50 Great Jobs for 13-Year-Olds
Getting a job as a 13-year-old can be a fantastic way to gain a little financial independence and buy things that you want, such as video game systems, or even save up for a car when you turn 16. While you’re limited in how often you can work (outside of school hours and only in a part-time position), you can make good money if you find a job that you enjoy and are willing to work.
The best jobs for 13-year-olds are things that tap into your natural abilities and enthusiasm and help you make a little extra cash when you’re not in school. As a 13-year-old, you’re going to have little to no training outside of school and may not find jobs easily. Thankfully, there are options that can work for the average 13-year-old and give you the fun job that you want and deserve.
The following 50 jobs for 13-year-olds are things that just about any teen your age can do. Many are creative jobs that will let you showcase your artistic and writing skills. Others are online gigs that you can do at home and when you’re done with your homework. Make sure that you talk with your parents about getting a job to ensure that you are on the same page and to get their help in this process.
How to Pick a Job You’ll Love
Finding a job as a teen requires you to carefully check the job market in your area and to identify things that you could comfortably do. Then, you need to start applying for jobs or brainstorming unique ways to make money. The coolest thing about this process is that it will challenge you to think outside the box and may force you to get creative in ways that can improve your job hunt.
If you feel a little overwhelmed looking over this list, try to consider the steps below before you begin.
These steps can help make finding a job a little easier:
- Choose a Job You’ll Like: Look carefully through the list below to find a job that fits your personality and interests. There’s a good chance that you’ll find something that you love and want to do. This may include things like creative artwork or even doing some small repair work from others.
- Find a Way to Make Money With It: Some of these jobs may require a little extra work to make money, so make sure you understand how each works before you start applying for and performing each gig. This may include selling artwork online or turning your writing into a paying gig.
- Understand How to Market Yourself: Many of these jobs will require a little marketing, so understand how to sell yourself before you start. For example, you can start putting up fliers and advertisements in your area when starting lawn care businesses or advertise on social media.
- Get Help From Your Parents: Make sure that you get your parents involved with this process. They can help you in many ways, such as providing a little startup capital if you start a new business. Parents can also make sure that you get to your job, if you need any transportation.
Make sure that you understand hour limitations, such as working only a few hours on Sundays and being able to work 25 hours during holiday seasons, such as the summer. Your work time will be very limited during the school year, probably meaning you can only work a few hours a day during school days and a few more during the weekend. With that out of the way, let’s check out the list of jobs for 13-year-olds.
The Top 50 Best Jobs for 13-Year-Olds That Can Help You Save Good Money
The following list will include many things you’ve probably heard of before or even tried to do simply for fun. It will also include things that may be new to you and various jobs you’ve never even considered before. In this way, you’re likely to find something that fits into your personality and experience and start a job that makes the most sense for you as a person.
Here’s what you need to know about the top 50 jobs for 13-year olds. Please note that our salary estimates are just that and may vary depending on what kind of gig you find and how well you perform your job roles.
50. Cookie Baker – Varying
If you love baking various goods, you can start cooking food in your mom or dad’s kitchen and selling it. You can sell baked goods in a few ways, including online or marketing them to various grocery stores, gas stations, and other businesses in your areas. Some people even hold bake sales and sell goods for great prices. Make sure that you create high-quality baked goods before selling anything.
49. Bike Repairer – Varying
Do you love riding your bike and have lots of experience of fixing it? You could market your skills to your friends and become a simple bike mechanic! The amount of money you make will vary heavily based on your number of friends and how often they need repairs. However, you can often charge around $20-50 per repair gig, depending on the problem, and make a nice little side hustle.
48. Music Reviewer – Varying
If you love music (and who doesn’t?) you can make money online by reviewing individual songs. For example, platforms like Playlist Push will pay as much as $12 per song review if you write good and fair reviews. You do need to have several followers on music streaming platforms, as you’re being paid mostly for promoting a musician and getting their music out to the public. Other sites are less picky but pay as little as 10 cents per song review.
47. Stock Photo Photographer – Varying
Websites like Shutterstock are always looking for people to contribute high-quality stock photos. They will pay photographers between 15-40% for each download, which can be a good way for teens to make money. While you may want to buy a camera to get the best shots, today’s phone cameras are often good enough to produce fantastic pictures. Make sure that you brainstorm popular and fun ideas to improve your download chances.
