The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum age of employment, restricts the number of hours youths below the age of 16 may work, and prohibits teens under the age of 18 from hazardous occupations.

The FLSA also establishes subminimum wage standards for the following: full-time students, apprentices, student learners, workers with disabilities, and certain workers under the age of 20.

Employers must obtain authorization from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) in order to pay subminimum wage rates.

Minors aged 14 and 15 who are employed in permissible occupations must abide by the following work hours:

• Work outside school hours
• While school is in session:
  • Must not work more than 18 hours a week
  • Must not work more than 3 hours in a day, including Fridays
  • Work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on any one day
• While school is out of session:
  • Must not work more than 40 hours a week
  • Must not work more than 8 hours in a day
  • May work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. between June 1 and Labor Day

As you are now aware of the laws and regulations regarding employment for minors, we can move on to looking at some high-paying jobs for 14-year-olds in 2022.

40 Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds

1. Teen model

As a teen model, you have the opportunity to work with large companies and businesses to help promote their products and/or services. You can specialize in commercial modeling, parts modeling, or editorial modeling.

Commercial models are those who promote products or services through different mediums such as television, magazines, and catalogs. They come in all shapes and sizes to appeal to the target demographic of the product. For example, a plus-size model would be more likely to sell plus-size clothing than a slim model.

As a teen, you can earn a high hourly rate as a parts model if you have the “perfect” hands, legs, feet, hair, or other body parts that companies are looking for to help market their products. The average hourly pay for teen models in the U.S. is $25, with the highest earners making up to $70 an hour. This means that a teen model has the potential to earn an annual salary of $51,141 on average, and as high as $148,000 a year.

2. Teen actor

This job has a high likelihood of Enjoying a successful career in the film industry. You can start by going for auditions and being part of movie extras. With time, you gain experience and can audition for prominent roles.

Some states in the United States regulate child entertainment and require teens aged below 18 to get a work permit if they are going to be part of a film or television program.

States that require a work permit for teens under the age of 18 include:

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Virginia have all legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. Washington has also legalized marijuana for recreational use.

There is a great deal of variation in pay for teen actors depending on a number of factors, however it remains one of the most lucrative professions 14-year-olds can aspire to.

3. Pet sitter & dog walker

This will be ideal for you if you love pets. There are many pet owners willing to pay for pet sitting and dog walking services. These pet owners do not have the time to do it themselves may be due to busy schedules, long working hours, illness, unforeseen commitments, or are away on vacations.

Pet owners with exotic pets are always willing to pay for specialized pet care services because exotic pets require more attention and care.

At 14 years old, you have the opportunity to make a high hourly wage of up to $29 by dog walking or pet sitting, as reported by PayScale. On average, pet sitting pays $12.99 per hour, but some have the potential to earn much more. This makes it a great option for those looking to start earning money at a young age.

4. Babysitter

This job is perfect for teenagers who love spending time with kids and are looking for a high-paying position. As a babysitter, your responsibilities will include keeping the child safe, preparing meals and snacks, playing games, changing diapers, bathing and dressing young babies, getting children ready for bed, and helping with homework as needed.

According to Care.com, babysitters earn an average of $13.44 an hour. Red Cross certification may help increase your hourly pay as a babysitter.

5. Daycare assistant

Daycare assistants typically earn between $14 and $15 per hour. Their responsibilities may include supervising children, preparing meals, facilitating play activities and helping to organize mealtimes and snacks.

There are many places where daycare assistant jobs can be found such as schools, child daycare facilities, religious organizations, and people’s homes. This job is perfect for teens who love kids and enjoy spending time with them.

As a first-time babysitter, you can earn around $9.50 per hour. However, your hourly wages will gradually increase over time and you could potentially earn up to $15/hr.

6. Golf caddy

The minimum age to work as a golf caddy is 14 years. Some golf clubs hire 13-year-olds. Golf caddies typically work with golfers and their tasks include:

• carrying golf bags
• cleaning golf balls
• cleaning the pin
• replacing ball marks
• operating the golf cart fleet
• measuring yardages
• holding the flag

If you’re passionate about golf and would like to spend time around professional golfers, you can pursue a full-time career as a caddy. Entry-level pay for new and teenage caddies is $16/hr, with experienced caddies earning more than $34/hr.

