Popular Ways Kids Can Earn Money
Children and teens have many real ways to earn money based on their age, skills, and what's available in their neighborhood. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 34% of teenagers work part-time jobs, with earnings ranging from minimum wage to higher amounts depending on the role and location. Understanding what options exist is the first step toward choosing what might work for a particular young person.
Learn About Maryland Tax Refund Status Information →
Babysitting and pet-sitting remain among the most common ways younger children earn money. A 2023 Care.com survey found that babysitters in urban areas charge between $15 to $20 per hour, while those in rural areas typically charge $10 to $15 per hour. Pet-sitting rates vary but often range from $15 to $30 per visit for dog walking and $20 to $50 per day for pet-sitting services. These jobs require responsibility and trustworthiness, but no formal training is usually required.
Yard work and lawn care services appeal to kids who enjoy outdoor work. Mowing lawns can earn $15 to $50 per yard depending on size and location. Raking leaves, weeding gardens, shoveling snow, and power-washing driveways are seasonal services that can bring in between $10 to $30 per job. Doing chores for neighbors, such as taking out trash cans or organizing garages, typically pays $5 to $15 per task.
Tutoring younger students is valuable for kids who excel in school subjects. Local tutoring rates typically range from $15 to $30 per hour for basic subjects like math and reading, and higher rates apply for SAT prep or specialized subjects. Some kids also offer music lessons, sports coaching, or help with homework via informal arrangements in their community.
Online opportunities have expanded since 2020, with platforms allowing teens to complete tasks like taking surveys, testing websites, or selling used items online. Survey sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie report that teens can earn $50 to $200 monthly with consistent participation, though earnings vary widely by location and how often tasks are available.
Practical Takeaway: The most reliable income sources for kids combine low barriers to entry with real demand in their immediate community. Babysitting, pet-sitting, and yard work require only word-of-mouth marketing and proven reliability. Young people should start with what their neighbors and family need, build a reputation, and expand from there.
Age-Appropriate Jobs for Different Age Groups
The type of work kids can do legally and safely depends heavily on their age. Federal law and state regulations set different minimum ages and working conditions for various jobs. Understanding these rules protects young workers from exploitation and helps parents ensure their children are in safe situations.
Free Guide to Progressive Insurance Payment Options →
Children ages 8 to 11 generally work best with informal jobs that require minimal responsibility. These include collecting and recycling cans, washing cars for family and neighbors, organizing garage sales, selling lemonade, and doing basic chores. Many kids this age also deliver newspapers or flyers in their neighborhoods. The key is that these jobs should be safe, not interfere with school, and take no more than a few hours per week. Earnings at this level typically range from $20 to $100 monthly depending on how much work they do.
Preteens ages 12 to 14 can expand into babysitting, pet-sitting, and yard work if they demonstrate responsibility. They might also work as mother's helpers, assisting adults with childcare for younger children. Some can deliver newspapers through official programs or work part-time at family businesses. Many states allow this age group to work limited hours during school weeks and more hours during summer. Federal minimum wage applies in most cases, though some family businesses may offer lower rates as teaching tools.
Teenagers ages 15 to 17 can legally work in many non-hazardous industries and have the most job opportunities. They can work at retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores, and other businesses, usually earning minimum wage or higher. Federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have higher minimums ranging from $10 to $15 per hour. Work-hour restrictions exist—typically no more than 3 hours on school days and 8 hours on non-school days—but these vary by state. During summer break, teens can often work full-time within their state's regulations.
Teenagers 16 and older face fewer restrictions in most states and can work in additional industries beyond retail and food service. Some can work in warehouses, factories, or skilled trades as apprentices. Self-employment through social media content creation, freelance writing, graphic design, or other digital services is also open to older teens with the skills and discipline to manage it.
Practical Takeaway: Parents should research their specific state's child labor laws before allowing kids to work. The U.S. Department of Labor website provides state-by-state regulations. A general rule is that younger children do informal neighborhood jobs, preteens expand into babysitting and yard work, and teenagers can pursue formal employment at businesses. Each step should match the child's maturity level and the job's actual safety requirements.
Setting Prices and Getting Customers
Pricing services fairly is one of the biggest challenges young entrepreneurs face. Setting rates too high means no one will hire them; setting rates too low means they undervalue their work and struggle to earn meaningful income. Research into local market rates is the best starting point.
Free Guide to Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans →
For service-based jobs like babysitting and pet-sitting, visiting Care.com, Rover.com, or Wag.com shows what established providers in their zip code actually charge. For yard work, asking neighbors what they paid their last service provider or checking local Facebook community groups reveals typical prices. A child might also ask trusted adults like parents' friends what they would pay for specific services in their area. This research takes 30 minutes to an hour but prevents pricing mistakes that could cost hundreds of dollars over a season.
Pricing should consider the child's age and experience level. A 12-year-old babysitter might charge $10 to $12 per hour in a suburban area, while a 16-year-old with experience and references might charge $15 to $18 per hour in the same area. First-time lawn mowers might charge $15 per yard, while someone with two seasons of experience might charge $25. As skills improve and the child builds a reputation, prices can gradually increase.
Getting customers starts with telling people about the service. The most effective approach for kids is personal networking—telling neighbors, family friends, and relatives what services they offer. Creating a simple flyer with their name, phone number or email, and what they offer, then leaving it with neighbors, is low-cost and effective. Asking parents to share information with their own networks (book clubs, church groups, work friends) often brings jobs quickly. For older teens, creating a simple Instagram page, TikTok account, or Facebook page dedicated to their service can reach more people, though this requires posting consistently and responding to inquiries promptly.
Word-of-mouth is the most powerful marketing tool. Doing excellent work—showing up on time, working carefully, and following through on promises—naturally leads to repeat customers and referrals. A babysitter who is attentive and leaves the house clean will be recommended to that family's friends. A lawn mower who edges the sidewalk and cleans up all clippings will be asked back and referred to neighbors. Building this reputation takes time but eventually generates steady income with minimal ongoing marketing effort.
Practical Takeaway: Young people should research local rates for their specific service and area, price modestly at first while building experience, and focus on doing quality work that generates word-of-mouth referrals. A simple flyer, text message to neighbors, or social media post can jumpstart the first few jobs. Once the first few customers are happy, referrals typically follow naturally.
Managing Money and Staying Safe
Earning money is only half the equation; managing it responsibly and staying safe while working are equally important. Young workers should understand how to handle money, avoid scams, and protect themselves on the job.
How to Pay Your Credit One Bank Card Online →
Getting paid safely means meeting customers in safe locations and using secure payment methods. For in-person jobs like babysitting or yard work, payment in cash at the end of the job is most common. Kids should never accept checks or requests to work without pay. For online work or gig-economy services, payment typically goes through the platform (like