Best side hustles for teens include options like online surveys, freelance writing, and pet sitting. Teens can earn $100 to $500 per month with flexible jobs that fit their skills and interests, such as crafting, tutoring, or selling handmade products online. Choosing a side hustle that aligns with a teen’s talents and passions offers income while balancing school commitments.
Key Takeaway
Popular side hustles: freelance writing, pet sitting, online surveys.
Earnings range from $100 to $500 per month.
Align your side hustle with skills and interests for success.
Focus on flexible jobs that fit around academic and social commitments.
Listen, I get it. As a teen, you’re probably tired of asking your parents for money anytime you want to grab some food with friends or buy the latest video game. Especially with how crazy inflation is right now.
What if I told you there’s a way to start padding your wallet on your own terms – without having to beg mom and dad or wash the family car every weekend?
I’m talking about side hustles. Chances are you have friends making bank walking dogs in the neighborhood or selling custom phone cases they design. Side gigs are becoming super popular among teens looking to get their first taste of earning for themselves.
And thanks to the internet, there are now more possibilities than ever to turn your skills and passions into part-time income from home. We’re talking about everything from posting on social media to selling handmade jewelry online.
Intrigued yet? This guide breaks down the need-to-know details on over 30 realistic side hustles for teens in 2024. I’ll give you the earning potential, overview of what’s involved, and some things to think through with each one.
My goal isn’t to convince you to overload your schedule even more. But having an understanding of potential options could at least spark some ideas for making a little extra money your way.
So if you’re looking to start padding your wallet and gain some financial independence, let’s explore some popular side hustles for teens on the rise right now!
Table of Contents
Understanding Side Hustles
A side hustle refers to any part-time job or project outside of one’s regular employment that generates extra income. Common examples include:
- Taking online surveys
- Freelancing services like coding, writing, or graphic design
- Reselling items online
- Creating content on YouTube, TikTok or blogging
- Pet sitting, babysitting, lawn mowing, and more
Side hustles provide teens with spending money, savings for college or future plans, and teach real-world skills. Learning to manage money, market a service, and deal with customers also builds a strong foundation for entrepreneurship.
With flexible schedule options, teens can more easily balance side hustles with academics and their social lives. The key is choosing a gig aligned with your interests that has potential to scale.
30 Best Side Hustles for Teens
1. Paid Online Surveys
Platforms like SurveyJunkie, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars offer teens opportunities to earn money sharing opinions through online surveys in their free time.
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$200 per month, with top survey takers making over $500.
Pros
- Extremely flexible schedule
- Little commitment required
- Over $100+ monthly earnings achievable
Cons
- Can be repetitive and boring
- Need to qualify for higher paying surveys
- Easy to get disqualified from longer surveys
2. Freelance Writing
Strong writing skills can be monetized by teens on freelance platforms like Contena, Flexjobs, and Upwork. Common gigs include writing blog posts, social media content, product descriptions, newsletters, and more.
Earnings Potential: Most freelance teen writers earn $15-$25 per hour starting out, with potential to make $35+ per hour over time. Top earners make $2,000+ per month.
Pros
- Build real world writing experience
- Flexible location and hours
- Higher pay over time as portfolio grows
- Direct client communication and feedback
Cons
- Inconsistent demand takes time to manage
- Can be challenging to land first clients
- Need to actively bid on and apply for gigs
- Clients can be demanding regarding revisions
3. Selling Handmade Crafts Online
Platforms used: Etsy, eBay, Facebook Marketplace
Earnings Potential: Teens can reasonably make $100-$300 per month selling crafts online. Top sellers make over $800 per month.
Pros
- Turn passion for crafting into income
- Low startup costs
- Learn marketing & business skills
Cons
- Takes significant time investment
- Listing creation process can be lengthy
- Managing inventory & orders is a full-time job
4. Transcribing Audio Files
Platforms used: Rev, GoTranscript, Scribie
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$300 per month starting out. Top performers make $500+ per month.
Pros
- Flexible hours
- Gain valuable listening & typing skills
- Can work from anywhere with internet access
Cons
- Audio quality can be poor
- Tedious and repetitive
- Low pay per audio hour
- High accuracy required
5. Affiliate Marketing
Platforms used: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, ClickBank, Etsy
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100 per month with under 5,000 site visitors. Top affiliates make over $2,500 per month.
Pros
- Semi-passive income potential
- Small startup costs
- Learn digital marketing skills
- Recurring commission opportunities
Cons
- Delayed earnings from referral conversions
- Need high quality website traffic
- Changing commission structures
6. Babysitting/Pet Sitting
Platforms used: Care.com, SitterCity, Rover
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $10-$15 per hour babysitting and $15-$20 per 30-min visit pet sitting. Top earners make $300+ per month.
