economy
The top 10 highest-paying jobs for teens in the U.S.—No. 1 isn't retail or food service
Babysitting may not be your ultimate career path, but having a job as a teenager can build transferable skills for young workers, according to experts.
TL;DR
- Car technician and mechanic is the highest-paying job for teenagers, with a median hourly wage of $23.88.
- Other top-paying jobs for teens include babysitter ($23.08/hour), retail supervisor ($22.75/hour), and coach/scout ($22.08/hour).
- Popular teen jobs like waiter/waitress and shelf stocker have lower median hourly wages but higher employment numbers.
- Teen jobs are often viewed as sources of extra money rather than career stepping stones, but they build valuable transferable skills.
- Key skills for teens to develop for job progression include communication, reliability, maturity, and adaptability.
- Teen workers should consider job requirements, necessary certifications (like first aid for babysitters), and how the job aligns with their study and sleep schedules.