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What paid opportunities can I do as a 15 year old ?
Most I know of require you be at least 16 years old, so what can I do as a 15 year old to make money?
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4 answers
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Kaitlynn!
There are plenty of ways to make money at 15, even if most traditional jobs require you to be 16+. The key is to think outside the box and focus on opportunities that don’t require a work permit or allow younger teens to work independently. Here are some great options you can consider which ever you feel comfy to go with.
Let's go with Online Jobs these are flexible & Remote.
1-Freelancing (where you literally kinda Earn $$$ for Your Skills)
You can offer services on Fiverr, Upwork, or Rev (some may require parental help to set up an account). Popular services include:
Graphic design (Canva, Photoshop)
Video editing (YouTube, TikTok content)
Social media management (Help small businesses grow)
Writing (Blog posts, scripts, or short stories)
Voiceovers (If you have a good mic, this pays well!)
I suggest : Start with small projects, build reviews, and raise your prices as you gain experience!
2- Reselling Items (Flip for Profit)
Sell clothes, shoes, or collectibles on Depop, Mercari, or eBay
Buy & resell thrifted or clearance items (Look for deals and mark them up)
Resell digital items (Custom stickers, phone wallpapers, digital planners)
For example: Buy a cool hoodie at a thrift store for $5, sell it online for $20. Boom—profit! 😊 You cna also try it with devices and other items ofcourse, just check online what is trending or around neighborhood what people need.
3- Online Surveys & Market Research
Swagbucks, Toluna, Survey Junkie, or UserTesting (pays for reviews/opinions)
Mystery shopping apps (Some allow teens to review stores for money)
UserTesting pays up to $10 per short video review of a website/app!
Now there are Local Jobs (and there is No Age Restrictions in Most Cases!)
Babysitting & Pet Sitting
Babysit for neighbors, family, or post on Nextdoor
Walk dogs, pet sit, or house sit while people travel
Tip: Use the Rover app (requires a parent’s account) or make flyers to get local clients!
5-Yard Work & Odd Jobs 🌿
Mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, or pull weeds
Help elderly neighbors with simple household tasks
Move furniture, clean garages, or assist with organizing
Charge per job or hourly! Even $15 per yard adds up fast!
6- Tutoring Younger Students 📚
Teach math, English, or even music lessons
Offer homework help to middle schoolers
Tutor online via Wyzant or Care.com (with parental approval)
If you’re good at school, this is an easy way to make $10–$25 per hour!
Here is some Creative & Side Hustles which are also funn & Profitable, you can try if you want to!
7- Start a YouTube, TikTok, or Blog 🎥
Make tutorials, gaming videos, vlogs, or reviews
Use affiliate links to make passive income over time
You don’t need millions of views—small, niche channels can make money too!
8- Sell Handmade or Digital Products 🎨
Sell stickers, digital art, or crafts on Etsy
Create printables, planners, or journals (people buy these all the time!)
If you love art, this is a great passive income idea!
Kaitlyn, The key to making money at 15 is to be creative, consistent, and always look for opportunities around you! All the best and Know That You got this, Kaitlynn! 💪
Pick 1-2 ideas that match your skills & interests
Ask a parent/guardian to help (if needed for online platforms)
Start small & build up your experience
There are plenty of ways to make money at 15, even if most traditional jobs require you to be 16+. The key is to think outside the box and focus on opportunities that don’t require a work permit or allow younger teens to work independently. Here are some great options you can consider which ever you feel comfy to go with.
Let's go with Online Jobs these are flexible & Remote.
1-Freelancing (where you literally kinda Earn $$$ for Your Skills)
You can offer services on Fiverr, Upwork, or Rev (some may require parental help to set up an account). Popular services include:
Graphic design (Canva, Photoshop)
Video editing (YouTube, TikTok content)
Social media management (Help small businesses grow)
Writing (Blog posts, scripts, or short stories)
Voiceovers (If you have a good mic, this pays well!)
I suggest : Start with small projects, build reviews, and raise your prices as you gain experience!
2- Reselling Items (Flip for Profit)
Sell clothes, shoes, or collectibles on Depop, Mercari, or eBay
Buy & resell thrifted or clearance items (Look for deals and mark them up)
Resell digital items (Custom stickers, phone wallpapers, digital planners)
For example: Buy a cool hoodie at a thrift store for $5, sell it online for $20. Boom—profit! 😊 You cna also try it with devices and other items ofcourse, just check online what is trending or around neighborhood what people need.
3- Online Surveys & Market Research
Swagbucks, Toluna, Survey Junkie, or UserTesting (pays for reviews/opinions)
Mystery shopping apps (Some allow teens to review stores for money)
UserTesting pays up to $10 per short video review of a website/app!
Now there are Local Jobs (and there is No Age Restrictions in Most Cases!)
Babysitting & Pet Sitting
Babysit for neighbors, family, or post on Nextdoor
Walk dogs, pet sit, or house sit while people travel
Tip: Use the Rover app (requires a parent’s account) or make flyers to get local clients!
5-Yard Work & Odd Jobs 🌿
Mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, or pull weeds
Help elderly neighbors with simple household tasks
Move furniture, clean garages, or assist with organizing
Charge per job or hourly! Even $15 per yard adds up fast!
6- Tutoring Younger Students 📚
Teach math, English, or even music lessons
Offer homework help to middle schoolers
Tutor online via Wyzant or Care.com (with parental approval)
If you’re good at school, this is an easy way to make $10–$25 per hour!
Here is some Creative & Side Hustles which are also funn & Profitable, you can try if you want to!
