- Rachel Bistricer
- Apr 6
- 12 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
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When you start making money early, you get to try different things and figure out what you like and are good at. This can help you choose what job you might want in the future. Also, making money teaches you stuff like managing your time, dealing with customers and handling money – things that will be super helpful later in life.
Making money as a teen can also help you learn about responsibility, hard work and not giving up. It shows you how working hard pays off and helps you learn to stick to things, even when they get tough.
Make sure your business idea is as strong as the name you choose. Use the Wix Business Launcher to explore various opportunities based on your skills and experience. Simply chat with AI to receive personalized business ideas. Then, get set up with a full market analysis, earning strategies and launch kit for each idea, so you can get started with confidence.
18 ways to make money as a teenager
In this part, we'll go through 15 ways for teenagers to start a business and start making cash. We'll explain what each one business idea for teens involves, why it's good for this age group and how to make the most out of it.
01. Babysitting: Earn cash while playing with kids
Starting a babysitting business is a classic way for teenagers to earn money. It involves taking care of children while their parents are away. This is a great option because it allows you to work flexible hours and build valuable skills in responsibility and childcare. This also makes it a good way to make money as a student because it can be arranged around study hours and classes — learn more about weekend side hustles.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $10 - $20 per hour
Monthly income (Assuming 20 Hours/Week): $400 - $800
02. Dog walking: Turn puppy love into pocket money
If you love animals, dog walking can be a fun and profitable way to make money. It involves taking dogs for walks and ensuring they get their daily exercise. This is an excellent choice because it allows you to spend time outdoors and interact with furry friends.
Typical income:
Rate per walk: $10 - $20 per walk (depending on factors above)
Monthly income (1 dog): $300 - $600
Monthly income (2 dogs): $600 - $1200
Learn more: How to make a dog walking business plan
03. Lawn mowing: Make money one yard at a time
Many people are willing to pay for someone else to take care of their lawn. If you have access to a lawnmower and enjoy working outdoors, lawn mowing can be a lucrative business idea. Consider offering additional services like weed trimming or leaf raking to maximize your earnings.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $15-$25 per hour (depending on skills and services)
Monthly income (Mowing only, 4 lawns/day, 2-hour jobs): $600-$1000
Monthly Income with additional services (More complex work, longer jobs): $800-$1500+
Learn more: How to start a lawn care business
04. Tutoring: Help classmates and boost your bank
If you're a high schooler who excels in certain subjects, tutoring can be a great way to make money while helping others succeed academically. You can offer your services in subjects like math, science, or English either online or in person as a great business idea for students.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $20-$40 per hour (varies greatly depending on factors above)
Monthly income (1 hour/session): $200-$400
Monthly Income (2 hours/session): $400-$800
Learn more:
05. Freelance writing: Get paid to put your thoughts into words
If you have strong writing skills, freelance writing can be a great way to earn money from the comfort of your own home. Many websites and blogs are looking for content writers who can create engaging articles on various topics.
Start building a writing portfolio on platforms like Medium, a personal blog or even Google Docs—these are simple, free ways to share your skills. Write about topics you love, like gaming, fashion, school tips or pop culture, and create a few sample pieces that show off your voice and creativity.
Once you have some work ready, check out beginner gigs on sites like Fiverr, Upwork or teen-friendly job boards. You can also pitch article ideas to blogs you follow—just make sure your email is polite, clear and includes links to your writing. Use tools like Notion to stay organized and learn a bit of SEO to help your content get noticed by clients.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $10-$25 per hour (can be much higher for specialized writing)
Monthly income: $400-$1000 (highly variable based on factors above)
Learn more:
06. Graphic design: Create cool stuff and cash in
If you have a creative eye and skills in graphic design, consider offering your services to local businesses or online platforms. You can create logos, social media graphics, or client website designs.
In order to get started with this idea, you'll need to create an online portfolio to collect and showcase your design work.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $15-$35 per hour (can be higher for experienced designers or specialized projects)
Monthly income: $600-$1400 (widely variable based on factors above)
Learn more:
07. Photography: Capture moments and make money
If you have a passion for photography and own a decent camera, you can turn your hobby into a profitable photography business. Offer your services for events like weddings, birthdays, or family photoshoots.