According to this guide, teenage golf caddies can earn between $80 and $120 for a day’s work.

7. Yard worker

As a 14-year-old, you are not allowed to use power-driven mowers, trimmers, cutters, edgers, or similar equipment; however, you can still perform other maintenance tasks such as spreading mulch, pulling weeds, planting flowers, mowing the grass, and trimming bushes. Yard workers are responsible for the upkeep of grounds around businesses, public buildings, and private homes.

There are many factors that affect how much a lawn or yard worker gets paid, such as the size of the lawn, location, and tasks completed. Typically, these workers earn between $7.70 and $18.30 per hour, with the mean hourly pay being $14.

8. Restaurant worker

Baristas make coffee drinks by following specific recipes. They operate cash registers and take payments from customers. The average hourly pay for a barista is $9.24.

There are many opportunities for 14-year-olds to earn a high hourly rate in restaurants and similar establishments. Dishwashing, serving, and bartending are all positions that offer an average hourly rate above minimum wage. In addition, these positions often come with the opportunity to earn tips, which can significantly increase earnings.

Baristas prepare drinks such as coffee and tea and attend to the needs of the customers. They may explain menu items to customers and offer appropriate blend suggestions based on customer preferences. Baristas also keep the work environment tidy, including restaurant surfaces and tables.

9. Youth sports referee

Working as a youth sports referee is a high-paying job for 14-year-olds. You can do this job even at the age of 12 or 13. Your role will be to officiate games between sports teams in a youth league.

The role of a referee is to ensure all the players adhere to the rules of the game, award fouls & penalties when necessary, and make other necessary calls during the game.

Youth sports referees earn between $20 and $50 per game at the youth league level and as high as $100 per game when officiating high school games.

10. Dog Walker

As a freelancer, dog walking is a strong option due to the $12.68 hourly pay rate. To increase earnings, dog walkers can take on clients from multiple households.

11. Grocery Bagger

While some chain stores won’t hire younger employees for cashiering jobs, many will bring 14-year-olds onboard for specific roles, including the grocery bagger job. With these, your main responsibility is to bag up customer purchases. In some cases, you may also help them get items into their vehicles.

Many supermarkets hire 14-year-olds for grocery bagging positions. The pay is often close to $12 per hour, which is good considering no prior experience is required.

12. Dishwasher

If you’re looking for a job that requires little to no experience, becoming a restaurant dishwasher could be a great choice. Many of the restrictions that apply to restaurants don’t apply to this role, making it a decent choice for younger workers. Plus, the pay rate is reasonable, at about $12.00 per hour.

13. Concession Worker

Since there can be cooking-related restrictions for younger workers, many restaurants hesitate to bring in someone under the age of 16. However, concession workers are different. While they may use some cooking equipment, most of the equipment used is not restricted to younger workers.

Movie theaters, ballparks, theme parks, zoos, and aquariums may all be places that hire at 14 for concession worker positions. The pay rates can vary depending on where you work, usually falling in the $8.00 to $12.00 per hour range. However, some workers make over $16.00 an hour, which is pretty great.

14. Fast Food Worker

Another option for 14-year-olds that may be appropriate is fast food restaurants. While some duties, such as those involving deep fryers or open flames, are not available to younger employees, many other duties may be performed.

The benefit of considering fast food is that the positions are widely available. In addition, pay rates are often competitive, with an average hourly wage of $11.60.

15. Cart Pusher

If you are looking for a job that is straightforward and does not require being indoors, working as a cart pusher is a good option for 14-year-olds. Your primary responsibility is to collect carts from the parking lot and bring them back into the store. Other duties can include wiping down carts to keep them clean or removing garbage that shoppers left behind.

The pay rate is reasonable considering how simple the work is overall. Usually, it comes in somewhere in the $10.00 to $16.00 range, which is not bad for such a low-stress job.

