The 7 highest paying jobs for teens
Landing your first job as a teen is a big milestone and the first step towards independence. While food-service roles and after-school jobs at your local supermarket are perfectly good jobs for teens, they’re not the only options available. In fact, there are many unique opportunities for teenagers looking to find part-time or summer jobs that go beyond the typical minimum-wage roles in retail and hospitality.
Whether you’re aiming to save for university, get valuable skills, or want to start working towards financial goals, these best paying jobs for teens can give you a strong start. This article explores some of the top options using research from SEEK, highlighting jobs for teens that pay well and tap into a range of different interests and abilities.
High paying jobs for teenagers in Australia
Australia offers a variety of good paying jobs for teens, allowing young people to make the most of their skills and passions to earn an income. Here are some popular opportunities to explore:
1. Model
Modelling is an option for people with a distinctive look. It provides opportunities to work with brands and potentially travel to exciting locations. Modelling doesn’t require any technical skills, but requires strong interpersonal skills, can be physically demanding, and can involve working in high-pressure environments. Modelling jobs as a teen can lead to a lucrative career either in modelling or a related field like acting, photography or fashion design.
Earning potential: modelling pays around $55 per hour, though this varies based on assignments and experience.
Primary duties:
- Participating in photo shoots for fashion, commercial or editorial use
- Working with photographers and assistants to achieve the desired result
- Walking in runway shows and promotional events
- Attending casting calls and auditions
- Representing companies at events
Skills required:
- Confidence and poise in front of the camera
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to take direction and work well with photographers and stylists
- Punctuality for castings and auditions bookings.
2. Programmer
Coding is one of the highest-paying jobs for teens, offering flexible hours and the ability to work from home. Teens with an interest in technology and a knack for problem solving will find a job in coding both challenging and rewarding. It provides valuable skills that are highly sought after in the job market, offering the perfect foundation for a career in tech.
Earning potential: on average, coding pays $40-45 per hour, though freelance opportunities for teens may command a little lower.
Primary duties:
- Writing and testing code for software applications, websites and mobile apps
- Debugging and troubleshooting issues in existing code
- Collaborating with designers and developers to create functional and user-friendly programs
- Continuously learning and applying new programming languages and techniques
Skills required:
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Attention to detail and ability to write clean, efficient code
- Good communication skills for collaborating with team members
Browse coding jobs on SEEK.
3. Tutor
Tutoring is a fun job for teens who are academically strong and enjoy helping others. It offers flexible hours, making it easy to balance with school commitments. Tutoring helps you develop skills such as teaching, coaching, communication and time management, and it can even improve their own academic performance. Whether your strengths are in maths, English or science, there are plenty of opportunities.
Earning potential: professional tutors earn about $37 per hour, depending on subject and experience, but you can set your own rate.
Primary duties:
- Helping students with homework and exam preparation
- Preparing personalised lesson plans to meet students’ needs
- Conducting one-on-one or small group tutoring sessions
- Tracking and reporting on students’ progress
- Encouraging and motivating students to achieve their academic goals
Skills required:
- Strong knowledge of the subject(s) being tutored
- Excellent communication skills
- Patience and the ability to explain concepts clearly
- Ability to motivate and build confidence in students
- Technical computer skills if tutoring online
Search SEEK for tutoring jobs or make your services known through your school and community networks.
4. Content creator
Content creation is one of the best-paying jobs for teens who have a knack for writing, design, or video production. It offers flexible and remote work options, making it ideal for balancing study commitments. Teens with creative flair and a passion for storytelling should build a portfolio of work that will help them pitch their services to potential clients.
Earning potential: content creators can earn money per project, per hour, or on a retainer basis. A retainer might pay a few hundred dollars a week or you could charge a set amount per post. How much you can charge depends on the job and client.
National average salary: content creators can earn from $32 per hour working full time, with the flexibility to take on part-time and freelance gigs. This number can vary depending on the projects.
Primary duties:
- Developing written, visual or video content for websites, blogs and social media
- Researching the latest trends for content creation
- Collaborating with clients or brands to meet their content needs
- Editing, researching and proofreading content for clarity and quality
Skills required:
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Creativity and the ability to generate engaging ideas
- Proficiency in using content creation tools and software
- Attention to detail and good organisational skills
Browse content creation jobs on SEEK.
5. Barista
Working as a barista is a great option for teens looking for a job that pays relatively well while offering a social work environment. It helps develop valuable skills such as customer service, time management and teamwork, as well as cash handling, point-of-sale experience and inventory. The flexible hours are ideal for balancing school commitments, and the experience gained can be a stepping stone for future careers in hospitality or management.
Earning potential: baristas make around $30 to $35 per hour with opportunities for tips and weekend penalty rates.
Primary duties:
- Preparing and serving a variety of coffee and other drinks
- Operating coffee machines and grinders
- Providing excellent customer service
- Managing inventory and restocking supplies as needed
- Performing clean-up duties
Skills required:
- Knowledge of different coffee brewing techniques
- Good customer service skills
- Being able to communicate with different people
- Ability to work under pressure
Start looking today with these barista jobs.
