Update: We published an updated and extended version here: 16 Highest Paying Summer Jobs For Teens.
The summer break is right around the corner and doesn’t that make you wonder what are the 5 highest paying summer jobs for teens? Summer jobs are not only a great way to spend your leisure time but for teens it is also a great opportunity to get some first-hand experience of the work life. It can give them an insight into job life and its dynamics and also inculcate some good work values like punctuality, professionalism, time management and team work. These are priceless principles and experience is the only way teenagers learn to build them. There is really no alternative to experience.
Summers tend to get long, with the days getting too hot to actually go out, and the beach may be too far and not an everyday option. Getting a summer job is a great idea for both students and teachers, as the school holidays span over months. The 10 Best Summer Jobs for Teachers is a great list for teachers to check out how they can make the most of their time off from teaching and school work and a little extra income doesn’t hurt.
For the teenagers also there are the obvious perks of earning their own money and getting to spend it on that bike that they had been eyeing for so long or getting to spend without a worry when the trip to the beach finally happens. Well, the feeling of independence is unbeatable. But, it also teaches you how to be responsible with your money from a young age and that is irreplaceable. Since gaining experience is a lifetime process it is always good to start early.
However, sometimes you might end up spending your precious study time on a job that pays you in peanuts, and that can leave a sour taste in the mouths of teenagers. It is, therefore, recommended to do your research wisely and choose the one that not only line with future career choices and also among the highest paying summer jobs for teens.
But apart from everything else, summer jobs are fun too, and it is all about doing something meaningful in the otherwise idle time. So let’s look at what are the 5 highest paying summer jobs for teens that teenagers can try their hand at:
5. Life Guard
Lifeguarding makes a great choice for strong swimmers and the best perk is that it takes you right where you want to spend your summers – at the beach. The responsibilities are definitely higher than other jobs, however, so are the rewards- monetary and otherwise. Students with lifeguarding experiences are considered as good decision-makers and that gives them a one up in applying for management jobs also. As for the pay they can make up to $9 per hour with most of the activity being focused around giving safety tips and keeping a lookout for emergencies.
4. Babysitter
A teenager can earn up to $12 on an average in babysitting duties and they get to spend their summer days indoors bonding with kids and learning to be responsible for them. The job satisfaction rate is generally high and there is no alternative to the little joys you gain from being a care giver for little kids. The job responsibilities are also fairly simple including addressing basic needs of the kids, feeding, bathing, co-coordinating nap times and help with homework. Experience is not mandatory and first-timers can definitely get a good start in the job and with exclusive babysitting job sites coming up by the day it is fairly easy now get leads on openings.
3. Product merchandiser
The 3rd on the highest paying summer jobs for teens is product merchandising or retail sales duties. The duties can include keeping track of inventories, customer assistance, stocking shelves, product demonstrations and handing out samples. For those looking to enter the retail sales industry in future this could be a good start at getting a hang of things and delving into how things work in the industry. But, it also can be an interesting gig for the general shopping enthusiasts. The average pay can be as high as $12.50 per hour.
2. Pet sitter
Pet sitting is another great option for the animal lovers and who are psyched at the idea of getting to spend their time in the company of loving pets while earning a good pay for it. Pet sitting jobs are especially at their peak in the summer months when pets need extra attention and care and some concerned owners are happy to employ responsible compassionate teens to step in as care givers for their pets. The pay is around $12-$15 on an average.
1. Caddy
Golf caddy is fast becoming one of the most coveted jobs among teens. Provided you get to bag one these jobs, it’s a smooth sailing from thereon. For those who love being outdoors, this job can be perfect, and it comes with the extra incentive getting to learn about a new sport for the sporty ones. For a pay scale as high as $50- $100 for about only 4 hours of duty, golf caddy is a sure number one on our list of 5 highest paying summer jobs for teens.