Typical income
Hourly rate: $20-$50 per hour (can be significantly higher for specialized photography)
Monthly income: $800-$2000 (highly variable based on factors above)
Learn more:
08. Social media management: Turn scrolling into a side hustle
Teenagers are often adept at navigating social media platforms. If you have a good understanding of how to grow an online presence and engage with audiences, consider offering social media management services to small businesses or influencers.
Expert tip from Lilach Goldis, Social Media Manager at Wix,
"If the message isn't straightforward and easy to understand, people tend to scroll past. When you have something genuine to share, it often translates into winning content."
Learn more: How to start a marketing business
09. Car washing: Soap up and stack some cash
Many people are willing to pay for someone else to wash and detail their cars. This can be a profitable venture if you provide high-quality service and offer additional services like interior cleaning or waxing.
Typical income:
Basic wash (20-30 minutes): $10-$20 per car
Detail wash (1-2 hours): $30-$50 per car
Monthly income (Basic washes, 5 cars/day): $750-$1500
Monthly income (Detail washes, 2 cars/day): $900-$1500
Learn more: How to create a car washing business plan
10. Arts and crafts: Sell your DIY masterpieces
If you're skilled in arts and crafts, consider selling your crafts online or at local craft fairs. You can make jewelry, paintings, pottery or any other handmade items that appeal to potential customers.
Learn more:
11. Event planning: Throw parties and earn money
If you enjoy organizing and coordinating events, event planning can be a lucrative business idea. Offer your services for party planning, weddings or corporate events and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Teens can start by planning birthdays, school events or local gatherings for family and friends. Offer help with themes, decorations, playlists and timelines—things that don’t need a big budget but make a big impact. Create invitations or event flyers, and take photos of your setups to build a portfolio. Share your services on social media or through word of mouth in your community. As you gain experience, you can start charging for packages and even team up with local vendors for things like balloons, cakes or photography.
Learn more: How to create a party planning business plan
12. Virtual assistance: Organize online and get paid
Many professionals and entrepreneurs need help managing their administrative tasks remotely. As a virtual assistant, you can provide services like email management, scheduling appointments or data entry.
Teens can get started by offering services on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork or through local Facebook groups or school communities. Start with skills you already have—organizing files on Google Drive, updating spreadsheets or managing social media calendars. Use tools like Trello, Notion and Google Workspace to stay organized and professional. Create “VA starter packs” with a few simple services and expand as you gain experience.
Typical income:
Hourly rate: $10-$25 per hour (can be higher for specialized skills and complex tasks)
Monthly income: $400-$1000 (widely variable based on factors above)
Learn more: How to write a virtual assistant business plan
13. YouTube channel: Turn your ideas into income
If you're comfortable in front of the camera and have something interesting to share with the world, starting a YouTube channel can be a fun way to make money as a teenager. Create engaging videos on topics that interest you and monetize your channel through ads or sponsorships.
Learn more: How to make money on YouTube
14. Online surveys: Click, answer, earn
While less profitable than some other options on this list, completing online surveys can still provide some extra cash. Sign up for reputable survey websites and spend your free time answering surveys to earn rewards or cash. This can be an easy way to make money online.
Typical income:
Many sites pay between $1-$5 per survey, with some offering occasional bonuses or higher-paying opportunities.
15. Selling products online: Open a shop without leaving your room
If you have a knack for finding unique or in-demand items, consider selling them online through an online store or eCommerce website. You can search for thrift store finds, create your products or even dropship items from suppliers. Starting an eCommerce business can be a great way to make money from home.
To keep it teen-friendly and budget-friendly, try platforms like Etsy for handmade or artsy stuff, Depop or Vinted for clothes or TikTok Shop if you’re ready to level up. Start with products you know—sell stickers, digital downloads, jewelry or accessories you’d actually buy. Use free tools like Linktree to organize your shop links. Promote your products with unboxing, styling or behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok or Instagram. Start with one or two products and grow based on what your audience loves.