6. Dog groomer
Dog groomer or assistant groomer are rewarding jobs for teens with a passion for working with animals. A groomer job requires specific knowledge about different breeds and how they need to be clipped, along with bathing, washing and drying. The flexible hours can fit around a school schedule, and you can learn responsibility, patience and customer-service skills.
Earning potential: dog groomers earn $25 to $35 per hour, depending on the specifics of the service they provide. An assistant can expect to be paid less.
Primary duties:
- Bathing, brushing and drying dogs of various breeds and sizes
- Trimming and clipping fur and nails and cleaning ears
- Ensuring a safe and calming environment for the dogs during grooming sessions
- Managing client’s and providing them up-to-date information if necessary
- Cleaning and sanitising equipment
Skills required:
- Knowledge of different dog breeds and their specific grooming needs
- Patience to handle nervous or agitated dogs
- Good communication skills to discuss grooming requirements with pet owners
- Attention to detail to ensure thorough and professional grooming
Browse SEEK for dog groomer jobs.
7. Nanny
Nannying is a great job for teens who enjoy and have experience with children. It offers flexible hours that can fit around school schedules and provides an opportunity to develop important life skills, such as responsibility, time management and problem solving. Depending on the individual job, you might be able to charge transport fees on top of babysitting rates.
Earning potential: a professional nanny earns on average $31 per hour, depending on their experience and education; a teen starting out may have to offer more competitive rates.
Primary duties:
- Providing care and supervision for children, including feeding, bathing and dressing
- Planning and organising age-appropriate activities and outings
- Assisting with homework and educational activities
- Communicating regularly with parents about their children
Skills required:
- Patience and a nurturing attitude
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to manage time and multitask effectively
- Basic first aid and emergency response knowledge
Many well-paying jobs for teens can open the door to career opportunities down the track. Whether you want to become a nanny or earn extra cash as a tutor, a casual job lets you start building your skill base from an early age, while giving you a little financial freedom.
FAQs
What are some high-paying jobs for teens besides retail and food service?
High-paying jobs for teens besides retail or food service include roles such as nanny, content creator, coding and tutor. These are jobs pay well for teens while building important skills and traits.
Can I use my tech skills to get a high-paying summer job?
Yes, it's possible to use your tech skills to get a high-paying summer job. Freelance jobs in coding offer a relatively high payrate or you could work an IT support role at a major retailer and earn around $15 per hour (up to $20.20 per hour on Sundays). These roles allow you to apply your technical knowledge and gain valuable experience.
How can I turn my hobbies or interests into a paying gig?
You can turn your hobbies or interests into a paying gig by identifying skills that others may find valuable and offering your services. For example, if you enjoy photography, you can offer portrait sessions or content services. If you like writing, consider freelance writing or blogging.
What online platforms offer freelance or data-entry jobs for teens?
Aside from SEEK, online platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer offer freelance jobs for teens, though they often require a paid membership or paid bidding for jobs. Websites like Clickworker and Amazon Mechanical Turk provide data-entry opportunities.
Is starting a small business a good option for a high-paying summer job?
Yes, starting a small business can be a good option for a high-paying summer job. Whether it’s providing gardening, pet sitting or content creation, your small business would allow you to be your own boss and potentially earn more than you can as an employee. Some of the best paying jobs for a teenager are those created for through entrepreneurial ventures.
What skills can I develop to make myself more competitive for high-paying jobs?
To be more competitive for high-paying jobs, develop skills such as communication, time management, problem solving, and technical proficiency in STEM areas. Additionally, gaining experience in customer service, collaboration, project management and leadership can make you a more attractive candidate.
How can I write a strong resumé and cover letter as a teenager with limited work experience?
To write a strong resumé and cover letter with no work experience, focus on highlighting your skills, relevant coursework, volunteer work and extracurricular activities. Emphasise your enthusiasm, willingness to learn and any soft skills you've developed. Tailor your resumé and cover letter to each job application to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
What are some interview tips for teenagers seeking high-paying jobs?
For interviews, dress appropriately, arrive on time, and be prepared to discuss your skills and experiences. Show enthusiasm for the role and ask thoughtful questions about the position and company.
Are there any safety precautions I should take when considering service-based jobs like pet sitting?
Yes, for service-based jobs, you’ll need to take certain safety precautions such as:
Meeting clients and their children or pets beforehand in a public space
Ensuring you have emergency contact information
Letting someone know your schedule and whereabouts
Trust your instincts and avoid situations where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Bring a trusted adult with you when meeting new customers in their homes.
What are some success stories of teens who have landed high-paying jobs?
Many teens have successfully landed high-paying jobs by playing to their skills and interests. Some have built large followings as influencers, others have started profitable small businesses, and some have turned tech skills into coding and IT support roles. You can find many such examples online.
Source: SEEK, based on average annual full time and annualised hourly salaries (excluding contract roles) from jobs listed on SEEK in the last three months. Last updated August, 2024.
