20 Summer Jobs for Teens
Now that school is over, I know that many teenagers are not trying to stay at home unemployed during the summer. I remember turning 16 years old and working my first summer job. I couldn’t wait to start making my own money.
Getting a summer job is one of the ways you can earn some money for yourself. You could save some of the money for college or pay for other things. It will also help you discover the skills you already have, develop additional skills you would need in the future, and prepares you for the job market. If you know any teen job seekers, let them know that there are numerous summer employment opportunities for them to find work for the summer. There are many seasonal jobs available. In this article, there are 20 different summer jobs for teens. Let’s start with the first one.
Summer Jobs for Teens
1. Camp Counselor
There are many camp jobs available. Teens can watch and be in charge of younger kids at summer camps. They have the opportunity to be big brothers or big sisters to the campers. I worked at a YMCA summer camp during the summer after my senior year of high school. I was able to get that job through a workforce development agency. If you are a job seeker, you should reach out to the agency in your city. Being a summer camp counselor was a fun job, and it was easy. You don’t need any experience for this position. You can expect to average between 20-25 hours a week.
2. Movie Theater
Working at a movie theater is next on teens’ list of summer jobs for teens. They should be able to make decent money during the summer because that’s the time many “Blockbuster” movies come out. Some of the jobs they can work at the theater are ticket sellers, concessions, and ticket takers. Since it’s a summer job, teens won’t have to worry about child labor laws.
3. LifeGuard
If you live near a beach or a community pool, a teen can apply for a lifeguard position. Depending on where you live, these positions can be very competitive. The sooner you apply for the job, the better. I know this is common sense, but I will say it anyway. Make sure that you know how to swim before you apply.
4. Retail
The next thing on the list of summer jobs for teens is to work retail. For the most part, retail jobs are pretty straightforward. Working in retail allows teens to engage with customers and learn money skills. Visit your local mall or department store to see if they have any openings. You can search online to see any job listings.
5. Restaurants
Working in a restaurant is another excellent opportunity for teens. They can be servers, bussers, or hosts/hostesses. The amount of money a teen could make depends on the type of restaurant they apply to work at. For example, a teen would probably make more at Outback Steakhouse than at McDonald’s.
6. Tutor
Teens can tutor other kids during the summer. Teens that tutor can set their schedules. They also help students in subjects that they are great at. They can promote their services on social media or in online communities. Being a tutor can be meaningful work.
7. Lawn Care
If you’re a teen that lives someplace where people have big yards, you can do lawn care. This job requires you to get up early to beat the summer heat. If not, you will cut grass in the middle of the day, typically the hottest time, or you will cut in the evening. You can expect to get some repeat customers if you are good at lawn care. If you’re good at it, this could be the beginning of your start in entrepreneurship.
8. Amusement Parks
If you live in a city with an amusement park like Six Flags or Disney World, you should apply to work for them. Amusement parks have lots of vacancies during the beginning of the season. They also have great perks such as discounts or free admission to the parks. Amusement park jobs are suitable for any teen looking for work.
9. Nanny And Housekeeping
With the high demand for babysitters and nannies in homes where the parents are both of the working class and need childcare support for their children, you should consider taking these offers. Though the job has reasonable pay, it requires a responsible person with great patience. It is also an excellent choice for teens who are comfortable around children and have conflict-resolution skills and orderliness. Also, there is a high demand for housekeepers in hotels, malls, families, and other institutions. Teens can take up these jobs to develop their organizational skills.
10. Internship
Some internship positions are unpaid, while others are paid. Internships can be a means for teens to try on their career choices. Summer internships help teens gain experience and boost their resumes in the long run. Check with your career center to see what paid internships are available. Make sure that your resume and cover letter are up to par. The summer internship can help them get a future career.
11. Gardening
This is an excellent choice for teens who love to connect with nature and spend time outdoors. If you have a neighbor who owns a garden around you, you could offer to plant flowers and water their gardens. You can also apply on farms to plant crops, fertilize them, and gather their produce.
12. Pet Sitting
Teens who love animals can consider working for a zoo, animal park, pet store, or veterinary clinic. Here, they groom, feed the animals, and clean the animal houses and cages. In most cases, you may be staying in an environment where there are pet owners, and when these people go out for a walk or take a vacation, you can offer to care for their pets while they are away and earn a little income doing that.
