Teens aren’t boxed into minimum wage jobs, as a new report highlighted the top 15 highest-paying jobs that don’t require college degrees or formal experience.
Nathan Soto, a career expert, shared his insights with ConsumerAffairs, including where teens can look for higher-paying jobs.
Soto explained that being open and willing to learn can open many doors for young people on the job hunt.
While the job market can be fierce, teens don’t have to wait until they graduate college to start earning experience. And they also don’t have to accept minimum wage.
A new report from Resume Genius highlights the top 15 highest-paying jobs for teens, none of which require college degrees or formal training or experience.
Nathan Soto, a career expert at Resume Genius, also shared insights with ConsumerAffairs on the state of the job market for young people, where teens can look for jobs, and more.
“What’s important for teens to know is that they don’t have to settle for low-paying, low-skilled work,” Soto told ConsumerAffairs.
“There are real opportunities to learn, grow, and earn, even before graduating from high school. Many employers are actively looking for young people with strong communication skills, reliability, and a positive attitude. And as more teens take on roles with leadership and technical components, they’re gaining experience that will serve them for years to come.”
Highest-paying jobs for teens
The list was compiled by researchers from Resume Genius who: sourced data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, focused on jobs with at least 20,000 employed teens (ages 16–19), and cross-referenced job titles using BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook data to find the hourly income.
Here’s a look at that list:
Food service manager
Median hourly wage: $31.40
Number of teens employed: 33,000
Carpenter
Median hourly wage: $28.51
Number of teens employed: 32,000
Retail supervisor
Median hourly wage: $25.01
Number of teens employed: 37,000
Automotive service technician
Median hourly wage: $23.88
Number of teens employed: 44,000
Administrative assistant
Median hourly wage: $22.82
Number of teens employed: 15,000
Construction worker
Median hourly wage: $22.14
Number of teens employed: 104,000
Office clerk
Median hourly wage: $20.97
Number of teens employed: 63,000
Customer service representative
Median hourly wage: $20.59
Number of teens employed: 236,000
Delivery truck driver
Median hourly wage: $20.56
Number of teens employed: 47,000
Landscaping worker
Median hourly wage: $19.13
Number of teens employed: 74,000
Nursing assistant
Median hourly wage: $18.96
Number of teens employed: 68,000
Security guard
Median hourly wage: $18.46
Number of teens employed: 18,000
Courier
Median hourly wage: $18.44
Number of teens employed: 30,000
Stocker
Median hourly wage: $18.12
Number of teens employed: 188,000
Packager
Median hourly wage: $18.12
Number of teens employed: 53,000
The teen job market
“The teen job market today is much more dynamic than just flipping burgers or folding clothes (though those are still fine first-time jobs),” Soto explained. “Many high-paying jobs for teens exist: positions like food service manager, carpenter, and automotive technician. These positions pay median hourly wages in the $23 to $31 range, well above minimum wage.”
Specifics of the job hunt
Soto explained that every role is different, but teens can certainly find jobs that pay above minimum wage and that set them up for success.
Additionally, he recommended starting a basic LinkedIn profile, attending school career fairs, going to community events, and exploring job fairs as helpful ways to land higher-paying jobs.
“A high school diploma and a willingness to learn can go a long way. Entry-level roles like landscaping or stocking shelves often offer on-the-job training,” he said.
“More specialized roles, like nursing assistants or mechanics, may call for certification or vocational training, but those paths are increasingly within reach for teens through apprenticeships and school programs.”