A new report has found that jobs in industries like car repair, sports coaching, and child care serve as a common starting point for young people entering the labor market.
Resume Genius analyzed labor data to identify the highest-paying jobs for teenagers, focusing on roles held by workers ages 16 to 19. The result is a list of jobs that can pay well above the federal minimum wage, with some offering wages above $20 an hour.
Topping the list is a car technician and mechanic, with a median hourly wage of $23.88. According to the report, approximately 44,000 teenagers work in automotive service roles across the United States.
Babysitting took the No. 2 spot with a median hourly wage of $23.08. Although there is no official employment count because most babysitting arrangements are informal, Resume Genius noted that it remains one of the most common ways for teenagers to earn money.
Retail supervisor came in third, with a median wage of $22.75 per hour. About 37,000 teenagers work in supervisory retail positions, according to the report. Sports-related work also made a strong showing. Coach and scout ranked fourth, paying a median wage of $22.08 per hour. Around 60,000 teens work in coaching and scouting positions, often helping younger athletes in community leagues, camps, and school programs.
The fifth-highest-paying position was food service supervisor, with a median hourly wage of $20.20. Tutors earn a median wage of $19.27 per hour, making it one of the few teen jobs where academic achievement directly translates into higher earnings. About 19,000 teenagers work as tutors, helping younger students improve their performance in subjects ranging from math to language arts.
The report found that some of the most common jobs for teenagers continue to offer competitive pay. Shelf stockers earn a median wage of $18.72 per hour, with approximately 188,000 teens employed in the role. It is still one of the most widely available entry-level jobs because it requires little previous experience.
Outdoor work also ranked highly. Gardeners and landscapers earn a median wage of $18.31 per hour and employ roughly 74,000 teenagers nationwide. Because much of the work is seasonal, it aligns well with school schedules and summer breaks.
Meanwhile, waiters and waitresses remain one of the largest categories of teen employment. The report estimates that about 360,000 teenagers work in restaurant service positions. While the median wage is listed at $16.23 per hour, actual earnings are often higher because tips can significantly increase take-home pay.
Rounding out the top 10 are childcare workers, who earn a median wage of $15.41 per hour. More than 100,000 teenagers work in daycare centers, after-school programs, and private childcare settings.
