In 2018, 50% of Americans aged 16-24 were employed. What’s more, this number has grown each year since the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
Maybe you’re a young person looking for employment as soon as possible. Or maybe you’re planning ahead for your upcoming high school graduation.
In either case, you’re wondering “What jobs are best for teenagers or young adults without much experience?”
Read on to find out more about the best jobs for teenagers.
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1. Tutor
2019 US Median Pay: $18.29 per hour
Experience Required: Subject matter knowledge
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): No data available
Whether you’ve just graduated or are still in high school, you know the importance of quality instruction and one-on-one attention. You probably also had a favorite subject. Consider sharing your passion—for math, science, English, or another subject—with other younger, struggling students.
2. Barista
2019 US Median Pay: $11.06 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 10%
One of the best ways to hone your people skills is to interact with them on a daily basis. As a barista, you’ll do just that. As you greet customers, manage supplies, and juggle several drink orders at a time, you’ll also gain valuable experience multitasking.
3. Restaurant Server
2019 US Median Pay: $11.00 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 4%
Another job that lets you interact with a range of people throughout your shift is restaurant service. Options include fast-food and sit-down establishments. Sit-down restaurants are especially ideal if you enjoy getting to know your customers via table-side chats. If you’re interested in a career in the culinary arts, sit-down restaurants also offer good opportunities to gain experience in the field.
Related Read: 15+ Best Jobs For High School Students
4. Food Delivery
2019 US Median Pay: $10-12 per hour
Experience Required: Driver’s license or, in urban areas, bicycle
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): No data available
Maybe you enjoy interacting with people, but you’d prefer to meet them on their turf. Food delivery workers enjoy the freedom and variety of an unlimited work environment. Using a car or a bike, you’ll help the busiest workers maintain productivity by delivering food to their homes or offices.
5. Grocery Clerk
2019 US Median Pay: $11.09 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 0%
In the food services sector, grocery stores are another significant employer of young people. As a grocery store clerk, you can expect to scan and bag customer’s purchases and process their payments. You might also stock shelves and help customers find products.
6. Retail Worker
2019 US Median Pay: $12.23 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 0%
Perhaps fashion, not food, is your passion. Retail service allows you to share your love for the latest trends and timeless classics. If you’re looking to cater to a particular demographic or style, seek out individual retailers that match your interests. Or opt for a department store for experience with a wider range of fashions and clients.
Related Read: 40+ Best Summer Job Ideas
7. Landscaper
2019 US Median Pay: $14.85 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 10%
Landscapers also have an eye for design—exterior design. If you enjoy physical labor and don’t mind working outside no matter the weather, landscape design is an ideal field. As a landscaper, you’ll complete regular yard maintenance tasks, like mowing, tree and shrub trimming, and even snow removal. However, you’ll also learn the elements of residential and commercial landscape design.
8. Receptionist or Administrative Assistant
2019 US Median Pay: $19.16 per hour
Experience Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): -9%
Once you’ve graduated from high school, you might enter the corporate world as a receptionist or administrative assistant. These entry-level positions offer good compensation, stability, excellent experience, and opportunities for advancement.
9. Library Assistant
2019 US Median Pay: $14.69 an hour
Experience Required: High school diploma or equivalent
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): -4%
If you’ve finished high school but haven’t left your love of books in the classroom, you might enjoy working as a library assistant. From shelving books to helping patrons find their next read, library assistants help librarians with all aspects of the library’s operations.
Related Read: 15 Books to Read Before College
10. Lifeguard
2019 US Median Pay: $11.84 per hour
Experience Required: Strong swimming skills and certification through the Red Cross or another organization
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): No data available
Working as a lifeguard is one of the most important and serious responsibilities you can accept. Since it requires training and provides experience with CPR and first aid, lifeguarding is ideal for young adults interested in careers as first-responders. Its varied and active work environment also appeals to many young people.
11. Recreation Attendant
2019 US Median Pay: $12.67 per hour
Experience Required: CPR and first aid training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 10%
Maybe lifeguarding appeals to you, but you’d prefer opportunities to work in more varied settings. If so, you might consider becoming a recreation attendant. Recreation attendants help people of various ages and abilities stay active in the water and on land. As a recreation attendant, you might work at a gym, community center, park, or even residential care facility.
12. Housekeeper or Janitor
2019 US Median Pay: $13.19 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 4%
Individuals who enjoy active but more independent work might be well-suited to jobs in housekeeping or janitorial services. Housekeepers and janitors clean hotels, office and medical buildings, schools, apartments, private homes, and many other locations. At the end of day—and, in fact, at the end of each job, they share one thing in common: the satisfaction of a job well done.