Pros
- Work flexible hours each week
- Get paid to play with cute pets or kids
- Gain valuable childcare experience
- Build relationships with neighbors
Cons
- Inconsistent demand
- Can be tiring entertaining kids/pets for hours
- Managing challenging behavior
- Traveling to multiple houses
7. Lawn Mowing & Landscaping
Platforms used: Flyers, Social Media, Neighborhood Apps
Earnings Potential: Most teens charge $20-$40 per lawn or make $100+ per landscaping client. Top earners make $2,000+ per month in peak season.
Pros
- Earn good money in just a few hours
- Build landscape design skills
- Get exercise and fresh air
- Flexible hours
Cons
- Physically demanding work
- Exposure to outdoor elements like heat
- Transporting & storing equipment
- Managing many client properties
8. House or Pet Sitting
Platforms used: Rover, Care.com, Facebook Groups
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $25-$35 per day house sitting or $15-$20 per 30-min visit pet sitting.
Pros
- Get paid to relax in someone’s home
- Avoid boarding costs for pet owners
- Gain experience caring for homes & pets
Cons
- Heavy responsibility caring for home/pets
- Potential for property damages
- Dealing with pet illnesses or injuries
9. Teaching Music or Dance Lessons
Platforms Used: Local Studios, Social Media
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $20-$35 per hour teaching kids’ lessons. Top earners make $1,000+ per month.
Pros
- Leverage performance talents & skills
- Flexible schedule
- Rewarding to mentor younger students
- Build curriculum design experience
Cons
- Prepping unique lessons for each student
- Travel to students’ homes may be required
- Managing practice schedules/commitment
- Stage fright performing in recitals
10. Refereeing Youth Sports Games
Platforms Used: Local Sports Leagues, Facebook Groups
Earnings Potential: Most teen refs earn $15-$25 per game calling kids sports games. Earn $100-$300+ for tournaments.
Pros
- Great way to stay involved with favorite sports
- Earn cash while getting exercise
- Develop confidence commanding respect
Cons
- Dealing with confrontational parents/coaches
- Risk of injury on the field/court
- Memorizing extensive rule books
- Gaining initial referee experience
11. Building Websites
Platforms Used: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $20-$30 per website as beginners. Top earners make $100+ per site.
Pros
- Build in-demand digital skills
- Flexible hours
- Online portfolio to showcase work
- Residual income from site maintenance
Cons
- Can take significant time per site
- Need to learn web design programs
- Tough competition on freelance platforms
- Keeping up with latest trends/features
12. Tech Support & Help Desk
Platforms Used: uTest, FlexJobs, Apple Technical Support
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $15-$25 per hour starting out. Top performers make $45+ per hour.
Pros
- Gain troubleshooting experience
- Flexible remote work opportunities
- Looks great on college applications
- Get exposed to new technology
Cons
- Dealing with frustrated device users
- Advance certifications may be required
- Careful attention to detail is mandatory
- Must have very strong technical skills
13. SAT/ACT Test Prep Tutor
Platforms Used: Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, local in-person
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $15-$25 per hour. Top tutors make $50+ per hour with high ratings.
Pros
- Help peers master stressful exams
- Review major academic subjects
- Enhance own test performance
- Flexible schedule
Cons
- Students can cancel with short notice
- Keeping tutoring sessions engaging
- Staying patient through all student skill levels
- Managing many appointments
14. Photographing Events
Platforms Used: Facebook Marketplace, Thumbtack, Freelancer
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$250 per event as beginners. Top earners charge $500+ per event.
Pros
- Build photography portfolio
- Attend concerts, weddings, parties
- Flexible schedule
- Good networking opportunities
Cons
- Need photography equipment
- High pressure to capture all moments
- Significant post-production editing
- Managing client expectations
15. Gift Wrapping Services
Platforms Used: Facebook Marketplace, NextDoor, Referrals
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $15-$25 per hour. Earn $100+ on holidays.
Pros
- Low startup costs
- Keep gifted items surprise
- Flexible holiday schedule
- Add creative personal touches
Cons
- Seasonal based demand
- Transporting fragile items
- Investing in wrapping supplies
- Getting items back if exchanged
16. Collecting Shopping Carts
Platforms Used: CartSmart, Referrals
Earnings Potential: $4-$10 per cart returned. Earn $100+ weekly part-time.
Pros
- Get paid to get exercise outside
- Flexible schedule
- Help reduce neighborhood clutter
Cons
- Physically demanding
- Low per cart earnings
- Transporting carts to drop-off
- Weather exposure risks
17. Haunted House Actor
Platforms Used: Local Haunted Houses
Earnings Potential: Most actors earn $10-$15 per hour. Top performers make $300-$500 for the season.
