Best Well-Paying Jobs for Teenagers: Your Complete Salary Guide

If you’re a teen looking to earn serious money this summer or during the school year, you’ve come to the right place. Finding a well-paying job for teenagers can set you on the path toward financial independence, whether you’re saving for a car, college tuition, or just building your first nest egg. Research from Resume Genius identified 15 outstanding opportunities that combine reasonable qualifications with solid earning potential, ranging from $18 to over $31 per hour.

Physical and Manual Work: $18-$22 an Hour

Starting with entry-level positions that require minimal experience, several manual jobs offer competitive wages for teens without specialized training.

Packagers bring in approximately $18.12 hourly, making this an ideal starter role for detail-oriented young workers. The work involves preparing items for shipment—labeling, inspecting, and organizing merchandise. Most companies provide on-the-job training, so no prior experience is necessary.

Stockers earn the same rate at $18.12 per hour while keeping store shelves organized and inventory tracked. This position suits teens who enjoy organization and problem-solving. Many find these roles by checking local job listings or simply walking into stores and speaking directly with managers.

Landscaping workers earn about $19.13 hourly, perfect for those with lawn-mowing experience from childhood. The role involves maintaining outdoor spaces, trimming trees, and caring for natural areas—often requiring nothing more than willingness to learn.

Delivery truck drivers command $20.56 per hour, providing a significant bump in compensation. A standard driver’s license is necessary for standard vehicles, though larger commercial trucks require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Construction workers typically make $22.14 per hour, appealing to hands-on learners. Teens can launch this career through apprenticeships available in most communities, giving them real-world building experience.

Customer-Facing and Administrative Roles: $18-$26 an Hour

Service and office-based positions offer steady earnings with opportunities to develop professional skills.

Couriers typically earn $18.44 hourly by delivering packages on schedule and collecting necessary signatures or payments. A valid driver’s license is the primary requirement for this role.

Security guards protect businesses and community safety for approximately $18.46 per hour. Most states require applicants to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma and a security license.

Nursing assistants earn roughly $18.96 per hour—an excellent option for teens interested in healthcare careers. Responsibilities include monitoring patient vitals, recording information, and supporting nursing staff. Local job fairs are valuable resources for finding these positions, and many hire on the spot.

Customer service representatives typically bring in $20.59 hourly by solving customer problems and addressing concerns. Strong communication skills are the main asset here. Many teens discover these opportunities through personal recommendations from classmates or teachers.

Office clerks earn approximately $20.97 per hour handling data entry, organizing operations, and improving communication workflows. Some employers prefer a high school diploma, though it’s not always required.

Administrative assistants command about $22.82 hourly, working with individual executives or small organizations on specialized tasks. These positions reward detail-oriented, organized professionals. Building a strong LinkedIn profile showcasing your skills and experience can open doors to these roles.

Retail supervisors earn roughly $25.01 per hour, available to teens with at least one year of retail experience. This advancement means overseeing daily operations and managing staff.

Skilled Trades and Specialized Roles: $23-$31+ an Hour

The highest-earning well-paying jobs for teenagers typically require vocational training or specific expertise.

Automotive service technicians earn $23.88 hourly, perfect for car enthusiasts. Relevant shop classes, vocational programs, or hands-on apprenticeships at specific shops provide entry pathways.

Carpenters typically make $28.51 per hour working with wood to create repairs or new items. Woodworking classes, vocational school, or structured apprenticeships are the main routes into this trade.

Food service managers represent the highest opportunity at $31.40 hourly, rewarding those with restaurant experience who can oversee operations and customer satisfaction.

Effective Strategies for Landing High-Earning Teen Positions

Successfully securing these well-paying jobs for teenagers requires strategic effort beyond simply filling out applications.

Personal recommendations carry substantial weight—a referral from a classmate, friend, or teacher to an employer can significantly boost your chances. Many schools offer work-study programs that combine paid employment with academic credit, providing an excellent option for balancing school and work.

For office-based or administrative opportunities, establishing a professional online presence on platforms like LinkedIn helps you present skills, previous work experience, and education in one comprehensive profile. This same profile can be used to apply directly for opportunities.

Starting with entry-level positions and progressing upward is a realistic path. Gaining one year of retail experience, for example, can position you for a supervisory role with substantially higher earnings.

Bottom Line: Your Teen Employment Roadmap

Whether you’re drawn to physical work, customer interaction, or skilled trades, substantial earning opportunities exist for motivated teenagers. The range spans from $18 per hour for foundational roles to over $31 for management positions, meaning your earning potential depends partly on experience level and career interest.

Consider what appeals to you—hands-on building, helping others, organizing systems, or managing operations—then pursue the training or experience that leads to well-paying jobs for teenagers in that field. Summer employment isn’t just about immediate income; it’s an investment in work experience and career direction that pays dividends far into your future.