Jobs for 13-Year-Olds

Let’s face it; school isn’t for everyone. Some people are more inclined to get a job and make money instead of going down the academic route, and that’s ok. If you are a kid searching online to see what opportunities are available to you, you’ll be happy to know that there are surprisingly a lot of options!

Or perhaps you’re a worried parent whose child is no longer interested in school. You may be thinking, what Jobs for 13-Year-Olds are available when the minimum legal working age throughout the states is 14. Well, you have to get a little creative!

You cant quit school…

No, you’re not going to land a job in a retail store or supermarket. 13-year-olds are also still required to attend school. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t dip their toes into the working world and give them another motivation besides studying.

Many big companies have laws against employing minors, and the majority of these stores require workers aged 16 and over. However, don’t give up! There are many jobs open to younger children.

Work in the holidays…

Many of these jobs are available for weekend work or school holidays. This allows you to get a feel for what you enjoy and gain a little work experience at a young age! Some may argue, let kids be kids. This statement is somewhat true, but if a child is interested in work and has family support, why not.

What You Need To Know

The FLSA Criteria

The Fair Labor Standards Act protects youth employment standards, makes sure companies are paying staff a minimum wage. It also stops and fines any companies employing underage workers. At 13-years-old, they do not permit most work; however, they can do simple jobs. There are some jobs the FLSA allows children under 14 to perform.

Farm Work

As long as working hours are outside school hours, the FLSA allows agriculture work in some cases. For example, you can work on the farm if your parents or guardian owns it. Minors can perform roles such as dairying, growing, and harvesting.

Child Actors

Suppose a child is pursuing an acting career and has landed a spot in a movie, performance, or TV show. In that case, they are exempt from the federal exemption on youth labor. This means that legally you can earn money and perform as the child has a parent’s consent.

Harvesting

A youth is legally allowed to work during harvesting season, but it can only last for eight weeks out of the year and not interfere with school. A company must also apply for a waiver from the FLSA to state why they want to employ 13-year-olds.

They would also have to prove that no individuals above 12 years old are available to work. The employer must also prove that the work will not be harmful to the child.

The Pros And Cons

The Pros

Working at 13 years old comes with some benefits for sure. The research found that working from a young age positively impacts teens and can help them develop a sense of responsibility.

Many of the jobs listed below require kids to think with their initiative and set deadlines by themselves. If they are prepared to do this, this builds a great work ethic for their future careers.

For example, if a child is creating goods to sell online, they have to make them, take photos, list them all before hopefully making a sale. The money won’t magically appear in their pocket; they have to complete these steps before anything can happen.

Learn to manage their money…

The obvious benefit is, of course… money! Instead of kids relying on their parents, they can control their money. They will then learn money management skills. We’re not taught at school how to sensibly manage our finances. Working from a young age may set a child up to think about saving and spending money.

Learning essential skills like time management and organization is an excellent factor too. These are skills that help you through life no matter what. If you understand from a young age that managing your time is an essential factor of adult life, things will be easier for the future. Whether it’s turning up to work on time or meeting with your friends when you said.

Character building…

Learning how to manage yourself is a huge factor in becoming a child worker. For most of these jobs, you will be responsible for finding the work, committing to a time, and following through on your word. All these skills can help towards whatever career you choose in the future. Plus, imagine your hiring manager’s face when they see you’ve had work experience since 13, impressed!

Naturally, a feature from any workplace comes character building. Learning how to take the initiative and commit to a job takes hard work, especially when someone is young and doesn’t have any consequences if they don’t.

The Cons

If the child is doing an online job where they know they can make money by accessing their laptop, this could have a knock-on effect on their stress and anxiety levels. They may find it hard to switch off and become glued to their screens.

A child may still be attending school, which can also bring some problems if they are over-tired from their studies, extracurricular classes, and a job on top of that. It may also affect their grades. Unfortunately, if their focus is on work and making money outside school, they may put less work into their homework and exam preparation.

Losing your sense of childhood…

If the child is successful in their new venture, there may be the complication of spending too much money on things that are not always good for them. Don’t let them solely manage their money; it may cause problems if they don’t manage it sensibly.

Children who start work too early may feel like their childhood is ending. When you think about it, you pretty much work from 18 years old to at least 60. This means there’s plenty of time to work if you don’t feel ready.

Online and Computer-Based Work

Author

If you are a keen writer, now is the time to start writing a book! Whether it be a storybook, comic, or novel, you never know your luck, and if you’re terrific, you might even get published!

Blogger

With the internet so readily available and most teenagers possessing laptops or an iPad, blogging is a great way to express your feelings or write about things that interest you. Bloggers can make money through advertisements and features if they start a successful blogging career at 13.

