15 Best Jobs for 15-Year-Olds in 2026: Legal, High-Paying, and No-Experience Options
Looking for ways to earn cash as a 15-year-old in the US? Whether you're eyeing summer gigs, flexible after-school work, or online side hustles, there are plenty of legal options that build skills, fit around school, and pay well. This guide covers the best jobs in 2026, including average earnings, company examples like Publix and Wegmans, DOL labor laws, and step-by-step tips to land them. From babysitting to lifeguarding and entrepreneurial ventures like lawn mowing, we've got data-driven rankings and real teen success stories.
Quick Answer: The Best Job for a 15-Year-Old in 2026
Babysitting stands out as the #1 best job for 15-year-olds. It's the highest paying (average $15-25/hour per UrbanSitter 2026 data), ultra-flexible (set your own hours), requires zero experience or certifications, and builds massive responsibility skills. No work permit needed for informal gigs, and you can start immediately via apps like UrbanSitter or neighborhood networks.
Top 3 Alternatives:
- Online Tutoring ($12-30/hour) – Great if you're strong in math or English; platforms like Fiverr allow 13+ users.
- Pet Sitting ($13-28/visit or $23-47 for longer stays) – Fun for animal lovers, flexible via apps.
Across all jobs, 15-year-olds average $12-25/hour in part-time or gig work, with summer earners hitting $500-1,000/month.
Key Takeaways: Best Jobs for 15-Year-Olds at a Glance
Here's a quick snapshot of 15 top legal jobs, emphasizing flexibility and no-experience entry points:
| Job | Avg Pay (2026) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | $15-25/hr | Flexible, high pay, no exp needed | Evenings/weekends only |
| Online Tutoring | $12-30/hr | Home-based, skill-building | Needs subject knowledge |
| Pet Sitting | $13-28/visit | Fun, repeat clients | Pet allergies |
| Lifeguard | $19-28/hr | Seasonal high pay | Certification required |
| Grocery Bagger (Publix/Wegmans) | $12-17/hr | Steady hours, resume booster | Work permit in some states |
| Lawn Mowing | $20-50/job | Entrepreneurial, cash tips | Weather-dependent |
| Camp Counselor | $12-20/hr + room/board | Summer adventure | Seasonal |
| Retail Cashier (Wegmans) | $12-16/hr | Customer skills | Peak hours busy |
| Theme Park Attendant (Casino Pier) | $12-18/hr | Fun environment | On feet all day |
| Online Content Creation | $50-1k/mo | Creative freedom | Inconsistent income |
Average earnings: $12-28/hr. All fit FLSA limits for flexible hours.
US Labor Laws for 15-Year-Olds: What You Can (and Can't) Do in 2026
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules from DOL Fact Sheets #2A and #34 protect 14-15-year-olds: Max 3 hours/school day, 8 hours/non-school day, 18 hours/week (school in session), 40 hours/week (summer). No hazardous work like operating machinery, driving, or cooking over open flames in restaurants. Work permits required in many states for formal jobs (check DOL youth portal).
Hours, Pay, and Restrictions by State
- Legal fast food/retail states: Publix hires 14+ as baggers/cart attendants; Wegmans 15+ cashiers; Kroger courtesy clerks (14-15) with permits in select states. Taco Bell: mostly 16+, but franchises vary.
- States like CA, NY require permits; others like TX are laxer for non-hazardous roles.
- Minimum wage: $7.25 federal, but states like CA/FL hit $16+/hr. Cite: DOL.gov/agencies/whd/childlabor.
Highest Paying Jobs for 15-Year-Olds: Earnings Breakdown (2026)
Top earners prioritize gigs over traditional jobs. Babysitting leads at $15-25/hr (up 4.9% YoY per UrbanSitter). Tutoring: $12-30/hr. Lifeguard: $19-28/hr post-cert. Pet sitting: $23-47/45-60 min visit. Lawn mowing: $20-50/job, with one teen netting $500/summer via 10-15 clients.
Average part-time: $12-17/hr. Case Study: Alex, 15, mowed 20 lawns weekly at $25/pop, earning $2,000/summer after gear costs.
Babysitting and Pet Sitting Rates in 2026
- Babysitting: $8.50-17/hr base, $21+ in cities like NYC/SF (UrbanSitter). For 1-2 kids: $145-240/day. Checklist: +$2-5/hr per extra kid; +20% after 8 PM.