16. Pet Sitter

One of the good jobs for 14-year-olds that love animals is pet sitting. Pet sitters ensure that a household’s pets stay healthy, fed, and comfortable while their owners are away. Along with feedings, pet sitters may be responsible for exercising or playing with the animals. They may also need to handle bathroom-related responsibilities, depending on the kind of pet.

How much you earn as a pet sitter can depend on the number of animals involved and whether any have special needs. However, bringing in about $12.68 per hour is typical.

17. Car Washer

Inquire about freelance opportunities with local car washes or automotive detailers. Many 14-year-olds work in these establishments to gain experience in the industry and make some extra spending money.

18. Housekeeper / Janitor

Many teenagers have experience cleaning houses or professional buildings, as it is not entirely dissimilar to cleaning one’s own home. You can often find freelancing opportunities for this type of work, but there are also companies that hire younger employees. The average pay rate for this type of work is around $12.30 per hour.

19. Farmhand

When it comes to finding a good job for a 14-year-old who wants to stay active, working as a farmhand could be an ideal choice. The tasks are easy to understand but usually involve quite a bit of physical effort, making them a great way to stay in shape while earning some money.

Pay rates for farmhands are typically quite high, too. For example, farmhands in the United States typically earn around $13.89 per hour.

20. Newspaper Delivery

A newspaper delivery job is a great option for younger teens looking to enter the workforce. Newspaper bundles are delivered to subscribers’ homes, and workers are typicallypaid about $15.00 per hour. Routes can be completed on foot or by bicycle.

21. Poop Scooper

Many dog owners are willing to pay for the removal of their pet’s feces from their yard. This can be a solid option for teenagers who are having difficulty finding traditional jobs that hire at 14.

In order to be successful in this business, it is advisable to market your services to nearby homes and charge by the job instead of by the hour.

When considering how to price your services, a number of factors could come into play. However, a reasonable range for this services could be $10.00 to $50.00, depending on the size of the yard and the number of dogs.

22. Food Prep Worker

Food prep workers play an important role in larger restaurant kitchens. Your main responsibility as a food prep worker is to make sure that the ingredients a restaurant’s cooks need are ready to go. In some cases, you’ll also do some light dish assembly or assist with dishes, though that isn’t always the case.

The work is fairly simple and can serve as an excellent foundation for a culinary career. Plus, it usually pays around $12.00 per hour, which isn’t bad for a 14-year-old.

23. Floral Clerk

Some grocers who have floral departments may hire 14-year-olds to assist as floral clerks. The duties of a floral clerk include taking orders from customers, cutting flowers, and making arrangements. In some cases, they may also be responsible for stocking specific shelves or assisting with other celebration-oriented products. For example, filling helium balloons.

This job is ideal for 14-year-olds as it is low-stress and allows young teens to adjust to working with greater ease. Pay rates can vary depending on where you live, but are typically in the $8.00 to $16.00 per hour range.

24. Ice Cream Scooper

Would you be interested in a position as an ice cream scooper? You would be responsible for creating frozen treats for customers, including sundaes, milkshakes, and more. The pay rates for this position tend to come in somewhere between $8.00 and $16.00 per hour. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll get an employee discount. Let me know if you would be interested in this position.

25. Work at Movie Theatres

If you are passionate about movies, working at your local theater could be a great option for you. 14-year-olds can typically find employment doing tasks such as checking tickets, selling snacks, and cleaning the rooms. This can be a great way to earn some money while balancing school.

26. Work at Grocery Stores

In addition to movie theaters, another option for teenagers looking to make some extra money is working at a grocery store. Popular chains such as Fareway and Publix offer positions for 14-year-olds. To see if any local stores have any job openings, it is recommended that you reach out and inquire. Most likely, you will be able to get a position stocking shelves or bagging groceries.

27. Babysitting

Family members and neighbors are always in need of babysitters. As a 14-year-old, you can take on this responsibility to make some extra cash. You just have to ask around and see if anyone needs help.

