Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds in 2026: Legal, High-Paying & Easy-Start Options
Are you a 14-year-old ready to earn your own money, or a parent helping your teen get started? In 2026, U.S. child labor laws under the FLSA allow non-hazardous jobs for 14-year-olds, opening doors to flexible gigs like babysitting, dog walking, and even online hustles. This guide breaks down the best legal options, updated pay rates, requirements, and 2026 law tweaks--plus step-by-step launch plans.
Quick Answer: The best job to start at 14 in 2026 is babysitting. It's legal nationwide under FLSA exemptions, fits school schedules (up to 3 hours/school day), pays $15–$21/hour (UrbanSitter 2026 data), needs no work permit in most cases, and builds responsibility, trust, and communication skills.
Key Takeaways
- Babysitting leads for earnings ($15–$21/hr) and flexibility; dog walking ($10–$20/hr) and lawn mowing follow for active teens.
- FLSA basics: 14-year-olds can work non-hazardous jobs up to 3 hrs/school day, 18 hrs/week (DOL Fact Sheet #43).
- Online potential: Etsy (with parent supervision) and YouTube (500 subs for early monetization) scale big but require adult oversight.
- Earnings reality: Top gigs pay $10–$30/hr; summer hustles can net $500+/week.
Child Labor Laws for 14-Year-Olds in the USA (2026 Update)
Staying legal builds trust with parents and avoids fines--key for teens and families. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the baseline, but states add rules on permits, hours, and wages. Always check your state's DOL site.
FLSA Rules & Exemptions for Minors Age 14
Under FLSA §570.35 (DOL Fact Sheet #43), 14- and 15-year-olds can work in nonagricultural, non-hazardous jobs like retail, food service, or office work--but not manufacturing, mining, or power-driven machinery. Key limits:
- School weeks: Max 3 hours/day (7 a.m.–7 p.m.), 18 hours/week.
- Non-school weeks: Max 8 hours/day (7 a.m.–9 p.m.), 40 hours/week. Exemptions include babysitting, newspaper delivery, and family businesses. Work-Study Programs (WSPs) cap at 18 hours/week during school.
Work Permits & Minimum Age by State
Federal law allows 14, but states vary. Many require age certificates or permits for formal jobs (DOL age certificates page). No permit needed for casual gigs like babysitting.
| State | Min Age | Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 14 | No for most |
| California | 14 | Yes (school-issued) |
| New York | 14 | Yes |
| Florida | 14 | No |
| Illinois | 14 | Yes |
| Ohio | 14 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 14 | No |
| Georgia | 12 (ag), 14 others | Varies |
Source: DOL & Connecteam 2026 guide. For family businesses or actors, rules loosen.
State Minimum Wages & Youth Rates for 2026
Federal minimum: $7.25/hr (unchanged). States exceed it; youth rates may apply (e.g., Nebraska's youth wage under $15 until 2065). Tipped workers get $2.13 cash + tips.
| State/Area | Min Wage (2026) |
|---|---|
| Federal | $7.25 |
| California | $16.50+ |
| New York City | $17.00 |
| Florida | $13.00 |
| Texas | $7.25 |
| Nebraska (youth) | <$15 |
Gigs like babysitting often pay above minimum (DOL state wage page).
Top 10 Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds in 2026 (Ranked by Pay & Ease)
Ranked by average pay (BeamJobs, KidVestors), flexibility, and startup ease. Covers 80% of popular options.
- Babysitting ($15–$21/hr)
- Tutoring ($12–$30/hr)
- Dog Walking ($10–$20/hr)
- Lawn Mowing ($15–$25/yard)
- Car Washing ($10–$20/car)
- Lemonade Stand ($50–$200/day seasonal)
- Gardening/Weeding ($10–$15/hr)
- Pet Sitting ($12–$18/night)
- Retail Bagging ($9–$15/hr)
- Newspaper Delivery ($5–$10/route)
1 Babysitting – Highest Paying & Most Flexible
Trusted by parents, no boss. UrbanSitter 2026 data: $15–$21/hr for 1–2 kids (up 4.9% YoY). Higher in cities ($21+ like Toronto parallels). Pros: Evening/weekend fit, repeat clients. Cons: Responsibility for kids. Case: Teens earn $200–$500/week summers.
