15 Seasonal Jobs For Teens

Life can be really busy for the average teenager, especially during the school year. Adding a job on top of their already packed schedule can be overwhelming for some students. For this reason, many parents advise their teenage children to only work for short periods throughout the year. 

This is called seasonal work, and there are millions of seasonal jobs for teens in the U.S. These jobs typically begin at the start of a specific season, then end once that season is over. Companies do this because they expect higher traffic during those periods due to holidays, school schedules, weather, and related factors. 

Seasonal jobs for teens are most often found at the start of summer and winter because students have breaks during this time. 

In the following sections, we will list some common examples of seasonal jobs for teens.

Landscaping

During the winter months, lawns, gardens, and other landscape features need little maintenance. This is especially true in regions where snowfall prevents plants from growing. 

Yet, in the summertime, plants have access to all of the sunlight they need to grow. If left unchecked, lawns, bushes, and trees can overgrow and become unsightly or hazardous. For this reason, many landscaping companies see a surge of new customers during the late spring and early summer. 

To deal with the additional customers, they frequently hire teenage workers on a seasonal basis. When working for a landscaping company, teenagers are made responsible for a variety of job duties, such as gardening, planting trees and bushes, and mowing lawns. The job requires handling lawn care equipment and a significant amount of physical labor. 

The pay for landscaping varies, but teenagers can expect anything from $10-$15 per hour. Ambitious teens can take this job one step further by starting their own lawn care company. If you have access to the appropriate lawn care equipment, all you need to do is get the word out. A teen may have to pass on more complex landscaping jobs, but there’s nothing stopping you from mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and trimming bushes! 

Lifeguard

Swimming pools and other public bodies of water can be dangerous. This is especially true when children are the ones swimming. Even if the people in the water have a proper understanding of how to swim, there are still circumstances wherein they need help to stay safe in the water. 

This is where lifeguards come in. 

Lifeguards are responsible for ensuring that all people in the pool are following proper safety protocols. They also help resuscitate people who suffer critical water-borne accidents. In this sense, lifeguards can truly save lives. 

This is a seasonal job because, in many areas, pools are only open during the warmer months of the year. Of course, there are indoor pools that may be open during the winter, but this isn’t as common. As a teenager, you can expect to see many local pools hiring lifeguards around the time they are expected to open. 

To become a teenager, you must be a strong swimmer and have the appropriate certifications. If this sounds interesting to you, then becoming a lifeguard can be a great way to earn some money while spending time in the sun. The average pay for lifeguards is about $10 an hour. 

Farmhand

Farms supply our country with the food we need to thrive. But someone has to take care of the animals and crops to ensure that they grow healthily. Farmhands help farmers with a variety of tasks, like planting and harvesting crops, or feeding and caring for animals. It is a physically demanding job, but it can be incredibly satisfying to participate in the agricultural process. 

Teenage workers can also learn plenty while working this job. If you have an interest in farming and want to earn some money during the summer, there are plenty of opportunities for farmhands in rural areas. While it may not be as likely that you would find such a seasonal job in an urban area, it doesn’t hurt to look. 

If you do pursue this career, expect an average pay rate of $11 an hour. 

Golf Caddy

Golf is a popular sport that is played across the entire U.S. People who play golf are responsible for carrying all of their equipment across the expansive golf courses. This can be tiresome, so many players hire golf caddies to carry their equipment for them. 

The job involves spending the day with golf players while ensuring that their equipment is readily available whenever they need it. On average, a golf caddy is paid about $100 for carrying two bags for 18 holes. 

Seasonal golf caddy jobs are becoming less common due to modern advancements in technology. Though, you can still find golf caddy positions at older, private golf courses and clubs. The best way to get a seasonal golf caddy job is to get referred by someone who already works for the program. 

So ask around and maybe you’ll have a chance to interview for this cool seasonal job for teens. 

Referee/Umpire

Youth recreation leagues and traveling teams often need referees and umpires to call their games. Local teenagers are frequently hired for this job because they may be currently playing on a sports team themselves. This job requires knowledge of the game you are calling, so it isn’t suitable for everyone. 

Still, if you are interested in sports and want to earn money in this industry, you can find employment as a referee or umpire. These positions pay well, even for teenagers, with the average pay for referees sitting at about $17 per hour. 

Keep in mind that this job isn’t the best fit for everyone. You will have to deal with excited parents who are displeased with the calls you make. No matter what you do, someone will always think you are wrong. So if you choose this job, be sure you have thick skin and the ability to cope with angry or frustrated people. 

Sports Scorekeeper

Youth sports leagues often hire teenagers to keep the score at local sporting events. This job is simple, but it requires the full attention of the person doing it. It’s important to make sure that the score is accurate, so teenagers must keep their eye on the ball to be successful at this job. 

Scorekeepers are paid minimum wage in most cases. Though, this can be a great entry point for teenagers who wish to continue working in their local sports community. 

Apple Picker

Apple orchards grow apple trees. These trees only produce fruit that can be harvested during certain seasons. Once the apples have grown, someone has to pick them from the tree so they can be sold to the orchard’s customers. 

Apple pickers are normally hired seasonally to take on this responsibility. They use ladders to climb trees and pick the apples from the branches. In most cases, apple pickers are paid per piece or per bushel. Though, some orchards hire apple pickers with hourly wages. 

