Top 28 best paying jobs for 18 year olds
28 Great First Jobs for 18-Year-Olds
Many 18-year-olds are just fresh from high school and may not know where to start when looking for a well-paying job.
Some 18-year-olds can pursue high-paying jobs, some as part-time gigs and others as their long-term careers.
To find high-paying jobs for 18-year-olds, be open to a variety of positions and job types. This will broaden your search and increase your chances of finding a good opportunity.
That said, this article will focus on some of the highest-paying jobs for 18-year-olds in the United States. However, if you’re not yet eighteen, then consider checking out some of the high paying jobs for 16 year olds.
We have compiled a list of 28 high-paying jobs that are perfect for 18-year-olds. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
28 Highest Paying Jobs for 18 Year Olds [2022]
1. Lifeguard
The average hourly pay for lifeguards in the United States is $11.63, with the top earners earning more than $18/hr. Zippia considers being a lifeguard one of the highest-paying jobs for 18–year-olds, as you can combine work and pleasure while ensuring everyone is safe. Being a good swimmer will be essential for this position, as you will spend your entire time by the pool.
2. Online tutor
As a teen, one fulfilling way to make money is to offer online tutoring services. You can be a language tutor (native or foreign language) or a tutor in any other subject area you’re good at.
If you are interested in becoming a tutor for foreign languages, some of the best websites to enroll on are those that specialize in this service. Sites like LearnLanguagesUSA.com and TutorForYou.net offer an extensive list of language tutoring opportunities, as well as detailed information about how to become a tutor and what qualifications you will need.
- iTalki
- SameSpeak
- SkimaTalk
According to Ziprecruiter, online tutors earn an average of $21 per hour, which is higher than the median hourly wage for all jobs ($12.26), but lower than the top earners’ salaries of $30.77 per hour. Online tutoring is one of the high-paying careers for young adults
3. Swim instructor
If you’re 18 years old and have a lifeguard/CPR certification, this is one of the highest-paying jobs for you. This job can be done with just a few certifications and training.
Swim instructors are responsible for coaching others on proper swimming techniques, including diving, breathing, and different types of swimming strokes.
Many 18-year-olds are paid well for their jobs, with an average hourly wage of $19.21 and a monthly salary of $3,186.
4. Web designer
If you enjoy coding and designing attractive web pages, pursuing a career in web design may be the perfect path for you. Web design is one of the most lucrative careers for 18-year-olds, and without a college degree you can still become an accomplished professional designer.
According to PayScale, the average hourly pay for web designers is $20.09. As a web designer who has begun to establish herself in the industry, you will be able to charge twice or more than this amount after a while once you have become well-known and respected. This is one of the career paths that will always be lucrative due to continued growth in the software and technology industries.
5. Graphic designer
Freelance graphic designers can earn a good income by designing flyers, brochures, newsletters, infographics, and banners for clients. Many websites and professional bloggers are in need of talented graphic designers to help create high-quality content.
Selling custom-made designs is a popular way to make money on some platforms. If you can create unique designs, you can become an online seller on these websites and earn money.
- CafePress
- RedBubble
- Etsy
According to PayScale, the mean hourly pay for graphic designers is $18.04. However, if you are able to produce high-quality work, you may be able to earn up to $30 an hour from high-paying clients.
6. Restaurant worker
There are many different jobs that you can do in a restaurant, including working as a waiter or waitress.
The average hourly wage for waiters and waitresses is around $11.99, making it one of the highest paying jobs for people aged 18-24.
7. Customer service representative
Many teens enjoy working in customer service because it offers flexible hours, good pay, and the opportunity to build relationships with customers. As a customer service representative, you may be responsible for answering telephone inquiries, providing support through online or telephone channels, or resolving problems with products or services.
The average pay for a customer service representative ranges between $13 and $21 an hour, with the top earners receiving more than $46,000 a year.
8. Administrative assistant
As an administrative assistant in an office, your primary responsibilities are managing and distributing information. You may be responsible for answering phone calls, maintaining company files, taking memos, sending & receiving correspondence, and greeting clients & customers.
You can work from home or in a physical office. You may also be able to land a job that leads to a full career if you add the necessary training and schooling. According to Salary, the mean hourly wage for administrative assistants in the United States is $21.
Salaries for administrative assistants range between $16 and $27 per hour, making this one of the highest-paying jobs for 18-year-olds in the United States.
9. Delivery driver
Working as a delivery driver can be a lucrative career, with an annual median salary of $40,000. You will need to have a clean driver’s license and be familiar with the area where most of the business’ customers live in order to qualify for this job. Additionally, you are able to pick up additional shifts if you are interested in doing so, which increases your earnings potential.
According to ZipRecruiter, the mean hourly pay for delivery drivers is $14. However, top-paid drivers can earn up to $21.88 an hour. Additionally, tips are common from customers and can add significantly to your earnings.
10. Receptionist
Although working as a receptionist might not be the most exciting or glamorous career option, it is still one of the high-paying jobs for 18-year-olds who lack the experience to do any other job.
Receiving calls from customers and attending to them in a professional manner is an important part of a receptionist’s job. Receptionists typically start out at lower-paying jobs, such as those in the customer care department, but with hard work and dedication they can eventually move up the ladder to receive more pay and responsibility.
