If you’re a teen who is not yet finished school but ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, I’ve got a great list of online jobs you can start today! I wish I would have had this back when I was in high school or university. We’ll talk freelance writing, tutoring, social media management and more along with age limits and what to expect in terms of salary or pay. There are lots of online job opportunities suitable for teens that can help you to gain valuable skills, earn some extra income, and learn effective time management
Finishing school without a student loan is an absolute game changer and possible if you’re able to start these side hustles and begin saving today. Or, maybe you’re just here for a little extra spending money. There should be something on the list for everyone.
These jobs are done completely online. You should be able to do them from home (or anywhere!) as long as you have a reliable internet connection, a quiet work space, and a committed attitude. Some of the jobs below will help you start earning today while others will take a while before you start to see any sort of profit.
The Best Online Jobs For Teens
- Freelance Writing
- Blogging
- Online Tutoring
- Graphic Design
- Social Media Management
- Virtual Assistance
- Online Surveys and Reviews
- E-commerce
- YouTube
- Programming and Coding
01. Freelance writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money for teens online. Instead of working for one boss, you take on different writing jobs from various people or companies. These jobs could be anything from writing articles, blog posts, or social media content. You get to decide when and where you work, and each project has its own pay. It’s a flexible way to use your writing skills and explore different topics while earning some money.
Many sites like Fiverr allow you to sell legally at 13. However, the terms of service state that you must be at least 18 years old and of legal age to enter into a binding contract. If a user is under the age of 18, you are only able to use the site with the permission of a parent or guardian who must own the account.
Fiverr and Upwork might be the best places to start looking for freelance writing jobs. If you’re using Upwork, please not there is a strict 18+ age restriction for services.
You could be making $1,000 or more a month as a beginner, but it may take a bit of time to find clients. Be patient, hone your craft, and don’t give up. Each job will build your portfolio.
02. Blogging
Are you passionate about a topic that you think others might be as well? Blogging might be a great way to express that enthusiasm while making money. Blogging is like having your own online journal or magazine where you can write and share your thoughts, experiences, or interests with the world. It’s a website that you create and update regularly, and you can talk about anything you’re passionate about—whether it’s fashion, gaming, travel, or even your daily life. You can share photos, videos, and articles. People who enjoy what you write can follow your blog, and you can even make friends with others who have similar interests. It’s a fun way to express yourself, connect with people, and explore your creativity!
Blogging has taught me a lot in a very short time. Even though I am not yet making any money (I may never and that’s fine), but I’m really proud of what I’ve created. It has taught me to push through barriers even though I might feel like throwing in the towel some days. Online, non traditional jobs can often feel really difficult when starting out, but they can be very worthwhile – even just for the whole learning process.
For many blogs, the minimum age to sign up is 13. If under 13, you would need a parent’s help and permission. I am not affiliated with Bluehost, but I do highly recommend them if you’re thinking about signing up. They are user friendly and inexpensive!
There are some bloggers who are making $25,000 a month or MORE who started blogs from their dorm rooms. Blogging is a marathon; it takes time, persistence, and passion, but if you are willing to play the long game, it could have some big pay offs. Especially if you start now! It is not a get rich quick scheme, but it can be really fulfilling. Blogging salaries vary widely, but within the first year you could be making $500-$2,000 per month – this will not be immediate as it takes time to get organic traffic.
If you want to read a more detailed account of how I started my blog, you can check out my post here. The beauty of it? It can be done wherever, whenever, on whatever topic you like! You are your own boss and decide how often you want to publish posts. Before you close this page and take off to write your first post, do some research on SEO, blog niches, and self hosted webpages. You want to ensure you own your own material. You also want to make sure people want to read it, because traffic to your blog = money.
03. Online tutoring
If you excel in a particular subject, you can offer tutoring services online. You will need reliable internet, a quiet space, and a good understanding of the subject you’re tutoring in. I’ve put together a few tutoring websites below for teens (13-17+) that pay well and are safe platforms to use.
Tutorpeers is a great choice. No experience is necessary and they provide free training. You set your own prices, schedule, and get paid immediately. Fiverr is also a great place to start. You are able to sign up and sell services (like tutoring) for whatever price you want as long as you are over the age of 13. Be aware that Fiverr does take a 20% cut of your earnings.
Tutors charge between $20-$50/hour. Putting a few hours in after school each will start to add up quickly in this case!
04. Graphic Design
Teens with graphic design skills can find freelance work creating logos, social media graphics, or other design projects on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. If you are under 18 and having a hard time finding sites that will let you sell or advertise because of your age, focus on building your portfolio and honing your craft. You could also sell designs on Etsy. We’ll visit that later in more depth in the e-commerce section.
It is hard to nail this one down depending on how you choose to sell your designs. In general, freelance graphic designers make between $23-$50/hour.
05. Social Media Management
If you’re savvy with social media, you can offer your services to small businesses or individuals looking to enhance their online presence. You can manage social media accounts, create content, and schedule posts. There are a large number of businesses looking to hire for this role as social media plays such a bit part in bringing in business. If you’re already really active on these sites, why not earn some cash while doing it?
