Making money as a teenager can be tough, with school schedules and age restrictions on traditional jobs. But thanks to the internet, there are plenty of online jobs for teens that offer flexibility and the chance to make money online.
Some of these jobs include selling items on e-retailer sites, completing online surveys, or freelancing as a writer or graphic designer. The best part? These jobs allow you to work around your school commitments and from any location with internet access.
So, if you're a teenager looking for flexible work and eager to explore new earning avenues, you're in the right place. Read on to discover the nine best online jobs for teens and get inspired to begin your job search today.
How do online jobs work?
First off, there are different types of online jobs available. Some are like regular jobs where you work for a company, just that your workspace is virtual. This means you might have set hours and tasks to complete, much like a traditional job, but you do it from home using your computer.
Then, there's freelancing. Here, you're more like a small business owner. You offer services like graphic design or freelance writing to clients who need them. You're not tied down to one employer, so you have more flexibility to choose when and how much you work.
The main idea behind all these online jobs is that they allow people to earn money from home. This can be helpful if you're still in high school or just starting college and don't have a lot of time for a full-time job.
Online jobs for teenagers
Here are the nine best jobs that teenagers can do online:#1 Online Tutoring
Interested in earning some extra cash while putting your academic skills to good use? Online tutoring might just be the gig for you! Whether you excel in math, languages, or any other subject, tutoring online allows you to share your knowledge with students around the globe. Platforms like Pear Deck (formerly TutorMe), Skooli, and Chegg connect tutors with learners seeking help with schoolwork, test preparation, or language learning.
To get started, you typically need to meet a minimum age requirement, usually 13 or older, depending on the platform. This means you can even help out your peers or younger students.
The pay varies based on factors like your expertise, the subjects you teach, and how much you charge per hour. On average, tutors in the U.S. earn about $24.85 per hour, with rates ranging from $10 to $40.
#2 Audio and Video Transcription
This is a job opportunity where teens can earn money online by transcribing audio and video recordings. Transcription involves listening to recordings and typing out what is being said. For example, you might transcribe dialogue from a video to create subtitles.
To get started, you'll need good-quality headphones and decent typing skills with accuracy. You can find transcription jobs on websites like GoTranscript, TranscribeMe, Rev, Upwork, and Fiverr. These platforms usually require you to take a test to demonstrate your transcription abilities. If you pass, you can begin working right away.
The average pay for this work is about $18.74 per hour. However, payment can also be calculated based on the length of the audio or video you transcribe, typically ranging from $0.2 to $1.1 per minute of recording.
The demand for transcriptionists is growing, as there are plenty of audio and video files that need to be accurately transcribed. The more you transcribe, the more you can potentially earn.
#3 Making YouTube Videos
YouTube has become a viable platform for teenagers looking to earn money through content creation, although it comes with both potential rewards and challenges. With a minimum age requirement of 13 years old to create an account, teens can start monetizing their videos once they reach 18. Earnings primarily come from ads displayed on videos, with creators typically earning between $3 to $5 per 1,000 views. However, achieving significant income requires more than just uploading videos—it demands high-quality content, consistent effort, and technical skills in filming and editing.
To succeed on YouTube, you must understand the platform's dynamics and trends, as well as adapt content to resonate with a target audience. While the potential for substantial earnings exists, patience and persistence are key. Many successful YouTubers started small and gradually grew their channels through dedication and creativity.
#4 Test websites
Many websites are going digital. Businesses want their websites to look good and work well. They are willing to pay people to test their websites and give them feedback. This feedback helps them know what works well on their sites and what needs improvement.
To become a website tester, you need to be at least 18 years old. In this job, you can earn an average of $26 per hour, with pay ranging from $10 to $52 per hour. The key to this job is having good analytical skills and registering on a website testing platform.
If you want to try this, you can sign up on websites like Upwork, UserTesting, Userlytics, or UserFeel. These platforms connect you with businesses that need their websites tested. Once you register, you can start getting paid to test websites and provide helpful feedback.
#5 Voice-Over Artist
Have you ever wondered whose voices you hear in TV ads or on YouTube videos belong to? Those are voice-over artists, and it's a great job that anyone can do, including teenagers.