11. Pet sitter
If you have a love for animals, why not offer your services as a pet sitter or dog walker? Many pet owners are looking for people to take care of their pets while they’re away. You can make good money by offering additional services related to animal care, such as grooming.
According to Indeed, the mean hourly pay for pet sitters in the United States is $12.19 and $15.66 for dog walking. If you can offer both services, you can earn close to $30/hour doing pet sitting and dog walking work.
12. Data entry clerk
Becoming a part-time data entry clerk can be a great way to make some extra money after high school. Typing and accuracy are important skills for this position, so you can work in virtually any industry.
According to PayScale, data entry clerks in the United States earn an hourly wage of $14.03. The top-paid earners make more than $18.60 an hour.
13. Warehouse packer
This is a high-paying job for young people with little work experience. You will work in a warehouse, and your main role will be to package and ship products.
Typically, warehouse packers in the United States earn an hourly wage of around $12. However, the highest paying positions may pay more than $15 an hour. It will only take you a few days or a week to get up to speed on the packaging procedures.
14. Freelance writer
freelance writing can be a high-paying job, with experienced writers earning up to $500 per mini-project and more than $3,000 for large projects.
15. Lawn care technician
Another high-paying job for 18-year-olds is being a lawn care technician. This job includes mowing lawns, trimming hedges, raking leaves, watering trees, and keeping the yard clean. Some employers provide equipment such as lawnmowers and trimmers while others require you to have your own. The average pay for lawn mowers is $14 per hour with the top paid earning more than $18.51/hr according to ZipRecruiter.
16. Retail sales associates
Retail sales associates help customers find items and answer their questions, work the cash register, set up displays, and keep the retail store organized. Most employees learn everything they need to know on the job.
17. Zookeeper
Zookeepers in the United States typically earn an annual salary of $41,160. However, salaries vary depending on the institution – for example, zookeepers at San Diego Zoo Global can earn up to $6400 per year.
18. Babysit
If you have experience working with children and are comfortable with them, babysitting can be a great way to get your feet wet in the 18-year-old job market. You can expect to charge $16 per hour for one child, but this rate may go up depending on location and number of hours worked. Plus, many families offer additional benefits such as meals and flexible scheduling.
19. Provide lawn care
Lawn care is a necessary chore for homeowners across the country. But, since many people don’t have the time or energy to tame their lawns, there are companies that can step in and take care of it for them. The average lawn care worker earns $13.61 per hour according to Zippia, so if you want to earn some extra money by taking on this task yourself, be prepared to offer your services at that rate or higher. Get creative about your offerings and see how much more you can make!
20. Get a retail job
When applying for an employer, be aware of any tuition assistance that is available. This can help offset the lower hourly wage and make the experience more lucrative.
21. Become a freelance writer
Freelance writing can be a powerful side hustle for 18 year olds who want to make money. If you’re good at crafting content for businesses, you can be highly paid for your services. Plus, you always have control over your time when freelancing.
According to Payscale, freelance writers earn an average of $24.64 per hour. However, this amount can vary depending on your skill set and the target clientele you are servicing.
22. Deliver goods
There are a number of delivery services available, such as UberEats and DoorDash. However, if you’re interested in delivering groceries, then give Instacart a try.
The hourly wage you can earn will vary depending on your location and platform. You may earn something close to the average of $15.81 per hour, but you’ll need to take into account vehicle costs when calculating your earnings.
23. Voiceover work
- Average pay: $30 an hour
- Pay range: $14 to $149 an hour
Voiceover artists can earn up to $149 an hour, making this one of the highest paying jobs for 18-year-olds. The average pay is also high at $30 an hour.
If you have the voice for it, then this could be the job for you. Voiceovers are often used in media, like audiobooks, YouTube videos, and tutorials. You can do this job from home if you have the right voice.
24. Work as a camp counselor
- Average pay: $10 an hour
- Pay range: $5 to $18 an hour
Working as a summer camp counsellor can be an excellent way to spend your summer. Camps will typically require that applicants be 18 years old, but there are many camps that may consider older applicants. Get in touch with camps in your area to inquire about the requirements for being a counsellor.
25. Virtual assistant
- Average pay: $16 an hour
- Pay range: $10 to $27 an hour
If you’re looking for a home-based job that allows you to work on a freelance basis, virtual assistanting may be the right fit for you. This is an industry where there are always new opportunities opening up, so keep your eyes open and check out our list of tips on how to become a virtual assistant.
26. Customer support agent
- Average pay: $13 an hour
- Pay range: $10 to $20 an hour
As a customer support agent, you are responsible for assisting customers with any issues they may have. This can be a rewarding job as many jobs are done from home.
27. Pet-sitter
- Average pay: $14 an hour
- Pay range: $5 to $44 an hour
If you enjoy spending time with animals, working as a pet-sitter may be a good option for you. As a pet-sitter, it is your responsibility to take care of people’s pets while they are away at work or on vacation. This can be an enjoyable job with plenty of downtime. If you’re interested in trying this out as a side hustle, it would be an excellent opportunity for teenagers.
28. Deliver groceries with Instacart and Shipt
- Pay range: $5 to $25 an hour
Instacart and Shipt offer different delivery methods, with Instacart offering In-Store Shopper roles that don’t require a car. You can make up to $25 an hour in this role.
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