There is no age limit in social media management. You just need business savvy skills and an understanding of marketing. You may run into some age issues if you’re trying to use Upwork to find jobs under the age of 18. Fiverr is legal to use as long as you’re over 13. As a reminder, Fiverr takes 20% of sales that you make, but it might be a good starting point.
Average hourly rate as a beginner is around $25.09, but this varies greatly depending on your level of experience and the company. It is a great paying side hustle the more you do it and could be very lucrative the more work you do.
06. Virtual Assistance
Offering virtual assistant services can include tasks such as managing emails, data entry, or scheduling appointments. This field has seen a big surge in demand and it will continue to grow as email management and having an online presence becomes more important to businesses. To become a virtual assistant, according to ZipRecruiter, you must be self-motivated and able to work independently.
Fiverr would be a good spot to get started due to the lower age restriction. If you’re over 18, Upwork is worth checking as well. There are also plenty of companies hiring on Indeed and Ziprecruiter – just have a look around to see what is available.
Many VA jobs pay $30+/hour. Virtual assistant’s can make great income. It may take a bit of time to find a client, but stay persistent! It can pay off in the end.
07. Online Surveys & Reviews
You can sign up for websites that pay for taking surveys or writing reviews. While the income may not be substantial, it’s an easy way to earn some pocket money. Websites like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie are popular options. I have tried Swagbucks and you can read that full detailed post here. I was never very successful with it, but I also definitely lean toward the more creative side hustles so I’m a bit biased.
13 is the age limit on survey websites. You can receive payment by cash via PayPal or gift cards. For Swagbucks, 100 points = $1. You can cash out at 500 points or $5. This is not an online job where you can start making great cash, but if you’re looking for something to do while you relax and watch some TV, this could be it. Swagbucks notes that many of their users are able to make between $1-$5/ day.
I was hesitant to add this on the list since there are so many other great ways to spend your time, but starting online surveys was the thing that pushed me into trying different online jobs and side hustles. It might do the same for you too!
08. E-Commerce
Teens can explore selling handmade crafts, artwork, digital products or vintage items on platforms like Etsy. Learning about online business, marketing, and customer service can be valuable experiences. I am currently selling on Etsy and next to my blog, it is my favourite hobby. Between raising two small children and getting the blog started, Etsy has taken a back seat, but I’m slowly adding more products to my shop. If you want to read more about how I got started (a very average person) who is not trying to sell you an Etsy course, check out my post here.
If you’re into graphic design but weren’t super excited about joining Fiverr, you could always try Etsy as a start. The digital marketplace is booming and you could be making great passive income with your skills. Before diving in, I’d recommend checking out doing some good research. Find out if people are actually looking for what you want to sell and then find out if there is a lot of competition in that market. Having lots of competition can make it difficult to be discovered because there are so many others doing the same thing.
Many e-commerce platforms note that it is legal for anyone over the age of 13 to use the platform, but you must have the permission of your parents and guardians if you are under the age of 18. Each website has their own specific terms, so please be sure to read the policy thoroughly to avoid the disappointment of having your account removed for being a minor.
Doing a closet clean out? Try Poshmark! I wrote a post about whether or not it was possible to make easy money – spoiler: yes! This can be a great way to clean up and make some cash. If you would like to get started, read about my cousin (who is an average gal selling her clothes and some things she finds at thrift stores) who has been really successful on Poshmark. She gives tips on how to get sales and what to expect as a beginner.
09. YouTube
If you have video editing skills or are interested in creating content, you can start a YouTube channel. Income may come from ad revenue, sponsorships, or affiliate marketing. There are many ways you can monetize a YouTube channel to generate income.
There are many lesser known YouTubers making great side money or even replacing their full time income. Incomes vary widely, but if you’re creative, focused, and driven, YouTube might be a great spot to make some extra money. Like many of the other jobs mentioned on this list, this will not be a quick money making venture. Starting a YouTube channel takes time and dedication. If you do become an overnight success, please send me a message and let me know how!
13 is the legal age to be able to use YouTube.
10. Programming and Coding
If you’re a teen with programming skills, you can take on freelance coding projects or develop your own apps or websites. Fiverr often has opportunities for coding projects. While it may be difficult to get hired on by a large company at this point, finding small side jobs might be possible. Not only will they bring in cash, they’ll get you some great experience and practice while building your resume.
The need for coders will only grow as the world becomes more and more dependent on computers and AI. Coding is a fabulous skill to hone while you’re still young. The hourly rates for coders can range widely between $20 – $200 or more an hour depending on skill level and experience. A friend of mine created a poker app in university and sold it for a great amount.
If you’re a teen and have found this list, I am super excited for your future. These options should give you a great start for whatever goals you may have. College, university, or just extra spending cash. I wish I had these options myself years ago! Wishing you all the best as you navigate your future.