In this post, I’ll share various opportunities that are perfect for young teens looking to earn money, gain valuable experience, and develop new skills.
Trying out jobs for 13-year-olds helps you to make money as a teen, start saving, and even find out what it is that you’d like to do for a career when you’re older.
After all, if you start working early and try a few jobs, then you can see what types of work you enjoy doing and what your skills are.
Most jobs, though, seem to be for people over 18 years old. This means that if you’re under 18, you might be wondering if there’s actually any work out there for you.
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You’ll be glad to know that there is!
Whether you’re a parent looking for job ideas for 13-year-olds, or a teen yourself who’s looking to see what’s out there in the job market, this post is for you.
In it, you’ll learn about whether 13-year-olds can get a job and which jobs are available to 13-year-olds.
Is 13 Old Enough to Get a Job?
So, first, let’s answer this all-important question!
Yes, put simply, thirteen is old enough to get a job. Great, huh?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, though. There are some restrictions when it comes to working as a 13-year-old.
According to the Department of Labor (DOL), wage, hours worked, and safety requirements for minors, which are those who’re under the age of 18, working in jobs that are covered by the state are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
So, the FLSA sets the minimum age for most non-agricultural work at 14 years old.
Does this mean that those who’re 13 can’t work? Thankfully, no!
According to the DOL, at any age, youth may perform a multitude of jobs, like delivering newspapers, babysitting, performing minor chores around a private home, and working in businesses that are owned by their parents.
There are different age requirements that apply to the employment of youth in agriculture.
As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years old as the minimum age for employment, and it limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.
It also generally prohibits minors from being employed in work that the Secretary of Labor deems to be hazardous. This includes things like work that involves excavation, driving, and the operation of many types of power-driven equipment.
Also, the FLSA contains several requirements which only apply to certain kinds of jobs, such as agricultural work or the operation of motor vehicles, and many exceptions to the general rules, such as work that a minor does for their parents.
Now, the minimum age requirements for working can also vary by state. Many states have enacted child labor laws, which actually have a minimum age for employment that is higher than that set by the FLSA.
If you live in a state where both the FLSA and state child labor laws apply, then it’s the higher minimum standard that must be adhered to. Basically, the law that protects the minor more will apply.
So, it can be a good idea to check what the rules are in your particular state. You can consult your state department of labor to get information about child labor laws where you live.
Top Jobs for 13-year-olds
Even though there may be more restrictions on 13-year-olds working than there are for those over the age of 18, there are still plenty of earning opportunities to be had. These may not look like traditional jobs, but you can still work and earn money.
What’s great about the job opportunities available to 13-year-olds is that they are really varied. Jobs can include everything from providing a service to people near you, to creating and selling content online, and much more.
We’ll cover ways for 13-year-olds to make money, giving you a great mix of local and online options.
If you’re curious about how to make money at 13, our tips will help you get started.
1. Babysitter
Babysitting is a classic job choice for teenagers and with good reason. It offers you a flexible way to make extra cash since you can fit in babysitting around school, such as during the evenings and weekends.
Let your parents’ friends and neighbors know that you are offering a babysitting service.
Maybe you even have some family members with young kids who need a babysitter? Let people know that you are looking for babysitting work.
Word of mouth is one of the best advertising sources. If you do a good job, parents you’ve worked for might recommend you to other parents who are looking to hire a babysitter.
Teenagers can typically earn $8 to $15 an hour babysitting. In some areas, though, the hourly wage can be higher.
2. Tutor
Are you the studious type?
Then tutoring may be the job for you.
Make money by providing a tutoring service to people in your neighborhood.
Again, like babysitting, you can ask your parents to let their friends know that you are providing this service, and also offer it to any members of your family who may require a tutor.
Also, you can find online tutoring jobs for teens rather easily.
One place where you can find tutoring work online is at Tutorpeers.
On Tutorpeers, teenagers aged 13 to 17 can tutor people online. Tutor on everything from math to English, to chemistry.