Pros
- Scare people for fun
- Opening nights have parties
- Bond over costumes and props
- Get in character for the holiday
Cons
- Can be frightening for some
- Risk of getting hurt on sets
- Dealing with obnoxious customers
- Must handle high energy crowds
18. DJ Services for Events
Platforms Used: Thumbtack, Referrals, Facebook Groups
Earnings Potential: Most teen DJs charge $75-$150 per event early on. Top performers earn $300+ per event.
Pros
- Combine music passion with profit
- Attend birthday bashes and weddings
- Build playlists and mixing skills
- Get the party started
Cons
- Must invest in DJ equipment
- Transporting heavy equipment
- Managing many song requests
- Staying current with new music
19. Jewelry Making and Sales
Platforms Used: Etsy, eBay, Local Craft Fairs
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$300 per month starting out. Top sellers make $800+ per month.
Pros
- Turn hobby into income stream
- Creative and rewarding process
- Low startup equipment costs
- Build small business skills
Cons
- Listing and selling items is time intensive
- Optimizing pictures and descriptions
- Budgeting for beads and materials
- Managing inventory turnover
20. Errand Runner
Platforms Used: TaskRabbit, Craigslist, Facebook Groups
Earnings Potential: Most teen runners earn $12-$18 per hour. Top performers make $22+ per hour.
Pros
- Help seniors and busy people
- Get paid to shop and be social
- Explore local community
- Set your own availability
Cons
- Inconsistent demand
- Lots of walking/driving
- Carrying heavy items like groceries
- Coordinating many client requests
21. Raking Leaves, Shoveling Snow
Platforms Used: Nextdoor, Thumbtack, Flyers
Earnings Potential: Most teens charge $15-$30 per job, earning $100+ per week in peak seasons.
Pros
- Get exercise outdoors
- Meet neighbors
- Flexible schedule
- Cash jobs requiring basic equipment
Cons
- Seasonal income fluctuations
- Physically exhausting
- Exposure to outdoor elements
- Potentially damage lawns if not careful
22. Garage Sale Planning & Hosting
Platforms Used: Craigslist, NextDoor, Facebook Marketplace
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$300 for a weekend sale. Top performers make $500+.
Pros
- Make money decluttering
- Learn pricing and sales strategies
- Take ownership of the event
- Keep a cut of the profits
Cons
- Time investment prepping and sorting
- No guarantee on selling items
- Dealing with flaky buyers
- Advertising and scheduling
23. Voice Acting Gigs
Platforms Used: Voices.com, Fiverr, Online Casting Calls
Earnings Potential: Most new voice actors earn $50-$150 per job. Experienced vocal talent make $500+ monthly from recurring gigs.
Pros
- Use vocal talents commercially
- Remote work with flexible hours
- Build professional demo reel
- Express range acting only with voice
Cons
- Highly competitive industry
- Need professional home studio
- Auditioning is time intensive
- Imposter syndrome/self-confidence
24. Thrift Store Reselling
Platforms Used: Mercari, Poshmark, eBay, Depop
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $100-$300 per month starting out. Top sellers make $800+ per month.
Pros
- Learn how to spot valuable items
- Make money cleaning out closets
- Build online business skills
- Tap into eco-conscious market
Cons
- Listing and shipping items takes hours
- Storage space for inventory
- Careful inspection for defects
- Returns if items don’t fit buyers
25. Peer Academic Tutor
Platforms Used: Wyzant, StudyPool
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $15-$25 per hour tutoring early on. Top tutors make $40+ per hour.
Pros
- Help classmates strengthen academics
- Review and master own class material
- Build teaching and communication skills
- Set your own schedule
Cons
- Lesson planning and grading work
- Unreliable student attendance
- Managing different learning paces
- Staying patient answering questions
26. Language and Translation Services
Platforms Used: Gengo, Upwork, Fiverr
Earnings Potential: Most bilingual teens earn $15-$25 per hour starting out. Top performers make $30+ per hour.
Pros
- Use bilingual skills to earn money
- Flexible schedule
- Gain valuable communications experience
- Looks great on college applications
Cons
- Need native-level fluency in both languages
- Careful attention to detail on translations
- Dealing with complex client instructions
- Writing translations takes more time
27. eSports Team Player & Coach
Platforms Used: ProGuides, Gamer Sensei
Earnings Potential: Teen players earn $300 per month on average. Coaches make $500+ per month.
Pros
- Get paid to play video games
- Develop teamwork and leadership skills
- Help peers improve gaming strategy
- Credits for college eSports scholarships
Cons
- Very steep competition
- Time commitment for practice is high
- Managing team drama
- College scholarship options still maturing
28. Instagram Brand Ambassador
Platforms Used: Social Blue Book
Earnings Potential: Most teen ambassadors earn $100-$300 per sponsored post or story. Micro-influencers with 100k+ followers make $500+.