46. Garage Sale Buyer and Seller – Varying
Similar to an Amazon seller, this job forces you to buy varying items for low prices at garage sales and sell them for varying prices. It differs from Amazon because you’ll focus on selling items at other areas. Typically, it is best to go to auctions, yard sales, and even estate sales to make money. You’ll probably need your parents to help with this gig because it may require hauling some big items.
45. Textbook Seller – Varying
Have you ever seen textbooks in used bookstores that you saw selling for good money later online? You can easily buy these books for cheap in used bookshops and sell them for better prices online to college students. This kind of side hustle is among the best jobs for 13-year-olds because it teaches you about supply and demand and can make good money if you’re smart about it.
44. Social Media Influencer – Varying
Obviously, many teens’ dream job is being a social media influencer with millions of followers. However, you have to work hard to build up a strong following and may not make any money for years. That’s why we suggest this job as something to do for fun between other jobs and to build up your following in your spare time. Don’t make it your main gig but work up to it becoming bigger.
43. Survey Taker – Varying
Survey sites are never going to pay you a ton of money and are really only useful as a side hustle. However, they’re the kind of thing that 13-year-olds can do without much difficulty. For example, you can do surveys for a few hours after school or between various social events. Note that you can make up to $1-5 per day doing surveys, so make sure you set your expectations properly for this gig.
42. Video Game Player – Varying
If you’re incredibly good at video games, you might be able to make some money playing games. This includes competing in tournaments and getting sponsors to pay for your entry fees or even paying you to use their items. This type of gig is often hard to come by and requires a lot of hard work. It’s probably something to do more on the side for fun and to make what money you can, when possible.
41. Garage Cleaner – Varying
Depending on how messy a person’s garage is before you start, they may be willing to pay you anywhere from $100 to $300 to clean it out. This kind of job is an all-day thing that can take many hours and may even take many days. The amount of money you make may vary, so make sure you’re willing to commit good time to it. Note that they’ll also expect you to sweep up the place too.
40. Pin Maker – Varying
If you like making pins or other similar artwork, you can probably sell them to friends, in craft shows, and on Etsy. The pins you make should be attractive and use various logos and other items. For example, you could put quotes from TV shows and much more on pins and easily sell them. Your pay will vary, so make sure that you know what to expect when starting this job.
39. Video Game Streamer – Varying
The best video game streamers get paid millions of dollars to play games and make bad jokes. Obviously, that’s a dream job for teens, but it isn’t likely something they’ll achieve early in life. However, if you’re already playing video games in your free time, you can stream your videos and see if you can’t pick up sponsors or make good money through video views. Again, this is a supplemental job option.
38. Tutor – $100-300 Per Month
If you’re a good student and feel comfortable teaching others, a tutoring job might be a great side gig. The nice thing about this job is that you can do it after school and during the school year. While you aren’t likely to make a lot of money at this job due to time limitations, you can still make a decent amount and work in other side jobs during the summer if you plan on tutoring or helping other students who need it.
37. Etsy Artist – $100-500 Per Month
If you love making art, Etsy is a great platform on which you can make decent money. While some top sellers earn as much as $53,000 per year, a teen artist just starting out is likely to make far less. You might make nothing until you start getting a dedicated following. As a result, your income isn’t likely to be huge unless you consistently put out artwork and develop a unique style. This option works best if you’re already likely to be making art.
36. Blogger – $100-500 Per Month
Blogging is a great job for a 13-year-old because you can do it at home on your computer after finishing your homework. Find a unique spin that sets you apart. For example, you can write about your life as a teen and discuss different personal struggles you experience. Or you can review video games or other things that may interest your friends. Bloggers don’t usually make a lot of money at first, so consider another job on top of it.
35. Digital Artist – $100-500 Per Month
If you’ve ever made digital art for fun or with your friends, you might be able to pick up some freelance gigs making art for others. Like bloggers, the amount of money you make will vary based on the number of gigs you can find. You’ll have to put good work into this type of job, so make sure that you have the time to handle this gig. You may need special programs, as well, though free versions may be available.
34. Housecleaner – $10-12 Per Hour
Cleaning other peoples’ homes probably doesn’t sound like fun, but it is the kind of job for 13-year-olds that anybody can do. You aren’t going to make a lot of money with this kind of job, but you should find consistent work. For example, you could clean for a few hours after finishing your school work during the school year, clean during the weekend, and shift to more regular work when school is out.
