How to Make Money at 19 With No Experience

At 19, navigating the financial landscape offers many opportunities, even without prior work experience. This period allows exploration of income-generating avenues, building a foundation for financial independence and career growth. Understanding available possibilities helps young adults find paths aligning with their interests and capabilities, fostering valuable skills.

Employment Opportunities

Traditional employment is a reliable path for gaining income and professional experience. Many entry-level positions across various sectors are accessible without extensive work history, offering structured environments and hourly wages.

Retail, with roles like sales associate or stock clerk, offers customer service and inventory skills. The food service industry, including fast food and restaurants, frequently hires for positions like cashier, server, or kitchen staff. These jobs often require strong communication and reliability.

Administrative support roles like office assistant or receptionist focus on organizational and basic computer skills. Entry-level positions in warehouses or as delivery drivers (depending on age and licensing) are also available, emphasizing physical labor. The average hourly pay for an entry-level position in the United States is around $16.02, typically ranging between $12.02 and $19.23 per hour. Opportunities can be found on online job boards, company websites, and local business postings.

Freelance and Gig Work

Freelance and gig work offer flexible alternatives to traditional employment, allowing individuals to earn income on their own schedule. This work involves short-term contracts or task-based assignments, suiting those who prefer self-directed tasks and managing multiple projects.

Common gig opportunities include delivery services for food or packages through platforms like DoorDash or Amazon Flex, though some may have age restrictions. Online tutoring, content creation, social media management, and data entry are also accessible options, often found on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Many of these roles can be performed remotely, requiring only a computer and internet access.

Service-based gigs like pet sitting, lawn care, or babysitting leverage community networks and word-of-mouth referrals. Platforms like Care.com connect individuals with caregiving opportunities. Success in freelance and gig work depends on self-discipline, time management, and marketing skills.

Starting a Small Business

Entrepreneurship offers income generation with potential for independence and growth, even with limited capital. Many viable business ideas require low startup costs, suitable for young individuals, often leveraging existing skills or hobbies.

Examples include selling handmade goods online via platforms like Etsy, or reselling items from thrift stores. Offering specialized services like web design, photography, or digital marketing can also be profitable. Content creation, such as writing or graphic design, requires minimal investment beyond a computer and internet.

Other low-cost ideas involve service-based businesses like dog walking, pet sitting, or home cleaning. Identifying a specific niche or market need is an important consideration for any new business. While entrepreneurship demands initiative and responsibility, starting small allows for learning and adaptation without substantial financial risk.

Financial Considerations for Earned Income

Understanding basic financial principles is important when earning income, regardless of the source. Budgeting involves tracking money coming in and going out, which helps in creating a spending plan. This practice is important for managing finances effectively and avoiding unnecessary debt.

Saving a portion of earned income is important for short-term goals, emergencies, or future investments like education. Establishing a savings habit early provides a financial safety net and contributes to long-term stability.

Income from traditional employment (W-2) or self-employment (1099) is generally subject to federal income taxes. For W-2 employees, taxes like Social Security and Medicare are typically withheld. Self-employed individuals pay both employer and employee portions of these taxes, known as self-employment tax, totaling 15.3% on net earnings.

Self-employed individuals must also consider making estimated tax payments quarterly to cover their income and self-employment tax obligations, as taxes are not automatically withheld from their earnings. A tax return generally needs to be filed if net earnings from self-employment exceed $400, or if gross income surpasses certain filing requirements for single individuals, such as $14,600 for those under 65 in 2024. Awareness of these tax responsibilities is important for all income earners.