Best Online Jobs for Teens 2024: Make Money From Home

Can teens really make money online? Yes! I know that it can be hard to earn extra income as a teen when you have a school schedule to work around and need to rely on a car. These online jobs allow you to work flexibly from the comfort of your bedroom.

I recommend finding something you enjoy, whether that means selling gently used clothes on Poshmark or becoming a TikTok content creator. If you want to build career experience, look for more traditional jobs — like a social media marketer or data entry worker — that don’t have a strict age requirement (in general, you have to be at least 14 to work in the U.S.).

I’ve rounded up the best online jobs for teens to help you get started in your side hustle today — no business dress required.

Featured side hustles

How we evaluate products

When rounding up the top jobs, consideration went into evaluating key criteria such as flexibility, earning potential, skill requirement, and accessibility. Additionally, thought was given for a teenager’s lifestyle — i.e. what are teens already using and loving. Here’s how each section was measured:

• Flexibility: The need for work-life balance was paramount, especially for teens juggling school and extracurricular activities. Swagbucks and Poshmark offer the ability to work on one's own schedule, while some of the other ideas, like data entry might require you to work a set number of hours each day.
• Earning potential: I included jobs that had the potential to grow in income based on how much effort you put in them. For example, many have grown their Poshmark or social media platform into a thriving business after years of dedication. This is also why Bingo Clash and other online gambling platforms were not included in the list — there is a risk that you will lose money or earn little, even if you are dedicated to playing.
• Skill requirement: Since teens are still figuring out what they are passionate about and what they are good at, most of the jobs listed don’t require experience.
• Accessibility: Most of these jobs can be performed at home with a cell phone, tablet, or laptop. They are also open to most states, unlike online gambling which is limited throughout the U.S.

The 11 best online jobs for teens

• Swagbucks
• Poshmark
• Social media marketing assistant
• Data entry worker
• TikTok
• Cambly
• YouTube
• Twitch
• Fiverr
• Customer service representative
• Freelance writer or proofreader

Comparison of the best online jobs for teens

Online job or side hustle	Best for	Age requirement
Swagbucks	Taking online surveys	At least 13 (teens 13 to 17 must have parental permission)
Poshmark	Selling things online	At least 13 (teens 13 to 17 must have parental permission and supervision)
Social media marketing assistant	Helping manage social media accounts and campaigns	At least 14
Data entry worker	Using computers to enter or update information	At least 14
TikTok content creator	Creating TikTok content	At least 13
Cambly	Teaching English online	At least 18
YouTube content creator	Creating YouTube content	At least 13 (with your parent or guardian’s permission)
Twitch streamer	Live streaming from Twitch	At least 13 (teens 13 to 17 must have parental permission)
Fiverr	Doing online tasks for other people	At least 13 (teens 13 to 17 must have parental permission and use their parent’s account)
Remote customer service representative	Helping online customers	At least 14
Freelance writer or proofreader	Writing or proofreading for online clients	At least 14

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a rewards site where you can take advantage of different deals and offers to earn rewards or cash back. For teens, I recommend using Swagbucks to take paid online surveys for market research purposes.

You get paid in Swagbucks, which can be redeemed for gift cards from popular retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Apple. You can also redeem your rewards for prepaid Mastercard or American Express cards that can be used just about anywhere Mastercard and Amex are accepted. If you want straight cash, you will need to connect to your guardian’s PayPal account and earn at least $25.

Alternative apps/services for Swagbucks

• Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is one of the most popular online survey sites. You have to be at least 18 to use Survey Junkie.
• InboxDollars: This is a popular alternative to Survey Junkie and Swagbucks for taking online surveys. InboxDollars requires users to be at least 18.

Visit Swagbucks | Read more in our full Swagbucks review.

2. Poshmark

Poshmark is an app and online marketplace where you can buy and sell items related to fashion, home decor, beauty, and more. From our experience, I’ve seen it used primarily as a fashion app where you can buy and sell clothing and accessories.

You could use Poshmark to sell some of your gently used items occasionally or start a full-time Poshmark side hustle where you actively source items to sell for your online business. Many shop their local thrift stores for inventory to resell, which can be lucrative if you know which brands sell best. You will also need to be willing to take attractive pictures and possibly do fashion lives to sell more.

Visit Poshmark | Read more about Poshmark in our review.

3. Social media marketing assistant

Social media marketing assistants typically assist social media marketing managers and people in similar roles. Daily responsibilities could include creating social media posts, scheduling posts for online platforms, or working on specific social media campaigns.

You might be able to find work through job posting platforms, but you might also need to find clients through making connections on LinkedIn or locally. I recommend starting with small businesses that are around your area; do any of them need help making a better social media presence? Offering your services can prove to be more successful than filling out dozens of applications online.

Visit FlexJobs

4. Do data entry work

Data entry workers focus on inputting or updating information in company databases.

For example, you might input customer information gathered from paper records into a digital database for easier reference and organization. Or, as a data entry specialist, you might transcribe video and audio clips from recorded meetings.

You don’t typically need much experience besides basic computer skills to work different data entry jobs. However, know that the work might be boring and repetitive — plus, it can be harder to track down legitimate jobs rather than scams.

Here are 22 of the best data entry jobs.

5. TikTok

TikTok has taken the world by storm with its unique approach to providing social media content through short and (often) funny video clips. It’s especially popular with younger generations, making it prime real estate for teens looking to flex their creative muscles.

Just like Youtube and Instagram, you need to create content that people want to watch. Think about what unique angle you can bring to the crowded platform. Can you teach a skill or talent? Do you have impressive artistic or sport skills? Or maybe you can make up jingles to review products.

