Highest-Paying Jobs for Teenagers in the US

Having a part-time job is a rite of passage for many American teenagers, especially in the summer months.

A May 5 report from Resume Genius, an online career platform and resume builder, identified the highest-paying jobs for teenagers, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The top job on the list is car technician and mechanic, with a median hourly wage of almost $24. To land one of these jobs, you'll need a "natural ability or skill in mechanics," as well as basic knowledge of vehicles, according to Nathan Soto, career expert at Resume Genius, but teens who have the right skills can make good money.

While wages can vary, waiter and waitress are the most popular job among teens, Soto says, partially because of the "sheer number of opportunities" available in the field. These roles also "align well with the school schedules," he says: "It's easier for them to go to school full-time and work part-time."

Roles like coach or tutor are also "ideal jobs for students" because they inherently relate to school, Soto says, explaining that "if you excel academically, you can tutor in a field that you love and that you're good at."

Most teen workers view their roles as "jobs of convenience" to make extra money rather than as "stepping stones for their career," Soto says. Still, having any kind of job experience as a teenager can give young workers a leg up when they pursue full-time employment, he says.

"They've done an interview before, they've had a boss before. That kind of experience can go a long way," Soto says. "You can really apply transferable skills you learned in jobs like these to other careers."

Based on Resume Genius's analysis of BLS data, these are the top 10 highest-paying jobs for teenagers, as well as each role's median hourly wage and the estimated number of teens employed in the role.

Median hourly wage: $15.41

Number of teens employed: 101,000

While most teenagers start out in entry-level roles, some jobs do offer opportunities for advancement, according to Soto. "If teens are staying at the same job for over a year, or over two years, and they're doing so well that they get recognized as being leadership material, then they can be promoted into supervisor roles," he says.

To progress at work, teen employees will need to demonstrate "high-level communication skills," as well as reliability, maturity and adaptability, Soto says.

Soto advises teenagers looking for work to check which skills and certifications are required for a prospective role — for example, childcare workers and babysitters often need first aid and CPR certifications.

They should also consider "how much of your energy and your sleep is going to be dedicated to this job," Soto says. For teenagers who are still in school, "you want to make sure it really aligns with study needs and sleep schedule."

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