At 16 years old, you can apply for part-time, full-time or freelance jobs to earn money and gain experience. There are a variety of exciting jobs in different industries that can provide learning and networking opportunities. Knowing about the best jobs for 16-year-olds can help you find your next role. In this article, we list jobs 16-year-olds may pursue and provide the duties and average salaries for each role to help you find the right one for your goals and interests.

32 of the best jobs for 16-year-olds

There are many different types of paid employment opportunities available to 16-year-olds. Some common options include working in retail, hospitality, and customer service. There may also be opportunities to work as a babysitter or pet-sitter, or to participate in paid surveys and focus groups. Many 16-year-olds also find part-time work through their local school district.

1. Weekend cleaner

Average salary: $27.15 per hour

Primary duties:

A weekend cleaner helps clean offices, homes and commercial premises on weekends. They often work when a business or office is closed. Their duties include vacuuming, mopping the floors and wiping surfaces. They may also dust furniture, clean windows and take out the trash.

2. Dishwasher

Average salary: $19.67 per hour

Primary duties:

Dishwashers are an important part of restaurant operations. They help ensure guests have clean utensils and cutlery. They often work with other kitchen staff members to ensure the area is safe and healthy.

3. Cafe barista

Average salary: $25.64 per hour

Primary duties:

These professionals greet customers with a smile, take their food or drink orders and help prepare and serve beverages. They may also answer questions and process customer payments. They may also help prepare food items, depending on the location.

4. Ice cream scooper

Average salary: $23.45 per hour

Primary duties:

In this role, you will be scooping and serving ice cream to customers. You may be handling orders, taking payments and talking with customers. You may be answering customer questions, providing suggestions and assisting with inventory tasks.

5. Grocery merchandiser

Average salary: $26.86 per hour

Primary duties:

As a merchandiser, you will be responsible for helping store owners package and display groceries in a way that appeals to customers. Many merchandisers work in large chain stores, but some may work in small groceries store. They often help unpack deliveries and may help maintain an inventory.

6. Sandwich maker

Average salary: $24.09 per hour

Primary duties:

Restaurant sandwich makers typically perform several customer-facing duties, such as answering questions, taking orders and assembling sandwiches. They may also handle payment transactions.

7. Sales assistant

Average salary: $24.98 per hour

Primary duties:

At a retail store, sales assistants help customers find specific products and make card purchases. They may operate a cash register and assist the store manager in keeping the store tidy. They may also help unpack new items and display them in the store.

8. Ticket sales representative

Average salary: $29.29 per hour

Primary duties:

Ticket sales representatives sell tickets for events such as musicals, theatre, concerts and movies. They answer customer questions, discuss different showtimes and manage a cash register. They also discuss different seating options and encourage sales.

9. Concert usher

Average salary: $31.01 per hour

Primary duties:

Some of the duties of these professionals include assisting customers, reviewing tickets and providing directions. They may also answer customer questions. Their job is to help direct concert-goers to their seats in entertainment complexes, sports arenas, concert halls and other venues.

10. Parking attendant

Average salary: $33.42 per hour

Primary duties:

A parking attendant’s responsibilities include monitoring car parking activity to ensure patrons park their cars properly and follow safety rules. This may involve checking and scanning parking tags, collecting payments and assisting motorists with valet parking services. Parking attendants also typically work to keep the toll booth and surrounding areas clean.

11. Receptionist

Average salary: $20.95 per hour

Primary duties:

Receptionists are professional customer or client service representatives in an organisation. They answer phones, respond to customer questions, greet customers, and provide directions, among other duties. Receptionist opportunities may be found at local non-profit organisations, stores, or small businesses.

12. Lawn care worker

Average salary: $26.40 per hour

Primary duties:

Lawn care professionals are responsible for maintaining lawns by performing various tasks such as mowing the grass, trimming trees, planting flowers, and installing edging around flower beds. They may also help to maintain an area by cleaning and removing weeds.

13. Gardener

Average salary: $28.11 per hour

Primary duties:

Gardeners work with a variety of plants in order to maintain the health of the vegetation. This includes planting new crops, weeding, fertilising and watering the garden.

14. Dog walker

Average salary: $25.06 per hour

Primary duties:

Dog walkers provide an important service for pet owners by walking their dogs and giving them exercise when the owner is unavailable. They may also provide companionship to the pets during this time, and can assist with other tasks such as feeding or providing basic care.

15. Babysitter

Babysitting can be a good option for 16-year-olds who are looking for a flexible job that won’t interfere with their school schedule. If you babysit at night, you can use the time when the children are sleeping to do your homework and earn some extra money.

While you may not need any experience to get started, having a CPR and first aid certification can help you stand out from other potential babysitters. On average, babysitters make anywhere from $10 to $30 per hour, though this amount can vary depending on the number of children being watched, their ages and any other additional responsibilities.

16. Golf Caddy

If you live in a state with golf courses, working as a golf caddy is one of the best-paying jobs for 16-year-olds around. The pay rate is usually near $19.96 per hour. There’s also a chance for some tips, so you might get to bring home extra cash.

The work is simple and involves assisting golfers with their clubs, including carrying them between holes. It is a good way to stay active, as it can involve some lifting and walking. However, you may have to spend time outdoors, which may not be ideal. This is a great option for a summer job as it can be done during school break.

17. Farmhand

For teens living in a rural area, working as a farmhand is a great option. Much of the work happens during the early mornings, so you may be able to get some hours in before school. Other activities may be great for the afternoon, and some farms may just need some extra help on weekends.

The work can be physically demanding, so it’s an excellent option for staying in shape. Plus, you can earn around $13.89 per hour, giving you a nice paycheck too.