Who knows where you could end up in your late teens! It could also be a great addition to your college application if you’re applying for a creative course.

Content Writer

You may be a gifted individual who can already write articles about various things. Content writers can apply for work on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. This is another one to add to your college application. Many successful teens have worked on these platforms and now earn six figures.

eBay

Perhaps a short-term job but something that will make you a little extra money is selling your old items on eBay. If you have some toys in good knick, you can pop them online and try to sell them. Maybe you have some clothes too, or your parents give something to charity or the trash! Ask if you can look through it before they send it off. There could be money to be made!

Etsy

Do you love arts and crafts? Can you make jewelry, cards, dreamcatchers, or posters? The list of creative work is endless! Etsy is a wonderful online website that allows you to sell things and make your own money! Although to sign up, you will need your parent’s help and permission.

Please take a look at Etsy and see what items are available; maybe you know how to make them too. If your shop is a success, you could end up making thousands!

Fashion Blogger

If you love shopping and being creative with your style, you could become a fashion blogger. There are many success stories of younger girls and boys creating fashion blogs at a young age and living the lives of Social Media Influencers. For example, Sarah Ashcroft began her blogging career as a teenager and now has a fashion brand and many collaborations with big brands!

Ghost Writing

If you are a great writer, you could become a ghostwriter. You can find jobs on websites like Upwork and freelancer, offer your services, and promote yourself. It’s good to have some samples of your work readily available too.

Logo Designer

If you are creative or want to learn the skills, you can do this easily online with a few courses. Nowadays, logos are in high demand, whether for stores, businesses, or social media accounts. You can find opportunities to work for companies and earn money by the hour. There is a high demand for logo creators online, so give it a go if this is your niche!

Mobile App Developer

Creating an app can lead to considerable success if you do it well. Just look at the creators of Snapchat! They sold Snapchat for 157.5 million dollars. Whether you make the app and promote it yourself or sell it to someone, you could make some good money if you are a successful programmer!

Online Tutoring

Some companies do require a Bachelor’s degree which you definitely won’t have received by the time you’re 13. However, you can set up an online tutoring service by posting online or word-of-mouth. You can tutor online through various platforms such as Skype or zoom. You are your own boss, and you can choose!

Find out more by taking a look at How To Be a Teenage Tutor.

Product Testing

Companies that create new products often have to conduct market research and test them on a broad audience first. If you are interested, you can sign up to do this online. Sometimes you don’t get paid, but you end up with a new product. Some companies do pay for your feedback. These jobs can be a little tricky to find and often come with other hidden signup requirements.

Social Media Influencer

This isn’t quite as easy as popping a few items on eBay or Etsy. Social media influencers usually spend years marketing themselves and posting a lot. The range of influencers is vast and can be anywhere from a dancing account, gaming account, fitness account, or fashion account.

To become successful in social media, you have to post consistently on several platforms. These include; Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Youtube. Your posts should be aesthetically pleasing, and you should work with brands that complement each other and make sense.

Survey Taker

Surveys will likely come up as the top search if you ever search for easy ways to make money online. Not all these companies are legitimate, so it can take some time to feed through the rotten eggs. Once you find one, you can make some money doing this.

You won’t be making thousands, but a little extra pocket money for spending some time on your laptop doesn’t sound too bad! You can sign up to websites like harrispoll and survey junkie.

For more information, check out my article, How To Become a Teenage Survey Taker.

TikTok Creator

During the pandemic, TikTok blew up. Dances, cooking, daily lives, makeup tips, gaming tips, you name it, there’s a video on TikTok about it. To become successful on TikTok is similar to any other social media. You have to post a lot of content and be consistent.

It’s great if you can find a niche. TikTok stars such as Natalia Borrego, who is only 13-years-old, has 1.5 million followers and 72.3 million likes. She makes very good money from her brand promotions and featured ads.

Youtube Star

Youtube has been around longer than TikTok and Instagram and is a sure way to earn some extra cash if your videos make it big. Perhaps extra cash isn’t the right word. Some successful YouTubers have put themselves through college and bought a house and more.

Here, you have to find your niche and do something you excel in. You’ll also have to have the correct equipment to film videos, edit them and upload them. Many successful YouTubers are gamers who share tips and videos of them playing.

Play pranks on others…

Others are comedians who play pranks on the public. Some are just people doing everyday things, and the videos appeal to the masses. Search through videos on Youtube and see if you can do something similar or have a brand new idea!

Voice Actor

Signing up to a website like voices allows you to try out a platform to become a voice actor. A voice actor’s job may vary; it could be dubbing a movie, reciting words for a commercial, or even reading a book. Earnings for this can vary and has a bit of competition.