Another platform where you can find online tutoring work is Fiverr. This is basically a freelancing platform where you can sell a variety of freelance services, including, of course, tutoring services.
You can charge anywhere from $5 to $10,000 for a service. The site takes a 20% cut of your earnings, though. You can sign up to Fiverr if you are aged 13 or older.
Tutors typically earn $16 to $19 per hour.
3. Pet sitter
Another good job for teenagers is pet-sitting. It’s a great option if you are looking for a fun way to make money as a teenager.
Pet sitters get paid to take care of people’s pets, like dogs and cats, for them while they’re away. This could be while they are away at work or on vacation.
If you love animals, this can be a rewarding job and one of the most enjoyable ways to earn some extra cash.
Let people nearby know that you’re offering a pet-sitting service. Tell friends and family, and be sure to get the word out about your services.
Pet sitters earn $7 to $21 an hour on average.
4. Washing cars
If you’re looking for summer jobs for 13-year-olds, then washing cars could be the perfect option for you.
You can often find opportunities right in your neighborhood too!
Most people hate washing their car themselves and also begrudge having to take their car somewhere to have it cleaned. So, they’ll likely be happy for you to come by and clean their vehicle for them.
Typically, you’ll need to provide your own cleaning supplies. But, you should be able to pick these up for cheap.
How much you earn depends on things like the overall size of the vehicle and how dirty it is.
Typically, though, you can get $20 to $40 per wash.
You could turn this into a perfect side hustle for teens if you can get repeat work.
5. Social media manager
Working in social media could be a good way for you to make money from home. You can manage social media accounts for local businesses.
You can learn about social media management online.
Advertise your services to businesses near you.
6. Selling old items
Want money fast as a 13-year-old? Well, one of my first suggestions would be to sell old items.
Everyone has something in their home that they could sell for some extra cash. You can clear out some of your old stuff while making money in the process.
Here are some of the things that you could consider selling:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Books
- Sports equipment
- Games
- Music equipment
- Jewelry
- Smartphones
- DVDs
- Game consoles
Check your home to see what items you have to sell. Just be sure to ask your parents first before you put anything up for sale!
You can sell stuff at pawnshops or list items for sale online.
Here are a few places that are good for selling stuff online in general:
Here’s where you can sell used electronics:
Here are a few places where you can sell your clothes:
Here are a few places where you can sell your books:
Here are a few places where you can sell used furniture:
Here are some places where you can sell gift cards:
7. YouTuber content creator
Why not try starting your own YouTube channel if you’re interested in making some cash?
YouTube can be really profitable if you can build up an audience for your channel.
When your channel gets enough views, you will be eligible to join the YouTube Partner Program.
With the YouTube Partner Program, you get paid for the ads on your videos.
The YouTube Partner Program pays you through AdSense, but you can’t get an AdSense account until you are 18.
Now, those who are thirteen can still make money from YouTube. To monetize your YouTube videos, you will need to link your YouTube account to an approved account of a parent or guardian who is over 18 years old.
Aside from making money from the ads on your videos, you can also earn money selling merch or creating sponsored videos.
On average, YouTubers earn $0.018 per view, which works out to $18 for every 1,000 views.
8. Dog walker
If you are a dog lover, then working as a dog walker just might be the job for you. Get paid for walking people’s dogs for them.
After all, people are busy, and they may not have the time to walk their pets themselves.
You could advertise your services to your friends and family. And ask your parents to tell people that they know that you are offering a dog walking service. You could get referrals through word of mouth if you provide a good service.
Dog walkers earn $6 to $25 an hour.
9. Freelancer
If you’re looking for ways to make money from home as a 13-year-old, then I would recommend trying freelance work.
Working as a freelancer is a great way to make money online. Basically, you provide a freelancing service to clients.
