25 Good Summer Jobs for Teens

Updated October 3, 2019
Bike shop teen worker stands proudly in front of his stock

There are many good summer jobs available for teens wanting to earn money while out of school. Some jobs are strictly seasonal, while others may provide employment beyond summer as part-time workers, should you wish.

1. Video Game Tester

If you love playing video games, a video game tester may be your ideal summer job. Video game companies depend on testers to work out the bugs before releasing the game to market. You'll need to have the appropriate gaming equipment/platform that the video game company requires. You'll need to repeat gaming tasks, such as menu, setup, settings, and go through each player's moves. You'll be required to keep a record and report any issues you run into while playing the game.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

Various job board websites advertise for part-time video game testers. You need to be at least 16 years old for most positions. Visit individual game manufacturer websites and search their open positions. If they allow resume uploads, be sure to submit yours. According to the site Indeed.com, the average hourly pay is just under $21 per hour.

2. Hair Salon Assistant

If you love working with hair styles, a hair salon assistant may be your perfect summer job! You must have a cosmetology license to actual be a hair stylist, but you can be an assistant and perform salon duties, such as assist the stylist with shampoos, rinsing and drying. In some position, you may be allowed to color hair. You may be required to, greet customers, operate the cash register, sweep floors, stock products, schedule appointments, wash towels, and other salon related tasks.

Teen hairdresser shampooing a woman

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

You will need to visit hair salons personally to inquire about a job, unless you find one listed online. Sometimes jobs aren't advertised and are filled by word of mouth/referrals. Ask those you know who regularly visit a hair salon and get some feelers out there working for you. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for a non-experienced worker is close to $12, but could be more depending on the salon and region.

3. Carpenter Helper

You may live in an area where carpenters aren't part of a union. If so, you can get a job working as a helper or apprentice for on-the-job training if you are 16 years or older. You need to be in excellent physical condition and able to work outside in the heat. If you're 14 to 15 years old, you are only allowed to work in a construction office or sales staff.

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Possible employers include home contractors and other construction companies. Some states mandate the number of hours youths under 18 can work. Pay rates vary from one contractor to another. According to PayScale, the starting hourly rate is just under $15 with a meridan hourly rate of around $14 for experienced carpenter helpers.

4. Golf Caddy

If you play golf or are knowledgeable about the game, then a job as a golf caddy may be a great summer job. You'll answer to the golf course manager or supervisor. Caddies carry the golf bag, hold the flag at the holes and replace divots. Most importantly, you will be expected to assist golfers in determining distances, advise on golf course conditions and which club to use, and offer advice on their game for improvement. Time between caddying may involve other duties on the course and in the golf shop.

Finding Work and Pay

As a golfer, you should be familiar with local golf courses and can make inquiries about summer caddy positions. According to Forbes, a country club golf caddy can earn between $20-$30 an hour, plus you'll receive tips from happy golfers!

5. Warehouse Seasonal Worker

Many manufacturers and other businesses with warehouses hire seasonal help during the summer months. Employee vacations often leave warehouses short staffed. Some businesses have a boom during the summer months and require additional temporary workers.

Shot of a young woman getting produce ready for delivery on a farm

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You can find work with local warehouses through responding to job ads, going through your local Employment Security Commission and temporary agencies. Some companies and agencies require a parent's consent, so be prepared to provide this documentation. Most of these jobs require you be at least 18 years old. The BLS meridian hourly rate is between $14 and $15.

6. Lifeguard or Swimming Instructor

You need to be a good swimmer to become a lifeguard or a swimming instructor. There are many opportunities to work at private or public pools, lakes and beaches. These jobs requires you to be in good physical shape. You'll need to pass a swimming skills test and then get an American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety certification. If you're 14 years old, you can participate as long as you turn 15 on the last day of your training.

