10 Best Places to Work for Teens

Whether you’re saving up for a car, fancy gaming setup, or just tired of asking your parents for money every time you need to buy a snack, you’re now on the hunt for the best places to work for teens. Places that will take you (and your availability around school, sports, hobbies, and very serious TikTok filming schedule) seriously. I’ve got a teenager. I get it.

When I was a high-schooler, I think I tried just about every part-time job that was out there. From babysitting (one of my favorites), to working at Subway (one of my least favorites, no offense, Subway), to working at a florist shop (working around beautiful flowers wasn’t bad), to a smoothie place (hey, free smoothies!), to lots of other jobs I can’t even remember, to be honest.

In my post, I’ll cover the best places to work for teens as well as how to find a job you’ll love. I’ll even throw in some resume and interviewing tips so you can increase your chances of landing your dream job!

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Here’s my top 10 list of best places to work for teens

Here are ten great places to work for teens, including places that offer good entry-level opportunities, decent pay, and flexible hours:

  1. Local Coffee Shops or Cafés – Working as a barista or cashier at a local café can teach customer service skills and offer a flexible schedule. *Special bonus: Free drinks!
  2. Fast Food Chains (like Chick-fil-A or McDonald’s) – These chains typically hire teens, offer training, as well as opportunities to grow into leadership positions. *Special perk: Many fast food chains offer tuition reimbursement or scholarships
  3. Retail Stores (e.g., Target, Walmart, or local boutiques) – Retail jobs teach cash handling, sales, and customer service skills. These are all skills needed in every career profession. *Special bonus: You’ll get an employee discount!
  4. Movie Theaters – Shifts tend to fit well with school schedules since theatres are open late at night and on the weekends. *Special bonus: Disounted or free movie tickets
  5. Grocery Stores (like Kroger or Trader Joe’s) – Many grocery stores offer entry-level positions as cashiers or baggers, with flexible hours and decent pay. *Special bonus: There are opportunities to work in management-level positions and/or for grocery store corporate offices after high school and/or college, especially for business majors.
  6. Local Libraries – Some libraries hire teens as pages, helping organize and shelve books. It’s a nice, quiet atmosphere to work in and libraries often have consistent hours. *Special bonus: This is great job for book lovers!
  7. Recreation Centers or Pools – Lifeguarding, assisting in camps, or helping at front desks can be rewarding and you will gain valuable skills like CPR & First Aid (this looks great on a resume)! *Special bonus: This is one of the top places to work for teens who love the outdoors!
  8. Theme Parks and Amusement Parks – These places hire teens for various roles, from ride operators to food service. *There are lots of perks to working at a theme park (i.e. discounted or free entrance, to name one).
  9. Animal Shelters or Pet Stores – Working at a pet store or volunteering at an animal shelter can provide hands-on experience with animals. *Special bonus: This is an excellent job for animal lovers and teens who want to work with animals for their future career.
  10. Freelance Work (like tutoring, babysitting, or lawn care) – Teens can take on local tutoring, babysitting, dog walking, or lawn mowing jobs, which help build responsibility and time-management skills. *Special bonus: you can charge whatever you want and set your own hours!

These work for teens opportunities can be great starting points, giving teenagers work experience, a sense of responsibility, and most importantly, spending money!

See my recent video on YouTube:

How to Write a High School Resume

What you should think about before you apply for jobs

If I could talk to my 16-year-old self, I would say: “pick a job that has something to do with what you like!” I know it seems like a simple concept, but when I was young I just sort of applied to random jobs without giving it any thought. Looking back, I know that in high school I loved to write and I also loved animals. But it never occurred to me to get a job in a bookstore, for example, or maybe at a pet shelter, or even as a dog walker.

If you’re not sure about your interests or strengths, that’s okay. One way to connect with your interests and passions is to think about when you were a kid. What did you do for fun? Did you gravitate toward any particular types of games or toys? What about now? What kinds of books, shows, and games do you like and why? What activities do you like to do for fun?

In terms of your skills or stregnths, you can think about classes where you don’t have to work too hard to get good grades. Are there any particular sports or activities that you’re good at? If you were to ask three people who are close to you to tell you your top three talents, what would they say?

At some point, you will need to put together a resume. My advice is to tailor a different resume toward every job you apply for. Once you’ve written one good resume, it’s not as time consuming to target more resumes toward various job opportunities. Most teens don’t target their resumes. If you do this important step, you will stand out as a candidate and impress the hiring manager!

Jobs for teens with no experience

Best places to work for teens with no work experience include plenty of entry-level jobs that offer valuable skills and a chance to earn some money. Here are some of the best options:

  1. Babysitter or Mother’s Helper – Babysitting is a popular choice for teens, often requiring only basic skills like responsibility and attentiveness. Teens can also find opportunities as a “mother’s helper,” helping with household tasks while a parent is home.
  2. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter – For animal-loving teens, pet-sitting and dog walking are great options. It’s usually flexible, and many neighbors or community members are looking for help with their pets.
  3. Camp Counselor in Training – Many summer camps offer junior or assistant counselor roles for teens, where they can help lead activities for younger campers. It’s a rewarding way to gain leadership skills and often doesn’t require experience.
  4. Grocery Store Bagger or Stocker – Grocery stores frequently hire teens with no experience to bag groceries, stock shelves, or collect carts. It’s a structured environment with a predictable schedule.
  5. Retail Assistant – Stores like Target, Old Navy, and local shops often hire teens as cashiers, sales associates, or stockers. These roles teach customer service and basic cashiering skills.
  6. Library Page or Shelver – Libraries often have entry-level positions for teens to shelve books, keep the library organized, or help with events. It’s a quiet and steady environment, perfect for teens who enjoy reading.
  7. Amusement Park or Arcade Worker – Amusement parks, water parks, and local arcades hire teens to run games, operate rides, and help guests. These jobs can be seasonal but are high-energy and fun.
  8. Fast Food Crew Member – Many fast-food places, like McDonald’s or Subway, hire teens with no experience and provide training. These roles help teens learn teamwork and customer service.
  9. Tutor for Younger Students – If a teen excels in a certain subject, they can tutor younger students. Schools and community centers sometimes have programs, or they can find tutoring jobs through word-of-mouth.
  10. Household Helper (Gardening, Cleaning, Errands) – Teens can find simple, paid work by helping neighbors with gardening, cleaning, or running errands. This type of work is usually flexible and doesn’t require prior experience.

These jobs offer flexible schedules, build essential life skills, and provide a good start to a teen’s work experience, helping teens start to build a strong resume.

Jobs for teens with anxiety

For teens with anxiety, it can help to look for jobs that provide a calm environment, minimal social interaction, and predictable routines. Here are some options that might be well-suited:

  1. Freelance Online Work (e.g., graphic design, writing, video editing) – If a teen has skills in digital media, they could start with small, manageable freelance projects online. This allows them to work from home and avoid high-stress interactions.
  2. Data Entry or Office Assistant – Some offices or small businesses hire teens to help with data entry, filing, or other back-office work. These roles often have structured, predictable tasks in a quiet environment.
  3. Warehouse or Inventory Assistant – In warehouses, tasks like organizing or packing items are usually independent and quiet, allowing teens to work on routine tasks without much social interaction.
  4. Animal Shelter Volunteer or Kennel Assistant – Working with animals at a shelter can provide a sense of purpose without a high-pressure environment. While it may require a little more interaction, the focus on animals can be a comfort.
  5. Bookstore Assistant – If a teen loves books, a local bookstore can be a calm and supportive place to work. The environment is often quieter, and tasks like organizing shelves and stocking books are low-pressure.
  6. Landscaping or Gardening Helper – Outdoor jobs like gardening, mowing lawns, or basic landscaping tasks can be calming, often without close supervision or frequent customer contact.

These roles offer low-stress environments where teens can work independently or with minimal social interaction, which can be helpful for managing anxiety.

High paying jobs for teens

Some jobs for teens can offer surprisingly competitive pay, especially if they involve specialized skills, certain certifications, or independent work. Here are some of the top-paying options:

  1. Tutoring – Teens with strong skills in subjects like math, science, or languages can earn $15-$30+ per hour tutoring younger students, especially if they work independently or through local tutoring agencies.
  2. Lifeguard – Many lifeguard jobs pay well, often starting around $12-$18 per hour. Teens need to be certified, but training is typically available through community centers or local pools.
  3. Freelance Digital Work (Graphic Design, Video Editing, Social Media Management) – Teens with digital skills can take on freelance projects for local businesses or online clients, sometimes earning $15-$25 per hour or more, depending on their expertise.
  4. Golf Caddy – At high-end golf courses, caddies can make around $15-$25 per hour, plus tips. This job can be physically demanding but often comes with tips that boost earnings.
  5. Retail Sales Associate (in higher-end stores) – Some retail positions, especially in higher-end stores or large chains like Best Buy, can pay teens $13-$17 per hour, especially if they work evening or weekend shifts.
  6. Virtual Assistant – Many small businesses or entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants to help with data entry, scheduling, and email management. Teens with good organizational skills can earn around $15-$20 per hour working remotely.
  7. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking – For teens with several clients, pet sitting or dog walking can bring in $15-$20+ per hour. Independent gigs like this often pay more than traditional entry-level jobs.
  8. Babysitting or Nannying – Babysitting can pay very well, especially for teens who work for multiple families. Rates can vary from $15-$20 per hour, depending on experience, responsibilities, and location.
  9. Delivery Driver (for food services like DoorDash or Uber Eats, if age allows) – In areas where teens can drive at 18, delivery jobs can pay well, often around $15-$25 per hour, including tips. Some companies have an 18+ requirement.
  10. Camp Counselor (at specialized or overnight camps) – While this job is often seasonal, specialized camp counselors (like those at sports or music camps) may earn more, sometimes $12-$18 per hour, with room and board included.

These jobs offer both flexibility and a strong earning potential, especially for teens who are motivated and reliable.

In summary

Hopefully this article gives you a solid place to start looking for the best places to work for teens. Once you where you want to work and you start applying for jobs, make sure to also start learning about how to present yourself in a job interview. Good luck in your job search!

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example of work for teens serving customers in a store
  • Lee Cristina Beaser

    MS, CPRW (Certified Professional Resume Writer)

    Lee brings over two decades of expertise in guiding individuals towards career success. Having helped thousands of professionals in a wide variety of industries, she has a deep understanding of the intricacies of the job market. Lee founded The Career Counter, a platform dedicated to providing busy people, especially moms returning to the workforce, with tools and services tailored to their unique career goals.

    Our Founder has over 20 years of experience helping people like you