Are you wondering how to make money as a teenager? You may think earning money as a teenager is difficult as it is hard to find jobs hiring teens, and other jobs seem boring or too hard.
There are several good ways to make decent money in the new creators' economy. You have more things to pay for, such as clothes, entertainment, food out with your friends, and let's not forget gas or transportation. We will tell you how to make money as a teenager and ways for teens to make money fast without neglecting their studies or time with their friends. We get it; teens need money, but they also need to have fun.
Finding Work Online for Teens
Although you may not need to bring in a paycheck, it is still a good idea. Even if you spend most of your money on fun experiences or cute clothes, there is an opportunity to save.
Check this article if you are looking for ways to get free Robux. It will add up over time when you try to save part of your paychecks. The years will allow compounding interest to grow your money to new heights. Getting an online job has many perks. You can work from home (and, even better, your room) or your smartphone.
It's convenient, there's usually no dress code, and the hours are often flexible. While searching for online jobs, you may notice a few options, but knowing what's legit and what sounds too good to be true can be challenging. Occasionally, online jobs are illegal ways to make money; you don't want to get caught up in that mess. I've worked hard to find only legit money-making opportunities for teens.
1. Online Money-Making Opportunities
Working online has proven to be one of the best ways to make money online for teens, students, and adults. That's why I recommend several methods to make a decent income online if you are a teen.
YouTubing
Did you know that YouTube is the most visited site in the world? It's no surprise, then that there is a lot of money to be made on the platform to create engaging and valuable content. Starting your YouTube channel can be a great way to earn extra cash as a teen. You have to be at least 13 years old.
If you're unaware, you can open a free channel on YouTube if you have a Google account. Make entertaining videos that people would love to watch and share. You don't require an expensive camera to shoot these videos; your smartphone's camera would be sufficient. Subscribe to Google AdSense once you have a certain number of subscribers for your YouTube channel to earn money.
Stream On Twitch
If you remember the Fortnite craze of 2018, you remember Twitch. Twitch is where people can live stream themselves playing video games and make money by displaying ads on your profile or asking for donations. Some gamers have made millions of dollars a month from Twitch TV. Finally, you have an excuse for your parents about why you need to play video games more.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing helps you earn by referring people to purchase a recommended product. You can promote the products using a youtube channel, a website, social media accounts, and other methods. It is one of the best side hustles, requiring only a mobile phone with an internet connection.
Most affiliate programs pay anywhere between 5% to 40% for each sale you generate. You can sign up for multiple affiliate programs to earn more money and focus on those that perform best. It would help if you learned about marketing automation software that simplifies the distribution of affiliate links.
Once you have found a niche and the products you want to recommend, signup for their affiliate programs, get your unique affiliate links, and promote the products through your blog, Youtube channel, or social media. Don't spam, as you risk getting your account disabled.
Further readings: Affiliate Marketing for Beginners [Complete Guide], How to Start an Affiliate Marketing Blog and Grow it to $100K, 11 Best Niches for Affiliate Marketing in 2021, How to Turn Your Affiliate Blog Into an Authority Website: 21+ Tips.
Blogging
Blogging is inexpensive and easy to start doing. It could be as simple as just writing about your favorite music or food, and eventually, you can start generating money from your site.
Remember that you need to remain patient when cashing in on your blog. If you need money now and don't want to start a blog alone, you should approach companies in a niche you know already and ask them to start a business blog for their business. You will get paid to set up the blog, write content, promote it, and answer comments and requests.
Grow Instagram pages
Instagram has over 1 billion people on the platform. Let's say you were interested in backyard activities. Things like grilling, landscaping, gardening, etc. You could create a page on Instagram that reposts the content of really cool gardens and backyards. Once you build a following on this page, around 10 to 20 thousand followers, you will see that companies that sell products in that niche will reach out to you for a shout-out. You can charge them to place an ad on your Instagram page. You can work with influencers who would also like to work with your page or sell the page in its entirety to a company.
Selling Stock Photos
Do you like photography? More specifically, do you like taking photos? If you do, you can start getting paid for your images. Many businesses need stock images for their website and go to platforms like Pexels, Pixabay, iStock, and Getty Images. You can upload your pictures to these platforms if you like taking nature photos. Every time someone downloads one of these images, you get paid.
