Best 44 Side Hustles for Teens [Updated for 2024]

Updated: February 22nd, 2024

Whether you're a teen looking to make a little extra money on the side or just starting in your career, there are plenty of side hustles for teens to choose from.

A side hustle is a great way to make extra money and can be a lot of fun.

So if you're looking for excellent and easy side hustles for teens, Here are the best side hustles to help you make the most of your skills and knowledge as a teen. So get ready to start earning!

1. Start a clothes business as a side hustle ($125K/month)

Starting a clothing manufacturing business can be a lucrative and great opportunity. In fact, clothing manufacturing is expected to grow due to increase demand for quality clothing items around the world.

It's important that you first determine your niche in the clothing manufacturing world, whether that be streetwear clothing, fitness and athletic, or leisure.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $9,975,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

2. Start a dog walking business as a side hustle ($54K/month)

Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.

As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.

To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.

With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

3. Become a copywriter as a side hustle

Copywriting is a high-demand, high-reward job. This kind of work can be done from anywhere - all you need is a computer and an internet connection.

With services like Upwork and Fiverr, it's easier than ever to find work, build up your clientele, and make a substantial living copywriting.

Once you've gained experience and connections in this field, you may consider venturing out on your own and starting your own copywriting business.

How much you can make: $500 — $160,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $859 (?)

4. Start a sports coaching business as a side hustle ($4.76K/month)

Sports coaching is a fast-growing industry in all areas of the world.

If you have a sports coaching qualification and experience, you can turn those experiences into a profitable business.

You can offer coaching to teams or individuals depending on your preference and the nature of sports.

You may join sports associations or attend networking events to market your sports coaching abilities.

How much you can make: $4,759 — $8,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $550 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

5. Become a survey taker as a side hustle

How much you can make: $50,000 — $1,600,000/month

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

6. Start an affiliate marketing business as a side hustle ($298K/month)

Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.

To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.

How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

7. Start an online fitness business as a side hustle ($15.8K/month)

Thinking of starting an online fitness business?

Online fitness is growing rapidly in popularity because it’s convenient, affordable, and accessible to everyone. The best part is that you can stay in your home to start.

Starting an online fitness business can be a great way to make money and help people. When you start an online fitness business, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like rent or maintaining a physical location - all you need is a computer and an internet connection to get started.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $108,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

8. Start an etsy shop as a side hustle

Etsy has been around for over a decade, and the platform has become more popular for creators, entrepreneurs, and consumers.

The platform started as a place for crafters to sell their supplies and handmade goods. Now it has become a venue for artists and small businesses of all kinds to sell their products.

If you just started your shop or want to sell your products on Etsy, there are many different ways to kill on the platform. With the tips and advice of Etsy sellers who’ve been in your position, you’ll soon be successful!

How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

9. Start a pool cleaning business as a side hustle

Pool cleaning services serve affluent homes and commercial places. Their service involves adding and testing chemical levels and catching debris to keep the swimming pools clean. A pool cleaning company ensures the swimming pool water stays clear and inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

Starting a pool cleaning business fulfills your entrepreneurial spirit and is also profitable. Suppose you are starting a pool cleaning business. In that case, you need a basic understanding of how to mix pool cleaning chemicals, invest in professional pool cleaning equipment, and market your pool cleaning business.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $50,000/month

How long does it take to build: 7 days (?)

10. Start a cleaning service as a side hustle ($302K/month)

A housecleaning side business is a beautiful idea for people with free time on weekends or even weekdays. The side hustle idea requires little capital to start. During the launch, you can choose to offer the service to your neighbors and scale as you gain experience. The average salary for a house cleaner is $17.32 per hour.

By starting a house cleaning business, you are tapping into an enormous market with plenty of clientele. There could always be demand for your cleaning service, which keeps you in business as you help homeowners keep their homes spotless.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $600,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 80 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 7 hours/week

11. Start a garage sale business as a side hustle

How much you can make: $7,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

12. Become a social media influencer as a side hustle

Social media has become integral to people's lives and daily routines. Given the importance of social media, brands are flocking to different social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok in the hope of connecting with their target audience.

A popular approach taken by these brands is engaging social media influencers. A social media influencer has established credibility in a specific industry and has access to a vast audience they can persuade to act based on recommendations.

Anyone can become a social influencer so long as they have the right strategy. Choose a popular niche based on your interests and start creating relevant content.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $300,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $601 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

13. Become a virtual assistant as a side hustle ($340K/month)

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

14. Sell stock photos as a side hustle

Stock photography is the supply of licensed photographs for specific uses. If you have a camera and love traveling or taking photos, you can start your own stock photo business.

Create a stock photography website and upload the best shots to start your stock photography business. To ensure professional images, you can hire freelance photographers and photo editors. Alternatively, you can invest in a professional camera and learn the art of photography before launching your business.

Running a stock photo website allows you to create unlimited earning potential. Besides, stock photographers enjoy flexible working hours and have the potential for passive income.

How much you can make: $10,000/month

How long does it take to build: 3 days (?)

15. Start a graphic design business as a side hustle ($45.6K/month)

Graphic designers create logos, brochures, ads, and other marketing materials for companies and organizations. They also design websites and other digital content, including social media graphics.

Graphic designers may specialize in one type of design (such as print or web design), or they can be generalists who do everything from logo design to social media graphics.

Starting a graphic design business can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. It’s not easy, but if you’re passionate about design and want to make a living, starting your own graphic design business is a great way to go.

Consider a suitable pricing structure when starting a graphic design business. You may charge the customers per hour or fixed pricing based on the project’s nature.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 87 days (?)

16. Start a pet care business as a side hustle ($133K/month)

Animal care facilities offer day and night care services. Overnight care lets customers leave their pets at the pet care center to be safe from accidents and predators. Starting an overnight pet care business can be rewarding, with pet ownership on the rise. You can start a day and night care pet service to maximize profits.

How much you can make: $15,000 — $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

17. Become a social media marketer as a side hustle ($5.05K/month)

Social media marketing is gaining website visitors or customers by promoting your company on social media. To succeed in social media marketing, you must regularly post tasty, entertaining, and engaging share material on your social media channels.

Everybody knows that social media is a tool that has become extremely important to businesses of all sizes. It allows them to connect with people worldwide and provides a platform for customer service. Social networks are changing the way we do marketing. They offer an opportunity for individuals, businesses, and organizations to reach millions instantly.

Nowadays, it is easy to earn money through social media marketing. You just need to invest some time and effort to make a profit. Social media has been an essential part of many businesses marketing campaigns, and it is expected to be a significant part of any company’s future.

How much you can make: $100 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

18. Start a junk removal business as a side hustle ($23.3K/month)

Households and businesses need help hauling away broken furniture, clearing out trash, and even emptying properties during a foreclosure. Therefore, the demand for junk removal services is high. Starting a junk removal business can be profitable if you own a box truck and are looking for self-employment opportunities.

To begin, perform market research in your area, and apply for the necessary regulatory permits or licenses. Build a website and market your services.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $37,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)

19. Start a car wash as a side hustle

As more people purchase vehicles, the demand for carwash services will keep increasing. Starting a car wash can be the ticket for the budding entrepreneur looking for an innovative business idea with low startup costs.

You must choose an ideal location and invest in quality car wash equipment to operate a successful car wash. Proper advertising and marketing are critical to running a successful car wash business.

How much you can make: $3,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

20. Start a gift wrapping service as a side hustle

Gift wrappers use wrapping papers and other supplies to box up and decorate presents on behalf of their customers. Starting a gift-wrapping business does not involve considerable capital and is easy to manage. You can market your business online for free and request current customers to give recommendations.

21. Start a babysitting business as a side hustle

Babysitting service entails providing baby care to infants and children either in their homes, with registered caregivers, or in a child care center. A babysitting service requires a low startup cost and is a low overhead business with high profit margins.

The target market includes affluent and middle-income families where both parents are working. Baby sitters earn a fixed monthly income or are paid per hour depending on the agreement that suits both sides.

22. Become a wedding photographer as a side hustle ($14K/month)

Wedding photography is a highly sought-after service that involves capturing the special moments and memories of a couple’s big day. As a wedding photographer, you will be responsible for capturing the emotions and beauty of the wedding ceremony and reception through your camera's lens.

To start a successful wedding photography business, you must have a strong eye for detail, excellent customer service skills, and a passion for photography. You will also need to invest in high-quality camera equipment and editing software to produce professional-grade images.

In addition to having technical skills, it is important to have a strong marketing strategy to reach potential clients. This can include creating a professional website, utilizing social media, and networking with wedding coordinators and venues.

According to a recent survey, the average cost of a wedding photographer in the United States is $2,500. With the wedding industry expected to generate over $72 billion in revenue in 2021, there is a significant demand for wedding photographers.

To succeed in this business, having a strong portfolio and continuously improving your skills through education and training is essential. By offering top-notch service and beautiful images, you can establish a successful wedding photography business that captures the special moments of couples’ big day.

How much you can make: $1,200 — $14,000/month

How long does it take to build: 440 days (?)

23. Start a house sitting business as a side hustle

House sitters take care of customers' homes while they are away for extended periods. You may be able to offer house sitting to people with multiple properties for short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you have.

Starting a house-sitting business does not require a huge amount of capital. You can create a website or a social media page and advertise your services. Your typical duties as a house-sitting agent will include the following:

  • Feeding pets, cleaning cages and grooming them
  • General housework and cleaning
  • Maintaining gardens and hedges
  • Taking in the post, newspapers, and junk mail
  • Watering houseplants

You can attract new customers by printing a few business flyers and targeting wealthy housing estates or apartments in the city.

24. Start a window cleaning business as a side hustle

If you are ambitious about cleaning spaces, you may consider the window cleaning business opportunity.

Starting a window cleaning business offers several advantages. First, you get to choose a suitable work schedule. Also, you have access to repeat business since windows need regular cleaning to keep their shiny appearance.

Besides, starting a window cleaning service is not capital-intensive and comes with minimal overhead costs.

How much you can make: $60,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)

25. Start a pet waste removal business as a side hustle

A pet waste removal business is a specialized service that caters to the clean and efficient removal of dog waste from both residential and commercial properties.

This service primarily involves regular visits to clients’ homes or premises to scoop and dispose of pet waste in a hygienic and safe manner.

Pet owners rely on this service to maintain a clean and odor-free environment, which promotes a healthier and more enjoyable living space for both pets and their owners. This business opportunity has gained popularity due to the increasing demand for convenient and time-saving solutions, as pet owners seek reliable services to manage their busy schedules while ensuring a clean outdoor space for their pets.

Providing pet waste removal services can be a profitable business venture, especially in urban areas with a higher concentration of pet owners who value cleanliness and convenience.

By offering efficient and reliable services, this business can effectively help pet owners to maintain a clean and healthy environment while reducing the risk of pet-related health hazards.

How much you can make: $4,000/month

26. Start a tutoring or education business as a side hustle ($100K/month)

When students have problems with their schoolwork, they turn to tutors for help.

Being a tutor awakens your entrepreneurial skills. Being your own boss allows you to set your own schedule and be more independent. You'll create lasting relationships with students and their parents. Last but not least: you get paid well!

How much you can make: $1,700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

27. Start a shopify store as a side hustle ($500K/month)

Shopify is a platform that makes it easy to set up an eCommerce store and start selling products with no merchant account, no inventory, and no complex setup.