33. Model – $500-2,000 Per Month
Becoming a model might sound like an exciting gig to many teens and it can be a well-paying one if you find a good gig. However, few teens will find gigs that pay much over $5 to $20 per hour. The projections here are based on a 25-hour work week and most teen models are unlikely to work that many hours at first. However, it can be a fun way to make extra money if you’re naturally photogenic.
32. Amazon Seller – $500-2,000 Per Month
The estimate here on how much you’ll make selling on Amazon is very broad. However, if you know what kind of items people want to buy and can identify high-value things to purchase in yard sales, pawn shops, and thrift stores, you can make good money. You’ll need to have a little start-up money at first to buy some items, so you may need another job at first or very understanding parents to get going.
31. Dog Walker – $675-$1,500 Per Month
Do you love dogs and don’t feel like you ever get enough time with them? You might be a great candidate for a dog walking job. This position lets you choose your hours and it can include wages between about $11.25 per hour and up to $20 per hour. Our estimate is based on working about three hours a day before or after school and working full-time on the weekends or holiday seasons.
30. Tech Guru – $10-20 Per Hour
Talk to various communities in your area, such as retirement or nursing homes or even churches to see if they need a tech guru. A tech guru is someone who can install new software, update hardware, and help people sync their phones. These in-demand professionals can make decent money and may be on-call, which means you’ll have to answer phone calls or go to these destinations to help with tech problems.
29. Window Washer – $10-15 Per Hour
Window washers can make decent money cleaning homes for people who don’t want to bother with this task. You’ll probably have to invest in a ladder and various cleaning equipment. You might even get a job with a cleaning company, though rules are typically stricter for teen cleaners. That said, you can still make a solid and consistent wage in the summer and even pick up a few gigs during the school year.
28. Car Washer – $10 Per Hour Plus Tips
Car washing businesses often hire young people to handle various tasks, including washing windows and other simple tasks. You’ll likely make a fairly low base pay but can expect to make closer to $20 per hour with tips on a busy day. This type of job is usually available in the summer and may not be as easy to find in the winter or school months. Note that you can also wash cars yourself for extra money.
27. Newspaper Deliverer – $10-15 Per Hour
There are few jobs as linked with teen workers as delivering newspapers. While modern newspaper delivery often focuses on cars and bulk delivery, companies still need the newspaper-slinging teen on a bike. This job is a great choice because you can easily do it during the school year by working before you go to class and pick up another job after school if you want to make a little extra cash.
26. Team Mascot – $10-15 Per Hour
Are there any professional sports teams in your area? See if they need a team mascot or someone to run games between innings or periods. This kind of job is a lot of fun but can be physically demanding. If you have a comical or extroverted personality, this may be the perfect job for you. Pay will vary heavily based on where you live and what team you work with in your area.
25. Home Assistant – $10-20 Per Hour
Household or home assistants are workers who do simple tasks for someone for simple pay. For example, you might do an older person’s daily chores, like their laundry or preparing meals. You can make good and consistent money by identifying a few people who may need this type of service. Some people may just want companionship, including playing board games or watching TV with you.
24. Barista – $12-15 Per Hour Plus Tips
Coffee shops often hire young teens because they need someone who can work quickly with unlimited energy. They also like having younger employees who can relate to the people who come into the shop. You’ll probably make at least $12 per hour as a base salary and tips. Your tips is where you’ll make most of the money, and you might make an extra $5-30 per hour on tips, depending on the day and time.
23. Lemonade or Drink Seller – $10-15 Per Hour
The image of the young kid sitting outside a sidewalk on a hot summer day selling lemonade is classic. However, you can set up shop outside a busy area, such as a shopping district, during the summer and make good money. Even if you charge just $1 per drink, you can probably make at least $10 per hour during rush periods. Thankfully, your ingredient list is low and inexpensive.
22. Pet Sitter – $15-30 Per Hour
If you know someone who has a dog that you love, you can pet sit for them for good money while they’re out of town or out for a date. Pet sitting often combines multiple things, like house sitting, so you can make even more money. Even short-term gigs can earn you at least $15 per hour, so when the owners come home a few hours later, you’ve made decent money hanging out with a cool dog.
21. Plant Sitter – $15-30 Per Hour
While plant sitting isn’t as in-demand as pet sitting, it can still be a well-paying job. People who plan on leaving their house for a long time may need someone to water their beloved plants to keep them alive. Like with pet sitting, your role may also include watching a house and gathering mail and other steps. Or you might simply come there a few days a week to check on their plants and keep them healthy.