There are lots of freelancing jobs that you can do, such as:
- Writing
- Graphic design
- Data entry
- Transcription work
- Tutoring
One of the places where you can find work is on Fiverr. As I mentioned earlier, it’s an online marketplace where you can sell freelance services. You only need to be 13 years old to sign up for Fiverr.
Other places to find freelance work include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Indeed.
Freelancing is great because you can work when you want to, like around school or at the weekend. So, this is a flexible way to make some money as a teenager.
10. Blogger
If you love writing, then blogging could be the perfect job for you. This is a great business idea for teenagers.
As a blogger, you write and publish content on a particular topic. You could write about everything from cooking to photography to movies. It’s really up to you!
Just be sure to upload content to your website regularly.
Bloggers need a domain name and hosting to get started. You can get these from places like Bluehost, HostGator, and GoDaddy.
And, you’ll also need to use a platform, like WordPress.org to publish your content.
You can monetize your blog in lots of different ways, like:
- Putting Google ads on your site
- Using affiliate links in your posts
- Creating sponsored content for brands
Blogging won’t make you money right away. Over time though, if you can build up the traffic to your site, it can be quite profitable.
The more traffic your blog gets, the more you’ll earn as you’ll get more views on ads, and more clicks on affiliate links.
So, building up that following on your blog is really important. Just be sure that you meet the minimum age requirements for the platforms that you’re using to create and monetize your blog.
11. Garage Sale
Have some stuff lying around your home that you don’t want?
Then have a garage sale!
This is a great way for teenagers to make money fast.
You can offload some of your unwanted items and make some money in the process.
12. Stock photographer
Another option to consider is selling stock photos. After all, we all have a camera in our pockets – our phone!
You can put some photos up for sale on a stock photo website and make some money.
Sure, it’s not the highest paying job, but it’s a simple way to make money.
There are many stock photo websites online where you can sell your photos. But, many require you to be 18-years-old. So, you may have to collaborate with your parents on this one and sell your photos together.
13. Selling artwork
Have a penchant for art? Then you could make money selling your artwork. Of course, you’ll need some supplies, but you can pick these up for a reasonable price online and at local art stores.
You can sell art locally or online. Most online platforms for selling art though have age restrictions, so do be sure to check beforehand.
In terms of what you can earn, it depends on the type of art you’re making and where you’re selling it. Do some research to see what people are charging for pieces that are similar to yours, and then you can use this as a baseline.
14. Online influencer
If you enjoy using social media, then you could consider becoming an online influencer. Online influencers make money by promoting brands on their social media accounts, blog, or YouTube channel.
To make money as an influencer, you will need to have a decent sized following. Build up a following on your social media account, blog, or YouTube channel, and then reach out to brands to inquire about paid sponsorship opportunities, and brand deals.
Influencers can earn $16 to $56 an hour.
15. Agricultural worker
Doing some agricultural work is a great way for teenagers to make some extra money. You could get a job on a local farm and earn money doing agricultural work.
This type of work involves a lot of manual labor, but if you don’t mind that, then this could be the job for you. Agricultural work can be anything from working as a farm hand to taking care of animals.
Those who are 13 years old, or even 12 years old, can work outside of school hours in any non-hazardous job on farms that also employ their parents, or with their parental consent, according to the DOL.
Youth of any age are able to work at any time in any job on a farm that is owned or operated by their parents.
16. Newspaper delivery
Delivering newspapers is a classic job for teenagers. You can earn some extra money.
You can find newspaper delivery jobs in your local area.
Searching online for “newspaper delivery jobs,” or “newspaper delivery jobs for 13-year-olds” can be a good way to start looking for work.
The pay for delivering newspapers ranges from $6 to $28 an hour.
17. Family Business
Does your family own a business? Then why not try working there?
If you have a family member, whether that’s your mom, dad, an aunt, or some other relative that owns their own business, ask them if they need any work doing. They may be glad to get the help.
Working with your family business can be a good way to get some initial work experience.
18. Gamer
Do you like playing video games?