7- Start a YouTube, TikTok, or Blog 🎥
Make tutorials, gaming videos, vlogs, or reviews
Use affiliate links to make passive income over time
You don’t need millions of views—small, niche channels can make money too!
8- Sell Handmade or Digital Products 🎨
Sell stickers, digital art, or crafts on Etsy
Create printables, planners, or journals (people buy these all the time!)
If you love art, this is a great passive income idea!
Kaitlyn, The key to making money at 15 is to be creative, consistent, and always look for opportunities around you! All the best and Know That You got this, Kaitlynn! 💪
Dr recommends the following next steps:
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. If you have any financial difficulties, suggest you discuss with your parents first.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore any opportunities in school eg library, administration work
2. Explore with your neighbour any need of baby sitter, gardener, etc
3. Explore any opportunities of any younger students who need tutor
Your safety is the most important. Please speak to your parents before starting your work.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore any opportunities in school eg library, administration work
2. Explore with your neighbour any need of baby sitter, gardener, etc
3. Explore any opportunities of any younger students who need tutor
Your safety is the most important. Please speak to your parents before starting your work.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Based on employment laws you must be at least 16 years old to work for a company. But, in the meanwhile you can earn money in your neighborhood or amongst family members by babysitting (you must have patience and enjoy kids, of course). Offering to walk dogs (you have to enjoy fuzzy friends), or help with minor landscape projects (i.e cutting grass). And if you enjoy a specific subject in school (i.e math, English, science) you can become a tutor. These are just a few ideas.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kaitlynn !
You are very fortunate to live in San Francisco, looking for work at age 15. I say this because there is a program through which you wouldn't have any problem getting your first job.
San Francisco Parks and Recreation offer two work programs for your age group. One is the Workreation Program and the other one is the Greenager Program. So this would be the quickest venue and save you a lot of time. I left the links for you below.
You will need to visit your high school office to obtain a Work Permit/Working Papers if you are seeking employment right now at age 15. Do it as soon as you can so you'll have the permit to start working.
If you need some spending money, plan to have a yard or tag sale on the weekends.
You may get written lists of ideas for jobs, but the important thing is that you work at what you know how to do and not have to spend money to do the work. I would not advise building a website to sell things as it is very expensive and you'll have to set up a payment tool for it, too. The tool takes a percentage of the money from what you sell. I also wouldn't advise doing any online surveys. I say this because there's a trick to these in which they pay cents or a dollar for each survey and they don't pay you until you've reached a certain amount of money. You at 15, would have to open a bank account and a Pay Pal or their payment tool to receive your money. You shouldn't have to spend your time doing all this for little pay that you don't know when you'd receive. Plus there are very few surveys for teenage demographics,
As for doing odd jobs - be very careful. If you use flyers, don't put your phone number, rather your e-mail address. Have your parents read all the response e-mails because a lot of them will not be real or wanting odd jobs. In San Francisco, I would advise not posting your information, rather use word of mouth. Also, you will need any equipment and transportation to the customers' place. My own advice is to only freelance for family and friends that you know.
When you turn 16, think about applying for work at a hospital doing data entry, reception or food service work.
Remember that you can get awesome employment service by connecting with San Francisco Youth Force Development. I left the link for you below. Try to stick with the referrals I've provided for a safe, supervised and beneficial journey towards employment.
In the meantime, enjoy your high school years and your beautiful city by the bay, and I wish you all the best !
SAN FRANCISCO GREENAGER PROGRAM https://sfrecpark.org/1669/Greenager-Program
SAN FRANCISCO WORKREATION PROGRAM https://careers.sf.gov/role/?id=3743990003115176
SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH FORCE DEVEOPMENT https://www.sf.gov/information--youth-workforce-development
You are very fortunate to live in San Francisco, looking for work at age 15. I say this because there is a program through which you wouldn't have any problem getting your first job.
San Francisco Parks and Recreation offer two work programs for your age group. One is the Workreation Program and the other one is the Greenager Program. So this would be the quickest venue and save you a lot of time. I left the links for you below.
You will need to visit your high school office to obtain a Work Permit/Working Papers if you are seeking employment right now at age 15. Do it as soon as you can so you'll have the permit to start working.
If you need some spending money, plan to have a yard or tag sale on the weekends.
You may get written lists of ideas for jobs, but the important thing is that you work at what you know how to do and not have to spend money to do the work. I would not advise building a website to sell things as it is very expensive and you'll have to set up a payment tool for it, too. The tool takes a percentage of the money from what you sell. I also wouldn't advise doing any online surveys. I say this because there's a trick to these in which they pay cents or a dollar for each survey and they don't pay you until you've reached a certain amount of money. You at 15, would have to open a bank account and a Pay Pal or their payment tool to receive your money. You shouldn't have to spend your time doing all this for little pay that you don't know when you'd receive. Plus there are very few surveys for teenage demographics,
As for doing odd jobs - be very careful. If you use flyers, don't put your phone number, rather your e-mail address. Have your parents read all the response e-mails because a lot of them will not be real or wanting odd jobs. In San Francisco, I would advise not posting your information, rather use word of mouth. Also, you will need any equipment and transportation to the customers' place. My own advice is to only freelance for family and friends that you know.
When you turn 16, think about applying for work at a hospital doing data entry, reception or food service work.
Remember that you can get awesome employment service by connecting with San Francisco Youth Force Development. I left the link for you below. Try to stick with the referrals I've provided for a safe, supervised and beneficial journey towards employment.
In the meantime, enjoy your high school years and your beautiful city by the bay, and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps: