What job should a 16-year-old get?
Looking for your first job as a 16-year-old be it part-time or full-time, can be a little confusing.
You need to buy gas for your car and also earn some extra pocket money, but you don’t know where to look for work.
And since you’re just starting out as a newbie in the job market with limited skills, your work options can be limited with less pay.
Or at least this is what most 16-year-olds assume before they start out.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case. With some research and the right information, finding the best job for 16-year-olds can be hassle-free.
Read on to find out what are the best jobs for 16-year-olds and get clarity on the following questions:
- What is the best job to start at 16?
- Where do most 16-year-olds work?
- What jobs pay best for a 16-year-old?
- What is the best job for 16-year-olds that they can do online?
- How to get jobs for 16-year-olds?
Best Job for 16-Year-Olds
No two 16-year-olds are alike. Similarly, there’s no such thing as one job fits all.
A job that might be good for you might not be fitting for another 16-year-old.
However, there are things that every 16-year-old must consider while looking for a good job.
For starters, you must assess your soft skills and personality to figure out which industry will suit you the best.
Are you a people person? Do you have good writing skills?
Depending on that, you could be self-employed by selling arts online or working as a writing assistant.
Or you could work in the service industry as most teenagers do.
Another important factor you must consider is the local and state labor laws for under 18 workers in your area.
Certain restrictions may apply to you, including work hours (per day/week) and being employed with hazardous occupations.
Ensure to check and comply with the labor laws of your state & locality.
Also read: How to make an impressive high school resume in 2022?
Where Can 16-Year-Olds Work?
Almost all types of industries have some positions that can be termed teen jobs and are good roles to gain some professional experience.
Listed below are some of the most common places that hire at 16:
| Restaurants | Retail Stores |
| Grocery Stores | Libraries |
| Food Delivery Businesses | Car Washes |
| Animal Shelters | Amusement Parks |
| Hotels | Warehouses |
| Shopping Malls | Movie Theaters |
| Tutoring Centers | Summer Camps |
Also read: Which are the top job search sites in the US in 2022?
Best High Paying Jobs for 16-Year-Olds
Even though it might be your first part-time job as a teenager, it doesn’t mean that you must compromise on your wage to gain some experience.
There are ample jobs for 16-year-olds that pay relatively well.
Given below are some of the high paying best jobs for 16-year-olds:
Golf Caddy
If you live in a place where there are many golf courses in the area, getting a job as a golf caddy can pay you very well.
Plus, the work is quite simple. You’ll be primarily responsible for keeping the clubs clean and assisting the golfers in carrying their clubs between holes.
The pay generally ranges around $19.96 per hour for golf caddies.
Babysitter
Being a babysitter is one of the most flexible part-time jobs for 16-year-olds that also pays well.
You will be responsible for looking after the baby when the parents are away, including feeding and bathing them.
As for the pay rates, it can range between $10 and $30 per hour, depending on the number of kids you’re watching, their ages, and additional duties that the parents may assign you.
Also read: How to write a stellar babysitter resume in 2022?
Tutor
Are you exceptionally good with maths or any other subject at school?
You can leverage it to your advantage and become a tutor to help younger kids with these subjects.
Depending on the subject and the number of students enrolled, you can earn anywhere from $19 to $25 per hour.
Also read: What are the most common interview questions for tutors in 2022?
Dog Walker
Being a dog walker is the best job for 16-year-olds if you love dogs.
The work is fairly simple. You just need to take the dogs on a long walk and maybe scoop some poop occasionally.
Most pet owners prefer to hire dog walkers on a steady basis and you'll need to show up at a specific time every day.
On average, dog walkers make around $15 per hour, but you can get paid more if you are comfortable walking more than 1 or 2 dogs at once.
Snow Remover
If you live in a cold place with frequent snowfall and don’t mind waking early, you could start your side hustle as a snow remover.
You will be tasked with removing snow from the sidewalks, staircases, and vehicles for owners before they head out for work.
Snow removers get paid per job rather than per hour for their work and depending on your needs, you can take work for multiple owners to make more money.
Beginners usually charge around $15 to $25 for this sort of work.
Also read: How to network for a job in 2022?
Best Jobs for 16-Year-Olds Online
Thanks to the boom of the internet, 16-year-olds no longer need to limit themselves to traditional part-time jobs.
You can opt for any of the following online jobs for 16-year-olds if unconventional jobs pique your interest:
YouTuber
If you enjoy making videos and are comfortable with a camera, you can start your own YouTube channel by picking a niche you’re interested in.
Although making money through YouTube will take a relatively long time, if you stay consistent and focused, the earning potential is high.
There are plenty of niche options to choose from - everyday lifestyle videos, makeup tutorials, product reviews, cooking videos, mukbang, etc.
Content Writer
Do you have a flair for writing? If yes, you can start making money right from your laptop.
You can become a blog writing assistant or even a junior content writer and make money with every article you write for a website or a client.
Depending on the length of the article, the topic, and other factors, you can make $10 to $50 per article.
Also read: Resume guide for writing the best content writer resume
Internet Researcher
Since teenagers generally have a high proficiency in using the internet and finding information online, you can get a job as an internet researcher.
Internet researchers are employed by companies who need to find information on various topics online. After completing the research, you will also be required to send back detailed reports on the same.
You can make around $15 to $20 per hour doing this work.
Also read: What are the essential soft skills that you need to advance in your career in 2022?
How to Get Jobs for 16-year-olds?
One of the easiest ways to get a job as a 16-year-old is by consulting your high school guidance office.
They often have postings for babysitting, local businesses, and other part-time positions.
You can also ask your teachers, relatives, coaches, and friends if they have any references for you.
Apart from seeking referrals, you can also consider following the below-given tips:
Look for Jobs Online
You can look for job postings online with the following sites to easily find vacancies sutiable for 16-year-olds:
- Sangjob
- Glassdoor
- SimplyHired
- Monster
- AfterCollege
- CollegeCentral
- CollegeGrad
- CollegeRecruiter
- WayUp
- CoolJobs
- USAJobs
You can also check out the employment services job listings and help-wanted ads in the local newspaper to find jobs for 16-year-olds.
Build a Stellar Resume
Having a stellar resume is an absolute necessity if you want to bag good jobs for 16-year-olds.
Your resume must showcase your educational qualifications, your skills, and a compelling objective statement that can persuade the recruiters to shortlist you for interviews or hire you.
Ensure to analyze the job description of the role you're targetting and tailor your resume according to its requirements.
Doing so will increase your chances of getting hired.
Also, your resume should not exceed one page and must include clear sections for different information like the header, key skills, education, objective, and volunteer experience, if any.
Also read: How to write an ATS-friendly resume in 2022?
Key Points from the Blog
- With simple research and the right information, finding the best job for 16-year-olds can be hassle-free.
- You must assess your skills and interests before looking for a job and also review the local labor laws that apply to workers below 18 years of age.
- Restaurants, retail stores, libraries, hotels, warehouses, and movie theaters are some of the common places that hire 16-year-olds.
- Golf caddy, babysitter, tutor, and dog walker are some of the best jobs for 16-year-olds that pay well.
- The best job for 16-year-olds can also be found online. For instance, being a YouTuber, a content writer, and an internet researcher are among the many job roles you can choose from.
If you need to start finding the best jobs as a 16-year-old, ideally start with a job-winning resume via Hiration’s Career Activator Platform which offers 24x7 chat support. You can also write to us at support@hiration.com.
