Best Jobs for High Schoolers – Let’s face it, high school can be rough. It’s a time of tumultuous transitions and is often the foundation for an uncertain future. In some cases, it’s difficult to find a job that is best suited for your skills and personality. But there are still numerous jobs that are perfect for high schoolers with specific interests.
Some popular jobs that might interest high schoolers include video game programmer, graphic designer, lawyer, PR manager and more. Take a look at this list of the top 10 best jobs for high schoolers and see which one suits you the most!
High school is a tough time, but it’s also the first step to adulthood. It’s an ideal time to get some experience in a career field that interests you. Here are some of the best jobs for high school students:
1. Animator
2. Cardiologist
3. Dentist
4. Engineer
5. Financial advisor
6. Graphic designer
7. Historian
8. Interior designer
9. Journalist
10. Lawyer
Best jobs for high school students
Working while attending high school can help you build skills and earn income while you complete your diploma. Here are some of the best jobs for high schoolers, including some high-paying part-time jobs for high school students.
Food and drink service jobs
1. Fast food associate
National Average Salary: $10.65 per hour
Primary Duties: Fast food associates work in quick-service restaurants to take orders, answer questions, ring up orders, prepare and serve food to customers and handle cleaning duties in the facility. Some fast food chains offer educational reimbursement and other benefits that could help you after you finish high school.
2. Dishwasher
National Average Salary: $11.22 per hour
Primary Duties: If you like working alone, a job as a dishwasher is among the top jobs for high school students. The hours are flexible and you can put the skills you have gained doing chores at home to good use for a restaurant or catering company.
3. Host
National Average Salary: $11.28 per hour
Primary Duties: When diners arrive at a restaurant, the host is the first person they encounter. A hosting job involves greeting guests, managing the seating schedule and taking diners to their tables.
4. Barista
National Average Salary: $11.53 per hour
Primary Duties: One of the top jobs for high schoolers is making coffee as a barista. If you love coffee or simply want to enjoy the smell at work every day, look for coffee shops in your area that are hiring baristas.
5. Movie theater cashier
National Average Salary: $11.71 per hour
Primary Duties: A movie theater cashier is responsible for ringing up snacks and drinks and assisting moviegoers with their needs. This is a great high school job for students who love the silver screen or just want to enjoy some free popcorn.
6. Server
National Average Salary: $11.93 per hour
Primary Duties: Working as a sever at a restaurant involves greeting diners, taking orders, making recommendations and serving food and drinks. Those in this role can also gain strong customer service skills, learn how restaurants operate and even score extra income from tips.
Office jobs for high schoolers
7. Receptionist
National Average Salary: $13.45 per hour
Primary Duties: Working as a receptionist involves answering phones, making phone calls and greeting people as they come into a place of business. You can find receptionist jobs at medical and law offices, hotels, spas and salons.
8. Web designer
National Average Salary: $18.37 per hour
Primary Duties: Web designers create and implement websites for customers. This job is great for high schoolers with technical skills as they can set their own hours and even operate their own side businesses.
9. Virtual assistant
National Average Salary: $18.68 per hour
Primary Duties: If you are organized and able to manage tasks, working as a virtual assistant could be a good part-time opportunity during your high school career. Virtual assistants handle online tasks for professionals, including email and other forms of communication, calendaring and scheduling.
10. Graphic designer
National Average Salary: $20.00 per hour
Primary Duties: If you have computer skills and an eye for design, working as a graphic designer could be a good opportunity during your high school years. Many graphic designers work part-time and offer their skills to individual clients in need of marketing materials.
11. Social media manager
National Average Salary: $21.23 per hour
Primary Duties: Want to get paid to be on social media? Small businesses often hire part-time staff to post on their social media pages and interact with customers.
Other jobs for high schoolers
12. Theme park attendant
National Average Salary: $10.91 per hour
Primary Duties: If you live close to a theme or amusement park, you could work there during the summer months or even after school. Theme park attendant are responsible for assisting guests with any needs, operating rides and serving food and beverages.
13. Car wash attendant
National Average Salary: $11.58 per hour
Primary Duties: The main duties of a car wash attendant include assisting customers when they bring their vehicles, guiding them through the wash and handling any needs that arise. Some car wash attendants also assist with the actual washing and drying of the vehicles.
