High school can be a busy time, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to start earning money and saving for future expenses, like your first car or paying for college. With flexible online jobs and side hustles, you can work around your school schedule, build skills, and even explore your passions.
Here’s a look at some top options that are both teen-friendly and perfect for saving up.
Freelance Writing or Editing
Freelance writing and editing are ideal for teens with a talent for words, offering a flexible way to earn money while building essential skills. The rise of content marketing has increased demand for writers to create blog posts, product descriptions, and social media content. Freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer provide opportunities to find gigs that fit your schedule and skill level.
Freelancing allows you to explore different writing styles—whether you’re passionate about creative writing, journalism, or persuasive copywriting. You can also offer editing services, helping others with proofreading, grammar corrections, and style adjustments. Writing and editing help develop strong communication skills that are valuable for both school and future career opportunities.
Pro tips
- Start with small, easy projects and gradually build up to more complex work.
- Join online writing communities like Medium or ProBlogger to find inspiration and job listings.
- Develop a niche—whether it’s technology, lifestyle, or pop culture—so you can stand out to specific clients.
Online Tutoring
Online tutoring is perfect for teens who excel academically and want to share their knowledge with others. Websites like Chegg Tutors, Wyzant, and Tutor.com allow you to create profiles, showcase your strengths in specific subjects, and connect with clients seeking help in those areas. Tutoring not only allows you to make money but also reinforces your own understanding of the material you teach.
The flexibility of online tutoring is one of its biggest advantages. You can set your own availability, fitting sessions in between school hours, extracurricular activities, and weekends. Tutoring can be done from home with minimal equipment—just a computer, reliable internet connection, and video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet.
Pro tips
- Offer a free trial session to attract potential students.
- Create a tutoring profile highlighting your academic strengths, achievements, and tutoring experience.
- Use resources like Khan Academy to support your tutoring lessons.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is a fantastic side hustle for teens who are artistic, tech-savvy, and enjoy visual creativity. With the growing demand for digital marketing, businesses are constantly in need of logos, social media graphics, website designs, and more. You can capitalize on this by offering your services as a freelance graphic designer, creating everything from digital art to custom merchandise.
You can start by learning graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or free tools like Canva, which makes it easy to create professional-looking designs without needing advanced skills. Once you’ve built up some skills, you can set up an online portfolio to showcase your work. Websites like Behance or Dribbble are popular platforms for creative professionals to share your designs.
Pro tips
- Take free or affordable online courses on websites like Udemy or Skillshare to learn design fundamentals.
- Offer design services for free or at a low rate to build up a portfolio, then gradually increase rates as experience and demand grow.
- Experiment with different styles and trends to find a unique design aesthetic that sets you apart from others.
YouTube Channel or Podcasting
Content creation through YouTube or podcasting is a fun and engaging way for teens to earn money while exploring their creative side. Both platforms offer the potential to turn hobbies or passions into a side hustle, with multiple monetization opportunities such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
You can create content about virtually anything, from gaming, tech reviews, and fashion to personal vlogs, educational tutorials, or niche hobbies. With YouTube’s Partner Program, creators can start earning money through ad revenue once you meet the minimum requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. However, building an audience takes time, consistency, and creativity.
For teens who prefer audio content, podcasting can be a great alternative. Podcasting can be done from home with minimal equipment—a microphone, recording software like Audacity, and a hosting platform like Spotify for Podcasters or Buzzsprout. You can create podcasts on topics like sports, entertainment, education, or any other area you are passionate about.
Pro tips
- Stick to a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
- Invest time in learning how to create high-quality content (video production or audio editing).
- Promote your content across social media platforms to build a wider audience.
- Collaborate with other content creators or influencers in your niche to grow your reach.
Online Surveys and Micro Tasks
Online surveys and micro tasks offer a simple way for teens to make money in their spare time. While this option won’t necessarily lead to high earnings, it’s a good entry point for students who want to make extra cash without committing to a more time-consuming job.
Websites like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Amazon Mechanical Turk allow users to complete small tasks in exchange for money, gift cards, or rewards. Tasks can range from taking online surveys, watching videos, testing apps or websites, and even participating in consumer research. These tasks typically don’t require any specific skills, making them easily accessible for teens.
Pro tips
- Sign up for multiple platforms to maximize earning opportunities.
- Be wary of scam survey sites—always check reviews and avoid platforms that ask for upfront payment.
- Combine several tasks (such as surveys and app testing) to increase your earnings over time.
Selling Crafts or Products
Teens who are artistic or enjoy creating can turn your hobby into a side hustle by selling handmade crafts or products online. This type of business allows for flexibility and creativity, and you can make items based on your interests or unique talents.
Platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Zazzle allow teens to sell handmade or custom products like jewelry, clothing, artwork, home décor, or even personalized digital products (such as printable planners or digital art). For teens who enjoy creating physical products like candles or jewelry, Etsy is a great marketplace to get started. On Redbubble or Zazzle, you can upload designs to be printed on merchandise like t-shirts, phone cases, stickers, or mugs. The beauty of print-on-demand platforms is that you don’t have to deal with inventory or shipping—the platform handles that for you.
Pro tips
- Research trending products to find niches or items that sell well.
- Learn basic photography skills to take professional-looking pictures of products.
- Offer custom or personalized products to appeal to a wider audience.
Pet Sitting or Dog Walking (via Apps)
For teens who love animals, pet sitting or dog walking can be a rewarding and fun way to earn money. While this type of work traditionally takes place in person, apps like Rover and Wag! have made it easier for teens to find and manage pet care gigs in your local community.
You can sign up as a pet sitter or dog walker on platforms like Rover or Wag!. These apps allow you to create a profile, list your services, and connect with pet owners who need help taking care of their pets. Over time, you can build regular clients and even expand your services to include house-sitting or pet boarding.
Pro tips
- Start by pet sitting or dog walking for friends or neighbors to gain experience and build a reputation.
- Create a compelling profile on pet care apps that highlights your experience with animals and any special skills (such as handling specific breeds or caring for multiple pets).
- Be punctual and responsible, as pet owners value reliability when it comes to caring for your pets.
Remember to Balance Work with School
While it’s tempting to dive into a side hustle full-force, teens should prioritize balance. Schoolwork, extracurriculars, and social activities are all important. Setting a weekly schedule, being mindful of workload, and starting with manageable hours are key strategies for maintaining balance.
You should first establish a clear schedule, outlining school hours, homework, extracurricular activities, and work. Using tools like planners or calendar apps can help you allocate specific times for each responsibility and avoid last-minute stress. Sticking to this routine ensures you don’t neglect important tasks or overcommit yourself.
Setting boundaries—such as only working a certain number of hours per week—will prevent burnout while still allowing you to earn money and stay on top of your studies.
Build Your Financial Future With AZCCU
From freelancing to social media management, there’s no shortage of online jobs and side hustles that allow teens to make money while balancing a busy school schedule. These flexible opportunities not only provide financial benefits but also help teens develop valuable skills for the future.
Arizona Central Credit Union can help with your future, with financial education for teens, and your current needs, such as student loans. If you have any questions, contact us online or call (866) 264-6421.
