Teenagers today can use the online market for creative and song work, in addition to traditional jobs like childcare, fast-food service, and summer camp counselor functions. These types of jobs pay per job rather than per minute, which may be perfect for tech-savvy teens.
Let’s take a closer look at the various tasks that teenagers may find in the market today that can accommodate their schedules and interests.
Essential Part-Time Jobs
Teens can earn money by working part-time in restaurants, retail establishments, or standard jobs like childcare, lawn care, and car washing.
- Teenagers can also earn money online through blogging, programming, and social media management.
- Different governmental regulations apply to working juveniles, depending on the child’s age and whether the job is agricultural or non-agricultural.
- Earning money can help teenagers develop their work ethics,
communication skills, time management, and financial management abilities. - Teens can also learn essential skills like how to open bank accounts, track expenses, and save for retirement by earning money.
Benefits of Teenagers Earning Money
Teenagers who find employment can gain valuable experience in handling and saving money, as well as learn important financial lessons that will benefit them throughout their lives. Earning money can help teenagers pay for their education or support their families. Those with unique talents or hobbies may also have an advantage in the workplace. Additionally, teenagers can become financially independent and start saving for the future.
Teens who are employed can begin to form good work habits and a strong work ethic that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Making money helps young people manage their time, improves their communication and negotiation abilities, and helps them recognize their independence. They may also learn more about jobs that suit their interests and abilities, which can be helpful for their future college and career choices.
How Teens Get Paid
There are many ways for teenagers to make money, but each job must adhere to state and federal regulations regarding pay, working conditions, and other considerations.
Federal child labor laws, enforced by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the United States Department of Labor, aim to protect working minors from exploitation. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), individuals under 18 are not allowed to work in hazardous occupations, and the minimum age for non-agricultural jobs is 14.
Legally, 14- and 15-year-olds are not allowed to work outside of school hours. They are also limited to working no more than three hours on a school day or eight hours on a non-school day. Teens can work any hours after the age of 16. Further regulations may impact a child’s employment in some states.
Before approving a teen’s employment, it’s essential to be aware of both the federal child labor laws from the U.S. Department of Labor and any state laws and income tax obligations that apply to working adolescents.
Typical Teen Employment Options
- Babysitting: Teens can babysit other children, but some states have age restrictions. Babysitting requires teenagers to be responsible and capable of taking care of young children.
- Vehicle Maintenance: Teens can perform tasks like pumping gas, changing oil, washing, and detailing cars. Some physical demands may be involved, and this work may have set hours.
- Yard Work: Teens as young as 13 can work on farms outside of school hours, while those older than 16 can work in any agricultural job at any time, according to federal laws. There may be additional rules depending on each state.
- Meal Delivery: Teens can do household tasks like washing dishes, cooking, reheating food, and cleaning fruits and vegetables. Restaurant work, such as hosting, dishwashing, and even management, is also an option.
- Internships: Students and volunteers can be paid for their work if they are considered employees of a for-profit company under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Not all internships are paid, so it’s essential to research the position before relying on it for income.
- Knowledge-Based Jobs: Teens can engage in academic or creative work like tutoring, singing, playing an instrument, or teaching. This can help them learn about various paid opportunities related to their interests and skills.
- Lawn Care and Miscellaneous Tasks: Teens can handle lawn work, deliveries, and loading/unloading products. Physical demands may be involved, making it a suitable job for those who enjoy outdoor work.
- Lifeguard: Teens over the age of 15 can work as lifeguards at lakes and theme parks, but they usually need to complete safety courses and specialized training.
- Paper Route: Newspaper deliveries are allowed for children under 14 because this work is exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
- Retail: Minors as young as 14 can work in retail industries under federal law, including marketing, stocking, pricing, and cashiering.
- Selling Upcycled Products: Creative teens can make money by repurposing pre-loved items for resale or crafting handmade items for sale.
- Family Business: Teens can work for a parent-owned business, provided it doesn’t involve manufacturing, mining, or any of the other 17 hazardous professions.
Age Limitations
Federal laws governing child labor also take into account age and classifications of “agricultural” and “non-agricultural” work. For example, legal work for teenagers under 14 is generally restricted to achievements, babysitting, delivering newspapers, agricultural work (for those older than 13), and working for a parent-owned business.
Teens between the ages of 14 and 15 can work in non-hazardous jobs outside of school, but they are subject to various weekly limits set by the U.S. Department of Labor, depending on whether school is in session or not. Teens can work any hours in any occupation after the age of 16, except for jobs deemed hazardous by the Secretary of Labor.
Why High School Students Work
High school students working part-time jobs can benefit in several ways. Depending on the job, they can acquire essential time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Moreover, having a job equips teenagers with financial literacy and responsible spending habits that will serve them well in adulthood. Teenagers who earn their own income can also enjoy increased financial independence.
Conclusion
For many teenagers, finding employment marks an exciting milestone. Jobs not only help teens earn money but also teach them crucial life skills and financial responsibility. With a wide range of opportunities available, from traditional employment to online work, teenagers have the chance to learn important lessons while making money.