Start a podcast
Over 144 million Americans listen to podcasts. This is a perfect opportunity to start one about a topic you're interested in. Although you can't make money with this overnight, this could provide you with a full-time income. With so many people listening to podcasts, you can sell your product, someone else's product, or do traditional advertising through your platform.
Trade cryptocurrencies
The cryptocurrency industry has been booming in the last couple of years and shows no slowing. According to recent research, 86% of Americans say they have heard at least a little about cryptocurrencies, 24% say they have heard a lot about them, and 16% actively investing or trading. You can make good money (but also lose) by trading cryptocurrencies.
Remember that you can also lose all your money by trading cryptocurrencies, so trade only with the money you can afford to lose.
Mine Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) are hot again. And while mining cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum is a bit less lucrative than it used to be, there are other ways to mine cryptocurrency that don't require a server room.
For example, you can mine Helium coins using a simple hotspot that's easier to install than a WiFi router. If mining cryptocurrency isn't your thing, check out all these ways to get free cryptocurrency. You won't make six figures off these free crypto opportunities, but you may make a few hundred.
Play Video Games
You can also make some money by playing and testing online video games. Many of these games are available on the paid online survey websites I mentioned earlier. It works the same way: you must play these games and write short reviews about your user experience. You get a payment in PayPal or redeemable points for cash or free shopping coupons in online stores for your efforts.
Each video game test requires between 15 and 20 minutes of your time. Most of these companies will offer you around $10 per test, and you will receive about 1-4 weekly tests. $10 - $40 per week or $40 - $160 monthly for simply testing video games.
Signup to websites that pay to refer friends
Many services will pay you to refer a friend – from $0.50 to $200! From money tools to travel services, survey websites, cashback portals, shopping and rewards websites, and blogging tools, many benefits will pay you to refer a friend – from $0.50 to $200! Refer your friends to products and services you already use and love. That's why we put together a giant list of 141+ websites & apps that pay you to refer friends.
Selling Your Old Things
Take a look at your closet for me. I'll bet that you only wear about 20% of all the clothes you see there. That's no knock against you. Most of us buy things that we don't need. However, selling these clothes is one of the easiest ways to make cash fast. Go to platforms like Facebook Marketplace and list your items there. This gives you even more exposure for your items. The more places you can list your articles, the more likely a potential buyer might see them.
2. Technology
Do you know a lot about technology? Your knowledge is one way how to make money fast as a teen.
Social Media Management
Do you love Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and other social media? If your answer is a firm yes, then the work of a social media assistant is ideal for you to make extra money as a student. This is a skill that's in high demand nowadays.
As you might know, everyone from small businesses to large corporations has a presence on Facebook and other social media platforms. Therefore, they require someone to work part-time and upload content on their pages. That's why they need people like you to perform such tasks. The changing role of social media for businesses and professionals has opened new avenues for freelancers and people who want to start a business.
SEO Specialist
Businesses of all sizes need search engine optimization (SEO) to stake out a place near the top of Google and other search engines to get traffic, leads, and ultimately sales. The most exciting industries in filling SEO positions are Advertising & Marketing, Staffing & Outsourcing, Internet, IT, Publishing, and Enterprise Software.
You can quickly learn the basics of search optimization and do it yourself. SEO specialists review and analyze websites, identifying technical, content, and design issues that could drag them down and providing improvement solutions, so the website performs better in search engines. There are many jobs in SEO that you can do as a teen: outreach for backlinks, doing small SEO audits, investigating issues, signup to review websites, research, etc.
Software developing
Learn a programming language, such as Java, Python, Ruby, and you could make around $61 per hour for programming. Here's a handy programmer guide to get you on your way if interested.
Webdesign gigs
Smaller businesses may not have a website simply because they don't know how to make one or can't afford the prices of big agencies. Go to local businesses and show them some examples of other websites within their niche and tell them you can make them a website like this one.
More than enough YouTube videos walk you through how to make a website from scratch. So don't be intimidated by the process. Curious about what a web developer is doing? Check our reviews on the Top 12 Best WordPress development companies and study their services. Also, check our Top 12 Best WordPress maintenance companies if you prefer to fix and maintain websites rather than create them.
