Ragged Riches

Let’s just face it: having your first job is a major deal. Whether you become a teaching assistant (like the person who wrote this article), a library page (my second job), or a fast-food worker (my husband’s first job) doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s the first stepping stone to financial freedom.

What do I mean by “well-paying?”

Let’s face it: most jobs for high school students don’t pay well. They tend to be retail, which leads to bottom-of-the-barrel payouts that barely cover food and a phone bill. No one deserves those low wages, even if you are in high school.

The thing is, most jobs that are open to high school kids don’t pay well. However, some do. These options below can make you a serious paycheck that will make you the envy of your classmates…

1. Trade Apprentice

Are you considering working in the trades when you graduate? A high school diploma is all you need to become a great plumber, electrician, or hairstylist. Most trades will have an apprenticeship program that you can work in to gain that sweet, sweet experience while you get paid.

Is it worth it?

If you have someone you know who works in a trade you want, now is the time to reach out. Ask them about apprenticeships—or just reach out to a company online. Most apprenticeships will pay between $15 to $25 an hour, which means you might end up making as much as some adults.

If you stick to this route, you can make more than most office workers as a full-fledged tradesperson. It all depends on the trade you choose. Personally, if I wasn’t sick and weak, I would have gone into the trades.

How to get this job:

From what I’ve seen, most apprenticeships happen through networking. However, the US government values apprenticeships greatly, which is why they made apprenticeship.gov to help you match with a licensed tradesman.

Other good ways to get that apprentice offer is to try one of the following:

• Call up local handyman/construction services and say you want a job. Most contracting companies struggle to get workers. If you show an earnest interest in work, you’ll find a person to hire you.
• Check with your guidance counselor or school career counselor. While they often push for college, they may have connections that can help you.
• Talk to a local community leader. Many towns have special programs for kids who want to work in the trades.

2. Babysitting

It’s true. The Babysitters Club was not joking around when they mentioned those girls getting paid. While many parents insist on having someone 18 or over to watch their kids, there are still plenty of parents who are open to having an experienced teenager watch over their young ones.

Is it worth it?

Babysitting is so in-demand, it can actually become a lifelong career. A typical babysitter can charge a minimum of $20 per hour, per kid. Some specialized babysitters (such as people hwo are also tutors or experienced with special needs kids) can earn $30 or more.

Housing can be hard to come by. Live-in babysitting means you can actually get a roof over your head in a pinch. This is a very good job to have experience in, if you get my drift. If can keep you off the streets.

How to get this job:

The important thing to do here is get experience and references to kick-start that business. Here’s how to do it:

• Get CPR certified. There are a lot of certifications you can get to prove your caretaker mettle. CPR certification is a must. You can also get American Red Cross Babysitting Certification, as well certifications dealing with child education. Many of these are open to people under 18.
• Check out your freelancing tax details. This is vital. You might want to hire a bookkeeper for your taxes. Quarterly taxes are going to be a thing if you choose to do this. Thankfully, a parent can help you learn to file these and bookkeeping can be a cinch since it’s an easy business.
• Get experience through your network. Do you know any families that need a sitter? Even if you just volunteer once a week for a month, that can be enough experience to give you the references you need for better-paying gigs. You also can charge them a smaller fee, since you’re new.
• Advertise, advertise, advertise. Care.com is the most common place to sell your services as a sitter. However, you can also advertise through your local church bulletin board, your local library, as well as your local women’s club. It’s smart to go through a wide range of advertising methods so that you can get a steady client rolodex.

3. Restaurant Workers

This can be a bit dicey, depending on where you live. Many states don’t allow you to handle knives on the job if you are under 18. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t pick up a shift or two somewhere.

Is it worth it?

Most people will suggest that high school kids get a job with McDonald’s or a similar fast food restaurant. I’m not going to suggest doing that because these jobs are often soul-sucking, underpaid messes with few decent benefits.

The only benefit that makes fast food worth it is their tuition payment benefit. Restaurants like Chick-fil-a offer full-time workers (or even part-time workers, at times) free tuition at a college. If you want to get a degree, it’s worth it.

High-end restaurants are where you want to be here. There, it’s worth it because the tips are often very nice. A single table of four at a place like Per Se will tip you around $100 or more. Restaurant work can be a lifelong career, though most don’t want to work in this field all their lives.

Even so, if it’s a high-end restaurant and food is your passion, this could be it.

How to get the job:

• Apply, apply, apply. Most restaurants don’t require experience for positions like busboys or baristas. If you have someone who owns a restaurant in your rolodex, now is the time to hit them up.
• Focus on manners and appearance. A clean appearance goes far here.
• Consider culinary school. You do not need to be a chef to get a job here, but the pay for chefs is outstanding.

4. Car Wash Attendant

Do you like cars? Are you considering a career in auto care? This is the easiest way to get your foot in the door. Car washes need attendants, because even automated washes need someone to watch over them.

Is it worth it?

The average hourly wage for attendants is around $14 to $15 an hour, so if you’re looking for big bucks, this is not it. It can also be a “dead end job” if you are not good at networking and adding a spin to your resume.

Even so, it’s better than most other retail jobs. You can work your way up to becoming a full-fledged detailer if you’re lucky.

How to get this job:

This one is fairly simple. You apply for it, put your best foot forward, and hope you get it.

5. Content Creator/Video Editor

Yes, I’m going to be the person who points this out: high schoolers have a lot of skills when it comes to content creation, video editing, and social media. You might as well learn how to sharpen those skills and create a career working from home.

You can either put together a portfolio on YouTube to bolster your chances at getting hired by others, or you can put together your own brand like I did. As you can see from me, it can be a lifelong career if you allow it to be.

Is it worth it?

