Teenagers can make money through part-time jobs, selling items online, and small online side hustles.
Common part-time options include babysitting, dog walking, car washing, and weekend café or retail work. You can also sell unwanted clothes and tech on apps like Vinted and eBay. Online routes include freelancing skills like design or writing, and building a small social media following. In the UK there is no minimum age to earn from selling or self-employment, but employment and tax rules apply once you work for an employer.
Maybe the pocket money has dried up, or you just want your own cash for trainers, games or a first car. Either way, you’ve got more ways to earn as a teen than you’d think, and most need no experience and no CV.
Here’s exactly how to do it, what you can realistically make, and the UK rules to know first.
Table of Contents
Different Ways You Can Make Money As a Teen
Your best option depends on your age, your free time and what you’re into. Here are the main routes.
Full-time
Full-time jobs suit older teens who’ve left school and want a steady pay packet, handy for saving towards uni or a car.
You could work in retail, as an office assistant, or as a restaurant server.
Part-time
Part-time jobs are perfect if you’re still in school and want to earn some extra cash without sacrificing your studies.
They provide teens with the flexibility to do schoolwork while still earning a solid income. So, you’ll still have free time to hang out with friends and study.
Part-time jobs could be babysitting, washing cars, or working at a café on weekends.
Whilst you study
You’ll also have to factor in your studies too so any work you do will likely need to be outside of school, college or indeed university hours.
If you’re 18 you’ll either be off to work full-time or need to think about how to make money at university – because trust me from first hand experience being broke as a student sucks!
We’ve also got a guide on ways to make money whilst studying here too.
Holiday jobs
Holiday jobs let you earn over the school breaks without a long-term commitment.
You could become a lifeguard or tutor over the summer.
Rules About Earning Money as a Teenager & Tax Rules
Before you start, here are the UK rules worth knowing:
- You can start light part-time work from age 13.
- For full-time work you need to be at the minimum school-leaving age (16), which differs depending on where in the UK you live.
Always check your work rights if you’re under 18. There are government rules on how many hours and what times you can work around school.
Tax: you only start paying income tax once you earn over £12,570 a year (about £1,042 a month), the personal allowance. Most part-time or holiday jobs fall well under that, so you’ll likely pay nothing, but it’s worth knowing where the line sits.
What you can do at each age:
- 13 to 14: light part-time work (paper rounds, some shop work), babysitting, plus selling and reselling, which has no age limit.
- 15: as above, with more part-time roles open to you. Term-time hours are still capped.
- 16 and over: you can leave school (rules vary by UK nation), work full-time, and more online platforms become available.
How Much Can You Make as a Teenager?
How much can you actually make? It depends on the method and the hours you put in. Here are realistic UK ranges to aim for:
| Method | Realistic UK earnings |
|---|---|
| Babysitting or pet care | £8 to £15 per hour |
| Part-time café or retail | the under-18 minimum wage (around £7.55+ per hour) |
| Tutoring younger kids | £10 to £20 per hour |
| Reselling on Vinted or Depop | £50 to £400+ a month |
| Online surveys (Prolific, Swagbucks) | £20 to £50 a month |
| UGC or content for brands | £30 to £80 per video |
To hit £1,000 a month you’ll usually need to stack two or three of these, for example a weekend job plus reselling, rather than relying on one.
21 Best Ways to Make Money as a Teenager in the UK
1. Tutor younger kids.
If you’re brilliant at a certain skill, why not use that to your advantage?
Seek out other eager learners who also wish to have your skillset and offer them lessons for a fair fee. You can tutor other kids in school subjects, sports, or a musical instrument.
2. Start a YouTube channel.
Start a YouTube channel around something you enjoy, like gaming, reviews, tutorials or vlogs.
It’s a slow burn, but a channel that builds an audience can earn from ads, sponsors and affiliate links. Here’s our guide to making money on YouTube.
3. Start your own business.
If you’ve got the entrepreneurial spirit and a brilliant business idea, put that into action and start your own small business!
4. Offer babysitting services.
Babysitting is one of the easiest ways in. Start with family friends and neighbours you already know, then charge more once you’ve built up trust and a few references.
5. Offer pet-sitting services.
If fur babies are more your pace, then pet sitting is perfect for you. There are plenty of people out there looking for someone to watch over their pet while they’re at work or keep their pet fed while they’re on holiday.
6. Get into blogging.
Blogging is a great way to make passive income as a teenager. If you’re passionate about a specific topic, why not write about it and get other people interested?
You can write about sports, makeup, movies, or just anything you enjoy.
But there are other ways to earn passive income besides blogging – check out my 16 ideas to make passive income from home.
7. Work part-time at a café or restaurant.
Coffee shops and restaurants are always on the lookout for an extra set of hands, so part-time jobs are typically easy to find no matter where you live. Start by asking some of your favourite spots if they’re hiring.
8. Sell your old stuff online.
What better way to turn clutter into cash than to sell clothes or your old stuff? All you need to do is post about your items on social media accounts on places like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or eBay.
9. Learn a moneymaking skill.
The earlier you start learning, the better off you’ll be when it comes to making and saving money.
There are many of these skills you can learn for free online like writing, bookkeeping, digital marketing, video and photo editing, or graphic design. You never know, you could even put your learning to the test and start a side hustle from it.
10. Sell your craft.
If you have a talent for making some cool crafty creations, you can turn your creativity into cash by selling your crafts on Etsy, one of the largest online marketplaces dedicated to handmade goods.