Graphic design
Many businesses require someone to design their logos, websites, or visual ads. If you have a degree or certification in this area, you can make a comfortable salary annually (reportedly $45,000). The more skilled you are, the more clients you'll likely get through word of mouth. Here's a guide on building a website to help you get started.
Video editing
Do you like to make videos? Have you played around and edited some Youtube or Instagram videos before? If you enjoy this, you could make an excellent income as a Video Editor. EVERYTHING has gone digital, yet there are still so many people who have no clue how to edit videos, including me.
With all the frenzy of Youtube and Instagram, people pay well the video editors to do edits, create animations, insert annotations, etc. You could quickly charge $35-$75 per hour. Practice is the best way to get started, and take a course to learn the ins and outs. Here's the #1 best-selling Video Editing course on Udemy, and it's affordable!
Movie Conversion
Some families have boxes of old home movies and no way to play them. You'll make a nice chunk of money if you can convert old movies or even VHS to DVD or another digital format.
App & Website Testing
There're a few websites that pay you to test apps. These apps are beta versions that their developers or companies upload. They want ordinary folk like you and me to try these apps before they're publicly available. Your job is to test these apps, detect glitches, and write your user experience through a brief review. You get some money for each app you try and submit a review. Here are two companies to work with that will give you $10 per test and take around 15-20 minutes. You can make up to $60 with User Testing.
Virtual Assistant
Entrepreneurs and businesses are in the process of scaling down. Virtual assistants can perform various services, from scheduling and email management to social media strategizing, event planning, and some minor duties that might not fit a full-time employee. It would be best to have a phone or laptop to access such facilities as customer management systems and a database with customer details. Post your services on freelance job boards like FreeUp and Upwork to directly connect with potential clients.
Computer support specialist
Corporations, nonprofits, call centers, and many other businesses hire computer support specialists to work remotely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8 percent growth in this field through 2029 as organizations upgrade computer equipment and software. When many people moved their work at home during the pandemic, computer support specialists need to configure, debug, and fix computers skyrocketed.
Make a Digital Scrapbook
Digital scrapbooking is a great way to convert and showcase old photos and memorabilia. This is a good business idea if you've a flair for organization, design, and technology.
Maintenance and Repair Computers
More than 1 billion computers are in use right now—no wonder the vast market for credible computer repair services. I own a digital marketing agency, yet many friends and neighbors ask me weekly if I have time or know someone to fix their computers.
Most of the time is about an easy fix: clean Windows, reinstall it, run antivirus software, etc. This field has immense opportunities, from learning to fix networking issues to replacing the crashed hard drive.
Given the high repair costs at authorized service stations, you can earn money by offering cost-effective repair services. Do you maintain or repair your family and friends' computers? Why not make it a job? Many people will spend good money to have their computer run well.
Rent Your Video Games
Do you have an expansive video game collection that you keep in good condition? Why not rent them out to other gamers? It's an easy way to make extra cash.
Help An Elderly Set Up Electronics
Many older people want to be tech-savvy but need help sometimes. Get paid to help set up various electronics, from televisions to smartphones.
CD, DVD, and Blue Ray Digitizing
Know how to digitize DVDs and Blu-Ray? This is a skill that many people wish they had but don't know how to put their favorite movies on their computers. Offer your services and get paid.
Digitalize Analogue Pictures
People love photo albums and boxes filled with old pictures (developed from a roll of film) but want to make a digital copy as a backup. It's a great way to make money and see old pictures.
3. Paid Survey Sites For Teens
Wouldn’t it be cool to get paid for giving your opinion? Getting paid to fill out surveys is an easy way to make money for teens. Not too profitable, but still, some money is to be made here.
There are a lot of survey sites on the web, but some are glitchy, hard to use, and a little sketchy. Before you commit to a survey site, read all instructions and make sure you understand them. It may not be a bad idea to show your parents, too.[/box] Here are some paid survey sites to check out if you want to know how to make money online as a teen:
Swagbucks
Swagbucks is an online survey site that allows users to join for free and earn Swagbucks (SB). Each SB is about the equivalent of one cent, but you have a lot of opportunities to earn a lot of SB. How do you make money on Swagbucks? You can take surveys, play games, watch videos, and even get cash back when shopping at certain retailers. The standard form of payment is PayPal and gift cards to popular retail stores. You may be chosen, at random, to win extra SB and can earn more if your friends join Swagbucks.