This all depends on your approach, your consistency, and your ability to build a business from the ground-up. This is not an easy field to excel in, though anyone can learn the trade if they’re passionate enough. It’s always changing.

Creators like Jack Dougherty and Markiplier make millions a year. I make about $60,000 in revenue before expenses when I’m struggling. So, it’s possible to make a lot of money if you are really dedicated to it. If done well, this can be one of the best paying jobs for teens with a creative streak.

How to get this job:

Create, create, create! Put your stuff out there, sharpen your skills, network with other creators, and keep abreast of the newest content creation tools. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep an eye out for freelancing opportunities. It’s really that simple.

6. Tutor

If you’re a star in math or science, you’ve got another option that you can do: tutoring. Most parents don’t want to deal with tutoring their kids or simply don’t know the material. You, on the other hand, do. You also know what’s going on with teaching these days, since things have changed since I was a kid.

Is it worth it?

Yes, especially if you intend on going to college. Tutors can make between $25 to $50 per hour depending on the subject and how much schooling you have. This can become a lifelong career if you are interested in teaching kids who actually want to learn.

How to get the job:

Admittedly, getting a job as a tutor when you’re in high school can be tough since most people want a college degree as proof of your knowledge. However, it’s not impossible. These tips can help you snag a job:

• Use your social network. People know when they need a tutor. It’s okay to ask them or ask their parents if they need help. You can also offer to help “write sample essays” for kids who do not have the time to write their own, if you get my drift.
• Have a posted ad on library and school bulletin boards. You would be surprised at how many people will call those numbers on bulletin boards.
• Enlist the help of teachers. Teachers can refer clients to you, if you give them a heads up.

7. Graphic Designers

Graphic design might be taking a hit from AI, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. This field pays more than writing typically does in the gig economy—and that means you could get great wages if you know how to parlay your skills.

To get into this, you will need at least one graphic design platform. Canva Pro, Photoshop, GIMP, or Blender can all be useful here. You can also use AI platforms to create prompts that get you the designs you want, though they can be unreliable.

People are far more graphics-oriented than they are writing-oriented. So, you won’t have too much of an issue getting clients.

Is it worth it?

Yes. Graphic design is one of those categories of work that is evergreen, especially since social media and online advertising aren’t going anywhere. Many adults make their living doing graphics, why not you?

If you go the salaried route as an adult, you can expect a median income of around $58,000. However, most designers end up selling their own artwork to make more money.

How to get the job:

This is a lot like writing. You need to have a portfolio of your work before people will hire you. The good news is that you can do this in your spare time. Start making cute designs, logos, and art pieces.

Posting your work on social media can give you a great way to get your name out there. From there, you can often get clients by the following routes:

• Networking. Yes, I believe in the power of human relationships when it comes to getting gigs. If you know local bands in the area, they can become loyal customers for logos and the like.
• Upwork. You do not have to be 18 to get on Upwork, to my knowledge. It’s not the best place to get DECENT customers, but it’s definitely a good place to begin.
• Fiverr. For some reason, this tends to be the best place for teens to make money online. Don’t ask me why, but it’s a weird thing I noticed among younger mentees I’ve had.
• Craigslist and Indeed. Yes, these tend to be a way to get a real “day job” or at least find a freelance gig once in a while. Let the applicant beware here!

Of course, you can also make bank as a graphic designer by selling artwork on sites like Zazzle or Redbubble.

8. Social Media Experts

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat…it’s hard to find a teenager who doesn’t seem to live off these platforms. If you have a knack for video editing software like Capcut, you’re in luck. You could get paid to update company brands’ social media platforms.

Is it worth it?

Well, there’s definitely job stability in it. I’ve personally known social media mavens who managed to tuck away six figures in a single year. Even having one client as a freelancer can mean you make as much as $500 a month.

How to get the job:

This is all about your portfolio’s power, and yes, you’re going to need to have some serious social media clout. I suggest advertising your social media advice online, sharpening your skills, and working to create multiple faceless accounts that act as a proof of concept of your skills.

From there, you can show off your port and get clients, sponsorships…You choose.

9. Photographer

Photography is not as lucrative as it once was, but that doesn’t mean it’s totally barren pickings. People still need photographs, whether it’s for magazines, websites, or even dating profiles. You can need to have a camera in most cases. (A DSLR Canon Rebel is often standard.)

Is it worth it?

It can be, provided you are looking to make side money rather than a full-time income. Photography is insanely competitive and it often doesn’t make sense to invest too much into it. If you try to turn it into a full-time income, you are more likely to end up with a major loss on your hands.

How to get the job:

There are several ways to get gigs as a photographer. These include:

• Going on Upwork or Fiverr for quick gigs. Sometimes you just need to photograph a specific object to make money on these sites. It can be a quick fix.
• Being the person who takes social media photographs. If you have an iPhone, this is a quick way to monetize it.
• Networking with your school. If they need photos of games, maybe you can provide them.
• Apply for hospital jobs. Hospitals tend to have companies that take photos of newborns. They hire fresh out of high school and also pay minimum wage, though some parents give tips.

10. Blogger

BLOGGING IS NOT DEAD!

It is, however, getting to be more competitive than before. If you’re patient (and in high school), blogging can be a good way to earn some income that could eventually translate into a full-time business or a career.

Much like with typical content creation (such as YouTube or the soon-to-be-defunct TikTok), you have to be patient, willing to work with new tools, and get skilled in the art of a good blog. Chat GPT will not be enough!

Is it worth it?

This is one of the most gamble-ready jobs you can take. It can pay, big time—like $10,000 a month. I’ve had $20,000 months before. But it can also pay pennies. It’s all about how you work it.

How to get the job:

It’s just like with graphic design: you have to have a portfolio of pretty photos before you start charging people. Like with most other potentially good-paying jobs for teens, you have to offer some form of proof before people take you seriously.