How To Make Money As A Teenager - 21 Incredible Ways

Sammie Ellard-King

I’m Sammie, a money expert and business owner passionate about helping you take control of your wallet. My mission with Up the Gains is to create a safe space to help improve your finances, cut your costs and make you feel good while doing it.

Quickfire Roundup:

Making money as a teenager is an exciting thing. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to do it.

From selling stuff online to starting your own business, the possibilities are endless.

But as a teenager, it’s important you know how to break into a job the right way.

And that includes things like the job options available to you, employment and tax rules, and how to apply for a job.

If you’re a young entrepreneur asking yourself how to make money as a teenager, you’re in the right place!

Maybe you were receiving pocket money before but now your parents have decided it’s time you start earning your own money.

And I bet you’re eager to earn some money and buy those new shoes or that video game you’ve been dying to get your hands on.

But how can you earn some solid cash as a teen? I’m here to help you put your best finance-savvy foot forward with this guide.`

Different Ways You Can Make Money As a Teen

If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out how to earn money as a teenager, wonder no more!

You’ve got all kinds of options based on your availability, experience, and interests.

Full-time

First, we have full-time jobs. These are a great option if you’re looking for more financial independence and have the time to commit to a job.

A major benefit of full-time work is the steady pay packet, which can help you save up for things like uni or your dream car. You could work as a retail associate, an office assistant, or 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

Lastly, we have holiday jobs. These are perfect for teens with a busy school schedule looking to earn money during school breaks.

The benefit here is that you can make money as a teen in a small amount of time without having to commit to a long-term position.

You can become a lifeguard or tutor over the break as your holiday job.

Rules About Earning Money as a Teenager & Tax Rules

Now, I get you’re eager to start making a couple of quid. But before you dive into the workforce, there are some rules to follow:

In the UK, teenagers can start working part-time at the age of 13.
If you want to work full-time, you’ll need to be the minimum school-leaving age of 16 years old.

Keep in mind, the school-leaving age differs depending on where in the UK you live.

The most important thing you should do before you begin working is to check your work rights if you’re under 18.

There are specific rules set by the government on how many hours you can work and the times you can work while juggling school.

Lastly, tax. Now if this is a new thing to you, I’ll break it down for you. As a working teen, you’re required to pay a portion of your earnings to the government in the form of taxes.

Now, don’t worry – it’s not like the government is going to take all your hard-earned money! The amount of taxes you have to pay depends on how much money you make.

You’ll only pay tax and income tax if you earn more than £1,042 a month (over £12,570 a year). So, if you’re paid below this tax-free allowance, you won’t have to pay any tax.

Now, I know this doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s definitely an important part of being a responsible working teen!

And, if you have a part-time or holiday job, it’s unlikely you’ll earn more than this.

20 Best Ways To Make Money As A Teenager

Ready to learn how to make money as a teenager? Let’s get to it:

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.

We’ve all wanted to be YouTube sensations at one point in our lives, so why not put yourself out there and start a YouTube channel?

You can vlog about your daily life, review the latest movies and video games, and share tutorials on your favourite hobbies.

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 an easy way to break into earning money as a teenager. Besides, who doesn’t love an excuse to watch Disney movies and eat snacks?

You can offer your services to family friends and people you already know.

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.

Who knew earning some extra cash was as simple as answering a few survey questions? Well, you can – and all from the comfort of your home.

Completing paid online surveys may not make you a millionaire, but it can be a simple way to earn some extra money each 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.

I bet you love scrolling through TikTok for hours – it’s a guilty pleasure that even the older crowds are getting into.

Whether that’s making TikToks or promoting products on Instagram, you can earn money online with the help of social media platforms. This will take a lot of time and effort, but it’s bankable.

20. Do more chores.

Ugh, chores. I get it, they’re never fun. But helping around the house and making a few quid from it is definitely worth it.

So, if for some reason the above side hustles don’t work out, you can always resort to helping around at home for a pretty penny from a parent.

21. Buy To Uni Mortgages

If you’re going off to study at university you could turn the house you’re living into an income.

A buy to uni mortgage is a 100% mortgage taken out with the view of you renting the other rooms in the house out to others whilst you live there.

If you do it right you could end up making money on both the rooms and the appreciation of the house.

I can hear you saying, can student get a mortgage? Well, lucky for you yes they can.

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.

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 20 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.