Learn more: Create an eCommerce website
16. Level up your gameplay: Make money streaming
Spend hours gaming? Start streaming and earn some cash! Platforms like Twitch, YouTube and TikTok Live let you share your gameplay and make money through tips, ads and brand deals. You don’t need to be a pro—just be entertaining. People love funny moments, cool plays and real reactions.
All you need is a mic, a free app like OBS and a game you love. Make your stream stand out with themed nights or fun challenges like “No Build Fortnite Fridays” or “Speedrun Saturdays.” Clip your best moments and post them as Shorts or Reels to reach more viewers. Add a link in your bio with your gaming setup or merch to boost your income.
Learn more: How to make money gaming
17. Content creation: Post it, tag it, cash it
If you’re already spending time on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, why not turn scrolling into extra cash? Content creation is a legit way to make money just by being yourself. Share outfit ideas, study hacks, room makeovers, book recommendations or day-in-my-life vlogs. Find a vibe you enjoy and stick to it. People love following creators who feel real not overly polished.
As your account grows, you can earn through brand collaborations, affiliate links or creator fund payouts. You can also sell things like phone wallpapers or Notion templates. Add a link page to your bio and use trending sounds or hashtags to boost your reach. Keep it fun and don’t stress about being perfect—your personality is what people connect with most.
18. Print-on-demand: Print your passion
Want to start a clothing brand without stocking up on hoodies? Making money with print-on-demand is a great option, especially for teens. You create a design (funny phrases or doodles work too), upload it to sites like Redbubble, Teespring or Printful and when someone orders, they print and ship it for you. You earn money from each sale without worrying about inventory or packing.
Use free tools to create your designs, then promote your products on TikTok or Instagram with mockups or “packing order” videos. You can sell t-shirts, phone cases, stickers, tote bags—pretty much anything. Pick a theme or niche that reflects your vibe, like gamer merch, cute anime graphics or sarcastic school quotes. It’s a fun way to make money while sharing your style.
Getting started with making money as a teenager
A crucial step in making money as a teenager is making a website to run and advertise your business idea. We'll guide you through getting started in making money as a teen.
Identify your passion and skills
The first step in making money as a teenager is to identify your passion and skills. Think about what you enjoy doing or what you're good at. This could be anything from baking to graphic design to tutoring. By focusing on something you love or excel in, you'll have more motivation and enthusiasm for your business.
Research and validate your idea
Once you've identified your passion or skill, it's important to research and validate your business idea for teens. Look into the market demand for your product or service. Are there potential customers who would be interested in what you have to offer? Conduct surveys, talk to potential customers, or do some online research to gather data that supports the viability of your idea.
Looking for specific business ideas to start? Consider these:
Create a business plan
A well-thought-out business plan is essential for any successful venture. Outline your goals, target audience, marketing strategies, pricing structure and financial projections. This will help you stay organized and focused on achieving your objectives.
Register your business
Depending on the type of business you want to start, you may need to register your business with the appropriate authorities. Check with local government agencies or consult with professionals to ensure that you comply with all legal requirements.
Examples of business models to start include:
Build your website
Having an online presence is crucial for reaching a wider audience and promoting your business effectively. Start by choosing a domain name that reflects your brand identity and is easy for people to remember. Then, select a reliable web hosting provider and build your website using a user-friendly platform like Wix. Make sure your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate and provides all the necessary information about your business.
Ready to get started? Learn how to make a website with this easy guide.
Promote your website
Once your website is up and running, it's time to promote it to attract customers. Utilize social media platforms, create engaging content and optimize your website for search engines. Consider implementing digital marketing strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC) or email marketing to drive traffic to your website.
Provide excellent customer service
Customer satisfaction is key to the success of any business. Always strive to provide excellent customer service by being responsive, addressing customer concerns promptly and going the extra mile to exceed their expectations. Happy customers are more likely to recommend your business to others and become repeat customers.
Making money as a teenager FAQ
What is the youngest age you can get a job?
In the US, federal labor laws allow minors as young as 14 to work, but with restrictions on hours and job types. For instance, 14- and 15-year-olds can work in non-hazardous jobs for up to 3 hours on school days (18 hours per week) and 8 hours a day (40 hours per week) during summer. Be sure to check state or local laws for additional rules.
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