Alternative Certifications for Swimming Instructor Certification

While swimming instructors If you're interested in being a swimming instructor, you can be certified by a swimming association, such as American Swim Coaches Association, World Aquatic Babies and Children's Network, or other organization. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate is between $12 and $13.

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You need to contact local pools, YMCA, and lake/beach authorities in the winter to see if any summer positions need to be filled. Before being enrolled in the class, you'll need to pass a swimming skills test. The BLS reports the meridian hourly rate for a lifeguard is around $12.

7. Pet Sitter

You may find a lucrative summer job as an independent worker as a pet sitter. Some people vacation during the summer without their pets and need someone reliable to take care of their beloved animals. This will include, walking dogs or letting out to play in a fenced backyard, feedings, changing water, administering any medicines and playtime. You'll need reliable transportation.

Dog walker enjoying outdoors in park with group of dogs

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You want to start making contacts months before summer and have your summer calendar filled by the time school is out for summer break. Start by contacting your neighborhood, school mates, church members (or other religious group members), teachers/coaches, and others. Once you successfully care for a pet, word of mouth will bring business to your door. According to thumbtack, the average rate for a 30-minute drop by care visit is $25 dollars plus $5 for each additional animal. If you're hired to also house sit 24/7, the average hourly rate is $12. Overnight rates average around $75 to $85.

8. Lawn Mowing Yard Care Service

You can offer a lawn mowing and yard care service. You'll need your own equipment and a way to haul it from one job to the next if you branch out beyond your neighborhood. Some people have a lawnmower and may make it available to you. Be sure to check when inquiring about work and be prepared to offer a discounted rate.

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You can design and print cards and flyers and ask to leave at convenience stores, doctor offices, flyers on church bulletin boards, community centers, and hardware stores. Post your service to online community boards and social media. Ask satisfied customers to post reviews on Angi and other local groups. According to Angi, homeowners pay about $50-$220 each time. Research what the going rate is in your town/neighborhood and price your services to be competitive.

9. Retail Sales Associates

You may prefer an inside summer job with the comfort of air conditioning. Many retail stores hire seasonal help. Most require you be at last 16 years old. You'll be trained to wait on customers and how to use the cash register. Many mall stores hire summer help, especially in tourist towns.

Business owner teaching the new employee

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You can apply for seasonal jobs online or you can always inquire at your favorite mall store the next time you visit. The BLS meridian hourly rate is just over $13, but you should be prepared to work for minimum wage if you have no experience.

10. Movie Theater Concession Worker

Many teenagers find fun jobs working the concession stand at movie theaters. This position is usually call Floor Staff and includes more than concession work. You'll be responsible for greeting customers, tearing tickets/deposit stubs, general cleaning, POS (point of sale) system, cash drawer, usher, work and clean concession and theater between movies.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

Most theaters advertise open positions via local venues and online. However, you can visit the theater to inquire and maybe fill out an application on site or online. Many theater workers see movies for free and have a beverage and food allowance. PayScale reports the average hourly rate is just under $12.

11. Seasonal Farm or Ranch Hand

You need to have good manual dexterity and be in good health. You will care for farm animals and/or possibly assist with crops. You'll be trained to operate various farm equipment and will need good dexterity and physical health.

Boy filling feeder in barn

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You can inquire at your local feed store, granary or farm equipment store. Some feature bulletin boards for farmers to post open jobs. According to ZipRecruiter, the hourly rate depends on the state/region and can be is between $10 to $15.

12. Mover, Materials Handler

You can work for a moving company or as a delivery helper for an appliance or furniture store. These positions require excellent physical health and strength. You need to know how to use hand trucks and dollies to load and unload furniture and/or appliances and deliver in side homes or offices. You'll need to check with your state government for any regulations governing these positions.

Finding Jobs and Pay Rate

You can find jobs with a local moving company that services within a couple of hundred miles or less, so you won't need any overnight stays out-of-town. According to BLS the median hourly rate is about $14.

13. Fast Food Service

There are several jobs you can consider with a fast food company. You may work in the kitchen preparing and cooking food, food prep, wait on customers, work the POS system and cash register. clean floors and equipment, and stock supplies. One of the perks with many fast foods is free food (within limits). The hourly rate can vary by company and state. According to Indeed, McDonald's starting hourly pay rate is about $10.

Checkout Server Serving Customer

14. Car Detailer

If you like cars and enjoy cleaning, a car detailer may be a great summer job for you. You'll be responsible for cleaning vehicles and documenting the gas level and condition of the vehicle prior to starting. You'll wash, buff and wax the vehicle exterior. You'll vacuum and/or steam the vehicle interior as well as deodorize it. Once finished, you'll inspect the vehicle to ensure all detailing is complete and satisfactory.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

You can find work with automobile dealerships, car rental companies and car wash companies. According to BLS, the hourly pay rate is just over $14, depending on experience and type of business.

15. Stadium Cleaner

If you live in a town with a sports stadium, you may find a summer job as part of the after-game clean-up crew. The discarded food containers and cups from a ballgame, concert or other event don't always make it to the trash bins. Clean-up crews are needed to collect the debris and clean off the seat in preparation for the next game or event.

Cleaning the playground during volleyball match

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Many stadiums outsource cleaning and have contracts with professional cleaning companies. You may find employment either with the stadium or with the cleaning company contracted to clean the stadium. You can check with the stadium or contact cleaning companies directly. The BLS hourly rate is around $14.

16. Tutor

You can be an online tutor for a tutoring company or an in-person tutor to local students. Summer is the ideal time for tutoring. Some kids need the summer to makeup low grades so they can progress to the next grade. You need to be an expert in the topic you wish to teach. If you're tutoring in math, then you need to know everything about math for the student level you're tutoring. The same is true of other subjects.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

There are a couple of ways you can get clients. The first is to work through your teachers who know students needing help and can assess your academic abilities. Many schools have tutoring programs that you can apply to be a tutor. You can also sign up for an online tutoring company, such as Chegg, complete an application and be accepted as a tutor. PayScale places the median hourly rate around $17.50. Chegg pays $20 an hour.

17. Camp Counselor

A summer job as a camp counselor can be fun and rewarding. You will need to plan and lead campers in activities, such as workshops or craft projects. You'll need to develop relationships with your charges and you'll be responsible for the campers' safety in your care. Some camps are strictly day camps while others require overnight stays. Some examples of camps include, science, outdoors, and sports.

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The YMCA offers camps and many universities offer day camps for medicine, science and other fields of study. Prior work with kids is helpful to landing a camp counselor job. CPR and first aid training/certification will go a long way as will any type of babysitting training/experience/certification. According to PayScale, YMCA camp counselor hourly rate is around $9. Private camps may pay more or less, depending on region and the camp.

18. Errand Runner for Seniors

You may decide to start your own errand service for seniors. An errand runner needs a reliable car and winning personality. You will take on errands such as pickup of grocery orders. Many grocery stores and businesses like Walmart offer grocery pickup services, but don't deliver outside a certain mile radius. Your clients can place and pay for their orders online and designate you (your name and phone number) to pick up their orders.

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You can tailor your delivery charges after those of large delivery services. Get permission to post flyers in senior centers and 55+ communities. If you have grandparents, they may provide you with referrals. However, if you include multiple errands, the Senior Errand Service reports the national average hourly rate for senior errand runners is $25 or around $200 a day.

19. Babysitting

Many teens turn to babysitting for extra money. This type of job is usually in high demand, especially in the summer months when kids are out of school and there are more opportunities for parents to have a night out. If you're going to offer babysitting services, you need to have training in CPR and first aid. If you intend to care for infants, you need to have training. The Red Cross offers babysitting and childcare classes, CPR and First Aid as well as online classes in child care.

