you’d do: Swim instructors coach others on proper swim techniques, including diving, breathing, and different types of swimming strokes.
What you’d need: Swim instructors are required to have or be willing to obtain a lifeguard/CPR certification.
What you’d make: The median pay for a fitness instructor is $20.38 per hour.

Find swim instructor jobs on Monster.

23. Umpire/Junior Referee

What you’d do: If you’re interested in refereeing, becoming a junior umpire for recreation and town leagues can be a great entry point. As an umpire, you’ll be officiating sports like baseball or soccer.
What you’d need: Knowledge of the rules of the game is essential. You must also be in good shape to keep up with the players.
What you'd make: The median pay for an umpire/referee is $15.39 per hour.

Find umpire/ref jobs on Monster.

24. Valet Parking

What you’d do: Whether it’s at a restaurant, hotel, or elsewhere, valets park cars for guests as they arrive, and return the cars to guests when they’re ready to leave.
What you’d need: On top of customer service skills, you’ll need to have your driver’s license and a good driving record.
What you'd make: The median pay for a valet attendant is $12.05 per hour.

Find valet parking jobs on Monster.

25. Waiter/Waitress

What you’d do: Waiters and waitresses answer questions about the menu, take orders, serve food and drinks, and clear tables.
What you’d need: On-the-job training is common, but you’ll need a friendly disposition and plenty of stamina.
What you'd make: The median pay for a waiter/waitress is $11.24 per hour.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on Monster.

Jobs for Teens—in the Palm of Your Hand

We’ve got loads of jobs for high school students ready and waiting for you. Want to get started today? A great way is with the Monster app. After downloading it, all you have to do is swipe right on the jobs that you’re into. It’s that simple. Let Monster help you earn some money and get some experience that'll come in handy down the line.