Weekend, Holiday, Or Afterschool Jobs

Artist

If you enjoy art class and have a flair for painting, drawing, or graphic arts, it’s a great opportunity to start early. You can create art for your family, and you may get commissions if you’re excellent. You can also check out local markets or art fares and pop along with your parents to try and sell your work.

Autumn Wreath Maker

Wreaths are no longer only for Christmas! Many people are decorating their homes and hanging wreaths on their doors. If you are artsy and enjoy creating things, this is a great way to earn extra money. You can sell your items through Facebook Marketplace and local groups dedicated to your neighborhood.

Babysitter

Although 13 is a little young to have complete responsibility for a child, you may have brothers or sisters to help out sometimes, and your parents can pay you. You may even get work with neighbors or your parent’s friend’s children. Babysitting is a great way to earn extra pocket money, and people usually pay pretty well.

Bake Cakes

If you love baking and are creative, making cakes could be an excellent way to bring in some extra cash. People request cakes for everything these days, no longer just birthdays and weddings. If you go down this route, make sure to create an engaging social media account to post your cakes.

This will allow people to see your talent and give them ideas which cakes to request. Remember to post consistently and build up an excellent portfolio of your capabilities!

Bin Washer

Does someone in your family have a power washer? If you have used one of these before, you may have noticed the satisfying results. You can offer your services in your neighborhood and clean people’s trash cans. You can also expand this offer to businesses to make more money.

Busker

A great way to make some money if you are musical, and who knows, maybe you’ll get noticed by a professional! Did you know Ed Sheeran began his career as a busker on the streets? Now he is a multi-millionaire platinum-selling artist. Busking is excellent for your confidence too and lots of fun! You can do this on weekends, and it won’t interfere with your studies.

Candle Making

Over the past few years, the demand for luxury items like candles has increased—especially natural wax candles. Candle-making kits are easily accessible online, and following clear instructions can be simple to make. You can host candle parties for family and friends if you brand your candles well. You can also sell them through multiple platforms like Facebook, Etsy, eBay.

Car Washer

Have you ever wondered what to do on a hot summer’s day? Perhaps you’ve been bored and would like to do something with your time while making a little extra cash. Many adults are too busy with work and their children to even think about washing their cars.

You can offer your services by knocking on neighbors’ doors and offering to wash and clean their vehicles. Another benefit to this job is choosing your schedule!

Dog Walker

Perhaps you are a pet lover and have already spent time in your day walking your dog. Why not stick some posters around your neighborhood offering your services. Many greatly appreciate this service if you are free on the weekends and during the summer. Make sure to post flyers and advertisements around your neighborhood.

Interested? Well, find out exactly How To Become a Teenage Dog Walker.

Dog Sitter

Maybe one of your classmates is going on vacation, or one of your parent’s friends has a work commitment. Why not offer to take care of their dog for the week and make some extra money. If you do a good job and have a happy customer, they may just recommend you to their friends. You should check with your parent or guardian that it’s ok first.

To find out more, check out our Pet Sitter Job Description.

Christmas Wreath Maker

You may have noticed the demand for wreaths over the holiday season if you are on social media. Many people create their own instead of buying ones from the store. This is a great way to make some money just in time for Christmas. All you need is a few materials and a hot glue gun, and you’re good to go!

Fishing

If you enjoy fishing and live in the right area, this is a great way to earn some extra money and experience! If there are some local markets near your home, you could secure a spot and sell your catch from the day there. You can make some really good money through this, but it is time-consuming.

Gardening

If you enjoy the outdoors, this could be an excellent job for you. You only need a few essential tools and permission to use someone’s lawnmower then you are good to go. Get work by simply knocking on people’s doors in your neighborhood.

This is usually a seasonal job depending on where you live and great during summer vacation when you have extra time. You may even want to recruit a few of your friends and do it together!

Gift Wrapper

When people are busy during the holiday season, it’s an excellent opportunity to offer your gift wrapping services. There is so much information and great tutorials online to wrap gifts beautifully. You can create an account or do it the old-fashioned way and visit your neighbors and offer your services. This is also a great way to get you in the holiday spirit.

Holiday Decorator

If you have a flair for aesthetically pleasing displays, decorating for the holidays could be for you! This doesn’t even stick strictly to Christmas. If you are successful, you can market yourself to decorate people’s homes and businesses for Halloween, Easter, Christmas, and even thanksgiving.

House Sitter

People use house sitters worldwide to take care of their homes while on vacation or perhaps on a business trip. Becoming a house sitter doesn’t necessarily mean you have to stay there the whole time. It could also mean checking in on the house, taking the mail in, and watering the plants. It’s an easy way to make some money and doesn’t entail a lot of hard work.