28. Pet Sitting

If you are not interested in babysitting, you could become a petsitter. As a petsitter, you would be responsible for watching pets while the owners are away. If the owners are going to be gone for an extended period of time, you may be able to take the pet to your home. Petsitting is a good way to make money for both young teens and adults.

29. Landscaping

If you’re interested in making money through manual labor, landscaping may be a good option for you. You can find landscaping gigs in your neighborhood and get paid for doing lawn care. This job depends on good weather, so if you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll need to find another source of income. To get started, you’ll need a few tools. Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable worker, this can be a profitable gig.

30. Seasonal Jobs

There are many seasonal jobs available to 14-year-olds. For example, in the winter you can remove snow for your neighbors or in the summer you can work as a pool cleaner. Many retail stores also look for help around Christmas. So think about what’s possible and take advantage of the seasonal opportunities that are available to you.

31. Power Washing

Power washing is a seasonal job that can only be done in good weather. You can make good money with power washing by investing in a pressure washer and power washing yards. It is not an easy job, but if you don’t mind some physical work, it can be an excellent job for a 14-year-old.

32. Mobile Car Wash

Another physical job that you can do to make money is to have a mobile car washing service. You’ll need soap, a bucket, cloths, and water to start making money. Keep in mind that this is manual labor, so make sure this job is right for you before you get started. You’ll also have to attract cars to wash; this is more of a business than a job.

33. Small Business Helper

Small businesses are always in need of extra help, and you can offer your assistance in exchange for a paycheck. If large retailers won’t hire you as a 14-year-old, check with small businesses in your city/town. Small business owners work hard, and they would appreciate some extra help. You can get jobs like packing up products, cashier, cleaner, etc. Simply ask and land yourself a job!

34. Survey Sites

It can be difficult to find employment as a 14-year-old; however, there are a number of ways to make money from home quickly, such as completing small tasks on survey sites.

35. Re-seller

A unique way to make money is through reselling items. Because you are your own boss, how much you make depends on how hard you work. You can purchase items for a low price and then sell them at a higher price.

You can find items to resell at yard sales, thrift stores, and online through websites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. For example, you can find a children’s toy for $5 and sell it for $10 to quickly make a $5 profit. It’s a straightforward method, but you need some money to buy items, so keep this in mind when planning your budget.

36. Tutor

There are many opportunities for 14-year-olds to make money by tutoring kids who are the same age or younger. If you’re good at a specific subject, check with your school for tutoring opportunities. You can also have your parents check with their friends or co-workers to spread the word. It might be hard to land your first tutoring job, but you’ll start to land gigs more easily over time.

37. Lifeguard

Working as a lifeguard is a great way to earn money, especially if you live in a warm state or during the summertime. While you may need to be older or have more experience to work at a beach, there are other places that are always hiring, like the YMCA or community pools. Being a lifeguard is a great summer job for anyone who loves the water and is a strong swimmer.

38. Virtual Assistant

A 14-year-old could find work as a virtual assistant, with duties such as sending emails, scheduling meetings, bookkeeping, etc. The duties would vary depending on the employer, but the work would all be done remotely.

The work can be tedious, but the employee would gain valuable communication skills in the process. Businesses owners who might need some help from a virtual assistant can be checked with to see if they are hiring.

39. Video Editor

Although you may have heard that being a YouTuber can be a great way to earn money as a teenager, it is important to note that it takes time to build up a channel before any revenue starts to come in. Think of being a YouTuber as running your own business – it takes time and effort to get things off the ground, but can be very rewarding in the long run.

You can become a video editor for other YouTubers if you want to get into the YouTube game without starting your own channel. Just reach out to YouTubers to see if they need help editing their videos. You will need to know how to edit videos, but this is a skill you can learn over time.

40. Freelance Writer

Blogging is a business that can make you a lot of money; however, there is no guarantee that you will make money, and even if you make money, it can take a long time to earn a significant income. Instead of starting a blog, you can become a freelance writer for bloggers and get paid for every article you write! To land a job, reach out to blog owners and see if they are currently hiring.