How to Make Money as a High Schooler

Earning money as a high school student offers many benefits, including valuable experience, skill development, and financial independence. Securing an income stream during high school is a formative step, whether saving for college, managing personal expenses, or gaining professional exposure. This early engagement builds a foundation for future financial literacy and career success.

Finding Part-Time and Summer Jobs

Securing a part-time or summer job provides high school students with work experience and income. Opportunities include retail (sales associates) or food service (cashier, barista, server). Other options involve caring for others or animals, such as babysitting, pet sitting, or dog walking. Lifeguarding and camp counseling are also frequent choices, especially during summer.

Finding opportunities often begins with checking online job boards for teens or general employment sites. Local businesses, especially in retail and food service, often display “hiring” signs or accept direct inquiries. School career services can also connect students with local employers. Networking with family, friends, and community members can reveal unadvertised openings; many jobs are found through personal connections.

When applying, a resume should highlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and any relevant skills. A cover letter tailored to the job can introduce the applicant and express interest. Fill out job applications accurately and completely, providing all requested information.

Preparing for an interview involves researching the company to understand its mission. Practicing answers to common questions can build confidence. Dress appropriately and arrive early to demonstrate professionalism and punctuality. During the interview, maintain good eye contact, use positive body language, and ask thoughtful questions to leave a strong impression. Follow up with a thank-you note or email after the interview.

Once hired, students complete new-hire paperwork, including tax forms and employment agreements. Many jobs provide initial training to familiarize new employees with responsibilities and policies. This onboarding process integrates the student into the workplace, preparing them for daily tasks and interactions.

Starting Your Own Small Business or Services

Starting a small business offers flexibility and entrepreneurial experience for high school students. Many ventures emerge from identifying community needs. Examples include service-based roles like babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care, or car washing. Tutoring younger students in academic subjects or music is another option, leveraging existing skills. Creative students can craft and sell handmade goods, such as jewelry or baked items.

Setting up a service involves defining services and determining competitive pricing. Researching local rates helps establish fair pricing. Acquiring basic supplies or equipment is often the initial investment, which can be minimal. For instance, lawn care might require a mower, while tutoring needs educational materials.

Marketing these services can be done through simple, cost-effective methods. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients are valuable. Local flyers or notices in community centers, schools, or neighborhood groups can reach a targeted audience. Social media platforms, especially those with local community groups, allow for broader reach and direct engagement. Consistency in branding and content helps build an online presence.

Delivering quality work and maintaining professionalism build a positive reputation and secure repeat business. Punctuality, clear communication, and reliability ensure client satisfaction. Addressing concerns and delivering on promises fosters trust and encourages referrals.

Maintaining basic financial records is practical for any small business owner. This involves tracking income and expenses. Simple spreadsheets or notebooks can record transactions, helping understand profitability. While complex accounting is not necessary for informal ventures, this practice provides a clear overview of the business’s financial health.

Online Earning Opportunities

The digital landscape provides many avenues for high school students to earn money, often with flexible schedules. One popular path involves content creation, where students can monetize interests, such as a YouTube channel for ad revenue or sponsorships. Blogging offers similar opportunities via affiliate marketing, promoting products or services for a commission. Social media influencing on platforms like TikTok or Instagram can lead to brand deals. Success requires passion, consistency, and audience engagement.

Online freelancing platforms connect students with clients seeking services. High schoolers can offer skills like graphic design, writing, video editing, social media management, or virtual assistance. Building a portfolio with work samples is often necessary to showcase capabilities and attract clients. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork are common, though some may have age restrictions or require parental consent.

Online surveys and micro-tasks are accessible options. Websites pay users for completing surveys, watching videos, or performing small tasks. While earnings are typically modest, they offer convenient supplemental income in spare moments. Reputable sites for paid surveys include Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and YouGov, with some allowing participation from age 13 with parental consent.

Selling items online is a viable option. This involves selling handmade goods on platforms like Etsy, often with parental guidance due to age requirements. Reselling items like clothing or collectibles on marketplaces like eBay or local online groups can turn unused items into cash. Students with digital skills can also create and sell digital products like art or templates.

When engaging in online earning, safety is important. Be cautious about sharing personal information and wary of opportunities that seem too good to be true. Many online platforms require users to be at least 18, so parental involvement or consent may be necessary for minors to participate safely.

Understanding Work Regulations and Taxes

When high school students earn money, be aware of regulations and tax implications. Age and work permit requirements vary; federal law generally prohibits employment for those under 14 in non-agricultural jobs. Most states require minors under 18 to obtain a work permit. This permit, often obtained through the student’s school or state labor department, ensures the minor meets employment criteria. Exemptions sometimes apply to casual jobs like babysitting or yard work for private homes.

Child labor laws, established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), set limits on working hours and prohibit certain hazardous occupations for minors. For example, 14- and 15-year-olds cannot work more than 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours per school week. During non-school periods, they are limited to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Restrictions also apply to working late at night, usually past 7 p.m. during the school year, extending to 9 p.m. from June 1st through Labor Day. These laws protect young workers’ health, well-being, and educational opportunities.

All earned income is subject to federal income tax if it exceeds certain thresholds. For the 2024 tax year, a dependent minor must file a tax return if their earned income exceeds $14,600. If a minor has only unearned income, like from investments, the filing threshold is lower, at $1,300 for 2024. When a minor has both earned and unearned income, filing is required if their gross income is greater than $1,300 or the sum of their earned income plus $450.

For those employed by a business, a W-4 form is completed upon hiring, helping the employer withhold federal income tax from paychecks. Self-employed minors, earning income from their business or services, may receive a Form 1099-NEC if they earn $600 or more from one payer. Self-employment income is also subject to self-employment tax, covering Social Security and Medicare, if net earnings exceed $400 annually. This tax applies regardless of whether the income meets the regular income tax filing threshold. Keeping simple records of income and expenses is advisable for all earning activities, as this documentation supports tax reporting and provides a clear financial overview.