13. Freelancing
Teens who love writing or are very good at designing can earn a reasonable amount working as freelance writers it designers. If you wish to grow your writing career, you could run a blog where you put your thoughts into words and earn money expressing your skills. This can also open opportunities for young adults in the future.
14. Computer Services
Are you good at typing, collation, and data presentation? Are you good at developing and installing software and programs? This is the right choice for you to offer your skillful services and get rewarded while doing it. As a computer guru who knows how to fix damaged programs and computers, you can help people fix theirs.
If you also know your way around social media, you could help create social media pages for small or new businesses and upload their products on their pages. Check your high school career services center to see if they can point you in the right direction. They may be able to get you hired or at least introduce you to a recruiter.
15. Photographer
If you are good at using a digital camera and editing pictures, you could work as a freelance photographer for summer work. You can offer your services to people for various events like weddings, birthday parties, and others.
If your passion is taking pictures of nature or animals, you could sell your photos to magazines, newspapers, and other publications. You can also sell your photographs to stock photo sites and earn a passive income. That means you could make money for months, if not years, down the line from your hard work during the summer.
You could also get a job working for a photographer helping around the studio or doing things for them during outdoor shoots. So if you’re looking to get your foot in the door in the world of photography, this is a great start.
16. Transcriptionist
With the high use of audio and video files these days, there is a need for people who can transcribe these files into text. This is where you come in as a transcriptionist. As a teen, you could offer your services to businesses, podcasters, YouTubers, and others who create audio and video content.
Some of the qualifications to be a transcriptionist are that you must be a good listener and have excellent written communication skills. You should also be able to type fast and accurately. You can get work at freelance sites or sites such as Rev.com.
Transcription is difficult work, but it pays well, and you can do it at your own pace. The nice thing is, you don’t have to leave your home. You could also work on your laptop on your porch or wherever you can find a quiet place.
17. Washing Cars
Everyone likes to have their car washed during the summer. It’s not easy work for everyone, that’s why it could be a good gig during the summer. This occupation is for you if you don’t mind getting a little wet and dirty.
You could start your car wash service if you have a backyard, but it would be much easier to get a job at an existing one. You’re not going to make a ton of money, but you’ll get some tips if you do a good job.
As a teenager, working at a car wash will teach you valuable life lessons, such as the importance of customer service and working as part of a team.
18. Agricultural Work
If you live in a rural area, there are probably a lot of farms nearby. Many of them are always looking for extra help during the summer months. You could do anything from picking vegetables to feeding animals.
You probably won’t make much money working on a farm, but it’s a great way to learn where your food comes from and how it’s grown. Plus, you’ll get some exercise and fresh air.
Outdoor jobs like working on a farm can be hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun. You’ll get to meet new people and learn new skills.
19. Construction Work
If you’re looking for a job that will give you a lot of exercise, construction work might be for you. There are always homes and businesses being built, so there is always a need for extra hands.
You don’t need any experience to get a job in construction. You’ll need to be able to follow directions and be willing to work hard. Construction work can be challenging, but it’s also gratifying.
You’ll see the fruits of your labor as the building takes shape. Plus, you’ll get paid quite well for your efforts. If you have a strong back, are willing to get dirty, and don’t mind working long hours, construction work is the perfect outdoor job.
20. Data Entry
Data entry is one of those things that online companies always need help with. This job is perfect for you if you have good keyboarding job skills and attention to detail.
As a data entry worker, you’ll be responsible for inputting data into a computer. This could be anything from customer information to inventory. You just need to be able to type fast and accurately.
You can find data entry work at many different companies, from small businesses to large corporations. You can also find work at freelance sites. Pay attention to job postings and look for entry-level positions.
Data entry work is usually dull, but it’s also easy. You can do it at your own pace and usually work from home. So if you’re looking for a low-stress job that you can do on your own time, then data entry is a good option. It’s also a way to build your resume.
These are just a few opportunities for teens looking for a summer job. There are other types of jobs out there as well. The important thing is to start your job search early and don’t give up. Let this be the summer that you begin to take your finances into your hands.
What are some other summer jobs for teens?
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.