How To Make Money As A Teenager: Top 10 Best Ways In 2025

Teenage life can get hectic as you balance school, hobbies, career aspirations, and, hopefully, a social life. Adding a part-time job to the mix may seem overwhelming, but having extra spending money in your pocket and financial independence could make it worthwhile.

To help you find a job that suits your schedule, we’ve narrowed down the 10 best ways to make money as a teenager.

10 Best Ways To Make Money As A Teenager In 2025

From traditional teenage jobs like babysitting or pet sitting to completing online surveys or offering local services, there are plenty of ways to earn extra money. Starting a small business can also help you develop valuable life skills and a strong work ethic.

We’ve ranked these options based on how quickly you can start earning money so you can decide what works best if you can’t afford to wait for your entrepreneurial side hustle to take off.

Here’s our list of the 10 best ways to make money as a teenager in 2025.

10. Start A YouTube Channel

Average Income: $18 per 1000 views

Starting a YouTube channel is high on the wish list of many teenagers, which is why it’s in our top ten.

The best thing about creating YouTube videos is that you can build your channel around your passions, such as gaming, beauty, or other interests. If you create engaging content, you can grow your audience and eventually turn your hobbies into a profitable online business.

However, this side hustle is far from an instant source of cash. It could take years to see real income from your channel, as earning money through YouTube ad revenue requires you to build a substantial following first.

If you are serious about becoming a successful YouTuber, you can find plenty of resources online to set up your channel and create content. While growing your audience takes time, you can use your videos to direct traffic to other online ventures, helping you monetize more quickly.

9. Sell Homemade Items

Average Income: $25/h once you have an established business

They say if you can find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Your teenage years are a great opportunity to put this thought to the test. If you have hobbies that can be turned into an income stream, now is the time to give it a go.

For those with a creative streak, selling homemade crafts is an excellent way to earn a few extra bucks. From making jewelry to specializing in personalized gifts, handmade crafts are becoming increasingly desirable, making this the perfect business idea for teens.

If a particular product doesn’t spring to mind, there are plenty of craft business ideas to choose from. You can make bespoke greeting cards or create unique t-shirt designs if you are very artistic. For older teens who want a more hands-on idea, knitting or candle-making are hobbies that can easily be turned into a profitable business.

Running a small enterprise like this will teach you valuable skills, such as marketing, social media management, and handling money effectively. You can sell your products at craft fairs, garage sales, and online platforms like Etsy.

8. Become A Photographer

Average Income: $21 per hour

If you have a passion and talent for photography, it can be an excellent way to make money as a teen. What was once a specialized niche requiring expensive equipment is now more accessible, thanks to high-quality smartphone cameras. With just your phone, you have the tools to start earning—right at your fingertips.

There are two main ways to earn money using photography. The most hands-on method is to offer photography services to people in your local community. Start by offering to take photos at family birthdays and offering digital or printed copies to those interested.

A more passive approach is to earn money online using your photos. Platforms such as Shutterstock and iStock will allow you to sell your images. Although income is not guaranteed, it can be a nice way to earn a little extra cash in your free time.

7. Sell Digital Products

Average Income: $10-$100 per week to begin with

If photography is not your thing, you may wonder how to make money as a teen using other skills. Creating and selling digital products means earning money using your existing skills and turning your passions into profit.

Selling products online is more manageable than selling physical products, as you don’t need to worry about renting a space, inventory, or delivery. It can also become a passive source of income, as once you have created a product, it can be sold many times without spending any more time on it.

You can create a digital product based on anything you know and love or make more money by teaching others how to build similar products. If you have good technological skills, designing a short ebook is a very simple way to start.

Sell your digital products on sites like Etsy or launch a dedicated website. Then, develop a marketing strategy to reach a large audience and maximize your sales potential.

Ready to create your business website? Get started with Friday today.

6. Work In A Restaurant

Average Income: $15 per hour (plus tips)

If you want guaranteed cash immediately, you will need to get a ‘proper’ job, and working in a restaurant or cafe is an excellent option for teens.

Food service is a fantastic job for those who enjoy socializing. You will interact with various people daily, keeping them happy with your delightful customer service. A big perk of this job is the tips that can significantly boost your income, so be sure to practice your best smile in advance!

If serving customers doesn’t appeal to you, there are plenty of back-of-house roles to choose from, including washing dishes or helping with food preparation. Hospitality jobs are ideal for many teens as they usually offer flexible hours, meaning you can fit a new job around your studies.

