Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an explosive rise in work-from-home jobs. That’s good news for anyone who wants to enjoy a lucrative career without leaving the house. And it’s particularly good for teenagers looking for gigs that work with their existing busy schedules.
Right now, about 1 in every 25 workers is a teenager, and that number is likely to increase over time. What are the best online jobs for teens? How much do they pay, and what are the job requirements? Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
- Freelance Writer
- Graphic Designer
- Participate in Paid Surveys
- Online Academic Tutoring
- Data Entry
- Freelance Video Editor
- Virtual Assistant
- Selling Custom Merchandise Online
- Part-Time Customer Service Representative
- Social Media Manager
- Freelance Proofreading and Editing
- Become a Teacher and Sell Lessons Online
- Freelance Photography
- Product Testing
- Test Apps and Websites
- Benefits of Having an Online Job as a Teen
- Explore EVERFI’s Courses for Teaching Students About Finances
Freelance Writer
You’ve probably noticed that the world runs on the internet, and the internet runs on content. Because of this, there are always online jobs for teens at home who wish to write in a variety of niches. This provides teens with the opportunity to write about the things they care about and share their passion with the world. As a bonus, the more they work with existing publishers, the more they establish a brand name for themselves. This can make it easier to get hired for jobs they discover on websites like Indeed, Freelance Writing Gigs, and ProBlogger.
Another possible option is for teens to publish their own writing via Substack. With this model, they set a monthly fee for their content and try to gain as many subscribers as possible. They may eventually be able to find the sweet spot and price their content attractively enough to lure in new readers. For example, if they charge $5 per month and have 100 subscribers, they’ll take home $450 a month after Substack gets its cut.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average for this job is $23.27 per hour.
Job Requirements: They’ll need writing and editing skills and regular access to an internet-enabled computer. Certain jobs may require a high school diploma, but many recruiters will still hire teens without such a degree if they demonstrate skill in writing and have a portfolio of previously written work.
Graphic Designer
The internet runs on content, and that isn’t limited to words. This is a very visual medium, and businesses that utilize custom designs can easily set themselves apart from the competition. To get those designs, they often hire freelance graphic designers who can help out with everything from crafting new logos to coming up with designers for T-shirts and other merchandise. There are many graphic artist jobs online for teens who are both quick and creative. Offering their services online may be an easy and rewarding way to bring in cash.
Part of what makes this job so rewarding is that teens typically get to set their own rates. It’s up to them to determine whether they will charge by the hour, by completed project, or by some other metric. They’ll be competing against other freelance artists, though, so it’s important to set their prices accordingly. Once again, it’s about finding the sweet spot; in this case, pricing out the competition while still bringing in some much-needed extra income.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $26.90 per hour.
Job Requirements: In addition to artistic skills, teens are going to need regular access to a computer and the internet. They may also need graphic design software. They should take the time to upload examples of their previous work online to serve as a portfolio. Remember, “seeing is believing,” and proof of their skills can help them land a surprising number of clients.
Participate in Paid Surveys
For many teens, the most difficult part of finding online jobs is finding gigs that match their current skills. After all, they don’t have a college degree yet, and they may still be figuring out what they want to study in high school. Fortunately, one of the most reliable ways to make extra money online is to participate in paid surveys. Completing these surveys is usually as easy as clicking a few buttons and, in some cases, giving honest thoughts (like with product reviews).
Now, compared to some other online jobs, completing paid surveys isn’t the most lucrative gig. However, it comes with some major upsides, including the fact that it doesn’t take much time to complete each survey, and teens can complete everything on the go. Therefore, they can sit back and plow through survey after survey while watching their favorite videos. Alternatively, they can just complete a single survey here and there when they have the time.
Earning Potential: Compensation is typically $0.50 to $5 per completed survey.
Job Requirements: Typically, all teens need to complete these surveys is a phone, computer, or tablet and an internet connection. Depending on how the survey site is set up, they may need to deactivate any pop-up blockers if they are completing surveys via the website.