- Pet Sitting: $23-28/15-min drop-in, $35-47/45-60 min (Paws At Home). Teens charge $13-18.50/visit locally.
Easy No-Experience Jobs: Retail, Fast Food, and Grocery Roles Hiring Now
Publix (14+ baggers), Wegmans (15+ cashiers), Kroger (courtesy clerks in permit states). Theme parks like Casino Pier hire 15+ entry-level (ride ops, admissions). Fast food: Franchise-dependent (some 15 OK for non-cooking). No exp needed--apply off-peak.
Summer and Theme Park Jobs (e.g., Camp Counselor, Lifeguard)
Lifeguard: ALA cert requires 15+ age, swim-tread-swim + brick test ($19-28/hr). Camp counselor: Entry-level summer roles, $12-20/hr + perks. Case Study: Mia, 15, lifeguarded at local pool, earning $1,000/month June-Aug.
Best Online Jobs and Side Hustles from Home for 15-Year-Olds
Flexible gems (Fiverr 13+ OK):
- Tutoring: $16-25/hr (math/English).
- Content Creation/Podcasting: $20-200/episode.
- Dropshipping/Reselling: $100-1k/mo (Etsy, Depop).
- Affiliate Marketing: $50-1k/mo. Case Study: 15-year-old Fiverr tutor earns $15-25/hr helping elementary kids, 10 hrs/week.
Entrepreneurial Side Hustles: Mowing, Car Wash, Lemonade Stands, and More
Unlimited potential: Mowing ($20-100/job), car wash startup ($50-200/day), lemonade stands (check local regs--parental OK often needed). Dropshipping via Shopify. Startup Checklist: Parental consent, basic permit if sales >$500/yr, social media promo (TikTok/Instagram).
Lifeguard vs. Babysitting vs. Tutoring: Pros, Cons, and Pay Comparison
| Job | Pay | Requirements | Flexibility | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | $15-25/hr | None | High | Easy start, cash tips | Responsibility for kids |
| Lifeguard | $19-28/hr | ALA cert, swim test | Seasonal | Outdoors, heroic vibe | Training cost/time |
| Tutoring | $12-30/hr | Subject skills | High | Home-based, scalable | Competition |
Babysitting wins for accessibility.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Jobs vs. Online/Entrepreneurial Gigs
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional (Retail/Grocery) | Steady pay ($12-17/hr), structure | Hour limits, commute |
| Online/Entrepreneurial | Flexible, high upside ($50-1k/mo) | Inconsistent, self-motivation |
Fast food varies by state/franchise.
How to Get Hired: Step-by-Step Checklist for 15-Year-Olds
- Secure work permit (school/DOL site).
- Build resume (list school clubs, volunteer).
- Apply off-peak (2-4 PM for retail).
- Interview prep (smile, enthusiasm).
- Network (Nextdoor for gigs, Indeed for jobs). Delivery (bike): Parental OK, often 17+ apps.
How to Start Babysitting, Pet Sitting, or Tutoring as a 15-Year-Old
- Babysitting: Join UrbanSitter, flyer neighbors ($15/hr start).
- Pet Sitting: Apps like Rover (parent account), $13+/visit.
- Tutoring: Fiverr profile, $12/hr entry. Certs for lifeguard: ALA course.
Average Earnings and Real Teen Success Stories
2026 avg: $12-28/hr part-time, $500-2k/summer. Stories:
- Publix bagger: $12/hr, 15 hrs/week = $720/mo.
- Online reseller: $500/mo flipping Depop clothes.
- Lawn pro: $2k/summer.
FAQ
Is babysitting the highest paying job for 15-year-olds in 2026?
Yes, at $15-25/hr--tops most options with flexibility.
What are legal part-time jobs for 15-year-olds in the US?
Babysitting, retail (Publix 14+), grocery bagging, lifeguard, mowing--per FLSA.
Can 15-year-olds work in fast food or retail in 2026?
Yes in select states/franchises (e.g., Kroger clerks); no frying/ machinery.
What are the best online jobs for 15-year-olds from home?
Tutoring ($12-30/hr), content creation, dropshipping on Fiverr/Etsy.
What are lifeguard certification requirements for 15-year-olds?
15+ age, swim tests via American Lifeguard Association.
How much can a 15-year-old earn mowing lawns or pet sitting?
Mowing: $20-50/job ($500+/summer); pet sitting: $13-28/visit.