27 Cool Summer Jobs for Teens to Earn & Learn

Working during the summer may seem like a bummer, but it can be fun. It also earns you some spending cash, helps you save for college, and gives you good experience for when you're looking for jobs in the future. We think these summer jobs for teens are a great place to start looking.

25 Summer Jobs for Teens

This handy chart provides a quick reference for different summer jobs for teens. We explain them in depth below.

1. Video Game Tester

Does this job sound too good to be true? It may be, but some companies will hire teens as video game testers, although most hire teens 18 or 19 and not younger. Still, it's worth giving a try if you love playing video games.

Even if you absolutely LOVE video games, it's important to remember that video game testing is work and not play. You may have to repeat levels or game segments over and over to work out the bugs. You'll need to have the appropriate gaming equipment/platform that the video game company requires. You'll need to repeat gaming tasks, such as menu, setup, and settings, and go through each player's moves. You'll be required to keep a record and report any issues you run into while playing the game.

Various job board websites advertise for part-time video game testers. You need to be at least 16 years old for most positions. Average pay is about $15 per hour for teens. 

2. Hair Salon Assistant

If you love working with hairstyles, a hair salon assistant may be your perfect summer job, especially if you want to work in the hair and beauty industry in the future. While you need a cosmetology license to actually be a hairstylist, you can be an assistant and perform salon duties, such as assisting the stylist with shampoos, rinsing, and drying.

You may be required to greet customers, operate the cash register, sweep floors, stock products, schedule appointments, wash towels, and other salon-related tasks. Visit hair salons personally to inquire about a job or look online. Sometimes jobs aren't advertised and are filled by word of mouth/referrals. The average hourly rate for a non-experienced worker is a little over $13 per hour.

3. Construction Assistant

Some contractors hire teens 16 and older to assist on the construction site. These jobs can't involve working with power tools, operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment, or being more than 10-feet off the ground. But you can clean up a construction site and assist the contractors and subcontractors in other ways. Average pay for this job is around $20 per hour, but it may be less for teens. Look on job boards or check with local contractors to see if they can use some general on-site help.

4. Golf Caddy

There are actually all kinds of summer jobs at golf courses that teens can work. Caddying is especially good for teens who love golf and know the game well. As a caddy, you'll carry bags, hand the right club to the golfers, keep equipment clean, and offer helpful info about the distance to greens or any other things about the course.

Golf caddying isn't the only golf course job for teens. You could also be a cart handler, starter, marshall, pro-shop worker, locker room attendant, and more. Check job boards and golf club websites, or visit local golf courses to see what's available. Caddies average about $17 per hour, but you may also earn tips. And you get to be outside on the golf course. 

5. Warehouse Seasonal Worker

Many manufacturers and other businesses with warehouses hire seasonal help during the summer months. Employee vacations often leave warehouses short-staffed, and some businesses experience a boom during the summer months and require additional temporary workers. 

Teens are prohibited from working with or around conveyors, operating heavy equipment, or climbing more than 10 feet off the ground, but you can pick products, stock shelves, pack things for shipping, or clean. You can find work with local warehouses by responding to job ads or looking online. Some companies and agencies require a parent's consent, so be prepared to provide this documentation. Most of these jobs require you to be at least 18 years old. Average pay is around $16 per hour.

6. Lifeguard or Swimming Instructor

If you're a great swimmer and you've gotten your lifeguard certification, you may be able to work as a lifeguard. You need to be a good swimmer to become a lifeguard or a swimming instructor. You need to be at least 14, and there are many opportunities to work at private or public pools, lakes, and beaches.

These jobs require you to be in good physical shape. You'll need to pass a swimming skills test and then get an American Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety certification. If you're 14 years old, you can participate as long as you turn 15 on the last day of your training.

Because of the skill level and certifications required, lifeguard jobs tend to pay a little better, averaging about $24 an hour. Check with local pools, swimming areas, or water parks. Look on their websites or online, or visit job sites to see what's available.

7. Pet Sitter, Dog Walker, or Doggy Daycare Worker

Pet sitters and dog walkers are independent jobs, so it would be up to you to set your rates, advertise services, collect payments, and keep records of income for tax purposes. Doggy daycares may also be hiring employees. If you love pets, then these could be great jobs for you.

Pet sitters are often required to stay alone at someone's house while they're gone, so you need to be trustworthy. Dog walkers will also need to get themselves to where the dogs are and take them out for walks. At doggy daycare, you'll be working for a business.

Advertise your services online, such as in social media community pages, and check with friends and family. Look on doggy daycare websites or visit them to see what jobs they might have available. Average pay is around $15 per hour. 

8. Lawn Mowing Yard Care Service

Teens have been mowing people's lawns for years, and it's a great way to make money seasonally. This is another job where you'll be responsible for finding clients, collecting money, etc. You'll need your own equipment and a way to haul it from one job to the next if you branch out beyond your neighborhood. Some people have a lawnmower and may make it available to you. 

