Many 13-year-olds are at a point where they want to earn pocket money. However, the Fair Labor Standard Act prevents 13-year-olds from working for employers. This is why they can’t work traditional jobs like cashiers and fast-food workers.
Even though 13-year-olds can’t work traditional jobs, they have other options to earn money, like walking dogs from a neighbor or a helping family member with groceries. These small jobs are an excellent opportunity to learn valuable skills like time management and work ethic while making some money on the side.
In this article, we will present the best options for 13-year-olds to make money based on criteria like safety, fun, flexibility.
1. Teenage Dog Walker
Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Here’s the deal: dogs need to walk to get mental stimulation, exercise, and a”potty breaks.”
However, many dog owners are busy and do not have the time to walk their own dogs. This is where you can propose family members and neighbors your service as a dog walker. It is a great opportunity to make side money while taking a quick walk in the park.
Job Information
- Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- As a 13-year-old, you should inform your parents about your activity as they could be held liable for any harm befalling the dogs. For more information, visit our article: How Old Do You Have to Be to Make Money Walking Dogs?
- Previous experience with dogs is a plus.
2. Tutor
Salary: $20 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Tutoring is all about sharing the beauty of a subject with people who have a hard time understanding it.
Teenagers aged 13 years can take on tutoring jobs to earn money on the side. This might include helping younger kids with homework or helping classmates who struggle with their grades. Tutoring jobs help young teens develop important communication skills and can easily be worked into after-school and weekend schedules.
Job Information
- Salary: $20 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Good grades in the subject you want to tutor.
3. Youtuber
Salary: No guaranteed remuneration.
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
YouTubers can make good money by creating engaging Youtube videos.
As a young Youtuber, you can share your passions about video games, traveling, toys, etc. At the end of the day, a Youtuber is responsible for attracting people’s attention to grab more views on the video content and make money through advertising.
Job Information
- Salary: No guaranteed remuneration.
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Required: A decent camera and a microphone.
- Preferred: Excellent communication skills.
- Preferred: high-speed internet connection.
4. Teen Model
Salary: $24 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 10 hours per week.
Large companies and small businesses often hire teenage models to advertise their products:
- Commercial models look like everyday people and promote everything, such as food and household items. This job often requires basic acting skills.
- Parts models are in huge demand from companies who want the perfect hands, legs, feet, or other body parts to advertise their product.
- Catalog models have a look that appeals to the target audience. They do not have the same physical requirements as fashion models.
Job Information
- Salary: $24 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 10 hours per week.
Requirements
- An impressive modeling portfolio.
5. Babysitting Smaller Kids
Salary: $18 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few days.
Workload: as much as you want.
Some 13-year-olds are mature enough to convince a family member or a neighbor to take care of their children for a few hours. They usually get compensated for their care.
Job Information
- Salary: $18 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few days.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Check whether the 13-year-old is mature, responsible, and knows how to call the parents in case of emergency.
6. Online Surveys
Salary: $9 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
There is no doubt about it, understanding the minds of 13-year-olds is challenging. This is why the opinion of teenagers is worth gold and online companies pay to get the opinion of 13-year-olds about toys, video games, branding, products, etc.
Even though completing surveys might sound like a chill online job;, the salary is very small, and taking surveys can get boring very quickly.
Job Information
- Salary: $9 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Willingness to share personal information.
7. Junior Camp Counselor
Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Camp counselors might seem like the dream summer job.
However, it is not all fun and games. Camp counselors also have many responsibilities:
- Role model: camp counselors assist and motivate children in daily activities.
- Creativity: camp counselors make each of their campers’ summer the most memorable yet.
- Planning: lead and implement fun camp programs for children.
Job Information
- Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Requirements
- Requirement: A high level of maturity.
8. Teenage Pet Sitter
Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Pet sitting is a great job for teenagers who love dogs, cats, birds, fishes, and reptiles.
Whenever a family member or neighbor goes on vacation, you can offer your pet sitting services in exchange for a few bucks. Pet sitters make money by cleaning litter boxes, feeding the pet, watering plants, etc.
Job Information
- Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- An extensive amount of hands-on experience with the animal in question.
- Preferred: pet first aid and CPR training.
9. Yard Worker
Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Yard workers take care of backyards: they spread mulch, pull weeds, plant flowers, etc.
Many tasks in the backyard do not require potentially dangerous tools like a lawnmower or snowblower. This is a great opportunity to make money as a 13-year-old.
Job Information
- Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Having a neighbor or family member with a yard.
More Online Jobs for 13-Year-Olds
Here are more jobs to make money online as a teenager:
- Work as an Online Freelancer: The idea is to sell online services (logo design, voiceover, data entry requests, etc.) to others via the internet. Many platforms allow teenagers to take part in the gig economy. For example, the minimum age to sell on Fiverr is 13 or older.
- Sell Unused Items on Online Marketplace: The idea is to make money by selling unused clothes, video games, accessories, gift cards, or other items that you have lying around the house. You can sell your items on online marketplaces such Poshmark, ThredUp, Etsy, etc.
- Be a Content Creator: Nowadays, it is possible to monetize online content on platforms such as Youtube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, etc.
More Job Ideas for 13-Year-Olds
Here are more ways to make extra pocket money with part-time jobs:
- Teenage Fence Painter: This is one of the classic summer jobs for 13-year-olds.
- Sports Team Mascot: Sports team mascot bring cheer up your school sports team. This is an energizing job, but there is a catch; team mascot jobs are usually unpaid.
- Teenage Voiceover Specialist: The expansion of streaming services and podcasts has created more teenage voiceover opportunities than ever before. The good news is that voiceover specialists have a decent salary; this is an excellent job to start saving money for college.
- Teenage Cleaner: Here’s the deal: every house needs to be cleaned. The idea is to contact friends and family to see if you can make a few bucks by helping them with their chores. You can even scale your own business by contacting trusted homeowners in your neighborhood.
- Grocery Shopper: Helping your parents or neighbors with groceries is a great way to make money on the side.
- Teenage Artist: It is possible to make money by selling your art on Etsy.
Are 13-Year-Olds Allowed to Work as Employees?
Generally, the Fair Labor Standard Act prohibits employers from hiring 13-year-olds. However, there are limited exceptions to sectors such as agriculture, newspaper delivery, wreath-making, and teenagers with a parental exemption.
For more information about teenage labor, feel free to visit this page from the U.S. Department of Labor: Child Labor And Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA).
Conclusion
Job search is very challenging for 13-year-olds as they are not allowed to be employed under the Fair Labor Standard Act. However, it is possible for them to make their own money via online jobs and traditional jobs.
Keep in mind that young students should not work more than 15 hours a week during school semesters. In fact, working more than 15 hours a week can negatively impact academic performance.