Outdoor Gigs: Dog Walking, Lawn Mowing & Car Washing
Active fun. Dog walking: $10–$20/hr (BeamJobs). Lawn mowing: $15–$25/yard, scalable business. Car washing: $10–$20/car via neighborhood flyers. Pros: Cash tips, exercise. Cons: Weather-dependent.
Summer & After-School Jobs: Lemonade Stands to Retail
Lemonade stands: Low-cost, $50–$200/hot day (GOOD.is stories). Retail (bagging): $9–$15/hr, needs permit in some states. Summers allow 40 hrs/week--hit $500+.
Online Jobs Legal for 14-Year-Olds in the USA (2026 Platforms)
Tech-savvy? Digital gigs scale. Parental supervision required (platforms ban under-13s; 13–18 OK with adult account).
YouTube Monetization, Etsy Selling & Fiverr Gigs
- YouTube: Early access at 500 subs (Shortvids 2026); $70B creator payouts in 2024. Shorts monetize fast.
- Etsy: 13–18 with parent shop (LameStBlog); teen sold 2,300 items by 16. POD market: $38B by 2030 (Printify).
- Fiverr: Parental OK for gigs like graphic design ($5–$50) (Remitly).
Tutoring & Content Creation Online
Online tutoring: $12–$30/hr (KidVestors). Blogger/affiliate: $50–$1,000/mo.
Babysitting vs Dog Walking vs Online Gigs: Pros, Cons & Earnings Comparison
| Job | Pay (2026) | Flexibility | Startup Cost | Skills Gained | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | $15–$21/hr | High (evenings) | $0–$50 (cert) | Responsibility, trust | Social teens |
| Dog Walking | $10–$15/hr | Medium (daily) | $0 | Animal care, fitness | Pet lovers |
| Online (Etsy/YouTube) | $50–$1,000/mo | High | $0–$100 (tools) | Digital skills, marketing | Creative types |
Data: UrbanSitter ($21 peak), BeamJobs, KidVestors. Babysitting wins for quick cash; online for passive growth.
How to Get Started: Step-by-Step Checklists for Top Jobs
Checklist 1: Launch Babysitting Gig
- Get certified: Red Cross Babysitting course ($25–$50, online).
- Set rates: $15–$21/hr based on location/kids.
- Build profile: Photos, references on UrbanSitter/Sitly apps.
- Find clients: Nextdoor, Facebook groups, family friends.
- Safety first: Background check via parents, emergency plan.
Checklist 2: Launch Online Gig (Etsy/Fiverr)
- Parent sets up account (Etsy 13+ supervised).
- Create listings: Crafts, POD designs (Printify free tools).
- Promote: Instagram, school shares.
- Ship/fulfill: Use parent address/bank.
- Scale: Aim 500 YouTube subs for monetization.
Most Profitable Side Hustles for 14-Year-Old Beginners (2026 Tips)
High-pay winners: Babysitting ($500+/mo part-time), lawn mowing business ($1,000/summer), Etsy POD (scalable to $1k/mo). Lemonade: Seasonal profit king--low barrier, high margins (RosieParsons). Tip: Neighborhood flyers + FB = clients fast. Pros: No boss, skill-building. Cons: Hustle required.
FAQ
Is babysitting legal for 14-year-olds in all US states 2026?
Yes, FLSA exempts domestic work like babysitting nationwide--no hazards, fits hour limits.
What are the work hour limits for 14-year-olds under FLSA?
School: 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/week (7am–7pm). Non-school: 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week (7am–9pm) (DOL §570.35).
Can 14-year-olds do online jobs like Fiverr or Etsy in the USA?
Yes, with parent supervision/account (Etsy/Fiverr policies). Complies with FLSA if non-hazardous.
What’s the average babysitting rate for 14-year-olds in 2026?
$15–$21/hr (UrbanSitter); higher in cities, varies by kids/tasks.
Do 14-year-olds need a work permit by state?
Varies: No in TX/FL; yes in CA/NY for formal jobs. Casual gigs exempt.
What are the highest-paying summer jobs for 14-year-olds 2026?
Babysitting/tutoring ($20+/hr), lawn care ($25/yard), lifeguard (if certified, $15–$20/hr).
Start today--your first paycheck builds independence!