Online Academic Tutoring
Some teens have always earned good grades in school. If they are someone other students look to for help, this is (believe it or not) a very marketable skill. That’s because the world is full of other students who struggle with some of the subjects they are best at. Most of the time, they struggle because they don’t understand the teacher’s explanation, but hearing it from another student may help everything click into place. For example, some students struggle in math, but others who are pursuing a career in accounting may be able to help them.
Online academic tutoring comes in many forms. In some cases, teens may be able to communicate with clients via email and offer criticisms of things like their latest essay for their English class. In other cases, they may be expected to use platforms such as Zoom to communicate with clients face-to-face. For those situations, it’s important for teens to be able to verbally evaluate the client’s work and concisely explain what they must do to improve it before submitting it to the teacher.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $21.86 an hour.
Job Requirements: The primary requirement for being an online academic tutor is that teens have extensive knowledge of the subject(s) in which they are tutoring students. Additionally, they will need a computer and an internet connection. Optionally, they may need a webcam to facilitate face-to-face communications.
Data Entry
Another very reliable online job is data entry. No matter how advanced our technology gets, there will always be a need for a human being to process and upload important bits of information to various places. For example, a hospital may need somebody online to process basic information, type it up, and upload it to a medical database. In other cases, someone may need to record information via a microphone and create a transcript of everything they said.
Those are just a couple of examples, but the truth is that there are countless data entry jobs available across different industries. Teens may even be able to find a remote gig with a local company that needs their services. Otherwise, they can find work online in a number of different fields. Expertise in a field helps but is typically not required. That’s because they are usually just entering data rather than engaging in creative writing or having to deeply research a subject.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $19.47 per hour.
Job Requirements: Teens will need a computer and an internet connection.
Freelance Video Editor
Chances are that most teens are big fans of video platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. On those platforms, the vast majority of the best videos typically feature very slick editing in order to help someone tell a compelling story. Some content creators are expert video editors themselves, but you might be amazed by how many of them have to hire external talent. If teens have the necessary talent, they might even end up working for their favorite YouTuber!
It can sometimes be difficult for freelance video editors to find new gigs. That’s the bad news. The good news is that once teens land a job, it may be more lucrative than many other freelance opportunities. Plus, if they find work with somebody who regularly uploads videos, the content creator may need to use their services on a regular basis. That is always preferable because it means they have the one thing every freelancer dreams of: a steady income stream.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $31.60 an hour.
Job Requirements: Teens will need access to a computer and an internet connection. They will also need video editing software and extensive editing skills. It will help them land gigs if they can post any previous edits (even things like music videos) that may attract those who are hiring.
Virtual Assistant
These days, the term “virtual assistant” might make you think of an AI bot. And it’s true that many people rely on these bots to help them schedule meetings, post content, format their emails, and so on. However, artificial intelligence still has many major shortcomings, and many people desire human talent for their assistance needs. If teens are technically proficient with common software like the Microsoft Office suite and are good communicators, this might be the job for them.
For teens, one of the bigger concerns about this job is making sure that it doesn’t interfere with other responsibilities, such as school. Fortunately, most who need virtual assistants only need them for a few hours a week, making it easy to schedule this job around other engagements. Plus, helping someone out with a variety of different tasks helps teens build up the skills needed to later land even more lucrative jobs.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $24.40 per hour.
Job Requirements: Most of the time, teens only need a computer and an internet connection to be a virtual assistant. It also helps to have basic proficiency with software and solid communication skills, all of which help them facilitate a client’s various needs.
Selling Custom Merchandise Online
Teens don’t have to become experts in drop-shipping in order to start generating reliable monthly income. Websites such as Redbubble allow them to upload custom designs that are intended to be used on a number of products. For instance, the design they upload might appear on T-shirts, phone cases, baseball caps, and more. And they get a cut of the profits whenever someone orders a product utilizing their design.
This job may be attractive for those who like the idea of seeing their ideas brought to life (for example, knowing people all over the world are wearing a T-shirt they designed). Plus, they don’t have to worry about printing the shirts or other products themselves. One thing they do have to worry about, though, is copyright law. Users are typically forbidden from uploading art (even fan art) of established intellectual property. Therefore, they will need the art and creative skill to come up with something wholly original. Remind the teens in your life that money earned this way can prepare them for sustainable investing later in life.