20. Shoe Shiner – $10-20 Per Shoe
This old-fashioned job is still in high-demand in some areas. For example, if you bought a shoe-shining kit and took up shop outside a business, you could probably shine several shoes an hour. Pay will vary but is typically between $10-20 per shine job. That means you can make good money if multiple people want their shoes shined in an hour. However, you might go hours without a single shine.
19. Holiday Decorator – $15-20 Per Hour
Though this job is a very season-specific one, it can be great for a 13-year-old who doesn’t mind working. You’ll make up to $15-20 per hour easily and can make even more when working during Christmas. The biggest downside of this job is that it will be very physically challenging and have a limited time frame. However, if you’re naturally artistic, it might be a great option for you.
18. Lessons Assistant – $15-20 Per Hour
Do you dance or play a musical instrument well enough to teach others? You might work well as an assistant to a teacher, helping to show other kids your age how to play piano, guitar, or even perform various dances. Many assistants make good money but are often limited in their hours. For example, you might work no more than one or two hours per day after school and less than 15 per week outside school.
17. Pool Cleaner – $15.50-20 Per Hour
Pool cleaning companies often hire younger people to help with things like carrying hoses and performing other extensive cleaning tasks. However, you can also start up a part-time business cleaning pools, including removing debris, cleaning nets, running filters, and vacuuming the pool. You may need to rent or buy cleaning equipment if you go solo, though, so be prepared for that expense.
16. Freelance Programmer – $15-20 Per Hour
While many freelance programmers can make a great living and have high wages, a teen programmer is likely to make far less. You’ll also have to take the time to learn a simple programming language and find gigs. One great way to use your programming is to design maps and mods for your favorite game, such as Roblox. The amount of money you make will vary wildly, so it’s hard to predict how much you’ll get on average.
15. Errand Runner – $15-20 Per Hour
Errand services are a great thing for 13-year-old to do because people always need somebody to do things for them. For example, you can go buy groceries with your parents and charge less than Shipt and other services or distribute fliers for local businesses. Often, you can make cash-in-hand for these tips of gigs and even get tips, making this among the best jobs for 13-year-olds on the go.
14. Fence Painter – $15-25 Per Hour
If one of your teachers ever forced you to read “Tom Sawyer,” you know that fence painting isn’t a ton of fun. However, it’s a fairly easy and well-paying job if you do it well. You’ll get in a lot of hours painting and can make a good and consistent wage doing it. You can also transition to other painting gigs, such as painting sheds, garages, or even homes if you’re good enough.
13. Janitor – $16-30 Per Hour
Do you know someone who needs their house cleaned regularly or businesses that need cleaning after they’re closed? Becoming a janitor is one of the top jobs for 13-year-olds who want steady work. Some cleaning teams may hire a teen to help with general cleaning, though you may also find work by talking directly with businesses. Many will pay you cash-in-hand as well.
12. House Sitter – $50-100 Per Day
House sitting is often a great gig for a responsible teen. You’ll get to stay at someone’s home and hang out by yourself. You can catch up on homework, play video games, read, or even have a friend or two over (if they’re respectful and the homeowner approves of it). Most homeowners will provide food for house sitters too, meaning you can relax and enjoy your time.
11. Logo Designer – $800-7,000 Per Month
Logo designing has become a very popular freelance job because companies and even individuals want attractive and eye-catching logos that help them stand out. One website says that good logo makers can make up to $7,000 per month on Fiverr, though these are designers with years of experience working a full-time gig. A teen is likely to make much less working around school and other gigs, so expect closer to $600 to $800 per month.
10. Dairy Queen Employee – $1,200 Per Month
Dairy Queen or other similar ice cream stores often provide young teens with jobs that can pay about $11.99 per hour. That’s not a lot of money, but if you work this gig during the summer, you can make about $1,200 per month. That’s only if you work a full 25 hours, which would translate to about five hours for a five-day work week or three eight-hour shifts if your boss lets you work that schedule.
9. Lawn Mower – $20-60 Per Hour
Lawn mowing is one of the best jobs for 13-year-olds because there’s a high demand for it and people will pay you well. Many teens can make between $20-60 per hour and mow multiple lawns in a day. This summer gig is a great way for teens to save up money for the school year or to pay for summer fun. You’ll need to hustle and advertise and find a great set of customers with whom you can work regularly.