Then why not make money as a video game streamer!
This can be a fun way to make money as a teenager.
Twitch is a website for gamers and eSports fans. On the site, you can stream yourself playing a variety of games, like Fortnite, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto.
Twitch allows people aged 13 years old to sign up.
You can make money on Twitch by being either a Twitch Partner or a Twitch Affiliate.
Twitch streamers earn $30 to $51 an hour.
19. Golf caddy
Consider working as a golf caddy. You assist golfers with carrying their equipment. If you have a golf course nearby, then this could be a good way for you to make some extra money.
Golf caddies earn $9 to $29 an hour.
20. Lawn care
You can also make some money by providing a lawn care service to people. You could ask your neighbors if they need any lawn work done. Or you could ask your parents to let people know that you are offering a lawn care service.
It’s important to note that the FLSA states that those under 16 cannot use power-driven mowers, cutters, and trimmers. So, cutting grass is not a job option that’s available to thirteen-year-olds.
Tasks you can do though include things like pulling out weeds, cleaning, and maintaining fences – just general yard work and landscape labor jobs, basically.
21. Online surveys
Taking online surveys is a good way to make money. Basically, you get paid for your opinion.
Surveys are pretty easy to do, and anyone can get started with them. The best part is that you can take surveys at home. So, this is a good way for teenagers to make money online.
All you need to get started is a laptop, or your phone, and an internet connection. Now, it’s important to note that many survey sites require users to be 18 years old in order to sign up.
There are, however, a few survey sites that do allow users as young as thirteen to sign up.
This includes:
Typically though, the pay rate for online surveys ranges anywhere from $0.05 to $25 per survey.
22. Making & selling things
Enjoy making things? Well, you could turn this hobby into your own business where you make and sell things. You could sell handmade jewelry, clothing, paintings, drawings, and other arts and crafts.
You could sell your wares at local craft fairs and other events like flea markets. Many craft shows are held at the weekend, which means that this is a business that you can fit in alongside school.
You could also consider selling your crafts online on sites like Etsy.
Etsy allows those who’re 13 years old to use the site. If you’re under 18 though, you’ll need to get the permission and direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is the owner of the account.
23. Creating printables
Another option to try if you’re looking for a creative way to make money is creating and selling printables.
Selling physical products can be a lot of fun, but it requires the hassle of storing stuff and shipping it to buyers. Those hassles are removed when you sell printables.
You don’t have to store any inventory and you don’t have to ship anything either. Start-up costs are low with this business idea too. This means that it’s really easy to get started with this money-making method.
Some of the printables you could sell include:
- Calendars
- Planner stickers
- Journal print outs
- Budgeting binders
- Gift tags
- Greeting cards
Here are a few places where you can sell printables online:
24. Fast food worker
You could also try working a food service job. Now, many restaurants won’t hire 13-year-olds. But some places will hire at 15 or even 14. So, this is a good option for teenagers.
Jobs in the food service industry can range from serving customers to cleaning.
Here are some restaurants that have been known to hire teenagers:
Food service workers earn $9 to $21 an hour.
25. House cleaning
Depending on where you live and the laws and regulations of your local government, it may be difficult to find a traditional job as a 14-year-old kid. Thankfully, you can always make money doing side gigs like house cleaning no matter what age you are.
Start with family and friends, then expand your services to your neighbors so you can slowly work your way to more clients.
You can expect to charge anywhere from $12 to $20 an hour. You can also charge per job.
How to Make Money at 13: Final Thoughts!
While the job market may be limited for those under 18, there are still plenty of opportunities for 13-year-olds to earn money. Whether it’s babysitting, selling items, freelancing, or delivering newspapers, there’s something for everyone.
From at-home and online jobs for teens to local jobs., there are diverse available options tailored to suit young earners
If you’re curious about how to make money at 13, explore the options on our list and find what suits you best.
Source: 25 Great Jobs for 13-Year-Olds to Make Money – MoneyPantry