You can design and print cards and flyers and ask to leave them at convenience stores, doctors' offices, church bulletin boards, community centers, and hardware stores. Post your service to online community boards and social media. Expect to make around $16 per hour.

9. Retail Sales Associates

If you like working with people and you prefer to be indoors, then retail jobs may be a good fit. From stocking shelves to bagging to working as a sales associate, you have plenty of options. You need to be 16 to work in retail, and you'll be spending long hours on your feet, so you'll definitely need comfy shoes. Some jobs may also have dress codes. 

Look on job boards or visit the career page for specific retailers. For local mom-and-pop shops, you may want to visit in person. Average pay is around $20 per hour, but it varies widely depending on the size of the retailer, whether you get commission, experience level, and what you're selling.

10. Movie Theater Concession Worker

This is a great summer job for teens. This position usually includes more than concession work. You'll be responsible for greeting customers, tearing tickets/deposit stubs, general cleaning, POS (point of sale) system, cash drawer, usher, and working and cleaning concessions and theaters between movies.

Most theaters advertise open positions on their websites and job boards. However, you can visit the theater to inquire and maybe fill out an application onsite or online. Many theater workers see movies for free and have a beverage and food allowance. Average pay nationally is about $15 per hour.

11. Seasonal Farm or Ranch Hand

Farm or ranch hand work is physically taxing, so you'll need to be in good shape. But it's a great way to be outdoors and work around animals. You won't be able to work with any dangerous or heavy equipment, and you'll need to have good manual dexterity and be in good health. You may be required to muck out stalls, feed and care for farm animals, or assist with crops. 

You can inquire at your local feed store, granary, or farm equipment store. Some feature bulletin boards for farmers to post open jobs. Average pay is about $17 per hour.

12. Mover, Materials Handler

You can work for a moving company or as a delivery helper for an appliance or furniture store. These positions require excellent physical health and strength. You need to know how to use hand trucks and dollies to load and unload furniture and/or appliances and deliver them inside homes or offices. You'll need to check with your state government for any regulations governing these positions.

You can find jobs with a local moving company that services within a couple of hundred miles or less, so you won't need any overnight stays out of town. Average pay is about $17 per hour.

13. Fast Food Service

Many teens' first experience in the workforce is in fast food restaurants. There are several jobs you can consider with a fast food company. You may work in the kitchen preparing and cooking food, food prep, waiting on customers, working the POS system and cash register, cleaning floors and equipment, and stocking supplies. One of the perks of many fast food jobs is free food or discounted food (within limits). Check with the websites for restaurants, look on job boards, or visit in person. Average salary is about $22 per hour.

14. Car Detailer / Car Washer

If you like cars and enjoy cleaning, a car detailer may be a great summer job for you. You'll be responsible for cleaning vehicles and documenting the gas level and condition of the vehicle before starting. You'll wash, buff, and wax the vehicle exterior. You'll vacuum and/or steam the vehicle interior as well as deodorize it. Once finished, you'll inspect the vehicle to ensure all detailing is complete and satisfactory.

You may also be able to find jobs at car washes, from pres-scrubbing vehicles to taking payments. Look for detailing and car washing jobs at car washes and auto dealerships (look either online or visit). If no car washing jobs are available, you can also set yourself up as an independent car washer, advertising your services locally. Average pay is about $16 per hour.

15. Stadium Cleaner

If you live in a town with a sports stadium, you may find a summer job as part of the after-game clean-up crew. Discarded food containers and cups from a ballgame, concert, or other event don't always make it to the trash bins. Clean-up crews are needed to collect the debris and clean off the seats in preparation for the next game or event.

Many stadiums outsource cleaning and have contracts with professional cleaning companies. You may find employment either with the stadium or with the cleaning company contracted to clean the stadium. You can check with the stadium or contact cleaning companies directly.

16. Tutor

You can be an online tutor for a tutoring company or an in-person tutor to local students. Summer is the ideal time for tutoring. Some kids need the summer to make up low grades so they can progress to the next grade. You need to be an expert in the topic you wish to teach. If you're tutoring in math, then you need to know everything about math for the student level you're tutoring. The same is true of other subjects.

There are a couple of ways you can get clients. The first is to work through your teachers who know students needing help and can assess your academic abilities. Many schools have tutoring programs that you can apply to be a tutor. Average pay is about $19 per hour.

17. Camp Counselor

If you love kids and like doing outdoorsy stuff, a summer job as a camp counselor can be fun and rewarding. You'll need to plan and lead campers in activities, such as workshops or craft projects. You'll need to develop relationships with your charges, and you'll be responsible for the campers' safety. Some camps are strictly day camps while others require overnight stays. Some examples of camps include science, outdoors, music, and sports.

The YMCA offers camps, and many universities offer day camps for medicine, science, and other fields of study. Prior work with kids is helpful in landing a camp counselor job. CPR and first aid training/certification will go a long way as will any type of babysitting training/experience/certification. Camp counselors earn an average of about $16 per hour.