Voice-over artists get paid to lend their voices to various projects. Depending on the job, the pay can range from $10 to $30 per hour, with an average of $33.12 per hour in the U.S. People hire voice-over artists because they need a specific type of voice to match the tone and purpose of their ads or videos.
If you're interested in becoming a voice-over artist, all you need is a good-quality microphone and a quiet room to record in. There are plenty of online platforms like Voices, Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, and Truelancer where you can find voice-over gigs.
It's a flexible job that doesn't have a minimum age limit, so even teenagers can start working as long as their voices fit the job requirements. With the right voice and equipment, you can start making money from home as a voice-over artist.
#6 Online Surveys
If you're a teenager, looking to make some extra money, taking online surveys could be a good fit for you. Many companies want to know what people think about their products and services, and they will pay for your opinion. It’s a simple way to earn a bit of pocket money. Although the pay isn't very high, it can add up over time.
To get started, you'll need to be 13 years old and sign up on websites like Survey Junkie, Branded Surveys, Swagbucks, or Google Opinion Rewards. The pay ranges from 40 cents to $2 per hour, with the average being around $1.14 per hour. While this might not seem like much, it's enough to cover some of your small expenses.
#7 Testing Video Games
Did you know you can get paid to play video games? It might sound unbelievable, but it's true. You can earn around $50 to $100 per month by testing games and giving feedback to developers. If you enjoy playing video games and have the right equipment, this could be a great way to make some extra cash.
To get started, all you need to do is register on game-testing websites like Mistplay, Gamehag, Inbox Dollars, or Skillz Games. Some sites may require you to have a good graphics card, but it's not always necessary. Once registered, you can start testing games right away.
There's usually no age limit to earn money by playing video games—this is a great opportunity for teens. However, some platforms may have their own minimum age requirements, so it's worth checking the details for each site.
#8 Freelance Writing
If you enjoy writing and have good grammar skills, freelance writing could be a great job for you. It's a popular online job, especially for teens, because it offers flexibility and control. As a freelance writer, you can choose how much you want to work, what kind of content you want to write, and ultimately, how much money you can make.
On average, freelance writers in the U.S. earn about $22.60 per hour, but the pay can range from $10 to $35 per hour, depending on the type of writing and your experience. Some high-paying projects can even go beyond this range. There are many types of content you can write, such as blog posts, ghostwriting books, copywriting, social media posts, product descriptions, and more.
To get started, you'll need good writing and editing skills, as well as a portfolio of your work samples. You can find freelance writing jobs on websites like Fiverr, Upwork, Facebook, FlexJobs, LinkedIn, and Problogger. These platforms can help you connect with clients who need your writing services.
Freelance writing is open to people of all ages, as long as you have the necessary skills, although some websites may have minimum age requirements.
#9 Blogging
If you are at least 13 years old, you can start earning money as a blogger. On average, bloggers in the U.S. make about $23.59 per hour. The pay can range from $5 to $50 per hour, depending on various factors like the quality of your content and how popular your blog becomes. Some of the popular platforms where you can start your blog include Blogger, WordPress, and Squarespace.
To be successful as a blogger, you don't need any prior experience, but you need patience and consistency. It's important to have some knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and keywords, good grammar, and decent typing skills.
First, choose a specific topic or niche for your blog. This could be anything you are passionate about, such as animals, fashion, technology, or cooking. The key is to write regularly and provide valuable content to your readers. It might take some time before you start making money from your blog.
As you continue to produce high-quality content, you will gradually attract a loyal audience. When your blog gets a good amount of traffic, you can monetize it by including ads and affiliate links. This means you can earn money every time someone clicks on an ad or purchases a product through one of your links.
Being a blogger can be a rewarding way to share your interests with the world while making money, but remember, it takes time and effort to build a successful blog.
Benefits of online jobs for teens
One of the greatest advantages of working online as a teenager is the flexibility it offers. Balancing school, homework, and extracurricular activities can be challenging, but an online job lets you work when it suits your schedule. This means you can fit in work around your other commitments.
Another benefit is the wide range of online job options available. This variety allows you to try out different tasks, learn new skills, and maybe even find something you're passionate about. You could discover an interest that you might want to pursue further in college.
And of course, there's the financial aspect. Earning money through an online job not only gives you extra cash for spending but also teaches you important money management skills. You'll learn how to budget, save, and invest, which are valuable skills that will help you build wealth over time.
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