Working while in high school is more than a way to earn money—it's an opportunity to develop work ethic, build up hard and soft skills, and prepare for your future. And in terms of immediate gratification, aside from being able to afford the things you want on your own, you'll learn how to budget and make the most of your pay.
Not sure how to get started working? First you need to determine what interests you. Then, build a resume (it’s easy, we promise) and start applying. To help you out, here's a list of 14 jobs for high school students and tips on how to get one.
Pros and cons of having a job in high school
For those wondering, “Should I get a job in high school?” the answer is yes—if that's what you want and it won't affect your school performance. “Starting to work during high school can be both rewarding and challenging,” says Max Williams, founder and HR Outsourcing specialist at Herobot.
When working is an option and not an obligation (yet), it's key to sit down and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. “The decision depends on the student's personal goals, schedule, and family situation,” Williams says.
Pros
- Develop new skills: By working, you'll develop skills useful in multiple areas of your life, including school. Williams lists responsibility, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and accountability among key skills developed through part-time work.
- Become financially independent: One of the benefits of having a job in school is earning your own money. “It also teaches valuable lessons about budgeting, saving, and understanding the value of hard work,” he says.
- Build a network: Even if your first job isn't a “fancy” one, it'll expose you to new people and industries and may start building a network—which could be valuable later on.
Cons
- Potential impact on schoolwork: With more responsibilities on your plate, academic performance may be affected. Besides, you'll have less free time for typical high school activities. “High school is a time to explore extracurricular activities, hobbies, and social connections,” Williams says. “Working too much might reduce the time for these important experiences.”
- Risk of burnout: With more responsibilities on your shoulders—and pressure to perform well both at school and at work—there's a risk of feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and potentially burning out.
14 jobs for high school students
Whether you're looking for a part-time role during the school year or a summer job to boost your savings, here are some options to get you started.
Part-time jobs for high school students
As a student, full-time jobs during the school year are off the table. Part-time jobs with flexible schedules are a better choice, so you can earn an income and develop new skills without deprioritizing school.
1. Landscaper
Median hourly pay: $18.12
As a landscaper, your main responsibility would be to care for residential or commercial exterior properties. During summer and spring, tasks could include lawn mowing, pruning trees, and leaf blowing. If you live in a region that gets snow, you might also shovel or snowblow walkways, driveways, and parking lots.
One downside: This type of job is physically demanding and could zap your energy for other activities.
2. Dog walker and petsitter
Median hourly pay: $15.31
For students who like animals, dog walking and pet sitting are dream jobs. Your responsibilities would be taking care of pets while their owners are away for the day, the weekend, or longer, doing tasks like walking, feeding, cleaning their area, and playing. You can find clients on dedicated platforms like PatBacker, Rover, and Wag.
One downside: Your income is dependent on how many clients you manage to get.
3. Babysitter
Median hourly pay: $16.60
As a babysitter, your main responsibility would be taking care of children while their parents are out of the house. For generations of teens, it has been a go-to job option because of the flexible work schedule and the potential to find clients in your neighborhood.
“This job teaches responsibility and time management while offering flexible hours and a lower-pressure work environment,” Williams says. “You can also build trust within your community.” To find clients, apps like Sittercity, Urban Sitter, and Bambino are good places to start.
One downside: Children are not always calm and obedient, so it could be overwhelming and demanding. Related: You really need to like kids. If you don’t, this isn’t the job for you.
4. Store clerk
Median hourly pay: $16.30
Store clerks often sell merchandise, answer customers' questions, and help them find what they need. Responsibilities may also include stocking shelves, keeping inventory, and maintaining the store clean.
One downside: Customer-facing jobs can be physically and mentally demanding since besides helping customers, you'd be juggling other responsibilities.
5. Cashier
Median hourly pay: $14.29
A cashier's main responsibility is to process the payments from customers, and organize and balance the cash drawer. However, in some instances, you may also be required to help with stocking and cleaning the store at the end of your shift.
One downside: Some retailers expect workers to commit to a minimum amount of hours worked per week, or at least one weekend day worked. Make sure you can accommodate any requirements before taking the job.
6. Waiter/Waitress
Media hourly pay: $15.36
Waiting tables is one of the most common jobs for high school students. Because some restaurants and coffee shops are open pretty much all day, every day, it's easy to find a schedule that fits in your routine. As a waiter/waitress, your responsibilities include taking orders and serving food and beverages.
One downside: You will be on your feet all day, walking, and carrying trays. It can be physically demanding and even exhausting, depending on how many hours you work and customer influx.