18. Errand Runner / Companion for Seniors

You may decide to start your own errand service for seniors. An errand runner needs a reliable car and a winning personality. You will take on errands, such as picking up grocery orders. The competition for these jobs may be fierce, with delivery services like Instacart, but some seniors may feel more comfortable only dealing with someone they know, so this is a great way to get a foot in the door. Check with your local church, friends of your parents and grandparents, or others in your network to see if anyone could use a little help. You may also be able to offer some companionship, playing games, reading, having chats, or doing puzzles together. Average pay is around $15 per hour. 

19. Babysitting

Many teens turn to babysitting for extra money. This type of job is usually in high demand, especially in the summer months when kids are out of school, and there are more opportunities for parents to have a night out. If you're going to offer babysitting services, you need to have training in CPR and first aid. If you intend to care for infants, you need to have training.  Check around your neighborhood and work with people in your network to offer your services. Average pay is around $18 per hour. 

Related: How to Get Babysitting Jobs & Advertise Your Services

20. House Cleaning

If you like to clean, offering cleaning services to others may be a good way to earn some money in the summer. First, you need to define what chores you'll perform. You can offer different cleaning bundles, such as vacuuming and dusting only or whole-house cleaning. Window washing is usually extra.

You'll need to provide your own supplies and equipment. You'll need to network to get cleaning jobs... check with your parents' friends, your friends' parents, people in the neighborhood, your church, or community groups to find customers. Average pay is about $17 per hour.

21. Tour Guide

If you live in an area that attracts a lot of tourists, being a tour guide could be a great summer job. Since tours typically involve walking, you'll need to be in good shape (and have comfy shoes). You'll also need to be a good storyteller, have a good memory, and enjoy chatting with people. 

Government-owned and privately owned historical houses and other historical sites often need temporary tour guides. Another venue might be walking ghost tours offered in many cities, such as Savannah, Charleston, New York, Boston, and other tourist destinations. On average, the pay is about $19 per hour.

22. Dishwasher, Food Runner, or Busser

Restaurants have many jobs teens could do, including bussing tables, running food to tables, and washing dishes. You'll be on your feet a lot for all these jobs, and they're all physical labor, so you'll want to be in good shape. Check online job boards or with individual restaurants. Average pay is about $15 per hour, but some restaurants do include dishwashers, food runners, and bussers in the tip pools, so it may be a bit higher.

23. Amusement and Theme Parks

Amusement and theme parks usually need more help during the summer months. If there is one where you live, you may find all kinds of jobs available, such as operating rides, working in concessions, gift shop clerk, restaurant server or host/hostess, park office clerical, grounds maintenance, landscaping, park admissions, costumed park mascots, actors/singers, and more.

Check job openings via the park website career portal. Average pay for these jobs is about $19 per hour, but there may be perks like free or reduced admission to the theme park.

24. City Parks and Recreation

Many cities have seasonal jobs just right for teenagers. These can range from park grounds maintenance, such as mowing and string trimming, to litter pickup and emptying public trash receptacles, to working with kids in park programs or day camps.

Check with your city department for any available seasonal jobs. The hourly pay rate is about $16 per hour nationally, although pay is likely to be minimum wage.

25. Pool Cleaner

A pool cleaner can be a fun way to spend your summer earning money. You'll need to be knowledgeable about pool maintenance. You'll be responsible for adjusting the pool chemistry by checking it each time you clean it. The pool equipment should also be inspected each time. You'll use a skimmer and other equipment to clean the debris from the pool.

You may luck up and find a job with a local pool company. However, you can venture out on your own if you have the proper pool equipment and supplies. You can advertise your services on various online community boards and social media. Print flyers and pass them out in neighborhoods known to have pools. It only takes one client to get word-of-mouth referrals; these are your best form of advertising. Average pay is about $17 per hour.

26. Proofreader

Are you super good at grammar? Some companies need work-for-hire (independent contractor) proofreaders. You'll need good knowledge of grammar and a keen eye for detail. You'll also need to know how to use common word processing programs like Google Docs or MS Office, and you'll need your own computer setup.

Look at online job boards for these types of jobs. Expect to make an average of about $20 per hour.

27. Influencer

Being an influencer takes a ton of dedication. You'll need to find a platform like Twitch, TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram and come up with a point of view that makes you unique. Then, you'll need to be able and willing to share things about yourself through photography, blogs, videos, and more.

Not everyone can be an influencer, but if you have a great personality and something unique to offer the world, it's worth trying. You'll need to build up your social media following to at least 100,000 followers (and probably more), and you'll need to find ways to monetize your content. If you're good at it,  you can make a lot. But it is definitely a full-time job that you'll have to plan carefully for and work hard at every day.

Finding Good Summer Jobs for Teens

While you can find the old standbys summer jobs for teenagers, there are also some very cool jobs. Decide on the types of work that interest you and then explore the different jobs that meet that criteria.