14. Front desk associate
National Average Salary: $12.22 per hour
Primary Duties: Gyms and fitness studios hire front desk associates to greet members, check them in and assist those who want to become members or enroll in classes. As a front desk associate at a gym or fitness studio, you may get a discounted or free membership, which is an appealing perk for students who want to stay active.
15. Call center representative
National Average Salary: $12.37 per hour
Primary Duties: Large businesses across all industries have call centers staffed with customer service representatives who communicate with customers. Working in this role involves answering phone calls and questions that come in via other communication platforms.
16. Retail sales associate
National Average Salary: $12.60 per hour
Primary Duties: A retail store is one of the best places to work as a high school student because it helps students learn a number of helpful skills. As a sales associate, you will assist customers, ring up purchases and stock shelves.
Related: 15 Retail Jobs That Pay Well
17. Grocery store stocker
National Average Salary: $13.10 per hour
Primary Duties: The shelves of grocery stores must be stocked with products, and taking on this task is a good way to earn some extra income. Grocery store stockers may work outside of normal business hours, making it a good option for high schoolers who are balancing their school schedule.
18. Catering coordinator
National Average Salary: $13.30 per hour
Primary Duties: A part-time catering coordinator can answer phones, manage a catering schedule, assist with food preparation and even handle the delivery of the food.
19. Landscaper
National Average Salary: $14.27 per hour
Primary Duties: Working as a landscaper allows you to work outdoors, and the work is fairly steady throughout most of the year. If you live in an area with a colder climate, you can transition your services to offer snow shoveling or ice removal.
20. Mover
National Average Salary: $15.94 per hour
Primary Duties: Strong, athletic individuals may enjoy providing moving services while they attend high school. Movers pack up items securely, transport containers and furniture and unload the items at the new residence or business without causing any damage. The ability to lift and move heavy objects is a must in this role.
21. Referee
National Average Salary: $16.28 per hour
Primary Duties: Sports leagues hire umpires and referees to call games and handle disputes between players. You may be able to find a part-time position in your local recreation or community league, and you will need to know the rules of the sport to qualify.
High paying jobs for high school students
22. Lifeguard
National Average Salary: $11.83 per hour
Primary Duties: Working as a lifeguard can score you a higher hourly rate than other jobs for high school students, but you do have to meet certain qualifications. Lifeguards must be CPR-certified and have strong swimming skills.
23. Library shelver
National Average Salary: $13.79 per hour
Primary Duties: Since community libraries are operated by the local government, these positions tend to pay well. A library shelver will return books to their proper places on the shelves and assist patrons.
24. Swim instructor
National Average Salary: $17.27 per hour
Primary Duties: If you are a strong swimmer, teaching others to swim can be a good way to earn some money. Swim schools often hire teens to teach swim lessons and classes to kids.
25. Tutor
National Average Salary: $24.54 per hour
Primary Duties: If you excel in a certain school subject, help others get better by providing tutoring services. You will work with other students to assist them with their schoolwork and help them gain a better understanding of the subject.
Care jobs for high schoolers
26. Camp counselor
National Average Salary: $9.16 per hour
Primary Duties: A camp counselor position may be seasonal, but it is a fun way to work directly with children and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. You can work all summer and save up money so you can focus on your classes during the schoolyear.
27. Babysitter
National Average Salary: $17.52 per hour
Primary Duties: If you enjoy being around children, working as a babysitter is a fun gig. It’s a good high school job because it is flexible and allows you to work around your school schedule. Most parents look for babysitters in the evenings and on weekends, keeping your days free for school.
28. Pet sitter
National Average Salary: $13.15 per hour
Primary Duties: People need care for their pets when they are away from home, and working as a pet sitter allows you to spend time with animals while performing an important service. In this role, you may be responsible for providing food and water, walking dogs, cleaning up messes and playing with pets.
Driver jobs for high schoolers
29. Valet parking attendant
National Average Salary: $13.92 per hour
Primary Duties: Another top job for a high schooler with a license and clean driving record is a valet parking attendant. This job involves parking the cars of customers who visit a restaurant, entertainment venue or other location and bringing the cars back when they leave.
30. Food delivery driver
National Average Salary: $25.00 per hour
Primary Duties: If you are over 18 and have a driver’s license and a reliable mode of transportation, you can deliver food to people in your community for your job. Food delivery is also a flexible job that lets you set your own hours.