A Shopify store is one of the best ways to start your own business online because it's so easy to set up and manage. You don't need any technical knowledge or coding skills to get started, and there are no hidden fees involved either - just pay for what you use!

Starting a Shopify business is one of the best ways to make it on your own. It doesn't cost nearly as much as opening a physical store, and businesses run on Shopify can be extremely profitable.

You can sell anything from handmade jewelry to pet products, clothing items, and more with a Shopify store - there are no limits!

How much you can make: $200,000/month

28. Start a niche blog as a side hustle ($4.69K/month)

Starting a niche blog can be a great way to engage with a passionate online community by sharing your expertise on a specific topic.

The first step is to identify a profitable and underserved niche, such as fashion, video games, film reviews, cooking, and more.

Find your niche and create unique and informative content, such as articles, commentary, news, how-to guides, top product lists, convention coverage, video interviews, and spotlights.

To monetize your blog, gain visibility and followers, provide affiliate links, grow a YouTube channel, collaborate with relevant brands, and speak at events.

To succeed in niche blogging, you need to have a passion for your topic, create engaging content, and regularly engage with your followers.

How much you can make: $200 — $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $450 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

29. Start a podcast as a side hustle ($39.5K/month)

The podcast business involves creating and producing audio content that people can listen to online.

It’s a popular form of entertainment and information-sharing.

To start a podcast business on a budget, you'll need a few key steps.

First, choose a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that has an audience.

Next, get basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones.

Then, find a free or affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes.

Finally, promote your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth to build an audience and potentially attract sponsors or advertisers.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,055 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

30. Start a vending machine business as a side hustle

Starting a vending machine business in a crowded, busy city is an easy way to make money. Whether you want to run your own business, start a side hustle, or generate an income while at the office, this is the best business.

There are many advantages to starting a vending machine business, such as: low startup costs, simplicity, all cash-based transactions, and flexibility.

Here are the steps on how to start a vending machine business.

  • Buy a franchise
  • Find a location
  • Secure all licenses and contracts

How much you can make: $30,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

31. Start a knife sharpening service as a side hustle ($200K/month)

Every household has a bunch of knives in it. All those households have dull knives that may need sharpening to serve the owners well. Therefore, there is already a market for your knife sharpening business. To start the business, drive down the road, knock and ask the homeowners if their knives need sharpening.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $200,000/month

32. Start a food delivery business as a side hustle ($206K/month)

In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.

The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.

You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $83,333,333/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

33. Mobile pet grooming business as a side hustle

A mobile pet grooming business offers the convenience of professional grooming services right at the doorstep of pet owners.

With this service, your day-to-day activities involve traveling to clients' locations with a fully equipped mobile grooming van, providing personalized grooming services for their beloved pets.

How much you can make: $250,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

34. Start a carpet cleaning service as a side hustle

One of the most common household decorative items is a floor carpet. Carpets are extensively used in commercial and residential spaces to provide an aesthetic look. The increased use of carpets has influenced the demand for carpet cleaning services.

If you are starting a carpet cleaning company, you will need quality equipment and an on-point marketing strategy to stand out from the competition. You will be challenged by managing customer quoting, invoicing, allocating labor, and collecting payments. Therefore, invest in the right software for managing business operations and tracking invoicing.

How much you can make: $250,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $23 (?)

35. Start a youtube channel as a side hustle

For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.

In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.

If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.

How much you can make: $800 — $4,500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

More business ideas

  • 36. Start an advertising on your car as a side hustle
  • 37. Start a scooter charging business as a side hustle

38. Start a mobile oil change business as a side hustle ($4M/month)

How much you can make: $325,000 — $4,000,000/month

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

More business ideas

  • 39. Start a human billboards business as a side hustle
  • 40. Start an amazon associates business as a side hustle
  • 41. Start a yard work service business as a side hustle
  • 42. Start a customer service rep business as a side hustle
  • 43. Start a modelling agency as a side hustle
  • 44. Start a flyer distribution business as a side hustle

How to pick the perfect side hustle for you?