5. Start A Dog Walking Service

Average Income: $15 per hour

If pets are your thing, why not make money as a teenager looking after other people’s animals? Many people pay dog walkers to get their beloved pooches some exercise while they are at work. If you have experience with pups of your own, dog walking for others shouldn’t pose much of a problem.

Earning money from walking dogs is a flexible option, as you can choose to have regular clients every week or take on occasional jobs when it suits you. Once you have a few loyal clients, you can ask them to recommend you to help your business grow. It is a great way to indulge your love of animals, earn cash, and get plenty of exercise at the same time.

Instead of or in addition to dog walking, you can try pet sitting for owners in their homes. This role may involve feeding cats or smaller animals, cleaning litter trays, and administering medicine. If you love animals, this can be an easy way to earn some extra cash, as your main role is playing with them and giving them attention in their homes.

Using an app such as Rover or Wag can help you connect with a wider variety of pet owners looking for help with their beloved furry friends, though you will need to get an adult to contact prospective clients for you, as the minimum age is 18.

4. Become A Babysitter

Average Income: $15 per hour

If you have younger siblings or simply enjoy spending time with children, babysitting is a classic and fun way to earn money as a teenager. Busy parents are always looking for trustworthy young people to look after their children, so you may as well make money doing something you enjoy.

Like dog walking, babysitting is a flexible job that you can tailor to suit your schedule. You won’t have a contract, so if you have a busy month, you can take on fewer clients or accept more when your schedule opens up.

The best way to start a babysitting business is with people you know who trust you with their children. You can create a website for your business, set up a social media page, and ask your clients to leave glowing reviews.

Consider taking first aid courses, such as those run by the Red Cross, to reassure parents and potentially give you an edge in any business.

3. Earn Money Washing Cars

Average Income: $15 per hour

If you love cars, enjoy working outdoors, and don’t mind getting wet, washing people’s cars is a fantastic way to make money as a teenager. Most people have little time to clean their vehicles and are happy to pay local businesses—or, in this case, you—to do it instead.

If you want to earn extra income per car, you can offer a simple, quick wash. Alternatively, you can offer detailing services such as vacuuming, polishing interiors, and waxing for more cash.

The easiest way to start a car wash business as a part-time job is to begin small, offering services in your neighborhood and gradually expanding. Reach out to friends, family, and neighbors. Once you do an excellent job, they can recommend you to others.

You can also expand your reach by building a social media presence to reach more customers.

Start your Friday free trial now.

2. Tutor Younger Kids

Average Income: $29 per hour

Just because you’re still learning doesn’t mean you can’t pass your knowledge on to other kids. Tutoring is a great way to make money if you excel in a subject. You can earn money teaching something you enjoy while helping younger children improve on the subject—it’s a win-win!

Tutoring can be done in person or online, and its flexibility makes it a great money-making option. You can advertise your services through your school, set up accounts on different social media platforms to promote the business, or rely on word of mouth from friends and family.

You can set your rates (within reason) and choose the subjects and levels you want to tutor, making it a desirable option for making money.

If you don’t want to tutor for exams, you could teach others how to play a musical instrument, become a sports coach, or teach English as a second language.

1. Become A Virtual Assistant

Average Income: $27 per hour

If you want the convenience of working from home but need a guaranteed income, becoming a virtual assistant will give you the best of both worlds.

However, you will need to be organized and motivated, as you will be helping small businesses with their administrative tasks, such as answering emails, making appointments, and creating social media posts.

Working as a part-time virtual assistant can be a highly flexible job that allows you to schedule work around the rest of your life. It also enables you to develop marketing skills, learn about running an online business, and make contacts within that industry.

To find a VA job, start by signing up on freelancer platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. Another great alternative is to contact small businesses in your area or family and friends and offer to lighten their workload as a VA.

It may take a little longer to find a VA job than it would to set up some babysitting gigs, but the effort will pay off. This flexible job can provide steady work throughout your teenage years and serve as a stepping stone for your future career.

Summary

Figuring out how to make money as a teenager doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you prefer online jobs like freelance writing, odd jobs, or hands-on work like mowing lawns and working in retail stores, there are numerous options to suit your schedule and your skills.

The ideas in this article will help you find the best part-time job, get you on the path to financial independence, and build long-term career skills.