Part-Time Jobs for Teenagers (With Duties and Salaries)

Updated 26 May 2023

Having a part-time job as a teenager can help you learn valuable skills, save money for university and discover potential career paths. A variety of jobs accept applications from teenagers and offer part-time hours. Learning about part-time jobs for teens can help you consider your options and find roles that interest you. In this article, we explain what part-time jobs for teenagers are and share a list of jobs with average salaries and primary duties.

What are part-time jobs for teenagers?

Part-time jobs for teenagers are positions that accept applications from young people with limited work experience and offer a work schedule that allows shifts after school or during holidays. A part-time job can help you gain experience and build your resume, experiment with potential career paths, learn about what kind of work you enjoy, meet new colleagues and develop skills. Some part-time jobs for teens might require gaining a certification or taking a training course, but many of these opportunities offer training for candidates with limited experience.

Researching different part-time job options can help you identify the available options. Consider what jobs you might enjoy and do further research by using job search websites and discovering opportunities available in your area. If you find a position that interests you, read the application instructions and consider applying. If the employer requests a resume or a cover letter, you can learn more about how to write these by searching on the internet and finding templates and advice.

Part-time job opportunities for teenagers

Here's a list of part-time jobs for teenagers with the average salaries and descriptions of the primary duties:

1. Landscaper

National average salary: $22.49 per hour

Primary duties: Landscapers help maintain lawns and gardens for private businesses or homeowners. They use a range of tools, such as mowers, shovels, leaf blowers and rakes, to gather debris and improve the appearance of a property. Landscapers often work as a team and travel to various job sites throughout the workday. Many landscapers start by working for established companies before setting up their businesses. Landscapers are physically fit and can spend long periods working outdoors and using tools.

2. Fast food attendant

National average salary: $25.40 per hour

Primary duties: Fast food attendants help prepare meals and serve customers at fast food restaurants. Besides serving customers, some fast food employees also perform cashier duties, such as taking orders and processing payments. Others work in the kitchen and prepare or cook meals according to customer requests. Preparing fast food often involves following detailed instructions and specific routines. Fast food staff spend most of their day moving around the back of a fast food restaurant. They usually work in teams and collaborate with their colleagues to ensure rapid service and constant availability of the entire menu.

3. Dishwasher

National average salary: $26.89 per hour

Primary duties: Dishwashers work in restaurants and take responsibility for cleaning cookware such as pots and pans, utensils and dishes. They typically work at a large sink and use tools like scrub brushes and soap to remove stubborn food waste from pots and pans. They may operate commercial dishwashers or glasswashers. Dishwashers collaborate with kitchen staff to prioritise tasks and ensure they have the necessary tools to prepare customer meals. Working as a dishwasher requires a level of physical fitness because it involves standing in place and performing repetitive tasks. Dishwashing work can help you gain restaurant experience and build a resume for working as a cook or wait staff.

4. Grocery team member

National average salary: $27.78 per hour

Primary duties: Grocery team members perform various duties at stores selling food and beverages. They might process incoming product shipments, stock shelves, clean up the store and assist customers. Team members often collaborate to complete tasks and keep the grocery store functioning efficiently. They develop knowledge of product locations throughout the store and answer questions from customers concerning product prices and placement. Grocery store team members spend most of their day moving around large retail locations and might perform repetitive lifting motions while stocking products.

5. Retail sales assistant

National average salary: $27.98 per hour

Primary duties: Retail sales associates work in stores and assist customers with purchase decisions. Sales associates might help arrange merchandise on the sales floor, add tags to products indicating price changes or sales and clean up items when necessary. Customers can ask sales associates for item locations and advice on purchases. Sales associates develop knowledge of products throughout the store so they can answer questions and offer assistance. Some sales associates take on cashier responsibilities and assist customers with payment. Working as a sales associate typically involves setting up displays throughout the store and offering assistance.

6. Cashier

National average salary: $28.11 per hour

Primary duties: Cashiers scan items and process transactions for customers at the register. They might scan each item or enter item codes to confirm purchases, help place items in a bag for customers and offer customers multiple payment options, such as cash, debit or credit card. Cashiers help consumers use payment machines and process discounts from flyers or coupons. They typically spend most of their workday in a single location processing transactions, handling drawers and ensuring customers receive the correct change.

7. Telemarketer

National average salary: $28.22 per hour

Primary duties: Telemarketers make phone calls to share product information, conduct market research and sell items. They typically work in call centres and use computer software to track each call and dial new numbers. Telemarketers often study a sales script and share specific information with consumers. They might use persuasive techniques to get consumers to agree to visit a website or sign up for a service. Working as a telemarketer involves spending significant time at a desk making phone calls. This type of work can help you develop confidence and sales skills.

8. Barista

National average salary: $28.41 per hour

Primary duties: Baristas typically work in cafes taking orders, preparing drinks and food and processing transactions. They might listen to customer requests and create customised drinks by using specific ingredients. Baristas learn to operate coffee machines and payment terminals. They use skills like communication and attention to detail to serve customers and succeed in their work. Baristas spend most of their work standing, moving between order stations and food preparation areas. Employers might offer part-time baristas shifts that begin after school with some weekend hours.

9. Lifeguard

National average salary: $30.73 per hour

Primary duties: Lifeguards supervise swimmers at beaches and pools, look for issues and rescue swimmers in distress. They spend most of their workday observing swimmers and enforcing pool rules restricting running or dangerous play. If they notice a swimmer in distress, lifeguards might alert their colleagues, conduct a rescue and provide first aid until medical personnel arrive. Lifeguards typically have strong swimming skills and take a training course to gain certification. They use communication skills to interact with the public and explain pool rules. Working as a lifeguard can involve spending long periods sitting or standing and observing swimmers. Lifeguard jobs may offer working hours after-school and during school holidays.

10. Babysitter

National average salary: $33.18 per hour

Primary duties: Babysitters typically work from private residences and provide childcare while parents aren't home. They might prepare meals, play games with children, assist with homework and ensure children go to bed at a specific time. Most babysitters are freelancers and find work from families in their personal network. This allows them to set their own hours and salaries but makes it challenging to ensure consistent work. Babysitters might offer references from previous clients to demonstrate their qualifications. The complexity of babysitting jobs can vary depending on the number of children and their ages.

11. Data entry clerk

National average salary: $41.67 per hour

Primary duties: Data entry clerks use a computer to input information into documents or spreadsheets. They receive instructions from their employer concerning proper procedures and data sorting and spend most of their workday entering information. Data entry clerks use attention to detail to ensure they type accurately and use communication skills to take instructions from their employers. Some data entry positions might allow you to work from home. Working in data entry can help you gain experience in office positions like administrative assistant or secretary.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.