17 Ways For Teens to Earn an Income

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As a teenager, having your own income is hugely appealing.

Just think about all the possibilities – saving up for a car, taking your friends out for pizza after school, buying the latest video game without asking your parents for money.

However, earning money as a teen can be challenging.

Getting a traditional part-time job is only sometimes feasible due to student commitments, transportation limitations, or a lack of work experience.

So today, we are sharing 17 ways for teenagers to start earning an income, all of which you can do without much start-up costs or needing to leave home.

From making money on YouTube to tutoring other students to dog walking in your neighborhood, there are plenty of creative income-earning options perfect for busy high schoolers.

Keep reading to discover some untapped ways you can start making money today.

#1. Recycle

You can get paid to recycle aluminum cans.

Collect them from your home, friends, and neighbors to get your hands on them.

You may even want to contact small businesses in your area.

Once you have them, crush them to save space and recycle them for cash.

Some recycling centers pay anywhere from $0.50 to $3.50 per pound of aluminum, which can add up quickly.

Not only are you making money, but you’re also helping the environment by reducing waste.

#2. Sell Printables

You can create and sell printables using Printify and Etsy if you have basic graphic design skills.

These are digital downloads that people pay a few bucks for.

Etsy offers a variety of helpful tools and resources for different aspects of your life.

From budget templates to wedding to-do lists and daily planners, you can find creative ideas to suit your unique needs.

While the earnings per sale may not be substantial, the cumulative income can gradually accumulate over time, providing additional financial support.

Explore the diverse offerings on Etsy for organizational convenience and a little extra income.

#3. Tutoring

One way to use your knowledge and skills is by offering tutoring services to your peers if you excel in a particular subject.

This can be done online through sites like Fiverr and Indeed or in person and can help you earn money while helping others.

Typically, an hourly wage of approximately $20 can be anticipated.

Please remember to let your parents know, as they can help in spreading the word to other parents too.

#4. Paper Route

You can also offer to deliver newspapers in your neighborhood if you like. This can be a great way to earn money while getting fresh air and exercising.

You can contact your local newspaper or distribution center to start delivering newspapers to see if they’re hiring.

They’ll typically provide you with a list of neighborhoods and the number of papers you’ll need to deliver each one.

With the flexible options and around $20 an hour, you can choose how many areas you want to cover and how often you wish to provide the papers.

#5. Babysitting

Do you enjoy spending time with kids? Consider offering babysitting services as a way to earn money.

You can ask your neighbors or family friends if they need a babysitter or advertise your services on social media.

Once you have established yourself in your field and earned a good reputation for your expertise, you can expect to earn a competitive hourly rate ranging from $15 to $22.

This range reflects the value your skills and experience bring to the table, ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your hard work and dedication.

#6. Social Media Setup

It’s common for older people to need help with setting up and understanding how new social media programs work.

If you have a deep understanding of these programs and are well-versed in their intricacies, you can potentially earn anywhere from $1000 to $5000 per month by setting up profiles and demonstrating essential functions.

This opportunity allows you to leverage your expertise and capitalize on the growing demand for these skills in today’s digital landscape.

So, why take advantage of this lucrative earning potential while showcasing your proficiency in these programs?

#7. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting is quite popular nowadays, and you can leverage it as a teenager.

It’s easy to check in on a pet before or after school. And in the summer months, when people travel, you can pet sit for multiple families, increasing your income.

From preparation to certification, there is abundant information on sites like Shopify to help you get started in the right direction.

Could you list your services in local Facebook groups and tell your neighbors? Before you know it, you’ll have clients.

#8. Raking Leaves

Fall cleanup is a significant problem many homeowners deal with and need help with.

Raking leaves and cleaning up their yards during the fall season is time-consuming work; most would rather not do it.

In some cases, they pay hundreds of dollars to hire professionals.

You can offer your services to help them out.

Charge a little less than the pros, and you have a job that pays decent money.

Looking for a list of essential items to make a process easier?