7. Kitchen worker
Median hourly pay: $14.29
If waiting tables isn't for you, the food industry has another alternative: kitchen work. That includes mainly dishwashing, cleaning, and organizing orders.
One downside: In the U.S., teens under 18 can't operate power-driven meat, cheese, and vegetable slicing machines, nor clean such equipment. Kitchen work can be physically demanding because it mostly involves cleaning and organizing tasks that need to be done fast, especially when the restaurant is full.
8. Tutor
Median hourly pay: $19.87
“If a student excels in a particular subject, tutoring younger students or peers is a great way to reinforce their own knowledge while earning money,” Williams says. “It also develops teaching, leadership, and organizational skills.” You can do in-person tutoring sessions or virtual sessions—platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams make this easy.
One downside: You won't have a steady income, because your earnings depend on how many people you tutor and how much they can afford to pay.
9. Bike food delivery
Median hourly pay: Varies depending on location
Delivery services are in high demand and you could make a couple of bucks working as a bike food delivery for a restaurant in your community. Why do we say bike? Because the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has strict laws about teens under 18 operating vehicles for work.
One downside: Also, popular delivery apps, like Doordash, only accept workers 18 or older. Because of this and federal restrictions, you may have a hard time finding employment.
10. Car washer
Media hourly pay: $16.42
Cleaning and detailing cars is often a side hustle for people looking to make extra money. What's appealing about it is that you work at a car wash business or work for yourself by offering your services to neighbors and family members, taking as many clients as you can handle.
One downside: If you decide to work for yourself, you’ll need to invest in car-specific cleaning supplies, which can be expensive.
Jobs for high school students from home
Don't have transportation to work at different locations? Here are some jobs for high school students you can do at home:
11. Graphic designer
Median hourly pay: $28.32
If you're tech-savvy and understand the basics of software like Photoshop and Illustrator, consider an intern position as a graphic designer. You'd create and edit all types of images, including brand logos, banners, and social media posts. “It can be an exciting way to start building a portfolio and gain experience in the digital world,” Williams says.
One downside: Companies often require a college education and a portfolio to hire graphic designers. High school students might have better luck starting as freelancers.
12. Video editor
Median hourly pay: $32.02
Like graphic design, video editing jobs require great knowledge of technology, more especially software like Final Cut, Adobe Premier, and Capcut. Creativity and problem-solving skills are also a must since you'd likely edit videos for social media platforms that often have different formats and guidelines for content.
One downside: A college degree and a portfolio might be required by most employers, though some will hire people with certifications and proven video editing skills.
High school jobs for summer break
Juggling work and school at the same time is too much for you? Consider a summer break job. “Working during summer breaks in industries like retail, hospitality, or local camps allows students to earn money without affecting their school schedule too heavily,” Williams says.
13. Lifeguard
Median hourly pay: $14.60
This is a classic summer job because during this time of the year, local pools, lakes, and other popular swimming spots get really crowded. Your main responsibility would be to supervise people, especially kids, while they swim and help when necessary.
One downside: A lifeguard certification is required.
14. Camp counselor
Median hourly pay: Varies depending on location and camp
If you're a natural leader, a camp counselor could be the right fit for you. The responsibilities include supervising and instructing camp activities, sports, and daily living. You can search for jobs at the American Camp Association website.
One downside: The average salary could be lower than $10 per hour, depending on where you live. These types of jobs are best for people who want to gain some experience and develop skills, instead of making money.
Bonus tips on how to get a job in high school
There are multiple channels to find jobs as a high school student. In some cases, it's a matter of offering your services to people in your community, while others will require a traditional job application.
Write your resume
Yes, you can write a resume with no experience. The key is listing relevant school coursework and activities, certifications, and volunteer work. “Skills like communication, teamwork, or tech abilities can make a resume stand out,” Williams says.
This might help: 16 Good Skills to Put on a Resume With No Experience
Prepare for interviews
Interviewing can be scary if you have never done it before, but by practicing at home with your family you likely will gain more confidence. “Practicing common interview questions and developing a professional demeanor will help you make a strong first impression,” Williams says.
Start with your network
“Sometimes the best job leads come from people you know,” Williams says. As a student, it's unlikely that you have a professional network yet. However, you have family members, friends' parents, and other people who are very close to you who can help. “Ask friends, family, and teachers if they know of any part-time opportunities—local businesses may be more inclined to hire someone with a recommendation.”
Consider volunteering first
Sometimes, to find a paid position, you need to be willing to work for free first, so you can build a stronger resume and portfolio. “For students struggling to land a paid position, volunteering is a great way to gain experience,” Williams says. “Many employers value community service and it's a way to build references and skills for future jobs.”
Read this next: How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume