Highlights
- Online jobs for teens can offer flexible hours, remote work, and a great way to get started in the job market.
- Some teens start online businesses by freelancing their creative skills. For example: online tutoring, content production, or selling items through a reputable e-retailer.
- For teens, getting a job can provide income — and the opportunity to learn about managing money, saving, investing, and more.
It can be tough to make money as a teenager. You have to work around your school schedule, and some jobs have minimum age requirements that exclude some teens.
Fortunately, more and more online opportunities are out there these days. Teens can sell on reputable e-retailer sites, complete online surveys, freelance as writers or graphic designers, and so much more! Many of these opportunities offer flexible scheduling and the freedom to work from wherever. In some cases, all you need is that sweet, sweet Wi-Fi.
Sound good? Let’s dive in and explore the best online jobs for teens — and maybe get some inspo for your job search. 😉
How do online jobs work?
Online jobs for teens can work in different ways. It really just depends on the type of job!
There are actual “JOB jobs,” where you’re essentially a standard employee (but you work online).
Then, there are opportunities like freelancing, where you kinda operate like a business. (You provide services to other businesses or individuals, but you aren’t really an employee.)
The common feature is that all these opportunities are a way to make money from home as a teen.
You probably won't have time for a full-time job if you’re still in high school (or starting college). So, part-time gigs and freelance opportunities are good options.
Let’s break down the different categories of online jobs.
Traditional jobs you can do online
Many standard jobs, where you work as a normal employee, can be done online, like customer service representative or data entry specialist.
The difference is that you work from home. These jobs usually have set hours, so it can be difficult to work around school schedules — but some opportunities are more flexible. Jobs like this could start at your state’s minimum wage or higher.
Teens should typically look for part-time opportunities (unless you’re looking for a summer job, in which case you might have more time).
Where to find online jobs for teens:
Indeed (must be 16+ to create an account)
Monster (must be 13+ to use site; parental supervision required)
Freelancing/contract work for teens
Freelancing and contract work is different. You aren’t an employee; you’re a contractor or business. Contractors usually set their own hours and are often (but not always) paid per project instead of per hour. So you might get paid $75 for each article you write or $50 for each infographic you design.
Where to find freelance work for teens:
Fiverr (minimum age 13 to create an account with adult permission; must be 18 to enter into any contract)
Upwork (minimum age 18)
Snagajob (minimum age 16)
Online businesses for teens
Online businesses can give teens a ton of freedom — but they’re not really “jobs.” Nobody pays you to become a business owner. An online business means forming a company to sell products or services. It might also be a formal next step for freelancing.
And there’s some risk here, as you can also lose money if things don’t go well. You may also need to apply for a business license and pay taxes if you earn over a certain amount. But businesses have huge potential and a ton of freedom, so it’s worth exploring if you’re an entrepreneurial type!
Our list below includes a few options you might consider, but there are also other small business ideas for teens.
Online side hustles for teens
Online side hustles are casual, informal opportunities to earn a few bucks here and there. They’re not gonna make you rich, nor will they measure up to the income from a normal job — but if you’re looking for flexibility, these are good options to explore. You’ll likely need a PayPal account or a linked bank account to get paid (or you may be able to redeem gift cards).
16 online jobs for teens
Want to learn how to make money online as a teen? Look into these ways teens can earn extra cash in their free time.
Deciding which opportunities you want to check out is up to you! It’s a good idea to consider your skills and strengths and chat with your parents about what might be a good fit. You may also want to explore more than one opportunity to have multiple income streams.
1. Customer service representative 🎧
Being a customer support agent involves answering common questions, solving customer issues, processing returns, and more. It might be over the phone, via email, chat, or a combination.
2. Data entry ⌨️
When you work in data entry, you might enter information into a database, compile records, build spreadsheets, or transcribe. It's a good fit for teens with good attention to detail and technology skills.
3. Virtual assistant 🖥️
Being a virtual assistant involves handling all the tasks a normal assistant or secretary might handle, like scheduling, answering calls/emails, completing various tasks, etc. The difference is you deal with everything remotely, from home!