Related Read: How to Choose a Career: The Complete Guide to Picking One You’ll Love
13. Car Wash Attendant
2019 US Median Pay: $10.04 per hour
Experience Required: None
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): No data available
Car wash attendants likewise enjoy seeing the immediate fruits of their labors. They also get to—or, depending on your perspective, have to—work outside in various environments. If such active work appeals to you, put car wash attendant on your list of simple jobs for teenagers. An added bonus, for those interested in automotive careers, is experience with various makes and models of cars.
14. Nanny
2019 US Median Pay: $11.65 per hour
Experience Required: CPR and first aid training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 2%
Among good jobs for teens, babysitting tends to top the list. Many older teenagers and young adults continue this work. Still others seek more stable childcare positions. Nannying is an excellent opportunity to work consistently with a single family. As a nanny, you’ll develop close relationships with the children in your care, watching them learn and grow in diverse settings.
15. Daycare Assistant
2019 US Median Pay: $11.65 per hour
Experience Required: High school diploma or equivalent and CPR and first aid training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 2%
Another more consistent alternative to babysitting is working as a daycare assistant. As a daycare assistant, you’ll manage, engage with, and care for multiple children for extended periods of the day. Daycare assistant jobs offer ideal entry-level work for individuals interested in careers in early childhood education.
Related Read: 75+ Best First Job Ideas for Teens & College Students
16. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
2019 US Median Pay: $12.02 per hour
Experience Required: None and/or on the job training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 22%
Perhaps caring for others is your passion, but you feel a close bond with animals. Or maybe you’re pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, dog training, or pet grooming. If so, working as a dog walker or pet sitter can give you valuable experience and a steady source of income. Pet sitting and dog walking are also relatively easy jobs for teens to accommodate in their busy schedules.
17. Auto Repair Assistant
2019 US Median Pay: $14.97 per hour
Experience Required: On the job training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): -4%
Caring for people often means caring for their cars. Auto repair assistants provide this care while gaining experience from their veteran colleagues and supervisors. Becoming an auto repair assistant is an excellent entry-level position for individuals pursuing training as a skilled mechanic or technician.
18. Carpenter’s Helper or Other Trade Assistant
2019 US Median Pay: $14.65 per hour
Experience Required: On the job training
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): 0%
Car care is just one field among many available to those interested in the skilled trades. Other trades include carpentry, electrical, plumbing, construction, and heating and air-conditioning. Working in these trades requires training and experience. In many cases, it also requires certification. Working as a helper or assistant under a qualified tradesman is an excellent way to prepare for a skilled career.
Related Read: Best Entry-Level Jobs With No Experience for Students & Young Pros
19. Online Entrepreneur
2019 US Median Pay: Variable
Experience Required: Familiarity with online selling platforms, like Etsy
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): No data available
Maybe your skills are more creative and artistic. If so, you might consider becoming an online entrepreneur. Platforms like Etsy allow crafters and artists to sell their wares from the comfort of their own homes. Such online jobs for teenagers are ideal because they offer versatility and opportunities to hone both creative and business skills.
20. Family Business
2019 US Median Pay: Variable
Experience Required: Variable
Expected US Job Growth (2019-2029): Variable
Perhaps your interests are wide open. You’ve perused this list of jobs and could see yourself happy in many of them. You don’t know where to begin, though. So how can you narrow down your options? How do you begin your job search?
As you make your first contacts with potential employers, don’t discount the power of networking. Your network includes people you know—friends, neighbors, relatives, former teachers, and even acquaintances. Tap into this network to fuel your job search. Ask relatives and friends if they or someone they know is hiring.
Sometimes the best jobs for teens can be closest to home, and working in the family business or the business of a neighbor or friend can be the foot in the door that you need to advance in a lucrative career.
Working It: Finding Good Jobs for Teenagers
Finding a job as a teenager or young adult can be challenging. You need experience but so do many of the jobs that interest you. So what can you do? Is it possible to find good, high-paying jobs for teens?
The above list shows that it is. As you explore your options, count on Goodwall to connect you to the resources and community you need to succeed. Sign up to join the Goodwall community today!
Related Read: Should I Go to College? Here Are 8 Benefits of University Education
By the time I was 18, I had worked as a nanny, a waitress, and a delivery service worker. I can’t say they were dream jobs, but they weren’t bad pay for me as a teenager.
It’s worth appreciating that we can start jobs and have a pretty wide range of occupations. I know that not all countries allow teenagers to work on such good terms.