Check out websites like Family Handyman for tools, materials, and step-by-step guides.

They provide detailed info to streamline your project and ensure success.

Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a beginner, these websites offer valuable info and inspiration for all your home improvement needs.

#9. Snow Shoveling

During winter, you can offer your snow shoveling services to your neighbors.

Many homeowners need help clearing their driveways and sidewalks of snow.

Shoveling them out can earn $20 or more for just an hour’s worth of work.

And if you’re an older teen with access to a snowblower, you can get the job done faster and with less effort.

#10. Lawnmowing

Many homeowners need help mowing their lawns, trimming hedges, and cleaning up their yards.

If you have a lawnmower and some essential equipment, you can offer your lawn care services to your neighbors.

Estimate how long it will take to mow based on the size of the yard and price accordingly.

As your business grows, hire friends to help you so you can maintain two lawns simultaneously, increasing your income.

Websites like Jobber are excellent resources for kickstarting your journey.

With various features and tools for professionals, Jobber streamlines business operations and client management and enhances productivity.

#11. Run Errands for Elderly Neighbors

Do you have a helpful heart? Consider helping elderly neighbors who need help with errands such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, and running other errands.

They may not want to venture out because of the weather, or they don’t like to drive at night.

Or maybe they no longer have access to a car.

Not only will you earn upwards of $20 to $30 an hour helping them out, but you will also keep good about yourself for providing aid.

#12. Pool Cleaning

Maintaining a pool is a lot of work for many homeowners.

While some look to outsource the job, the expense can be pretty pricey.

This is where you come in.

You charge a lot less to get the job.

Your duties include skimming the pool’s surface, vacuuming the bottom, and maybe even checking the water balance and adding some chemicals.

From Better Homes and Gardens to wikiHow, there are many sites with abundant information to learn your new trade!

#13. Photo Books

Everyone has hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures on their cameras. Most do nothing with them, even though they want to.

If you are good at design, you can create photo books.

Ask if they want a particular theme or design and get to work.

You can even use popular services like Shutterfly and charge a little more to cover your costs and put cash in your pocket.

This process can make you $3-$6 on average per copy, but that can go even higher once you are established.

#14. Party Prep

One thorn in the side of many parents with young kids is setting up for parties.

Not only do they need to set everything up, they need to keep their kids entertained.

You can either offer to do the setup, or you can entertain the kids while the parents prepare.

No matter which path you choose, you have the potential to earn an impressive hourly rate ranging from $15 to $30 or even more once you establish a solid reputation and make a name for yourself in your field of expertise.

This reflects the financial rewards, recognition, and opportunities that come with building a successful career.

So, seize the opportunity and pave your way towards a prosperous future!

#15. Push Carts at a Grocery Store

Many grocery stores hire teenagers to push and return carts in the parking lot.

This can be a fantastic opportunity to earn an additional $20,000 per year on average while reaping the benefits of regular exercise.

Not only will you be boosting your income, but you’ll also be improving your overall health and well-being through this dual-purpose endeavor.

#16. Sell Crafts on Etsy

If you’re creative and crafty, why not sell your homemade products on Etsy? 

You can open a virtual store and start making money with items like jewelry, art prints, home decor, clothing, and more.

Setting up an online store is a breeze!

With a user-friendly platform taking care of shipping and returns, you can dive into the world of e-commerce as soon as you have something unique to sell.

Whether handmade crafts, unique products, or your creations, our platform provides the perfect opportunity to showcase your offerings to a global audience.

#17. Capture The World Around You

Did you know your photography passion could become a lucrative income source?

You can earn money from high-quality images by uploading photos to popular stock sites like Shutterstock or iStockPhoto. Countless individuals and businesses seek captivating visuals to enhance their projects, making your photos enticing for potential buyers. 

If stock photos aren’t your thing, explore other avenues: headshots for dating profiles, family photos, or showcasing breathtaking landscapes. Seize the moment and unlock the full potential of your photography skills.

Turn your passion into a rewarding endeavor!

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