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Having these certifications will ensure parents they are leaving their children in capable hands. The BLS meridian hourly rate is just over $12, although many parents pay as much as $15 an hour. This rate depends on experience and training/certifications.

20. House Cleaning

If you enjoy the process of cleaning, you may decide to set out this summer with your own cleaning service to individuals. You first need to define what chores you will perform. You can offer different cleaning bundles, such as vacuuming and dusting only or whole house cleaning. Window washing is usually extra.

Young girl ironing and helping elderly woman at home

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Many elderly people need assistance in cleaning their homes as do working families. You'll need to provide your own supplies and equipment. You should offer a discount rate to clients who prefer their supplies and equipment. Do a comparison of cleaning firm rates to come up with your cleaning rates. According to the BLS, the meridian hourly rate is around $14.

21. City Tour Guide

Historical cities and historical sites often have tour guides and need seasonal guides due to tourism. You need to have an outgoing personality, good speaking and communication skills. You also need to be a good storyteller and capable of memorizing scripts (some tour companies provide scripts).

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Government owned and privately owned historical houses and other historical site often need temporary tour guides. Another venue might be walking ghost tours offered in many cities, such as Savannah, Charleston, New York, Boston, and other tourist destinations. The starting hourly rate is often minimum wage. Salary.com reports the median hourly pay rate is $16. Rate depends on venue and location.

22. Restaurant Kitchen Worker

Many restaurants require summer help to meet increased seasonal business. If you have ambitions as a chef, working in a restaurant kitchen is a valuable experience. Kitchen workers can do menial tasks, such as washing dishes, cleaning floors, cleaning stoves, grills and ranges, preparing foods, emptying and cleaning grease traps, and sanitizing countertops, cooking utensils and food preparation equipment.

Teenage boy holding spatula in pizza restaurant

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

You can check online job boards or with local restaurants for possible positions as kitchen help. The average hourly rate for kitchen workers is from minimum wage up to the BLS median between $12 and $13. depending on region and establishment.

23. Amusement and Theme Parks

Amusement and theme parks usually need more help during the summer months. If there is one where you live, you may find all kinds of jobs available, such as operating rides, working in concessions, gift shop clerk, restaurant server or host/hostess, park office clerical, grounds maintenance, landscaping, park admissions, costumed park mascots, actors/singers, and more.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

You can check job openings via the park website career portal. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate is around $14, though starting pay is often the minimum wage in your state. Many amusement parks offer various perks, such as discount season tickets and food vouchers.

24. City Parks and Recreation

Many cities have seasonal jobs just right for a teenager. This can range from park grounds maintenance, such as mowing and string trimming, to litter pickup and emptying public trash receptacles.

Teenager cleaning up a park

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You can check with your city department for any available seasonal jobs. The hourly pay rate is minimum wages unless otherwise stated.

25. Pool Cleaner

A pool cleaner can be a fun way to spend your summer earning money. You will need to be knowledgeable about pool maintenance. You'll be responsible for adjusting the pool chemistry by checking it each time you clean it. The pool equipment should also be inspected each time. You'll use a skimmer and other equipment to clean the debris from the pool.

Find Jobs and Pay Rate

You may luck up and find a job with a local pool company. However, you can venture out on your own if you have the proper pool equipment and supplies. You can advertise your services on various online community boards and your social media. Print up flyers and pass out in neighborhoods known to have pools. It only takes one client to get word-of-mouth referrals; these are your best form of advertising. You can do a little research for local pool cleaning rates. According to Neuvoo, pool cleaner hourly rates are between $8 to $15, depending on location/region and company.

Work Permits

Most states allow youths younger than 18 (ages 14-17) to work but require you to get a work permit. You, your parent or legal guardian and your employer will need to sign the work permit.

Finding Good Summer Jobs for Teens

While you can find the old standbys summer jobs for teenagers, there are also some very cool jobs. Decide on the types of work that interest you and then explore the different jobs that meet that criteria.

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25 Good Summer Jobs for Teens