Side hustles are great for you as a teen. For some, it's about paying off debt or building savings. Others use it to take vacations and spend more money.

Apart from money, side gigs can open doors to new careers. So, as a teen, you should consider your side hustle carefully rather than just finding one randomly.

Here are some tips for picking your side hustle as a teen:

Pick a side hustle you enjoy

As a teen, you likely spend 40 hours or more working on your main tasks each day, which means you are pretty tired at the end of the day. In addition, a teen's life can be stressful, so finding a side hustle you enjoy is crucial.

Working 10 hours a week at a side hustle as a teen will be challenging, so that side work should be something you enjoy. With this in mind, you could turn your hobby into an income source. This way, that side hustle won't seem so hard.

Prioritize choosing flexible side hustles

Having a side hustle shouldn't interfere with your teen's duties. As a teen, it pays to choose a side hustle that accommodates your schedule and deadlines. If you don't have predictable tasks as a teen, you may need to prioritize choosing a side hustle that offers flexible hours.

Get a job with room for growth

It is not uncommon for teens to turn their side gigs into full-time jobs. However, teens' side hustles can be good to carry into retirement, especially if you start them later in life. As a result, you can earn a living and do something meaningful with your time.

For this reason, it's wise to take on a secondary gig with expansion potential. For instance, if you're a teen who decides to do graphic design work on the side, you can grow the job as more clients discover you. However, if you work a seasonal job at a restaurant to make some money, you might find yourself unemployed soon.

Find a side hustle that pays

While you might like your side hustle as a teen, chances are you're doing it to earn more. So, if you're going to work on top of your duties as a teen, you should do something that lets you earn but you still enjoy it.

Try to find that sweet spot in between. It can make a noticeable difference in your finances as a teen, but you'll also enjoy and learn from it.

Having a side hustle as a teen is an excellent idea to boost your earnings. If you choose the proper gig, you'll hopefully have a rewarding experience.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work for myself as a teen?

As a teen, you can work for yourself, and you will improve your skills and abilities while improving your career prospects.

Having the ability to work on your own as a teen can result in greater productivity. This is because besides the daily tasks you must complete as a teen, you are challenged to do more.

How much time do I need to spend on a side hustle as a teen?

The time you need to spend on a side hustle depends on your free time as a teen. After all, a side hustle is meant for us to earn more using only the time we can spare. Therefore, as a teen, you must maintain a balance of everything.

The goal here is to understand how much time you have besides the time you have to do your tasks as a teen and the time for you to rest.

For instance, it takes around 8 hours daily to finish your tasks as a teen, together with all your schedules. If the rest of the day is only spent doing leisure activities, then that's the potential hours for you to work for your side hustle.

Another essential thing to note as you consider the hours to spend on a side hustle is your resting time. As always, the last thing you'll want is to compromise your time to rest, as it can affect your health in all aspects, especially when you have tasks to finish as a teen.

In short, please take it as a rule of thumb to evaluate your day. It includes your tasks as a teen, your time to sleep and rest, and your spare time. Once you do so, you'll learn how much time to spend on a side hustle and pick one according to it.

How much can I make side hustling as a teen?

Every side hustle has its potential income to offer. As a teen, you can make as little or as high an income depending on your chosen side hustle.

In most cases, the potential income you can earn from side hustling as a teen can be 10%, 20%, or 30% of your actual income if you're working full-time.

However, such a range depends mainly on your chosen side hustle, allotted work hours, and primary income. It's not even impossible for you to make more money from your side hustle over time than in your full-time job.

Conclusion

Teens can find side hustles to make more money and have more job security. There are many opportunities for teens to find a side hustle, including online options.

Side hustles can help teens stay current in their field, learn new skills, and network with other professionals.

Teens should consider their goals and needs when choosing a side hustle. The best way to start a side hustle is by researching and planning.

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.