Many high school students can start earning with jobs close to home. The best choice depends on your age, your schedule and what you are good at, and the rules change a little at 14, 16 and 18.
Below are 20 ways to make money as a high school student, followed by a free money plan builder that sets your age rules, your first three ideas and your safety habits. You can print the plan or copy it.
AdvertisementAlways talk to a parent or guardian before you start a job, and check your state’s rules. Pay depends on where you live and who hires you.
20 Ways to Make Money as a High School Student
Quick jump: Part-time jobsHelping neighborsYard and seasonalCreative and onlineYour own businessFree high school money plan builder
Part-Time Jobs
1. Retail
Work a register, stock shelves or help customers at a local store. Ask which hours fit around classes.
2. Restaurants and cafes
Bus tables, host, run food or work the counter. Tips can add to hourly pay, and pay varies by state and employer.
3. Grocery and bagging
Bag groceries, collect carts or stock shelves at a neighborhood market.
4. Seasonal camps and pools
Summer camps, pools and parks hire teens as helpers, and lifeguard or counselor training can open more jobs.
Helping Neighbors and Families
5. Babysitting
Care for children for neighbors and family friends. A CPR and First Aid class helps parents trust you.
6. Pet sitting and dog walking
Feed, walk and check on pets while owners work or travel.
7. Tutoring
Help younger students with a subject where your grades are strong, in person with a parent nearby or at the library.
8. Tech help for older neighbors
Show neighbors how to use phones, tablets and video calls, with a parent’s okay.
Yard, Home and Seasonal Work
9. Yard work
Mow, rake and weed for neighbors in spring, summer and fall.
10. Snow shoveling
Clear driveways and walks after a snowfall. Ask regular neighbors to book you ahead of storms.
11. Car washing
Wash cars by hand for family and neighbors with supplies from home.
12. Holiday help
Stores, shipping counters and event teams hire extra teens for the holidays, so apply in early fall.
Creative and Online Skills
13. Graphic design
Make flyers, logos and social posts for local businesses and clubs, with a parent helping.
14. Photography
Take photos at local events and for families, and share a simple portfolio.
15. Selling used items
Sell outgrown clothes, books and gear on an approved marketplace, with a parent managing the account and the meetup.
16. Content creation
Share your skills in videos or posts with a parent’s help. Most sites have age rules, and money can take a long time to come in.
Starting Your Own Small Business
17. Lawn care service
Hand out flyers in your neighborhood and build a list of regular customers.
18. Baked goods or snacks
Sell at school events, bake sales and community markets. Ask a parent about local food rules first.
19. Handmade products
Sell crafts, jewelry or art at local markets, with a parent’s help.
20. Event help
Offer setup, cleanup or party helper services for birthdays and community events.
Free High School Money Plan Builder
Step 1. How old are you?
Step 2. What are you best at?
Step 3. Tap the habits to add. Three to five is plenty.
Step 4. Click any text in the plan and type to make it yours.
Replace the name and grade with your own, and delete any line that does not fit. Always talk to a parent or guardian before you start a job.
MY MONEY PLAN
Alex Rivera | Grade 10 | Started November 2, 2026
My Age Rules
Ages 14 and 15: federal rules allow work outside school hours only, up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). State rules and work permits may be stricter.
Ages 16 and 17: federal rules set no limit on hours, but no one under 18 may work in jobs declared hazardous. Many states set their own hour limits and permit rules, so check the state first.
Age 18 and older: federal child labor limits no longer apply. State rules, school and safety still matter, so plan hours around classes.
My First Three Ideas
- Babysitting or pet sitting for neighbors, after a CPR and First Aid class
- Tutoring younger students in a subject where grades are strong
- A part-time retail or restaurant job with a manager who schedules around school
- Yard work, raking and snow shoveling for neighbors and family friends
- Dog walking on a set daily schedule
- Baked goods or handmade items sold at school and community events, with a parent’s approval
- Designing flyers or social posts for a local business, with a parent helping
- Selling used clothes and books on an approved marketplace, with a parent’s help
- Taking photos at local events and for families, with a parent nearby
My Safety and Money Habits
- A parent or guardian approves every job before it starts.
- Work permit rules are checked on the state labor department website or with the school office.
- A weekly hours cap of 10 hours keeps grades first.
- A savings account is opened with a parent, and part of every paycheck goes into it.
- Income and expenses go into one simple notebook or sheet.
- A running total tracks net self-employment earnings against the IRS $400 filing line.
- A written savings goal, such as $500 by June, keeps the plan on track.
- New clients are met in public places or with a parent nearby.
- A simple flyer lists services, fair prices and a parent’s phone number.
- Two references are lined up, such as a teacher, coach or neighbor.
- Online accounts open only with a parent’s permission, after checking each site’s age rules.
- A thank-you note goes out after every first job.