Pros
- Get free products to feature and review
- Grow personal brand and following
- Pave way towards influencer status
- Work with cool startups and brands
Cons
- Flooded market makes growth challenging
- Discouraging starting with no followers
- Ensuring sponsored post disclosures
- Pressure for content to go viral
29. Customer Service Virtual Assistant
Platforms Used: Time Etc, TaskHuman
Earnings Potential: Most teen CS VAs earn $9-$12 per hour starting out. Experienced assistants make $15+ per hour.
Pros
- Gain professional communications skills
- Flexible remote schedule
- First office-type job experience
- Exposure to various industries
Cons
- Handling angry or difficult customers
- Potentially boring responding to emails
- Tight metrics for response times
- Reading through lengthy databases/resources
30. Proofreading & Editing
Platforms Used: Scribbr, Upwork, Fiverr
Earnings Potential: Most teens earn $15-$25 per document early on. Experienced editors make $30+ per hour.
Pros
- Strengthen writing composition skills
- Work behind the scenes polishing content
- Flexible hours and location
- Help authors and brands publish great content
Cons
- Very detail-oriented skill
- Some documents risk breaching confidentiality
- Dealing with sensitive authors
- Must have strong grammar knowledge
Tips for Teen Side Hustle Success
Follow these crucial tips to help teens balance academics, social lives, and side hustles while building confidence, resilience and earning potential over time:
Time Management
- Use calendars and schedules to juggle responsibilities
- Block out set work hours
- Assign tasks deadlines
- Adjust commitments if overwhelmed
Financial Planning
- Open a student checking account
- Track income and expenses
- Set saving goals
- Build credit responsibly
Legal Considerations
- Consult parents when signing contracts
- Consider tax implications
- Learn gig worker rights
- Protect online privacy and security
Pros and Cons of Side Hustles for Teens
Side hustles can be highly beneficial for teenagers but also come with some potential downsides to consider. Let’s examine the key advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Earn Extra Income: The ability to make additional money outside of an allowance or gifts can provide teens financial independence and spending flexibility. Even modest side hustle earnings add up over time.
- Gain Valuable Skills: Side hustles allow teens to build skills like social media marketing, coding, writing, task management, communication and more—all in real world contexts. These are resume boosters.
- Financial Literacy: Managing income, paying taxes, budgeting costs, and tracking profits teaches teens important financial concepts they’ll use for life.
- Future Job Potential: Side hustles can often turn into full-time careers once teens perfect them over time. Many famous entrepreneurs started early.
- Responsibility & Time Management: Juggling the demands of school, social lives and side hustle obligations teaches prioritization, scheduling, punctuality and maturity.
Cons
- High Startup Costs: Some side hustles like photography or retail arbitrage require expensive gear before earning money. Savings may be required.
- Risk of Burnout: The extra workload of a side hustle can add unnecessary stress. Without balance, teens may get bored, exhausted or distracted from academics.
- Losing Passion: Monetizing hobbies risks draining the inherent joy if the focus shifts too heavily towards profits over personal fulfillment. It should still feel fun.
- Time Constraints: If not managed right, side hustles can become too time intensive and detract from critical teen responsibilities like school, family, relationships and activities.
Overall, side hustles often strengthen a teen’s resourcefulness and prepare them well for adulthood if balanced properly with other commitments. But some risks exist, requiring intentional efforts to prevent overextension.
Wrapping Up Best Side Hustles for Teens
So there you have it – over 30 legit side hustle ideas for teens spanning everything from taking surveys to designing websites for local businesses.
Sure, not every option will be realistic for your unique skills and schedule. But hopefully exploring some possibilities opened your mind to ways you can start cashing in on your existing talents or interests.
Because here’s the thing – side hustles do way more than just score you extra money to hit the mall with friends or save up for a car. Taking initiative outside of school or structured activities looks seriously impressive when it comes time to apply for colleges or first jobs.
And who knows…maybe that weekend pet sitting gig turns into the next Rover empire once you perfect your teen business model! Crazier things have happened with young entrepreneurs.
No one expects you to pour 30+ hours a week into some side venture and neglect hanging with friends or binge watching Euphoria. But carving out just 5-10 hours on your own terms can be game changing.
So scan back through and find 1 or 2 side hustle options that caught your attention or played to your strengths. Then set a goal to test them out over the next month.
What’s the worst that happens? You make a few bucks but realize pet sitting isn’t for you long term? No harm done moving on to the next idea.
But you might just discover a perfect way to start padding your wallet and gaining real world experience. And that combo can take you a long way on whatever career path calls your name down the road!