->Signup to Swagbucks and start earning money
SurveyTime.io, $1
SurveyTime.io is the only survey panel that offers users instant paid surveys with instant rewards. Also, 1st time one of your friends you referred completes a survey, you will receive $1 automatically in your PayPal account. Get your SurveyTime.io account and start referring people.
-> Earn $1 instantly for filling surveys
Ipsos i-Say
If you wonder how to make money at 15 or younger, signing up for Ipsos i-Say might be worth checking out. Like MySurvey, you will only be answering surveys at Ipsos i-Say. Many online survey sites require you to answer a few questions to see if your opinion is valuable (or qualifies). The nice thing is that you get five points to answer pre-qualifying questions. Payment methods include gift cards, PayPal, or Visa prepaid cards. Check out Ipsos i-Say
Inbox Dollars
When you sign up with Inbox Dollars, you can earn money just by reading your email. While there are surveys to take, you may also have the chance to watch videos, play games, or even spend time browsing the Internet. Rather than getting paid in gift cards like other gift cards, Inbox Dollars sends you a check you can deposit into your bank account.
Check out our review of Inbox Dollars here.
MyPoints
Much like Inbox Dollars, MyPoints allows you to make money by reading and answering your emails. You can take surveys, play video games, and even make money by printing coupons. The most popular way to get paid by MyPoints is through gift cards, but users can cash out for PayPal and other rewards. One thing to keep in mind is that you must be 18 to sign up. For more info on MyPoints, read our review! Check out MyPoints
4. Join A Rewards Site
Joining a rewards site is one of the few ways for teens to make money online. Reward sites are like paid survey sites, but there is often more variety than just answering surveys. [/box] Here are a few reward websites to check out:
Fetch Rewards
With Fetch Rewards, you can earn points by scanning your receipts. All you have to do is scan your grocery receipts wherever you shop. You earn points on products every time they show up on your receipts. Then, you can redeem your points for tons of gift cards! One of my favorite ways to make extra money is through gift cards!
QuickRewards
At QuickRewards, you can get cashback rewards when you shop and earn money when playing games, answering emails, or accepting other online opportunities. One of the nice things about QR is that you don't need a minimum point balance to get money. Check out QuickRewards
instaGC
If you enjoy testing apps, playing video games, and giving product feedback, instaGC is a rewards program worth trying. You can earn cash or gift cards; although you must be 18 years or older, you may be eligible with your parent's permission. Click here to read our complete review of instaGC. Check out instaGC
TreasureTrooper
Treasure Trooper is a lot like other reward and survey sites, but it stands out because their site feels like an adventure game (which can make it a little more interesting). The good news is that you can earn money at 13 years old. Check out TreasureTrooper
5. Get Paid to Write
If you want a job tapping into your creativity, you may wonder how to make money as a teen. Maybe you already have a blog or have thought about starting one for a while. If you're a good writer with interesting things to say, you may find the right audience and ways to earn money, especially if you are willing to advertise or do product reviews on your blog.
Do you love writing or have a story you've been dying to publish? Consider writing a book for Kindle. Writing is just one of the many ways to make money online for teens. Suppose you possess excellent writing skills. You could put them to use and become a freelance content writer. The demand for content is always on the rise.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, content writers saw a 23 percent increase in demand for their work while other professions were reeling under the economic fallout of the scourge. Bloggers, content marketers, organizations, and other website owners require superb, interesting, and engaging content for their online platforms.
According to Ashwin Honawar of Online Job Academy, you can make at least $20 per hour with entry-level content writing jobs. A great place to get started is Upwork. This site lets you create a new freelance writer and list your price. Start at a lower cost to get good reviews. Once you build your reputation, increase your worth and find more clients. Other services such as TextBroker pay you a certain amount per word. Take a writing test to find out your skill level. You can earn as much as $.05 per word based on your level. At 3,000 words, that's $150 per article.