18. Restaurant Server

As a restaurant server, your main duties are to take customer orders, deliver food to tables, keep drinks filled, and tackle some light cleaning. Along with earning around $11.63 per hour, you could also pick up some healthy tips if you offer exceptional service. As a result, you might bring home quite a bit more than your hourly wage.

This job can be especially lucrative for those who provide excellent customer service, as tips can quickly add up. Plus, you don’t necessarily need any prior experience to get started in this role.

19. Newspaper Delivery

Newspaper delivery jobs are a great option for people under the age of 18. Usually, you accept a newspaper bundle from the new organization, get them prepared with rubber bands or bags, and get them to the right homes.

In some cases, delivery routes can be tackled on foot or with a bicycle, which is a great way to get some exercise. However, there are car-based routes, too, which could work for teens with driver’s licenses.

When it comes to pay, $15.00 per hour is the norm. However, you may also get the occasional holiday bonus from happy customers, giving you some extra cash.

20. Tutor

If you are looking for high-paying jobs for 16-year-olds, becoming a tutor is a great option. You can make good money if you have strong performance in certain school subjects and help others improve in those areas. The pay rate is usually around $19.51 an hour, but if you assist more than one student at a time, you could make even more money.

21. House Sitter

At 16 years old, house sitting can be a great way to make easy money. In most cases, your responsibilities will be limited to being present at the property while the owners are away. Additionally, you may have to take care of some other simple tasks like light cleaning, checking the mail, feeding pets, or watering plants. The pay rate is usually based on the number of days you watch the property and can range from $25 to $50 per day.

22. Youth Sports Ref

Many youth sports leagues are willing to hire younger teens, making youth sports ref one of the good jobs for 16-year-olds. If you play a particular sport in high school and know the rules well, you could earn some extra cash refereeing games for younger kids. In many cases, you’ll just work some hours on weekends or in the afternoons, so it’ll work with a school schedule. Plus, you only need to commit to work for the length of a season, giving you more control over your schedule.

Pay for youth sports referees typically falls in the range of $15 to $20+ per hour, though this can vary depending on the sport, geographic region, and league.

23. Snow Remover

If you live in an area where it snows, you could make money by shoveling snow for people. You would need to charge for your services, and most people charge around $30 to $70 for the job. As a teenager, you may want to charge less than that.

24. Logo Designer

If you have an eye for design and know your way around some graphic design software, then this could be a lucrative way to make money.

As a logo designer, you can expect to make around $29 per hour. However, many freelancers charge per project instead of by the hour. Make sure to research your competition and set a fair price for the amount of time you think the project will take. This is just one of many great online jobs for teenagers.

25. Arcade Attendant

If you are 16 years old and are looking for an easy job, an arcade attendant could be the job for you. You would collect money from customers, give them tokens in exchange, hand out prizes, do some light cleaning, and possibly do some machine maintenance.

Pay rates for arcade attendants typically range from $8 to $13 per hour; however, some workplaces offer fun perks like free games and food discounts, making the job more lucrative.

26. Pet Sitter

As a pet sitter, your responsibility is to maintain the health and comfort of a household’s animals while their owners are away. This includes tasks such as feedings, exercise, and bathroom-related duties.

Pet sitting opportunities are more common during the summer vacation season; however, opportunities can arise year-round. People may need to travel for work at any time and some people prefer to take vacations during off-seasons.

Many pet sitters earn around $12.68 per hour. If the animal has some special needs, you might earn a bit more.

27. Event Photographer

As a freelance event photographer, you will need a good eye and access to the right equipment. You will also need to advertise your services online and have a portfolio ready for prospective customers. This will allow them to see your style and get an idea of your abilities.

As an event photographer, you could charge by the hour or by the job.

28. Social Media Marketing Assistant

Companies are aware of the importance of their online presence. However, not every business has an employee who is knowledgeable about social media. In these cases, businesses often hire freelance social media assistants to help them achieve their engagement goals.

Many companies are open to bringing a younger person on board because they are familiar with the latest platforms and how to use the various tools. If you enjoy all kinds of social media platforms, this could be the perfect fit for you. You would be earning $16.36 per hour while working part-time doing what you love.

29. Blog Contributor

Most freelance platforms only allow adults to use the service; however, this does not mean that becoming a blog contributor is not an option for anyone looking for the best-paying jobs for 16-year-olds. Some companies do not use those platforms, and companies with teens as their target market may actively seek out contributors who are under 18.

An entry-level digital content writer can make around $23 per hour. However, a per-piece rate is more commonly what is offered. You may get $10 to $50+ to create an article for a blog, depending on your skill level, the topic, the piece length, and other factors. Therefore, it is important to break down the work involved to get a better gauge on your hourly earnings.

30. Internet Researcher

At 16, most people know how to find information online. Companies often hire internet researchers to help them find the data they need. Internet researchers typically earn around $20.00 an hour.

31. Sales and Reservations Agent

Working from home as a contact center agent is a great way to earn money, and becoming a sales and reservations agent at U-Haul is one of the best options for 16-year-olds. With a base pay rate of $13.00 per hour, you could qualify for bonuses that bring your earnings up to $20.00 per hour.

Part-time employees also qualify for some benefits, including dental, vision, and retirement. This could be a great opportunity for a 16-year-old, as they may not find options like this in many other places.

32. Retail Worker

Many companies, such as Best Buy, hire 16-year-olds as retail workers. This can be a classic first job for many people, where they might operate a cash register, stock shelves, unpack new inventory and handle some cleaning, all whilst helping customers find what they need.