6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (2024)

At age 14, you're old enough to get working papers—also known as work permits—in most states. You will need the signature of parents and an employer willing to sign them. However, even with these papers in hand, you're still too young to operate machinery, use knives, serve alcohol, or drive a car.

If you're lucky enough to have an employer ready to sign your papers and hire you for age-appropriate work and wages, congratulations. If not, consider several other money-earning options.

01

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Babysitter

6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (1)

Babysitting is a very popular way for a 14-year-old to make money. The American Red Cross offers babysitterclasses to prepare 11- to 15-year-olds for babysitting. Be aware, though, that babysitting isn't for everyone. If you're looking after an infant, you may need to change diapers, prepare a bottle, or cope with a gassy tummy. Toddlers require complete focus—one minute of distraction could lead to disaster. Young children can be demanding and noisy and hard to manage. In short, babysitting isn't just a chance to get paid while watching TV and eating snacks. It's real work and a major responsibility.

Working for a Business or Restaurant

6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (2)

If you have your working papers in hand and are looking for employment, know that you're still limited to the types of jobs you can get at age 14. Options may includebussing tables at a restaurant, stocking shelves at a store, scooping ice cream, helping with yard maintenance, or doing filing and similar work in an office.

03

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Paper Route

Paper routes used to be the go-to option for young people with energy and a desire to make some money. Opportunities still are available, but they are tougher to find. That's because many newspapers have gone to web formats, while others have hired services that deliver papers quickly by car.

If you can find a local routeand you have the willingness and energy to get out there and deliver in all types of weather, you may have a gold mine on your hands.People enjoy receiving a paper from a young person on a bike and often are willing to tip lavishly—especially around the holidays.

04

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Yard Work and Snow Shoveling

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If you enjoy outdoor work, there is usually a market for your services. There are also year-round opportunities to make money. Some options for yard work include raking leaves in the fall, shoveling snow in the winter, yard clean-up and planting in the spring, and mowing and weeding in the summer. Be sure you negotiate a fair hourly fee for your work as you'll be working hard.

05

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Pet Care

6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (5)

Pet care can involve anything from taking a dog for a daily walk and cleaning up after it to looking after a goldfish while its owners are away. By advertising and getting good references, you actually can become the neighborhood pet-care professional—the person neighbors turn to when they go out of town. You will need to be very responsible with homeowners' keys: The first time you forget to lock up the house, you're likely to lose your job.

06

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Junior Camp Counselor

6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (6)

If you're a kid who has always enjoyed camp, now may be the right time to become a junior counselor, sometimes called a counselor in training. Junior counselorsmake less money than full-fledged counselors, but they also get more time to just enjoy camp. If you do well as a junior counselor, you may find it easy to slip into a senior counselor position when you turn 16.

What Do You Love?

While making money is a fine ambition in itself, it's not enough to keep you motivated and focused for the long term. Think hard about the demands of the job you're pursuing before you take on the responsibility.

6 Great Work Options for Ambitious 14-Year-Olds (2024)

FAQs

What is the best job to start at 14? ›

15 of the best jobs for teens
  • Kennel assistant.
  • Grocery store cashier.
  • Restaurant host/hostess.
  • Barista.
  • Car wash attendant.
  • Lifeguard.
  • Restaurant server.
  • Library assistant.
Apr 8, 2024

How can I make money at the age of 14? ›

Teens can make money with traditional jobs like babysitting, cutting lawns, washing cars, or working part time in restaurants or retail. Online opportunities for teens to make money include blogging, programming, and social media management.

What is the best job while in high school? ›

Here are 13 jobs that let high school students balance their academic schedule and gain work experience:
  • Movie theater cashier or usher.
  • Front desk receptionist.
  • Yard worker.
  • Pet sitter or dog walker.
  • Babysitter.
  • Delivery driver.
  • Tutor.
  • Grocery store associate.
Mar 16, 2023

Is 14 too early to get a job? ›

The rules vary depending upon the particular age of the minor and the particular job involved. As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years old as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.