Learn how to become a social media influencer.

6. Cambly

Cambly lets you teach English online to people around the world as an online tutor. You can work as little or as much as you want from wherever you want. However, you do have to be at least 18 to access Cambly online tutoring jobs. You can choose to tutor adults for .17/minute or children for .20/minute.

The pay is lower than VIPKid, but you also aren’t required to have your bachelor’s degree. If you do have a degree, consider using both platforms simultaneously to earn more.

Visit Cambly

7. YouTube

YouTube appeals to creators of all kinds, regardless of niche or content type. This makes it easy to get started in such a vast online world, but you still have to put the work in to create consistent content for your target audience.

If you can get enough subscribers to your channel, making over $1,000 per video is not unheard of. And you can continue making money on videos months or even years later.

If you study popular channels in your desired niche, you can see what does well and what doesn’t. While some channels post random videos and get a lot of views, the ones that have consistent content on the same topic tend to do better in the long run.

Learn how to become a social media influencer.

8. Twitch

If you want to be a live entertainer, Twitch streaming could be for you. The live streaming platform primarily focuses on playing video games, but the “Just Chatting” category also leaves space for non-gaming entertainment.

Top streamers can earn millions of dollars from streaming-related efforts, but you need a huge audience to get into that range. Alternatives also worth checking out are YouTube Gaming and Facebook Gaming; both take a smaller commission on your earned revenue.

Learn how much Twitch streamers make.

9. Fiverr

You can’t create your own account on Fiverr as a teen unless you’re at least 18. But you can use a parent’s account and market any applicable skills. Then, you can start working as a data entry worker, graphic designer, translator, social media marketer, virtual assistant, or other things.

When Fiverr was brand new and I had just graduated college, I offered gigs for 500-word articles and creative stories that didn’t need to be well-researched. From this, I learned to write faster and was even able to earn $10 to $15 an hour, which was better pay than my Starbucks job at the time.

If you are 18, similar gig platforms worth checking out are Upwork and Toptal.

Learn more in our full Fiverr review.

10. Customer service representative

Customer service reps can work online from their homes while helping solve customer issues in a non-face-to-face setting. These jobs could serve as career stepping stones in the customer service industry.

Being a customer service rep might not be the most exciting online job, but it’s a start, and you could make some extra cash. Some roles will require you to have specialized equipment, such as a newer model computer with a camera and a noise-canceling headset.

Visit ZipRecruiter to search for open positions.

11. Freelance writer or proofreader

It’s possible to know how to write well from a young age, which makes a freelance writer position an appealing prospect for certain teens. While most large companies won’t hire teens to write for them, checking for roles in your community, such as a local paper or magazine publisher, could make sense.

To get your foot in the door, try pitching unpaid guest posts on sites and blogs to get byline credit. You don’t need to mention your age, but once you earn a few bylines, you can use them to apply for paid positions.

How to choose the best online jobs for teens

• Minimum age requirement: Many jobs require you to be at least 18 to apply. However, you might be able to use certain apps or platforms if you’re 13 to 17 and have parental permission or permission from your legal guardian.
• Money: Wages likely won’t be great for working teens unless you become wildly popular on a social media platform or find a well-paying position. But if you make a few extra bucks or receive money for something you enjoy, it could be worth it. Plus, you can consider any work experience or valuable skills you gain as an investment in your future career.
• Time: You might have a lot going on as a teen, including school and extracurricular activities. It’s important to find a job that’s flexible enough for you to do after school or when you have time.
• Interest: While it may not always be possible to find work you like or keep your interest, it’s worth considering this as a factor in your job search. It’s much better to enjoy your work than to fear doing it every day.
• Job requirements: Depending on the job, you might need prior experience or have to meet other requirements(s), such as taking online courses to qualify. That might not be possible if you’re brand new to working and haven’t had time to earn any experience.

FAQs

Online jobs that didn’t make the list

Not all online jobs are created equal, and while the following remote positions are good for a few extra dollars on the side, I ultimately did not choose them because you have to be over 18 years old and the income is not stable or predictable — i.e. you can’t plan to make $300 per week. Here’s which online jobs did not make the list:

Bingo Clash

Bingo Clash is a mobile game available on the App Store and Google Play, but you must be at least 18 to participate in cash games. Additionally, cash games aren’t available in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, or from U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico.

Playing cash games gives you the opportunity to win actual cash, but you have to be skilled to learn how to make money with these types of games. There is always a risk of losing money also. If you do enjoy playing games for the possible chance to win money, Bingo Cash and Solitaire Cash are other options to try out.

Download Bingo Clash | Learn more in our full Bingo Clash review.

Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is one of the most popular online survey sites, but you do need to be 18 years or older to make money from it. Additionally, Survey Junkie can range from one to 200 points per survey, and each point is equivalent to $0.01. This means that it can take a significant amount of time for teenagers to accumulate enough points to cash out.

Moreover, surveys on Survey Junkie are often targeted towards adults with specific experiences or interests, making it difficult for teenagers to qualify for many surveys. This can be frustrating and discouraging for young users who may not have the desired demographics or qualifications. If you prefer earning money with survey taking, you can also check out InboxDollars.

Bottom line

If you are ready to start earning money online as a teen, don’t think it is going to be a get-rich-quick scheme. Even jobs that look effortless, like Youtube and TikTok require time and consistency.

Whichever job you pursue, spend more time researching it. See how other people have successfully done it and read articles and books on the topic if possible.

For more of our top recommendations, check out our list of the best side hustles.