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Best Jobs for High Schoolers

Glassdoor TeamApr 3, 2026
Best Jobs for High Schoolers

Overview of the best jobs for high schoolers

Being a high schooler does not mean you have to depend entirely on your parents for all of your financial needs. Whether you want new clothes or your own car, getting a job as a high schooler will give you extra cash to buy what you want. This article highlights some of the best jobs for higher schoolers.

The top jobs for high schoolers

Here are some of the best jobs high schoolers can get:

Video editor

Average base pay: $52,548 per year

A video editor develops camera footage, sound effects, and graphics into standard videos. They also adjust the picture quality of videos to make them more attractive for target audiences. To become a video editor, you must have excellent video editing skills. Taking a comprehensive course in video editing and consistently practicing will help you improve your editing skills.

Social media manager

Average base pay: $52,349 per year

A social media manager runs social media accounts on behalf of business owners and celebrities to gain new customers or build a strong fanbase. Social media managers have to create graphics, content calendars, and captions for social media posts. This job requires you to post consistently on social media to maintain a following. The easiest way to become a social media manager is to start a social media account and post valuable content daily. Alternatively, you can manage a social media business account for a friend or family member and build your influence through referrals.

Blogger

Average base pay: $50,411 per year 

A blogger creates online articles in their area of interest. If you are very knowledgeable about a particular topic, you can publish helpful information for a target audience. It may take you a while to make money from blogging, so you should only consider this job if you can afford to wait for the income. All you need to become a blogger is good writing skills and a niche that you find interesting. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of knowledge about your area of interest. You can read articles to improve your understanding of the niche.

Tutor

Average base pay: $48,859 per year

Tutors provide individual lessons to students to help them improve their understanding of subjects and get higher grades. High schoolers can tutor middle school students. Also, if you have top grades in a subject, you can offer to tutor your classmates. To land a job as a tutor, you must be a high school student with a history of excellent grades.

Catering staff

Average base pay: $30,370 per year

Catering staff members set up tables, serve guests, and clean eating utensils at events. If you want to be part of a catering team, you must be ready to work on the weekends and in the evenings. Aspiring catering workers must be hardworking and fast on their feet.

Babysitter

Average base pay: $38,867 per year

The duty of a babysitter is to monitor and take care of children when their parents are out of the home. Babysitters may have to change diapers, make snacks for children, and give them night baths. Most babysitter jobs are available during weekends or holidays. You can get your first babysitting job even if you have no related professional skills. Parents who feel like they can trust you will let you babysit their kids. You may consider taking basic babysitting courses if you want to do the job for a long time.

Dog walker

Average base pay: $32,021 per year If you love dogs, you might consider getting a job as a dog walker. Dog walkers take dogs on outdoor strolls for exercise on behalf of their busy owners. If the dog gets hurt while you are outside, you must also take care of the pet. To prevent accidents, you must be observant to be an efficient dog walker. You don’t really need any skills to become a dog walker. However, taking courses in animal care, animal first aid, and animal behavior will increase your chances of landing a job as a dog walker.

Farm hand

Average base pay: $31,414 per year

A farm hand is responsible for operating and maintaining mechanical equipment on the farm. They also feed, groom, and monitor the health of farm animals. To become a farmhand, you must know how to operate farm machinery and take care of animals.

Delivery driver

Average base pay: $40,023 per year

A delivery driver transports goods to customers. Delivery drivers must ensure that they deliver products on time and in good condition. Aspiring delivery drivers must have a driver’s license and access to a bike or car.

Yard worker

Average base pay: $33,717 per year

Yard workers maintain gardens. They weed, mow, and water plants. If you like physical work and you are good at handling mechanical equipment, this job is right for you. You can get your first job as a yard worker while offering to mow your neighbor’s lawn for a small fee. Before you take the job, you should learn about fertilizers, pesticides, and how to operate gardening equipment.

Grocery clerk

Average base pay: $28,194 per year

A grocery clerk stocks shelves and manages payments at the cash register in a grocery store. Sometimes, they may advise customers on products. You can get a job as a grocery clerk if you have good communication skills and pay attention to detail.

Prep cook

Average base pay: $26,203 per year

Prep cooks are responsible for preparing food ingredients before cooking. They chop vegetables, make sauces, and purchase quality ingredients. Most prep cooks even learn how to cook while assisting the chef. If you plan to become a chef in the future, consider applying for a prep cook job. All you need to become a prep cook is a willingness to learn. The restaurant chefs will train you when you start the job.

Ice cream scooper

Average base pay: $25,477 per year

Ice cream scoopers prepare ice cream orders for customers. They also offer ice cream samples to customers to help them decide what to order. Most businesses don’t sell ice cream in the winter, so you may need to get another part-time job during the cold season. You don’t need any skills to become an ice cream scooper. You can learn how to do the job after the employer hires you.

Waiter

Average base pay: $33,226 per year

Waiters take customer orders at restaurants and deliver food and drinks to their tables. Apart from their usual wages, waiters often receive tips from customers. If you are diligent, you may get promoted to the post of restaurant manager after you complete high school. All you need to become a waiter are basic skills like customer service, teamwork, and communication skills.

Lifeguard

Average base pay: $24,791 per year

A lifeguard is responsible for monitoring activities in a swimming pool to ensure that swimmers observe safety rules. During a swimming accident, it is the duty of lifeguards to rescue the victim. Since most people avoid swimming pools during the winter, your lifeguard job may only be available during the summer. Aspiring lifeguards must be at least 15 years old. Also, you need to take a 25-hour lifeguard training.

Parking attendant

Average base pay: $25,973 per year

Parking attendants are responsible for parking cars on behalf of customers at hotels, restaurants, and clubs. Apart from your monthly wage, you may get tips from car owners if you do an excellent job of parking their car. To become a parking attendant, you need a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Box office cashier

Average base pay: $22,721 per year

A box office cashier sells movie tickets at cinemas. They may also sell drinks and snacks for viewers to take while watching the movie. Box office cashiers work on shifts, so you can afford to be flexible with your work hours. All you need to become a box office cashier are basic math skills and communication skills. You will get the training you need on the job.

Camp counselor

Average base pay: $26,690 per year

A camp counselor monitors children in camps. They guide and educate children throughout their stay in the camp. High schoolers can work as camp counselors at camps for younger children. You do not need any qualifications to get a job as a camp counselor. However, you might land a job faster if you know how to administer CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and first aid.

Barista

Average base pay: $25,162 per year

The job of a barista is to make varieties of drinks and beverages at a bar. Baristas also need to know how to use cash registers to process customer payments. Some business owners let their baristas take home unsold snacks at the end of the day. If the business you work for is part of a large chain, you may also enjoy free tuition programs as a high school student. To become a barista, you can take a few online barista courses and practice your skills until you perfect them. Alternatively, you may apply to a small business as a waiter and learn how to make prepare drinks by understudying baristas.

Getting a job in high school can help you make money, become financially independent, and prepare yourself for college and a career later in life. Discover some of the best jobs for high schoolers and start earning your own income before graduation.