8. Gardener – $20-60 Per Hour
If you enjoy gardening and have a bit of a green thumb, this job might be a good fit for you. You can also find work with a gardening company, rather than going freelance, to get more consistent work. You won’t make as much as you would if you worked solo, but can still make good money. Be prepared to work regularly with your hands and to do things like haul fertilizer or other similar labor-intensive jobs.
7. Video Game Tester – $20-30 Per Hour
A video game tester is a serious job that requires a lot of hard working identifying bugs and other flaws. A 13-year-old won’t be able to do this job full-time but can probably pick up a part-time gig from video game companies doing some early beta testing. They can make pretty good money doing this gig but need to make sure that it doesn’t overwhelm their school work or social needs.
6. Book Reviewer – $20-50 Per Review
If you love reading books and want to make some money, you can sign up on various sites and make good money. While many will request that you submit a sample, you can probably get on one of the lower-paying sites. As you can imagine, your salary is limited based on how quickly you read books, so make sure that you use this more as a side-hustle type job with another gig.
5. Gift Basket Maker – $20-100 Per Basket
Here’s another seasonal job that you can do to make good money during the holidays. Even better, you can do this job while making wreaths and produce a good income. Gift basket makers buy items and place them in gift baskets and decorate them to make them attractive. You will have to have a good source of income and capital to start buying items, but you can make good money if you’re consistent.
4. Wreath Maker – $50-150 Per Wreath
If you love working with your hands and think you can make great wreaths, this is a great job for you. You can gather your materials in any forest and produce great wreaths by hand that can sell for as much as $50-150 per wreathe. Obviously, this job is limited in its scope, but you can make consistent and good money during the holiday season if you build up a good clientele with people you trust.
3. Voice Actor – $50-100 Per Hour
Voice acting is one of the best jobs for 13-year-olds but isn’t going to be easy to get. There’s a lot of competition for gigs, especially if you’re going for online jobs. However, if you have a good setup that can restore clean audio and you can act well enough for a gig, you can make good money. The exact amount you’ll make per job will vary depending on how many lines you read, so be prepared.
2. Web Developer – $1,000-2,000 Per Month
A standard, entry-level web developer typically makes about $19.70 per hour. As a teenager, you’ll be unable to work full-time and will likely have a lower salary than a full-time developer. However, learning web development is a little more approachable than programming and can help you prepare for a career as an adult. You will likely pick up gigs on Fiverr and other similar job sites.
1. Junior Camp Counselor – $2,000-3,000 Per Summer
Do you love summer camps but feel a little too old to go to one? You can join a staff as a junior camp counselor and make pretty good money during the summer. Camps often pay junior counselors a decent age and provide steady work for 2-3 months. While you won’t walk away with a huge nest egg, the money you do make can be put away into a savings account or used to buy some new clothes for the school year.
What You Can Do With Your Money
When you start making money you’ll probably be tempted to start buying whatever you want. That’s understandable and it’s something that just about everybody has done when they started their first job. There’s nothing wrong with having fun with money that you’ve earned! Enjoy your first touch of adulthood. However, you also need to consider saving for a variety of things, such as:
- Personal healthcare products your parents may not buy, such as special shampoo and makeup
- Tickets to concerts and other fun events that your parents won’t buy for you
- Clothes and other personal items that might be too pricey for your parents
- Going out with your friends, such as buying pizza on a Friday night
- Streaming services, such as music and movies, that you can share with friends
- Better cell phones, video games, or headphones for your entertainment
- School trips, class rings, and other related fun school expenses
- Buying your first car when you turn 16 or 17
- Putting some money into a college fund to help it mature when you’re old enough
- Helping your parents with any bills that may occur in your
It’s Your Money
Note that it’s your money and that you can do whatever you want with it. You can spend all of it as soon as you make it, if that’s what you want. However, putting aside a little bit with every paycheck can earn you a nice nest egg rather quickly. Graduating with a little bit of extra cash will give you the help that you need later in life to get ahead, including learning how to save more money as an adult.
You can also read:
- 50 Awesome Frugal Living Tips for 2023
- The 10 Best Budgeting Planners for 2023
- What to Do With Extra Money Each Month: 20 Ideas
- 50 Ways to Make an Extra $1000 a Month in 2023