How can I make money at 13 or 14?

At 13 and 14 you can do light part-time work with a council permit, such as a paper round or helping in a shop, for up to 12 hours a week in term time. Informally, babysitting for family friends, dog walking, gardening and car washing are common, and you can sell things you no longer need through a parent's account.

How can I make money at 15?

At 15 the same child employment rules apply as at 14: part-time work with a council permit, never in school hours, and up to 12 hours a week in term time. Tutoring younger students in subjects you are strong at pays well, and some retailers take on 15 year olds for Saturday roles.

How can a 16 year old make money fast?

The fastest legal route at 16 is a part-time job at a business hiring now, such as a supermarket, fast-food chain or leisure centre; many interview within a week. Selling items you already own is quicker still. Avoid anything that promises fast money for no work.

Can a 16 year old make money online?

Yes, but carefully. Selling on Vinted, eBay or Depop, freelance design or editing for people you know, and tutoring over video call are realistic. Most platforms require you to be 18 to hold your own seller or payment account, so use a parent's with their permission.

Do teenagers pay tax on the money they earn?

Only if you earn more than £12,570 in a tax year, whatever your age. National Insurance starts at 16 on earnings above £242 a week. Casual cash earnings are still taxable in principle, but almost no teenager reaches the thresholds.

Legal, realistic, UK

How to make money as a teenager

Eight ways that actually pay, ranked by how old you need to be and how much effort they take. No surveys, no crypto, nothing that asks you to pay first.

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How can a teenager make money in the UK?

The reliable ways for a UK teenager to make money are a part-time or Saturday job from 16 paying at least £8.00 an hour, seasonal work in summer and at Christmas, babysitting, dog walking, tutoring younger students, selling things you make or no longer use, and from 16 a paid apprenticeship. Under 16 you can do light part-time work from 13 with council permission.

Last reviewed 12 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

Eight ways to earn, ranked

1.Part-time or Saturday job

From 16Medium effort

From £8.00 an hour, often £9 to £11 at big chains

Supermarkets, cafes, cinemas, leisure centres and high-street retail hire 16 year olds with no experience. Steady, legal, and it starts your CV.

Jobs that hire at 16

2.Seasonal work: summer and Christmas

From 16Medium effort

Minimum wage plus, with lots of hours in a short burst

Theme parks, festivals, holiday parks and Christmas retail take on thousands of 16 to 18 year olds each year. Apply six to eight weeks before the season.

Summer jobs for teenagers

3.Paid apprenticeship

From 16High effort

At least £8.00 an hour, degree routes £20,000+

A full-time job with a qualification attached. The highest long-term earning option on this list for a school leaver.

How much apprentices get paid

4.Babysitting, dog walking, gardening, car washing

From 13 to 14 with parents' say-soLow effort

Typically £6 to £12 an hour, cash or bank transfer

Start with families you know. Set a clear rate, turn up on time, and ask for a reference after a few months; it counts as work experience.

5.Tutoring younger students

From 15 to 16Low effort

£8 to £15 an hour for GCSE subjects you did well in

Parents pay for reliable help with maths, English and science. Advertise through school, family and local groups.

6.Selling things you make or no longer use

From Any age via a parent's account under 18Low to Medium effort

Varies. Small but real, and you learn pricing

Vinted, eBay and Depop for clothes and games; Etsy or local markets for crafts. Keep it honest: describe items accurately and post promptly.

7.Paper rounds and light shop work

From 13 with a council permitLow effort

Often £20 to £40 a week

One of the few legal jobs before 14. Your council issues the permit and sets the hours.

8.Paid work experience and internships

From 16 to 18Medium effort

Some are paid at minimum wage; many are unpaid and short

Worth it when they lead somewhere. Anything longer than a week or two doing real work should be paid.

Live opportunities

The rules under 18

Under 13: no paid employment except performing with a licence. Informal help for family and neighbours is fine.
13 to school leaving age: part-time only, with a council work permit, no more than 12 hours a week in term time, never in school hours or before 7am or after 7pm.
16 and 17 after leaving school: full-time work allowed, capped at 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, with no work between 10pm and 6am in most jobs.
Some jobs are 18-plus by law, including serving alcohol behind a bar, most factory machinery, betting shops and door-to-door selling.
Watch for scams: any 'job' that asks you to pay first, hand over your bank login or move money through your account is not a job.

Sources: GOV.UK, child employment and GOV.UK, minimum wage rates. Tax and hours at 16 are covered in working at 16.

Common questions

How can a teenager make money in the UK?: From 16 the most reliable option is a part-time job paying at least £8.00 an hour, plus seasonal work in summer and at Christmas or a paid apprenticeship. Under 16, babysitting, dog walking, tutoring, selling unwanted items and a council-permitted paper round are the main legal options.
How can I make money at 13 or 14?: At 13 and 14 you can do light part-time work with a council permit, such as a paper round or helping in a shop, for up to 12 hours a week in term time. Informally, babysitting for family friends, dog walking, gardening and car washing are common, and you can sell things you no longer need through a parent's account.
How can I make money at 15?: At 15 the same child employment rules apply as at 14: part-time work with a council permit, never in school hours, and up to 12 hours a week in term time. Tutoring younger students in subjects you are strong at pays well, and some retailers take on 15 year olds for Saturday roles.
How can a 16 year old make money fast?: The fastest legal route at 16 is a part-time job at a business hiring now, such as a supermarket, fast-food chain or leisure centre; many interview within a week. Selling items you already own is quicker still. Avoid anything that promises fast money for no work.
Can a 16 year old make money online?: Yes, but carefully. Selling on Vinted, eBay or Depop, freelance design or editing for people you know, and tutoring over video call are realistic. Most platforms require you to be 18 to hold your own seller or payment account, so use a parent's with their permission.
Do teenagers pay tax on the money they earn?: Only if you earn more than £12,570 in a tax year, whatever your age. National Insurance starts at 16 on earnings above £242 a week. Casual cash earnings are still taxable in principle, but almost no teenager reaches the thresholds.

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Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.