To save your plan: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the plan prints. To copy it, select the text inside the plan and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Which Idea Fits You?
| Your situation | Good starting point | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| You like working with people | Babysitting, tutoring or a store job | Steady demand and clear schedules |
| You like working with your hands | Yard work, snow shoveling or dog walking | Low start-up cost and flexible hours |
| You like creative and online work | Flyers, photos or selling used items | Uses skills you already have, with a parent helping |
| You want a steady paycheck | A part-time job at a store, restaurant or camp | Regular hours and an employer that follows the rules |
| You want to be your own boss | A lawn care or baked goods service | You set the services and prices |
Know the Rules Before You Start
| Age | Federal rule (DOL) |
|---|---|
| 14 and 15 | Outside school hours only. Up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week. Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., or until 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day |
| 16 and 17 | No federal limit on hours. No work in jobs declared hazardous |
| Under 18, any job | No one under 18 may be employed in a job the Secretary of Labor has declared hazardous |
| 18 and older | Federal child labor limits no longer apply |
Federal and state laws both apply, and when they differ, the stricter rule must be followed. Many states have their own hour limits and work permit rules, so check with your school office or state labor department.
What Teens Are Paid
| Pay fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 an hour |
| Youth minimum wage (under 20) | $4.25 an hour for the first 90 consecutive calendar days, then $7.25 |
| State rules | Many states set higher minimums and the stricter rule applies |
| Work permits | Not required by federal law, but many states require them |
Pay for jobs you create yourself, such as tutoring or lawn care, depends on your area and your customers. Set fair prices and ask a parent to help you decide.
Taxes in Plain English
- Jobs with a paycheck. Employers usually withhold taxes from your pay. Keep your pay stubs.
- Self-employment. The IRS says everyone, including minors, must file a tax return if net self-employment earnings reach $400, even when no tax is owed.
- Keep records. Write down every payment and every cost, such as supplies.
- Ask for help. A parent, guardian or tax preparer can help you file.
Stay Safe While You Earn
| Situation | Safer way |
|---|---|
| Babysitting or pet sitting for a new family | Meet the family with a parent first and tell a parent where you will be |
| Selling items to strangers | Use an approved marketplace, meet in public and let a parent handle payment |
| Freelance and online accounts | Read the site’s age rules and open accounts only with a parent’s permission |
| Yard work or lawn care | Use only tools you are trained to use, and skip anything that is hazardous |
| Getting paid | Keep payments simple and record every job in a notebook or sheet |
How to Land Your First Job
- Tell people you are looking. Neighbors, family friends, teachers and coaches often know who is hiring.
- Prepare a short resume. List school activities, volunteer work, skills and two references.
- Ask for the right hours. Offer after school, weekends and breaks, and stay within the rules for your age.
- Be on time and polite. Showing up on time is the fastest way to earn a good reference.
- Say thank you. A short note after a first job often leads to repeat work.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Working too many hours. School and sleep come first.
- Skipping the rules. Check hour limits, hazardous job rules and permits.
- Meeting strangers alone. Use public places or bring a parent.
- Forgetting taxes. Track your earnings, especially self-employment income.
- Spending everything. Save part of what you earn.
Money Plan Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to start when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a high school student make money fast?
Start with work close to home: babysitting, pet sitting, yard work, tutoring or a part-time job at a store or restaurant. These need little or no start-up money, and you can begin as soon as a parent or guardian agrees.
How many hours can a 14 or 15 year old work?
Under federal rules, 14 and 15 year olds can work outside school hours, up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 hours in a non-school week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. From June 1 through Labor Day the evening limit moves to 9 p.m. State rules may be stricter.
Is there a limit on hours for 16 and 17 year olds?
Federal rules do not limit the hours of workers who are 16 or older, but no one under 18 may work in a job declared hazardous. Many states set their own limits, so check yours.
Do I need a work permit?
Federal law does not require working papers, but many states do. Ask your school office or check your state labor department’s website.
What is the minimum wage for a teen?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Workers under 20 may be paid $4.25 an hour during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment, and many states set higher minimums. Check your state.
Do high school students pay taxes on what they earn?
Often yes. Employees usually have taxes withheld. The IRS says everyone, including minors, must file a return if net self-employment earnings reach $400. A parent, guardian or tax preparer can help.
Can I use freelance sites if I am under 18?
Many freelance and marketplace sites require users to be 18 or older, so read each site’s rules and ask a parent before you create an account. Offering services locally with a parent’s help is often easier.
How do I find my first job with no experience?
Ask neighbors, family friends and local businesses, and apply for entry-level jobs that hire teens. A short resume with school activities, volunteer work and two references helps.
How do I stay safe when working for people I do not know?
Tell a parent where you are, meet new clients in public places or with a parent nearby, keep payments simple and say no if something feels wrong.
How much should I save from my earnings?
Pick a goal and a steady amount, such as part of every paycheck, and keep it in a savings account opened with a parent. Write the goal down so you can see your progress.
Conclusion
High school is a good time to earn, save and build experience. Pick one idea that fits your age and schedule, follow the rules, stay safe and use the builder above to write your plan today.
Related Reading
- High school student resume sample
- High school student cover letter example
- High school student resume objective examples
- High school student resume summary examples
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Fact Sheet #43: Child Labor Provisions for Nonagricultural Occupations; U.S. Department of Labor, Minimum Wage FAQ; Internal Revenue Service, When the lemonade stand makes bank: Young entrepreneurs and taxes. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice, and the sample plan is fictional.