First Job Ideas for Kids and Teens

Finding the Right First Job by Age

The best first job depends on your child's age, personality, and schedule. A 10-year-old walking dogs after school builds different skills than a 16-year-old working the register at a grocery store, but both teach the same core lesson: time and effort turn into money.

Federal child labor laws set clear boundaries. Kids under 14 can do informal work like babysitting, yard care, and pet sitting with no restrictions. At 14, teens can work in retail, food service, and offices, but hours are limited during the school year: 3 hours on school days, 18 hours per school week. At 16, most hour restrictions go away. At 18, all job restrictions end. State rules sometimes add extra requirements, so check your state's labor department for specifics.

Ages 10-12: Neighborhood Jobs

Preteens can start earning through informal work close to home. Dog walking, pet sitting, lawn care, snow shoveling, and helping elderly neighbors are common first gigs. These jobs teach reliability, time management, and how to talk to customers. Pay is typically $5-$15 per job. The key at this age: keep it fun, keep it local, and let them set their own pace.

Ages 13-14: First Real Clients

At 13-14, kids can take on more responsibility. Babysitting ($10-$20/hour), tutoring younger kids ($15-$25/hour), and running errands become realistic options. This is also the age when entrepreneurial ideas take shape: selling crafts online, managing social media for a family friend's business, or organizing garage sales. Help them build a simple resume and practice asking for work directly.

Ages 15-17: Formal Employment

At 15, teens can apply to real jobs: retail, restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters, and camp counselor positions. Many states require a work permit for teens under 16 or 18. The hiring process itself is a learning experience: filling out applications, showing up for interviews, and handling a schedule that includes both school and work. Starting pay for these jobs ranges from minimum wage to $15/hour.

Jobs for Kids at Every Age

The job options available to your child change as they get older. Here's a practical breakdown of what kids can actually do at each age, along with specific ideas that match their abilities and what's allowed under federal labor laws.

Ages 10-11: Starting Close to Home

At 10 and 11, kids are old enough to take on simple tasks for neighbors and family friends. These are informal jobs, so there are no legal restrictions to worry about. Good options include:

• Yard work - raking leaves, pulling weeds, watering gardens
• Pet sitting - feeding and walking dogs while neighbors are away
• Car washing - washing family cars or neighbors' vehicles
• Organizing - helping adults sort garages, closets, or storage areas
• Snow shoveling or leaf raking - seasonal but pays well per job

At this age, a parent should help with the first conversation with a customer. After that, most 10-year-olds can handle the work on their own. Pay is usually $5 to $15 per job.

Ages 12-13: Building Real Skills

Twelve and thirteen-year-olds can take on jobs that require more responsibility and independence. This is when word-of-mouth referrals start to matter - one good babysitting job leads to three more. Strong options at this age:

• Babysitting - the most common first job for kids this age
• Tutoring younger kids - in subjects they're strong in at school
• Dog walking - regular routes for neighborhood pets
• Mother's helper - assisting parents with younger children
• Errand running - picking up groceries or supplies for neighbors

This is also the age where entrepreneurial ideas start to click. Selling baked goods, crafts, or handmade items at local events teaches the full business cycle: spend money to make a product, sell it, and keep the profit.

Ages 14-15: First Formal Jobs

At 14, federal law allows teens to work in most non-hazardous jobs with hour restrictions. During the school year, 14 and 15-year-olds can work up to 3 hours on school days and 18 hours per week. Common first formal jobs include:

• Retail associate - stocking shelves, cashiering, customer service
• Food service - counter service, bussing tables, prep work
• Grocery store clerk - bagging, stocking, cart collecting
• Movie theater staff - concessions, ticket taking, cleaning
• Camp counselor - summer programs and day camps

Many states require a work permit for teens under 16. Check with your child's school office, as they usually handle the paperwork.

Ages 16 and Up: Broader Options

At 16, most federal hour restrictions go away and the range of available jobs expands. Teens can work in nearly any non-hazardous role, and many employers specifically hire 16-year-olds for part-time positions. Popular jobs at this age:

• Lifeguarding - requires certification but pays well
• Tutoring - older teens can charge $15 to $25 per hour
• Restaurant server - tips can significantly boost earnings
• Freelance work - graphic design, social media, coding for local businesses
• Library aide or office assistant - quieter roles for organized teens

By 16, the goal shifts from just earning money to building skills that transfer to future jobs and college applications. A teen who can point to a year of consistent work shows employers and admissions offices that they're reliable.