4. Social media manager 🤳
You’re likely already experienced with social media — why not use those skills to get paid? Businesses need someone to manage their standard social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc.) and business-specific profiles like Yelp and Google My Business.
5. Online tutor 🧑🎓
Tutoring other students in academic subjects — or music or sports — is another teen job opportunity. Some companies offer online tutoring jobs to serve multiple students, while other teens choose to find their own clients directly.
6. Freelance writer ✍️
Freelance writing involves writing articles, blog posts, website content, social media posts, and more. If you have good writing and grammar skills, this is a good option, and there’s lots of work available.
7. Freelance graphic designer 🖌️
Graphic designers get paid to create web graphics, promotional materials, social media graphics, infographics, and more. If you have an eye for design, this can be a good way to expand your skills while earning some money.
8. Freelance editing and proofreading 🤓
Teens with a keen eye for detail, grammar, and writing can get paid to edit or proofread various things. This may be a good option for folks who are detail-oriented and good at English but don’t enjoy actual writing as much. Bonus points if you’re bilingual - many employers look for writers, editors, and proofreaders proficient in multiple languages.
9. Photo and video editing 📹
Photographers and videographers are in high demand, but these services usually require in-person work. Fortunately, there’s also demand for the editing and production of photo and video content. Teens can work directly with clients or link up with photographers to edit their content for clients.
10. Music production and mixing 🎶
Musically inclined teens can also earn some money by producing music and other audio files. You could even get paid to compose your own music or become a recording artist yourself.
11. Sell stuff online 💸
Selling on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or other online marketplaces is a common business opportunity for teens. You could sell homemade T-shirts, jewelry, crafts, or resell items. This is a relatively simple business: Buy low, sell high, and don’t forget to account for all the costs of doing business (shipping, your time, etc.)
12. Start a Twitch or YouTube channel 🎮
Creating content can make money, although it usually takes quite a while to get going. Content creators on YouTube, TikTok, etc., make money primarily through advertising revenue or sponsorships. Streamers on Twitch can earn through paid subscribers or sponsorships.
13. Sell online courses 📑
If you have something to teach others, you could be a tutor — or you could record content and sell courses to multiple people! It’s an exciting business opportunity because it involves a lot of upfront effort but minimal ongoing effort once your courses are published. This can create the opportunity for passive income and is a powerful way to diversify your income sources.
14. Complete online surveys 🗒️
Some companies pay individuals to fill out online surveys or provide feedback to clients. Sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and MyPoints are good places to start looking for these opportunities. You won’t earn a whole lot, but it can be a fun, casual way to earn some extra money.
15. Test websites and apps 📲
Some companies use third-party testers to evaluate their websites, mobile apps, or products in addition to surveys. This helps companies detect issues with their sites. Reputable platforms help connect testers with clients who need testing.
16. Complete paid tasks ✅
In addition to surveys, some survey sites like Swagbucks pay users to complete little tasks and gigs. It could be watching a short video, playing video games, or signing up for a free service. The payout per task varies, but there are plenty of options to explore.
What are the benefits of online jobs?
The biggest benefit of working online is flexibility. Between school, homework, and extracurricular activities, it can be hard to squeeze in a part-time job, too. But with an online job, you can work when it’s convenient for you.
There’s also a lot of variety in online jobs — giving you the chance to work on a new skill or find something you’re passionate about. You might even discover a new interest you want to pursue in college.
Last but not least, money! Having extra spending cash never hurts, but you also get to practice money management skills, like budgeting, saving, and investing. Learning how to save and invest now will be invaluable throughout your life and can help you build wealth.
Learn how to manage your income with Greenlight
Whether you land a part-time job, start freelancing, or become an influencer, you’ll need to manage your new income properly.
At a minimum, use a banking solution to help you save, spend, and manage your money. And once things really get rolling, you may want to look into investing your profits.
Talk to your parents about using Greenlight, the all-in-one money app for teens — with investing and direct deposit. You’ll get a debit card, a slick app, and powerful tools to manage your own money. Try one month of Greenlight, on us.
This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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