Earning Potential: On Redbubble, the default is that sellers get royalties of 20% on whatever is sold. That amount can be adjusted upward but will correspondingly increase the price of the items.
Job Requirements: Teens will need a computer and an internet connection. They will also need artistic skills and possibly graphic design software. Finally, they will need to be a self-starter who isn’t afraid to market their design and help sell their own custom merchandise.
Part-Time Customer Service Representative
Ever had to call up a corporation to get an answer to your question or resolve a problem with your account? It’s something of an open secret that most of those corporations outsource their customer service needs to remote workers. That means that teens may be able to work part-time on behalf of a company to do things like answer customer questions, lightly troubleshoot problems, and generally de-escalate potential tensions.
In order to effectively complete this job, teens need to be good at talking to people. By the time someone gets them on the phone, they might have had to wait on hold after navigating a confusing phone tree of automated questions. That means teens might have a frustrated person on the other end. However, if they are a good communicator and natural problem solver, they can help cheer them up right away by solving whatever is vexing them.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $18.80 per hour.
Job Requirements: Teens will need a computer and an internet connection. They will also need a phone with a headset and microphone to make hands-free talking easy. They should also have baseline technical proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
Social Media Manager
Here’s something teens may never have considered before: As young people, they are more clued into technology and trends than anyone else. Many individuals and companies may want to utilize that knowledge by having young people serve as part-time social media managers. In this capacity, they would be responsible for crafting original posts on platforms such as Facebook and X to get maximum engagement. They may also be in charge of responding to commenters and, as needed, banning accounts.
There are different versions of this kind of work available. The most basic (as described above) involves crafting custom social media posts for clients’ various needs. A more advanced version of this is to serve as a community manager for a company. For example, moderating a forum for a video game company requires a bit more of a “hands-on” presence. Still, it boils down to creating interest in the company’s product(s), gaining customer attention, and moderating online interactions so they don’t get out of hand.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $31.18 an hour.
Job Requirements: Teens will need a computer and an internet connection. They will also need familiarity with the social media apps in question and, as needed, familiarity with the company or product they are helping to represent. They should also be skilled at online communication and potentially defusing online arguments.
Freelance Proofreading and Editing
Not all good writers are necessarily creative writers. For example, someone might have excellent grammar and editing skills but not particularly feel a need to create their own stories or articles. For teens who fit this bill, there are numerous proofreading and editing jobs available. On the most basic level, these opportunities all have one thing in common. They require closely reading pre-written material and editing it for grammar, clarity, and style.
In many cases, modern editors are “switch hitters.” In addition to editing the raw copy, they may also be required to upload writing into a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress. In some cases, editors may be called upon to create original writing. Every editing job is different, meaning there are opportunities for every kind of editor. And the more skills a teen has, the more easily they can qualify for various jobs that may be available.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $27.65–$28.75 an hour.
Job Requirements: Proofreading and editing require that teens have access to a computer and an internet connection. Depending on the needs of the client, editors may need to be familiar with specific word processors such as Google Docs as well as various content management systems such as WordPress.
Become a Teacher and Sell Lessons Online
For many teens, the idea of becoming a teacher is downright scary. However, whether they realize it or not, these young people have likely mastered certain skills (both academic and otherwise). There are a growing number of platforms, such as Teachable, that are designed to help students sell their lessons online (for example, lessons on the basics of investing). On most platforms, there are different ways to upload these lessons. Teens may opt for video lessons, but there are also options for uploading text lessons that help obscure their identity.
Selling lesson plans like this may be a good alternative to tutoring people online in a given subject. Conversely, those who are already tutoring may want to take the time to translate more of their hard-earned knowledge into lesson plans. Either way, this represents an opportunity to generate passive income each month. As an added bonus, this also incentivizes teens to learn even more about the subjects they are most interested in.
Earning Potential: The exact pay depends on the platform chosen, the number of lessons sold, and the cut that the platform receives. For example, Teachable receives 10% and charges a fixed $1 fee for those using its free plan.
