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While attending classes and striving for a diploma, high schoolers often seek ways to earn money. Part-time jobs, which offer flexibility, are particularly suitable for them. Working during this period provides financial support and fosters the acquisition of essential skills that will prove valuable in their future professional endeavors.
This article will discuss the 33 best jobs for high school students.
1. Receptionist
- National Average Salary: $13.45 per hour
The role of a receptionist typically commands a national average salary of $13.45 per hour. Their primary responsibilities encompass answering incoming calls, making outgoing calls, and warmly welcoming individuals as they arrive at various workplaces. These positions are commonly available in diverse settings such as medical and legal offices, hotels, spas, and salons.
2. Web designer
- National Average Salary: $18.37 per hour
Web designers craft and execute websites for clients, earning an average salary of $18.37 per hour nationally. Their main responsibilities involve designing and bringing websites to life. This profession is particularly suitable for high school students possessing technical aptitude, offering flexibility in working hours and the potential to establish their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
3. Virtual assistant
- National Average Salary: $18.68 per hour
Working as a virtual assistant involves managing online tasks for professionals, such as handling emails, organizing calendars, and scheduling appointments. It’s a great part-time opportunity for high school students who are organized and capable of handling various responsibilities. The average salary for this role nationally is $18.68 per hour.
4. Graphic designer
- National Average Salary: $20.00 per hour
The role of a graphic designer involves utilizing computer skills and a keen eye for design to create visual content. Typically earning a national average salary of $20.00 per hour, this profession offers a potential opportunity for high school students. Often working part-time, graphic designers cater to individual clients by crafting various marketing materials tailored to their needs.
5. Social media manager
- National Average Salary: $21.23 per hour
The role of a social media manager typically involves handling the online presence of businesses. They are responsible for creating engaging content, managing posts, and interacting with customers on various social media platforms.
Often employed part-time, these individuals assist small businesses by curating content, scheduling posts, and engaging with the audience to enhance brand visibility and customer relations. The average national salary for this role is approximately $21.23 per hour, allowing you to earn while leveraging your social media skills.
6. Fast food associate
- National Average Salary: $10.65 per hour
The role of a fast food associate involves working in fast-paced restaurants where they take orders, assist customers, handle transactions, prepare and serve food, and manage cleaning tasks within the establishment.
These individuals typically earn an average of $10.65 per hour nationwide. Some fast food chains also provide additional perks like educational reimbursement and other benefits, potentially supporting individuals after they complete high school.
7. Dishwasher
- National Average Salary: $11.22 per hour
As a dishwasher, you’d typically earn around $11.22 an hour, which makes it a good job option for high school students who enjoy working independently. Your main responsibilities involve cleaning dishes. This job offers flexible hours and allows you to apply the skills you’ve learned from doing household chores to help restaurants or catering businesses.
8. Host
- National Average Salary: $11.28 per hour
As a host, you’ll be at the forefront of a restaurant, welcoming guests as they arrive. Your role entails warmly greeting diners, organizing seating arrangements, and escorting guests to their tables. This position typically involves being the initial point of contact for patrons, ensuring a smooth and pleasant start to their dining experience.
9. Barista
- National Average Salary: $11.53 per hour
A barista, earning an average of $11.53 per hour, holds a prominent position among the preferred jobs for high school students. Their main responsibility involves crafting coffee. Exploring local coffee shops seeking baristas can offer a fulfilling opportunity for those passionate about coffee or seeking a workplace infused with its aromatic essence.
10. Movie theater cashier
- National Average Salary: $11.71 per hour
A movie theater cashier typically earns an average of $11.71 per hour. Their main tasks involve handling transactions for snacks and beverages while aiding movie patrons with their requests. This position is ideal for high school students who are fond of movies or simply desire to relish complimentary popcorn while working.
11. Server
- National Average Salary: $11.93 per hour
As a server in a restaurant, your main responsibilities include welcoming customers, noting their orders, suggesting menu items, and delivering food and drinks. This role allows you to develop excellent customer service abilities, understand the inner workings of restaurants, and potentially earn additional income through gratuities.
12. Theme park attendant
Working as a theme park attendant involves aiding guests with their requirements, managing ride operations, and serving food and drinks. Typically employed during summer or after-school periods, this role offers an average salary of $10.91 per hour.
Whether helping visitors enjoy attractions or ensuring smooth ride experiences, theme park attendants contribute to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of park guests.
13. Car wash attendant
- National Average Salary: $11.58 per hour
As a car wash attendant, the typical pay nationwide averages $11.58 per hour. Your primary responsibilities revolve around aiding customers as they arrive with their vehicles, providing guidance throughout the wash process, and addressing any specific requirements they may have. Additionally, some car wash attendants participate in the hands-on washing and drying of vehicles as part of their duties.
14. Front desk associate
- National Average Salary: $12.22 per hour
Front desk associates working in gyms and fitness studios typically earn an average of $12.22 per hour. Their main responsibilities revolve around warmly welcoming members, managing check-ins, and aiding individuals interested in becoming members or joining classes.
This role often comes with the attractive perk of receiving a discounted or complimentary gym membership, making it especially enticing for students seeking ways to stay physically active.
15. Call center representative
- National Average Salary: $12.37 per hour
A call center representative typically earns the national average salary of $12.37 per hour. Their primary duties involve handling customer inquiries and concerns through various communication channels such as phone calls and other messaging platforms. They work in call centers for various industries, assisting customers by answering questions and addressing their needs.
16. Retail sales associate
- National Average Salary: $12.60 per hour
As a retail sales associate, your role typically involves various tasks aimed at aiding customers and maintaining store operations. Working in a retail store can be an advantageous experience for high school students, offering valuable skill development opportunities. Your primary responsibilities include customer assistance, processing purchases at the register, and restocking shelves with merchandise.