Junior Camp Counselor

If you have attended several summer camps in the past, you can always ask if any roles are available for you to help out. You can do this as a part-time job while still attending school, learn about counseling tasks, and earn some decent money at the same time!

Lemonade Stand

It might be quite an American cliche but having a lemonade stand in summer is a great idea. Think of the delivery drivers, passing neighbors, and thirsty residents from the hot sun. You won’t make thousands, but it’s an excellent opportunity for some extra pocket money!

Model

If you are confident in front of the camera, why not try out for some model roles. Modeling doesn’t necessarily mean catwalks and Kendal Jenner. You can make money being in advertisements on TV commercials, Social Media shows, catalog photoshoots, and Youtube videos. You can look into many resources and create a personal profile for different sites!

Music Teacher

Perhaps you’re an expert in a musical instrument and want to help others learn. Teaching music is an excellent opportunity to earn some extra cash. You can offer your services by posting online or with old-fashioned paper advertisements pinned to the notice boards in corner shops or lampposts!

Newspaper Delivery

Believe it or not, there are still people who read newspapers! This is a great weekend job for a younger person. There are other advantages to it is an excellent way to combine work and exercise. Although the work is mainly in the mornings, you do have to get up early, and your shift will be complete before most people get out of their beds!

Orange Juice Stand

Like a lemonade stand, an orange juice stand is great in season. People love freshly squeezed orange juice, and you can charge a little more. All you need is a juicer, or do it the old-fashioned way and squeeze the oranges yourself.

Painter

Many people dread the thought of painting their homes or fences. If you are responsible and articulate, this could be an excellent job for you! Paying customers will buy the paint. All you have to do is come equipped with your paintbrush, roller, and maybe a stepladder. This is a great job over the summer, and you can even recruit your friends to help you.

Plant sitting

Nowadays, plants are more common than ever, especially houseplants! People decorate their homes with plants and take pride in them. If someone you know is on vacation, you can offer to look after their plants. You may even come to an agreement where you can tend to them on weekends, not just over the holidays. This is a great opportunity to earn some weekly money.

Photographer

This could be a great money-making opportunity if you are a keen photographer and have a decent camera to hand. With social media ever so present in our day-to-day lives and people striving for an aesthetic feed, photographers can help out in this area. These days there are photoshoots for everything, from engagement shoots, birthday parties, gender reveals, and travel photos.

Snow Shoveler

Depending on the state you live in and the conditions, a snow shoveler can be a great way to earn some extra money. Although it is a tough job, if you have the dedication and a good shovel, it’s a great way to make some extra pocket money over the winter. Especially if you have Christmas presents to buy!

Window Washer

Washing windows is a tough job, but you can make some good money if you are up to the challenge. An average window cleaner charges $35 per hour!

Which Jobs Pay The Best?

The question on the tip of everyone’s tongue is, where will I make the most money? The vacation and weekend jobs are a great starter to trying out if you can commit yourself to work. However, the money maker really is online. If you can market a brand or product and make it perform well, the opportunities are endless.

You maybe won’t make millions completing surveys. Still, if you successfully sell your creations, work with brands through social media, or tutor online, you will definitely make more money than washing cars on the weekend. Regardless of the job you decide to pursue, hard work is the way to get what you want. You need to put in the effort to see the results.

Do You Have A Love For Animals?

We’ve done some research on starting your own pet sitting business, so check out The Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers: How to Find, Hire, & Keep the Best Staff for Your Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Business and the Pet Sitting Business Book: How to Start & Finance a Pet Sitter & Pet Daycare Home-Based Business, or even Think Like Your Dog and Enjoy the Rewards, and The Balanced Pet Sitter: What You Wish You Knew Before Starting Your Pet Care Business all available online in 2023.

Dealing with appointments means you’re going to have to be organized; we recommend the Pet, Dog, Cat Grooming Customer Client Clip Cards, the Pet Sitter Client Data & Appointment Log Book, and the Pet Sitter Log Book: Simple Pet Sitting Business, or what about the Pet Sitter Information Sheets: Petsitter Care Instructions & Emergency Contact Information Notepad, Pet Sitting Checklist w/ Notes to Owners, or the Dog Grooming Appointment Book 2023, and lastly, the Pet Sitting Logbook and Scheduler to stay on top of things.

Final Thoughts

Working from a young age certainly gives you a sense of responsibility. It provides you pre-access to the skills many don’t acquire until they are over 18.

These include saving money, organizing finances, time management, and committing to people and things. Taking on significant work commitments at a young age may become quite stressful. It is essential to make sure you have a good quality of life and that work is just a little extra fun on the side.

There are so many opportunities to try and if you don’t like something, try something else!

All the very best in finding your first job!