For many American teenagers, having a part-time job is a rite of passage, especially during the summer.
A May 5 report from Resume Genius, an online career platform and resume writing company, identifies the highest paying jobs for teens based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The top jobs on the list are auto technicians and mechanics, with median wages of almost $24 an hour. Nathan Soto, a career expert at Resume Genius, says these jobs require “innate mechanical ability and skill,” as well as basic knowledge of cars, but teens with the right skills can earn good money.
Although wages can vary, waiters and waitresses are the most popular jobs among teens, in part because of the “plethora of opportunities” available in the field, Soto said. These roles also “work nicely with school schedules,” he says. “It’s easier for them to go to school full time and work part time.”
Roles like coaches and tutors are also “ideal jobs for students” because they are inherently school-related, Soto said, explaining that “if you’re good academically, you can tutor in the areas you like or are good at.”
Many teen workers view their roles not as a “stepping stone to a career,” but as a “handy job” to make extra money, Soto said. Still, he says, gaining some work experience as a teenager can give young workers an advantage when seeking full-time employment.
“They’ve been interviewed before, they’ve had bosses before, and that kind of experience can be very helpful,” Soto says. “The transferable skills you learn in a job like this can be applied to other careers.”
Based on Resume Genius’ analysis of BLS data, these are the top 10 highest-paying jobs for teens, the median hourly wage for each role, and the estimated number of teens employed in that role.
1.Automobile mechanic/mechanic
Median hourly wage: $23.88
Number of teenagers employed: 44,000
2. Babysitter
Median hourly wage: $23.08
Number of teens employed: N/A
3. Retail Supervisor
Median hourly wage: $22.75
Number of teenagers employed: 37,000
4. Coaches and Scouts
Median hourly wage: $22.08
Number of teenagers employed: 60,000
5. School lunch manager
Median hourly wage: $20.20
Number of teenagers employed: 25,000
6. Private tutor
Median hourly wage: $19.27
Number of teenagers employed: 19,000
7. Shelf stocker
Median hourly wage: $18.72
Number of teenagers employed: 188,000
8. Gardener
Median hourly wage: $18.31
Number of teenagers employed: 74,000
9. Waiters and waitresses
Median hourly wage: $16.23
Teen employment: 360,000
10. Nursery teacher
Median hourly wage: $15.41
Number of teenagers employed: 101,000
Soto said most teens start in entry-level roles, but some jobs offer opportunities for advancement. “If a teenager has been on the job for more than a year, or even two years, and performs well enough to be recognized as a leader, he or she may be promoted to a supervisory role,” he says.
Soto says that to advance in the workplace, teenage employees need to demonstrate reliability, maturity and adaptability, as well as “advanced communication skills.”
Soto advises teenagers looking for work to find out what skills and qualifications their future role requires. For example, childcare workers and babysitters often require first aid and CPR certifications.
You should also consider “how much of your energy and sleep you’re giving to this job,” Soto said. For teens who are still in school, “you’ll want to make sure it’s really aligned with your academic needs and your sleep schedule.”
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