Job Requirements: As usual, teens will need a computer and an internet connection for this gig. They will also need demonstrated knowledge of the subject for which they are creating lessons.
Freelance Photography
In an age of bad AI-generated imagery, quality photographs are more important than ever before. For teens who have skills with a camera, this can be a great opportunity to make some quick cash. In some cases, they may be able to sell existing photos they have taken to clients who need them for blogs and website landing pages. More often, though, clients will need someone to take great photos based on certain prompts, like “image of an abandoned building at sunset.”
While there are standalone jobs like this for photographers available, there are also opportunities for teens with multiple skills. For instance, it’s easier to get a writing job creating product reviews if the teen knows how to take eye-catching images of the product in question. Similarly, the ability to edit photos can help someone land jobs for entrepreneurs who don’t have the skills in either photography or editing to best bring their creative visions to life.
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $62.54 per hour.
Job Requirements: In addition to a good camera, teens will need a computer and an internet connection. They may also need photo editing software and experience.
Product Testing
Before companies can sell products to the masses, they need to test them for any deficiencies or unexpected errors. This requires human testing, and teens can apply to become product testers for these companies through websites like Toluna. Most of the time, the process is as simple as attempting to use the product as designed and then completing a brief survey about everything. The company collects this data to tweak and generally improve the product before further testing.
In most cases, product testers are free to keep the products they have tested. If the teen likes the product, then this is its own benefit. After all, who doesn’t like free stuff? But in other cases, they might be able to turn around and sell unwanted products. This is a great way to take an already very easy job and make it even more lucrative. Because if there’s anything teens like more than free stuff, it’s extra cash!
Earning Potential: Rates may vary, but the national average is $36.59 per hour.
Job Requirements: All this job really requires is an internet connection. Surveys can be completed using computers, smartphones, and mobile devices.
Test Apps and Websites
Just as there are jobs where teens can test physical products, there are opportunities to test apps and websites. The same basic principles apply — namely, these companies want to fix any bugs or major errors before they introduce their sites and apps to the public. To do so, many of them will hire freelance testers to get feedback about what to fix. For some teens, this job is a natural fit because it involves doing what comes naturally: playing around on the phone!
Such jobs are easy to apply for on sites like UserTesting.com because they don’t have any special skills or requirements. These gigs may be especially useful, though, for teens thinking about creating apps or websites of their own. Experience in testing can help them realize what the most common issues are and successfully avoid those problems when creating their own digital contributions.
Earning Potential: The exact earning potential depends on the company in question and how extensive the testing is. For example, a simple 20-minute test may pay $10. The national average is $44.20 per hour.
Job Requirements: Usually, teens merely need a computer and an internet connection. Familiarity with the companies behind these apps and sites is also a benefit.
Benefits of Having an Online Job as a Teen
As you can tell, there are many great online jobs for teens. However, teenagers may still be on the fence about sacrificing some of their precious free time for some extra income. If you know a young person who is trying to decide whether to enter the digital workforce, you should let them know there are a number of awesome benefits.
- Extra disposable income
- Building an early resume can help teens get better jobs later on
- Early job experience will look good on future job and college applications
- Online jobs for teens at home usually offer flexible scheduling
Explore EVERFI’s Courses for Teaching Students About Finances
Parents and educators alike usually appreciate one more benefit of online jobs for teens. They teach young people more about fiscal responsibility. Fortunately, they don’t have to learn completely on their own. EVERFI is here to provide courses to educators who can help their students grow and prosper.
For example, EVERFI offers financial literacy training free of charge. There are also free courses on money and mental health. Everyone wants the best for young people. With EVERFI, you can start building a better tomorrow for them with nothing more than the click of a button!
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Chris Snellgrove is a college writing professor with over 15 years of experience as a teacher, professor, and instructor. He’s primarily taught at the high school and college levels, but has also led ESL programs for primary school students. In addition to his teaching experience, he has extensive experience with SEO, small business optimization, and ghostwriting for hundreds of clients in all different fields.