Looking for a first job as a teenager can feel super intimidating, but the good news is there are tons of easy-to-land options that don’t require experience or a fancy resume.

I remember my first job was scooping ice cream at Baskin Robbins. I got hired on the spot despite having zero experience (other than eating lots of ice cream, which I considered relevant).

Let’s dive into the most accessible jobs for teens, what they pay, and how to land them without stressing out.

The Easiest Jobs for Teenagers to Get (No Experience Needed)

Most teens just need a job that:

• Hires with zero experience
• Works around school schedules
• Isn’t totally miserable
• Pays enough for weekend fun

The good news? There are plenty of options that check all these boxes!

Food Service Jobs: The Classic Teen Starter Pack

Fast food and restaurant jobs are probably the most accessible jobs for teens. Places like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and local cafes are almost always hiring.

Why these are great first jobs:

• Zero experience required (they’ll train you on everything)
• Flexible scheduling around school
• You get to work with other teens (makes it less boring)
• Pay ranges from $13-17/hour plus potential tips
• Free or discounted food (never underestimate this perk!)

The skills you’ll learn (like dealing with crazy customers without losing your cool) will help you in literally every future job.

A recent survey by Indeed found that 65% of hiring managers consider food service experience valuable for developing customer service skills.

Retail Jobs: For When You Want Store Discounts

Retail stores like Target, Old Navy, and grocery stores hire teens all the time.

What to expect:

• Cashiering
• Stocking shelves
• Helping customers find things
• Folding clothes over and over (and over and over and…)

The pay is similar to food service ($12-16/hour) but the best perk is employee discounts. If you love shopping somewhere specific, working there can save you serious money.

Plus, retail jobs look great on resumes. Employers know if you can handle Black Friday shoppers, you can handle anything.

Babysitting: High Pay, Flexible Hours

Babysitting remains an excellent option for teens who are responsible and like kids. It’s one of the highest-paying easy-to-get jobs, averaging $15-17/hour, sometimes more in wealthy neighborhoods.

How to get started:

• Tell family friends you’re available
• Join care.com or similar sites (16+ usually)
• Take a basic Red Cross babysitting/CPR course to charge more

The best part of babysitting is the flexibility – you can choose when to work and which families to work with. Plus, once the kids are asleep, you basically get paid to do homework or watch Netflix.

Research by ZipRecruiter shows babysitters in some metropolitan areas can earn over $20 per hour.

Online Jobs for the Tech-Savvy Teen

The internet has opened up a whole new world of jobs teens can do from home:

Survey Sites & App Testing

• Complete surveys on sites like Survey Junkie
• Test apps and websites for $10-15 per test
• Not huge money, but super easy

Content Creation

• Start a YouTube channel about something you’re into
• Create TikToks (brands pay for sponsored content once you have followers)
• This takes time to build but has the highest earning potential

Freelance Work

If you have skills in these areas, you can make decent money on sites like Fiverr:

• Graphic design
• Video editing
• Writing
• Social media management

According to data from Fiverr, teens with digital skills can earn $15-25 per hour doing freelance work online.

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting: For Animal Lovers

If you prefer furry friends to human ones, dog walking is perfect. It’s basically getting paid to exercise and hang out with dogs.

The pay is solid too – around $10-20 per walk depending on your location, and you can easily walk multiple dogs per day.

Apps like Rover (18+) or Wag (18+) can connect you with pet owners, but younger teens can start by offering services to neighbors.

Tutoring: Turn Your Best Subject Into Cash

Are you good at math? English? A musical instrument? Turn that knowledge into money by tutoring younger students.

Tutoring pays really well for a teen job – anywhere from $15-25/hour depending on the subject and your expertise.

You can tutor:

• In person
• Online through sites like Tutor.com
• At a local learning center

This job also looks amazing on college applications – it shows you’re smart enough to teach others.

How to Land Your First Job (Even With Zero Experience)

The hardest part about getting a job as a teen is just landing that first one. Here’s how:

Make a Basic Resume

Even with no work experience, you can include:

• School activities and clubs
• Volunteer experience
• Special skills (computer programs, languages)
• References (teachers, coaches, family friends)

Apply Everywhere

Don’t be picky with your first job! The goal is just to get something on your resume. Apply to multiple places at once to increase your chances.

Dress Appropriately for Interviews

You don’t need a suit, but clean, neat clothes make a huge difference. No ripped jeans, inappropriate t-shirts, or excessive anything.

Follow Up

After applying, wait a few days and then call or stop by to check on your application. This shows you’re really interested and helps you stand out.

Research from the National Retail Federation shows that following up after applying can increase your chances of getting hired by up to 30%.

Bottom Line: Everyone Starts Somewhere

The best job for most teens is simply whatever job you can get. Seriously. That first job is just a stepping stone.

The truth is, almost nobody loves their first job – and that’s okay! The point is to:

• Build your resume
• Learn basic work skills
• Make some money
• Figure out what you might want to do next

Remember, Jeff Bezos started at McDonald’s, and look where he is now!

Your first job doesn’t define you – it’s just the first tiny step in your working life. So apply everywhere, take whatever offers you get, and start building those skills and that resume!