8 Companies where you can get writing gigs:
(Click on the one you desire to see the requirements and signup as a driver)
- TextBroker - One of the most well-known content mill websites. You will need to verify your U.S. citizenship.
- Upwork - One of the largest freelance websites worldwide. There are many writing gigs available.
- iWritter - Another good content marketplace. You'll need to pass a quick and straightforward grammar/spelling test.
- Constant Content - Instead of being a content mill, Constant Content operates as a marketplace for clients and writers.
- HireWriters - The pay isn't as high as other content mills, but getting approved as a writer is straightforward.
- WriterAccess - A content mill that focuses on providing high-quality writing to clients.
- Fiverr - You have to set up your profile on Fiverr, and people will order services from you. Reviews are important.
- Monetize.info - We actively look for writers to help with affiliate marketing content needs.
6. Work on Freelancing Sites
When you become a freelancer, you are usually hired on a project-to-project basis. You can accept and reject offers as you like and utilize your skills from writing and photography to coding. Freelancing sharpens your skills and gives you a lot of well-paying experiences.
7. Start tutoring
If you're a good student and are good at explaining things to others, a tutor may be a suitable and lucrative job for you.
Art
Teach younger kids how to draw or teach painting basics. Grab an art kit and start advertising your skills. There are many things you can do with art.
Science
Is science easy for you? Offer to tutor younger students or help someone with a project or lab assignment.
English
Maybe a student is struggling with grammar, or a student from another country could help with their English. English tutoring is a quick way to make money if you excel at the subject.
10 Companies where you get paid for teaching English:
(Click on the one you desire to see the requirements and signup as a teacher)
- Askademic - Help other students practice English and improve their skills in a friendly, casual setting.
- VipKid - This company connects you with Chinese speakers to help them learn English.
- GoGoKid - GoGoKid connects you with students only in China interested in learning English.
- 51Talk - Same as the two above. You need to be the U.S. or Canadian citizen and have a bachelor's degree.
- NiceTalk - A mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. It pays $10 per hour and you need min $20 to cashout.
- PalFish - Same as NiceTalk. You can set your rate, earning you a max. Amount of $45/hour.
- SkimaTalk - You get paid by the hour. You won't get paid unless you stick out the full 60 minutes.
- Cambly - The payment rate is $10.20/hour, but you are paid by the minute.
- iTalki - This app allows English speakers to find teaching partners and is excellent for teachers.
Writing
You can tutor someone on how to be a better writer or edit essays and other writing assignments.
Math
Some people get math, and others don't. You could make money as a tutor if you strongly understand mathematics.
Reading
Younger students often struggle with reading, but their parents don't have the time to help or practice. Offer your services as a reading tutor.
Teach a Foreign Language
If you are fluent in a foreign language, one-on-one tutoring is a great money-making opportunity.
Swim Lessons
Some children learn how to swim better when working one-on-one with someone in a smaller group. If you have a strong swimming background, be a teacher swimming.
Basketball
If you're good at shooting hoops, help someone brush up on their basketball skills.
Football
This there a budding football star in your neighborhood? Offer to teach some tosses and catches to improve their overall game.
Baseball
If you excel at baseball, younger kids can quickly hire you to tutor them on the game's art.
Volleyball
Much like other sports, younger volleyball athletes may benefit from your expertise.
Archery
While archery is not as popular as contact sports, some kids want to learn archery. If you've got skills, put them for hire.
Soccer
Soccer is a competitive sport that many parents are willing to hire tutors to help their kids succeed. Don't pass on the money-making opportunity if you are a soccer player.
Elderly in Computer Skills
If you are patient, know your way around a computer, and can explain things clearly, you've got a tutor's makings in computer skills.
How to Make Money as a Teenager FAQ
Conclusion on How to Make Money as a Teenager
You can use only one or more of these 200 best ways to earn money to make some money as a teenager. All the ways that I describe above are legit. However, check the working age in your state to take up any of these part-time works. They pay well and can help you in many ways, as described above.
At the same time, ensuring that none of these jobs or tasks give you physical, mental, or emotional stress is essential. Because your primary focus should be on your studies instead of making money, I would advise you to read the pros and cons of some money-making ways before accepting. That could save you a lot of hassles and make working as a teenager more enjoyable.