11. Wash cars.
Not many people enjoy washing their cars, so they’re more than happy to pay someone else to do it for them. You can offer car washing services to family members, friends with cars, and people in your neighbourhood.
12. Take surveys.
Paid survey sites like Prolific and Swagbucks won’t make you rich, but they’re an easy way to earn in spare moments.
Expect roughly £20 to £50 a month.
13. Work as a camp counsellor.
This is the perfect summer job for teens looking to make some extra money. I did this job as a young teen and I absolutely loved it! Many summer camps are on the lookout for enthusiastic teenagers to fill their counsellor positions.
14. Work as a personal assistant.
If you know a super busy adult, offer to help them out and work as their personal assistant. You can start by asking a family member or a family friend if they need assistance with small jobs like running errands, organising their schedule, or answering calls.
15. Become an event photographer.
You don’t even need some fancy, professional camera for this – but if you do have one, even better. You can earn money while taking pics at family gatherings or birthday parties around your neighbourhood.
16. Look for small acting or modelling gigs.
If you aspire to be the next Leo DiCaprio or Naomi Campbell, then why not kick off your career with small acting or modelling gigs?
Whether it’s a small commercial or a shoot for a local teens’ clothing store, these little jobs can be a great way to start building a career and earning more money.
17. Offer gardening or cleaning services.
This is a perfect (and relatively easy) opportunity for teens to make money.
Starting a home gardening or cleaning service is also a great way to learn time management, basic business operation, and customer service skills.
18. Flip items for profit.
It’s simple: you find items, repair/spruce them up if needed, and resell them for more. The best items to flip are anything vintage.
This could be old Pokémon cards, records, or even furniture.
I used to buy bulk items of clothing back when I was 15 and then re-sell them individually for 30-40% extra. I did this for 3 years and made up to £400 some months.
19. Create content on social media.
If you already live on TikTok and Instagram, put it to work.
Posting your own content or promoting products on Instagram can earn money online over time. It takes consistency, but it pays.
20. Paid chores and odd jobs.
Paid chores are the quickest start of all. Beyond your own home, offer neighbours jobs like bin runs, window cleaning or car washing at a set rate.
It’s reliable, local cash you can begin this week, and a simple gateway into other side hustles.
21. Get paid to create content for brands (UGC)
Brands now pay teens to make short, phone-shot videos for their TikTok and Instagram. It’s called user-generated content, or UGC, and you’re paid to create, not to post, so you don’t need a big following.
Start by recreating ads for products you already use, build a portfolio of three or four clips, then pitch small UK brands or join a UGC platform. Realistic rates start around £30 to £80 per video once you have samples.
How To Apply For Jobs As a Teenager
As a teenager, applying for jobs and going to interviews can seem a little scary.
I get it, I was once there too. So to help calm your nerves, here are some of my tips for applying for a job.
Presenting your CV
Before you apply for a job, you’re going to need a well-prepared, neat CV.
You can give a brief overview of your skills and any work experience you have (don’t panic if you don’t).
You can even talk about your school achievements like being the captain of a sports team or winning an award.
Prepping for interviews
Some jobs may require you to sit down for an interview.
Don’t panic!
You can prepare for common interview questions by thinking about your strengths and skills. You can even practice with a parent or a friend.
Remember to be yourself, smile and show enthusiasm!
An alternative: earning money online
If committing to an “in-person” job is not your thing and applying for one seems too nerve-wracking, you can make money online, even as a beginner.
Whether it’s making YouTube videos, taking paid surveys, or selling stuff online, an online job gives you freedom and flexibility. You’ll be your own boss!
FAQs
What are the benefits of making money as a teenager?
There are so many benefits that come with earning money as a teenager. Such as:
- Gaining work experience
- Developing financial responsibility and independence
- Saving for your financial future
- Having money to spend on things like entertainment
Is it hard to get a part-time job as a teenager?
Securing a part-time job as a teenager will depend on factors like your age, hiring regulations of the area, and the specific skill set an employer may be looking for.
Luckily, there are many businesses that are frequently looking to hire teenagers for certain positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make money as a teenager in the UK for free?
Plenty of options cost nothing to start: babysitting, dog walking, chores for neighbours, reselling things you already own on Vinted or eBay, and paid surveys. You only really need to spend money on ideas like flipping stock or some online tools.
How can I make £1,000 a month as a teenager?
Realistically you’ll need to combine methods, for example a weekend job plus reselling or tutoring, and put in regular hours. A single casual gig rarely reaches £1,000 a month on its own, so stack two or three and stay consistent.
How can I make money at 15 with no job?
At 15 you can earn without a formal employer by babysitting, pet sitting, washing cars, tutoring, reselling clothes, or taking surveys. Selling and self-employment have no minimum age in the UK, though under-16s need a parent’s help to set up some apps and accounts.
Do teenagers have to pay tax in the UK?
Only if you earn over the £12,570 personal allowance in a year (about £1,042 a month). Most part-time and holiday jobs fall well below that, so you’ll usually pay no income tax, but it’s worth keeping an eye on your total earnings.
What’s the fastest way to make money as a teenager?
Quick wins come from things you can start this week with no setup: paid chores for neighbours, babysitting, car washing, or selling stuff you no longer use online. These won’t make you rich, but they put cash in your pocket fast.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to treat yourself and buy something you’ve always wanted, save up for uni, or open a bank account, you’ve now got 21 great ideas for doing it.
For some money making ideas, you’ll need to spend money before you make it, but the payoff is worth it!
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Disclaimer: Content on this page is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making a financially related decision.