17. Grocery store stocker
- National Average Salary: $13.10 per hour
The role of a grocery store stocker involves ensuring that the shelves in grocery stores are consistently filled with products. This job is particularly suitable for individuals looking to supplement their finances. Often, these stockers may work during unconventional hours, making it a favorable choice for high school students juggling their academic commitments alongside work responsibilities.
18. Catering coordinator
- National Average Salary: $13.30 per hour
A catering coordinator, typically employed part-time, handles various tasks such as answering phones, managing catering schedules, assisting in food preparation, and overseeing food delivery. This role involves multitasking and ensuring the smooth execution of catering services.
19. Landscaper
- National Average Salary: $14.27 per hour
Being a landscaper involves working outdoors and typically provides consistent work throughout the year. In regions with colder climates, you can adapt by offering snow shoveling or ice removal services.
20. Mover
- National Average Salary: $15.94 per hour
Movers play a crucial role in securely packing, transporting, and unloading items during relocations. Typically filled by physically fit individuals, especially high school students seeking part-time work, this job involves carefully packing belongings, safely maneuvering furniture and containers, and unloading them at their new destination without causing any harm. The key requirement for this role is the capability to lift and move heavy objects effectively and safely.
21. Referee
- National Average Salary: $16.28 per hour
A referee’s role involves officiating games and resolving conflicts among players in sports leagues. Typically earning around $16.28 per hour nationally, referees are responsible for ensuring fair play by enforcing the sport’s rules. You might secure a part-time position in your community or recreational league, provided you have a deep understanding of the sport’s regulations.
22. Lifeguard
- National Average Salary: $11.83 per hour
A lifeguard’s role involves supervising swimmers to ensure their safety. Typically earning an average of $11.83 per hour nationally, this position offers a better pay rate than other jobs available for high school students. However, aspiring lifeguards need to meet specific prerequisites. They must hold CPR certification and proficient swimming abilities to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
23. Library shelver
- National Average Salary: $13.79 per hour
The role of a library shelver involves organizing books by returning them to their correct spots on the shelves and aiding library visitors. Working for community libraries under local government, this job often offers a decent salary, averaging around $13.79 per hour.
24. Swim Instructor
- National Average Salary: $17.27 per hour
A swim instructor is responsible for teaching swimming skills to individuals, often hired by swim schools, especially teenagers with strong swimming abilities. Their primary duty involves conducting swim lessons and classes for children, offering instruction and guidance to help them learn how to swim effectively and safely.
With a national average salary of $17.27 per hour, it serves as a potential income source for those proficient in swimming and willing to teach others.
25. Tutor
- National Average Salary: $24.54 per hour
A tutor is someone who earns an average salary of $24.54 per hour by leveraging their expertise in a particular school subject to aid others. Their primary duty involves assisting fellow students in comprehending and improving their grasp of the subject matter.
Through personalized guidance and support, tutors work collaboratively with learners, aiding them in their schoolwork and fostering a deeper understanding of the subject.
26. Camp counselor
- National Average Salary: $9.16 per hour
A camp counselor typically earns around $9.16 per hour on average nationally. Their main responsibilities involve working directly with kids in a seasonal setting, enjoying nature while guiding activities. It’s an opportunity to work through summer, save up, and prioritize studies during the school year.
27. Babysitter
- National Average Salary: $17.52 per hour
Being a babysitter is a rewarding job, often chosen by high school students due to its flexibility. With an average pay of $17.52 per hour, it involves caring for children during evenings and weekends, enabling you to balance work with school commitments.
28. Pet sitter
- National Average Salary: $13.15 per hour
Being a pet sitter involves caring for animals when their owners are away. It’s a job that lets you spend time with pets while offering a crucial service. Your tasks may include feeding, walking, cleaning up after, and playing with them.
29. Valet parking attendant
- National Average Salary: $13.92 per hour
A valet parking attendant is someone who parks customers’ cars when they visit places like restaurants or entertainment venues and retrieves the cars when the customers leave. It’s a good job for high schoolers with a driver’s license and a clean driving record. The primary duty is parking and returning cars for customers.
30. Food delivery driver
- National Average Salary: $25.00 per hour
As a food delivery driver, you’ll earn around $25 per hour on average. Your main responsibilities involve delivering food to individuals within your community. All you need is to be over 18, possess a driver’s license, and have a dependable mode of transportation. This job offers flexibility, allowing you to set your preferred working hours.
31. Yard worker
- National average salary: $13.23 per hour
Yard workers typically earn around $13.23 per hour on average nationally. Their main tasks involve various outdoor chores like raking leaves, weeding, mowing lawns, and tending to plants by watering them. This type of work is commonly undertaken by teenagers for neighbors or businesses.
It’s particularly well-suited for high schoolers who appreciate physical labor and outdoor time. Additionally, yard work jobs often follow seasonal patterns, meaning they’re not year-round opportunities.
32. Prep cook
- National average salary: $12.23 per hour
Prep cooks, typically found in restaurant back kitchens, earn an average national wage of $12.23 hourly. They handle food storage, preparation, cooking, and plating. Their primary role involves readying ingredients for chefs and line cooks, such as chopping veggies or crafting sauces used in dishes. This role allows teens to hone culinary skills, undergo on-the-job training, and gather valuable experience within the food service sector.
33. Ice cream scooper
- National average salary: $10.76 per hour
An ice cream scooper typically earns around $10.76 per hour on average. They handle customer orders, offer samples of various ice cream flavors, and prepare orders. It’s a great summer job feasible for students throughout the year. Perks might include free ice cream and pooling tips among the team.