What is the best first job for high school students? ›

Here are a few of the best jobs for high school students with no experience:
  • Customer Service Representative. ...
  • Food Delivery Driver. ...
  • Front Desk Receptionist. ...
  • Restaurant Crew Member. ...
  • Lifeguard. ...
  • Ice Cream Scooper. ...
  • Tutor. ...
  • Valet Parking Attendant.
Jan 6, 2023

Can you work at Chick Fil A at 15 in California? ›

What is the age requirement? How old do you have to be to work at chick fil a in california. 15 years of age.

What job makes the most money? ›

Top 100 high-paying jobs
  1. Cardiologist. National average salary: $351,827 per year.
  2. Anesthesiologist. National average salary: $326,296 per year.
  3. Orthodontist. National average salary: $264,850 per year.
  4. Psychiatrist. National average salary: $224,577 per year.
  5. Surgeon. ...
  6. Periodontist. ...
  7. Physician. ...
  8. Dentist.
Apr 8, 2024

How can I make $500 as a kid? ›

To make $500 as a kid, consider these options:
  1. Offer neighborhood services like dog walking or lawn mowing.
  2. Sell handmade crafts or baked goods online or at local events.
  3. Tutor peers in subjects you excel in or teach basic tech skills.
  4. Organize a garage sale to sell unused items.

How can a 14 year old make 1000 dollars? ›

Some of our top ways to make money at 14 years old include:
  1. Babysit.
  2. Help out at home.
  3. Start a blog.
  4. Wash cars.
  5. Sell old clothing online.
  6. Freelance writing.
  7. Tutoring.
  8. Make and sell things.
Feb 6, 2023

How can a 12 13 year old make money? ›

Making Money as a 13-Year-Old: Turn Your Skills into Cold, Hard Cash
  • Online Surveys.
  • Online Freelancing.
  • Social Media Influencing.
  • Self-Publishing.
  • Make and Sell Crafts.
  • Online Auctions.
  • Yard Sales.
  • Odd Jobs.

How can I make $100 000 a year without a college degree? ›

9 jobs that pay $100K per year without a degree
  1. Information systems manager. ...
  2. Fire chief. ...
  3. Product manager. ...
  4. Senior engagement manager. ...
  5. Radiation therapist. ...
  6. Computer network architect. ...
  7. Senior real estate manager. ...
  8. Technical program manager.
May 24, 2023

What's the most easiest high paying job? ›

High-paying simple jobs
  • Groundskeeper.
  • Accounting clerk.
  • Librarian.
  • Garbage truck driver.
  • Massage therapist.
  • Claims adjuster.
  • Customer service representative.
  • Chauffeur.
Jan 9, 2024

What is the highest paying job with little school? ›

What Is the Highest-Paying Job Without a Degree?
  • Commercial Pilots: $121,430.
  • Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $94,560.
  • First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: $91,090.
  • Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers: $85,950.
  • Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers: $84,990.

What is the best job for a 13 year old? ›

Think about what you enjoy as you read about these 13 jobs 13-year-olds can do to make some extra money.
  1. Babysitter 👶 One of the most popular jobs for teens is babysitting younger kids. ...
  2. Online jobs 🖥️ ...
  3. Housekeeper ...
  4. Dog walker 🐕 ...
  5. eBay reseller 🛍️ ...
  6. Landscaper 🌱 ...
  7. Blogger or Vlogger 💻 ...
  8. Camp counselor ⛺
Aug 28, 2023

What is the best job for a 15 year old? ›

Top 10 Jobs That Hire at 14 and 15
  • Cashier. ...
  • Dog Walker. ...
  • Grocery Bagger. ...
  • Restaurant Host. ...
  • Lifeguard. ...
  • Tutor. ...
  • Camp Counselor. ...
  • Babysitter. Babysitters watch young children when the parents or caregivers are away.
Sep 17, 2022

What is the youngest Baskin Robbins hires? ›

You have to be at least 16 years of age to work at Baskin Robbins.

What is the highest paying job in the world? ›

Details on the Top 5 Highest Paying Jobs in the World
  1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. ...
  2. Anesthesiologist. ...
  3. General Surgeons. ...
  4. Psychiatrist. ...
  5. Data Scientists.

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