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15 Part-Time Jobs for High Schoolers

Looking for ways to make extra cash? Looking to learn new skills? Are you parents encouraging you to apply for jobs? It can be helpful to know where you may want to work. If you’re not sure, we’ve compiled a list of the best part-time and summer jobs for high schoolers that are entry-level positions that require little or no prior experience.

As a student, your motivations may be largely financial. But what may seem like a mediocre, entry-level job will actually be the very start of your professional career. You will learn practical skills that will undoubtedly benefit you along the way even if you don’t connect any of these jobs with your career after graduation.

1. Server

If you’re looking for high-paying jobs for high school students, it’s hard to beat being a restaurant server, as tips make up for the low hourly rate. Just keep in mind that you likely need to be 18+ to serve alcoholic beverages, depending on where you’re located.

2. Receptionist

Front desk receptionists work in a variety of settings, but they’re almost always seated and air conditioned! Whether it’s at a gym, an office building, a hotel, or some other establishment.

3. Babysitter or Nanny

Many babysitting gigs are informal arrangements. This makes it the perfect job for enterprising high school students eager to earn some cash without committing to a steady part-time work schedule.

Find the right parents and those infrequent or irregular babysitting gigs might turn into a steadier job as a nanny — watching kids every day after school, perhaps, instead of a few hours every few weeks.

4. Social Media Consultant

Many brick-and-mortar businesses are looking for ways to connect to customers on social media — even locally. You can help businesses in your area by creating posts for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other networks, while also building your skills for your career post-high school.

5. Grocery Store Bagger

Grocery stores baggers are a popular first-time job. Grocery store baggers typically start at or near local minimum wage. Cashiers might earn a dollar or two more per hour.

6. Food Delivery Driver

If you’ve scored your license and just can’t get enough of driving, being a delivery driver for a local restaurant can make a good part-time gig. Plus delivery drivers are often able to collect tips.

7. Landscaping and Lawn Care Worker

Like babysitting, landscaping and lawn care offers opportunity for high schoolers seeking a flexible, informal, decent-paying work arrangement. Plus it can be easily scaled by stringing together multiple gigs. Landscaping requires more work to sell your services, but it’s a better experience for aspiring entrepreneurs than, perhaps, working at a grocery store.

8. Barista

Working as a coffee shop barista is a fairly low-stakes way to acquire the sorts of basic skills you’ll need to succeed in career-track jobs: teamwork, efficiency, time management, following instructions, and customer service.

9. Dog Walker/Pet Sitter

Like landscaping and babysitting, pet care services are a flexible, scalable, often informal gig that’s great for entrepreneurial high schoolers. Using social networks, flyers, or word of mouth are ways to grow your pet care services, but platforms like Rover.com can help you get started.

10. Camp Counselor

Opportunities abound at summer day camps and childcare programs for aspiring camp counselors are plentiful in the Summer. There’s options for students who may want to travel and attend overnight camps or day camps for someone who’d prefer not to spend an entire summer away from home. If you like working with younger kids and want to work in an environment where entry-level workers have real responsibilities, being a camp counselor is close to an ideal gig.

11. Retail Store Clerk

The retail industry is a good place to start. Retail jobs are typically plentiful and found in a variety of fields and industries. Plus, employee benefits often include discounts and more- picking a store you enjoy is just an added bonus!

12. Kitchen Worker

If you prefer to operate behind the scenes, working in a restaurant kitchen might be more your speed. Prepping ingredients, washing dishes, and keeping the kitchen operating may be your speed! The big downside here is that tips don’t reach the kitchen staff; entry-level back-of-house employees shouldn’t expect to earn much more than minimum wage.

13. Administrative Assistant or Office Clerk

As an administrative assistant you will organize files, make copies, drop off mail, and perform any number of other daily functions that keep the office organized and running smoothly.Most low-level office jobs require high school diplomas, but not all. Using job sites like WorkaPart can help you find admin opportunities you are eligible for.

14. Lifeguard

There’s no better place to spend summer than by the pool. Especially if you’re getting paid! Becoming a lifeguard will teach you many skills, and You will get the benefits of being qualified in lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid all before your first day, all very handy skills to have.

15. Car Washer/ Attendant

Although many car washes are automated these days, most of them still need people to guide the cars onto the tracks and ring people up. Depending on the company though, you might also be physically washing and drying the exterior of cars.The experience of having a real job, even if it’s part time, can teach teenagers some valuable lessons about adulthood. WorkaPart encourages current and soon-to-be high school students to seek jobs of their own — and do their best to learn from those roles. Working part-time through high school affords some benefits such as: increased cash flow, less reliance on parents or other relatives for financial support, better money management skills, even a head start on the path to financial independence.

Why A “Real” Job Matters

The experience of having a real job, even if it’s part time, can teach teenagers some valuable lessons about adulthood. WorkaPart encourages current and soon-to-be high school students to seek jobs of their own — and do their best to learn from those roles. Working part-time through high school affords some benefits such as: increased cash flow, less reliance on parents or other relatives for financial support, better money management skills, even a head start on the path to financial independence.