It’s really up to the orchard, so make sure you ask before accepting any position. If you are being paid on a per piece or per bushel basis, you have the incentive to become a fast picker! Though, the faster you work, the more exhausting this job becomes. So teenage workers should find a sweet spot where they make good money without tiring themselves out too much. 

Pool Cleaner

People don’t normally keep their pools in service all year long. If it’s cold outside, it makes sense to leave it empty. Yet, when the weather is good, pools are a great addition to the average household. 

During seasons where pools are being used, there is a great opportunity for young people to pursue pool cleaning as a seasonal job for teens. Pool cleaning requires using nets and other equipment to fish debris out of pools. The job also involves treating pools using the appropriate chemicals to ensure that harmful microbes like bacteria and mold don’t start to grow. 

If you are an entrepreneurial teen, pool cleaning could become a business too! It doesn’t require much equipment to get started, and you can learn what to do by looking online. Although, it may be easier and more equitable to just get a job as a pool cleaner. The average pay for pool cleaners is $16 an hour. 

Retail Sales Associate

During the holiday season, retail businesses are anxious to hire as many employees as they can get. This is because they typically have a massive influx of customers coming in to purchase gifts and other goods that relate to the holidays. 

Retail sales associates help customers find what they need, then guide them through the transaction. The job may sound simple, but it often requires specific knowledge of the company’s products and offerings. 

Retail sales associates are paid well, with the average pay sitting at about $10.50 an hour. People in this position often receive store discounts as well, which can make a huge difference if used properly. 

The hours can be difficult for some teens because seasonal retail jobs often require you to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. If this is too much for you or your teenage child, there are plenty of seasonal jobs for teens that have more flexible schedules. 

Babysitter

When kids aren’t in school, someone has to take care of them. Usually, this responsibility would go onto the parents, but if they aren’t available, a babysitter can come in handy. 

Babysitters watch after children for a few hours a day while their parents are away at work or out for the night. Long-term babysitting isn’t normally suitable for teenage babysitters, but just a few hours of watching kids should be fine. 

If you are outgoing and interested in finding your own babysitting customers, you can post on social media or other babysitting-related websites. Normally, there are many people in every area looking for someone to watch their kids. Even if they don’t hire you immediately, you may be put on a list of potential babysitters that they can call when they need one. 

On average, babysitters make $10 an hour. With certifications, you can command a higher pay in some cases.  

Tutor

Sometimes, school isn’t enough for young students. They may need additional help outside of the classroom to understand their schoolwork. Tutors provide this help by teaching kids during their spare time. 

A tutor can help with homework or provide detailed lessons. It all depends on what you’re hired for. This job is best for people who are good with kids because that’s who they’ll be working with. Tutors should also be knowledgeable enough to actually assist with the subjects they are tutoring in. You wouldn’t want to provide lessons that aren’t correct. 

Tutors can be paid quite well, with average pay rates of around $17 per hour. In terms of pay, what subject you are tutoring matters. Therefore, if you are helping with a more complex subject, you can demand higher rates. 

Camp Counselor

During the summertime, kids often go off to camps where they can socialize and engage in activities with other children. Camp counselors are hired to monitor the children and ensure that they are playing safely with each other. They are also responsible for leading activities and providing guidance to the children in their group. 

Being a camp counselor can be a great experience because it allows you to develop leadership and social skills. The jobs don’t have the highest pay, but you do get to spend a few weeks having fun with the kids and other counselors. On average, camp counselors are paid about $9 an hour. They also receive free meals. 

Theme Park Attendant

Theme parks are only open during certain times of the year. When they are open, they need a lot of staff to ensure that rides are operated safely and that the park is clean. Workers can also be hired to work in concessions selling food and drinks. Souvenir shops need staff too, so there are many options at the average theme park. 

If you like interacting with people socially, this is the job for you. It’s especially common to find these jobs during the summer because this season is when most people go to theme parks. Why? Because most children are in school throughout the rest of the year. 

Theme parks typically see the most traffic during the summer, when families can plan a vacation or short trip. If you choose this seasonal job for teens, you can expect to make an average of $13 per hour. 

Mover

Moving from one home to another can be a stressful, time-consuming task. That’s why many people choose to hire moving companies to do the work for them. 

Movers lift heavy things into trucks so they can be relocated to another house, apartment, or office. This is a completely physical job, so it is most suitable for teenagers who are in moderately good shape. Though, even if you aren’t in shape, working this job will get you there in no time. 

Earnings for movers can be good, especially in the summer when the heat picks up. While your pay won’t increase, you may notice happy customers giving you larger tips because they are so happy they didn’t have to work in the sun. 

On top of tips, movers earn an average hourly rate of $13 an hour. 

Car Detailer

Cars are more likely to get dirty during certain times of the year. For example, road salt can make a car look pretty unclean in the winter. 

Car detailing is a popular seasonal job because some people like keeping their cars clean, regardless of how fast they will get dirty again. As a car detailer, you are responsible for cleaning the inside of vehicles. You may also be paid to wash the outside of the car, depending on the type of job you have. 

Detailing jobs are normally offered by car dealerships, but you can find them at local carwashes too. The work is repetitive, but it can be rewarding to see a car go from dirty to clean in a short amount of time. 

In addition to tips, car detailers get paid an average of $11 an hour. If you want to earn more, consider starting your own car detailing business. You can get started with a small amount of equipment, then start getting paid based on the number of customers you can find.