Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds in 2026: Top Legal Picks, Pay Rates & How to Get Started
Discover the highest-paying, flexible jobs for 14-year-olds in the US, including babysitting, online gigs, and retail--all compliant with 2026 child labor laws from the US Department of Labor (DOL). Whether you're a teen eyeing extra cash for games or a parent helping your kid build skills, this guide covers state-by-state rules, real earning potential ($10–$30+/hr), and step-by-step tips to land your first job. Quick answers start below!
Quick Answer: Top 5 Best Jobs for 14-Year-Olds in 2026
For instant value, here are the top 5 legal jobs based on flexibility, pay, and ease of entry--no experience needed, all compliant with federal FLSA rules (max 3 hrs/school day, 8 hrs/non-school day per DOL data):
- Babysitting ($10–$20/hr) – #1 pick for ultimate flexibility, no age minimum, high demand from neighbors. Stats: Average $15/hr nationwide (YourTeenMag).
- Dog/Pet Sitting ($10–$20/hr or $50–$100/visit) – Fun for animal lovers; use checklists and first aid basics (Petsitting.co.za tips adapted for US).
- Online Tutoring ($12–$30/hr) – Remote, after-school friendly; platforms like Fiverr allow 13+ (TeenTrust).
- Lawn Mowing/Car Washing ($20–$50/job) – Seasonal high-earners; neighborhood gigs pay big (Golfstead/ZipRecruiter).
- Lemonade Stand/Reselling Thrift Finds ($50–$500/mo) – Entrepreneurial; low startup, teaches business (ScaryMommy/KidVestors).
These beat minimum wage with real teen earnings data from 2025–2026 sources.
Key Takeaways: Best Jobs at a Glance
Scannable table of 10 top jobs--compare pay, flexibility, pros/cons, and legal notes (DOL-compliant; Publix hires 14-year-olds as baggers in some states).
| Job | Pay Range | Flexibility | Pros | Cons | Skills Gained | Legal Notes (DOL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | $10–$20/hr | High | Set rates/schedule | Evening hours | Responsibility | No permit needed |
| Dog Walking/Pet Sitting | $10–$20/hr | High | Fun, outdoors | Weather-dependent | Animal care | Informal, unregulated |
| Lawn Mowing | $20–$50/job | Medium | High per-job pay | Equipment needed | Physical work | Non-hazardous OK |
| Car Washing | $20–$50/car | High | Quick cash | Messy | Customer service | Neighborhood only |
| Lemonade Stand | $50–$200/day | High | Business skills | Weather/supplies | Marketing/entrepreneur | Local permits vary |
| Online Tutoring | $12–$30/hr | Very High | Remote, flexible | Needs WiFi/skills | Teaching/comms | Fiverr 13+ |
| Retail (Publix) | $12–$15/hr | Medium | Tips, resume booster | Hour limits (3/day school) | Teamwork | 14+ w/permit some states |
| Lifeguard Training | $15+/hr summer | Seasonal | Exciting, certification | Training required | Safety/leadership | 15+ often, train @14 |
| Thrift Reselling | $50–$500/mo | High | Creative, low cost | Time to source/sell | E-commerce | eBay/Poshmark w/parent |
| YouTube/TikTok | $50–$1000+/mo | High | Passive potential | 18+ for direct monetization | Content creation | Brand deals OK @14 |
Data from DOL, Zippia, KidVestors (2025–2026).
US Child Labor Laws for 14-Year-Olds in 2026: What’s Legal?
Build trust: All recommendations follow federal/state rules to keep you safe and legal.
Federal FLSA Rules from US DOL
Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), 14–15-year-olds can work non-hazardous jobs (no manufacturing/power tools). Limits (DOL July 2025 data, unchanged for 2026 per Beltway Buzz):
- School days: Max 3 hrs/day, 18 hrs/week.
- Non-school: Max 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week.
- Hours: 7am–7pm (summer to 9pm); no hazardous work (cred=0.46, dol.gov).
State-by-State Breakdown & Work Permits
States vary; check dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/child-labor:
- Lenient (e.g., FL/GA): Publix hires 14+ as baggers/cart attendants; supervision permits to 11pm.
- Strict (e.g., CA): 14+ in entertainment/retail, max 4 hrs/school day.
- Fast food: McDonald's/Chick-fil-A hire 14+ in some states (franchise-dependent; Taco Bell 16+ mostly). Kroger 14+ w/permit in select states.
- Variations: 6–32 hrs/week in some retail/theaters.
2026 Updates & Work Permit Requirements
No major FLSA changes (Beltway Buzz Feb 2026). Checklist:
- Get parent-signed permit from school/state DOL site.
- Employer verifies age.
- Track hours to avoid fines.
Highest Paying Traditional Jobs for 14-Year-Olds ($15+/Hour Potential)
Offline gigs for hands-on earners.
Babysitting & Pet Sitting Gigs
Top earner: $10–$20/hr (YourTeenMag). Pet sitting adds $50–$100/visit. Mini-case: Teen uses checklist (feed, play, first aid kit w/antiseptic)--earned $300/weekend (Petsitting.co.za). Certify via Red Cross babysitting course.
Lawn Mowing, Car Washing & Lemonade Stands
$20–$50/job (ZipRecruiter). Lemonade tips: Set goal (e.g., skateboard), market via signs/storytelling--hit $200/day (ScaryMommy). Car wash: $20–$50/hand wash vs. $12 auto.
Summer Jobs Like Lifeguard Training & Retail/Fast Food
Publix (1,380 stores): 14+ baggers ($12+/hr). Chick-fil-A/McDonald's: 14+ select states (Zippia/10news). Lifeguard: Train at 14, work 15+ ($15+/hr). Kroger courtesy clerk w/permit.
Best Online & Creative Jobs for 14-Year-Old Students
Flexible for school--after-hours gold.
Online Tutoring & Teaching Kids
$12–$30/hr (Fiverr 13+; average $16–$25, TeenTrust). Checklist: Friendly persona, set hours post-school. Mini-case: Teen tutors math, earns $20/hr flexibly.
YouTube, TikTok & Reselling Thrift Finds
$50–$1000+/mo (KidVestors). TikTok: 18+ Creator Fund (10k followers), but brand deals/gifts OK @14 (Mydoh). YouTube: Affiliate/sponsors (avg $54k/yr pros). Thrift: Buy low @Goodwill, resell eBay/Poshmark ($50–$500/mo; tips: social media follows, check condition--ExperiencedBadMom).
Best First Jobs for 14-Year-Old Boys vs. Girls: Tailored Picks
Tailored for 2026 trends.
| Category | Boys' Top Picks | Girls' Top Picks | Pay | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical/Outdoor | Lawn Mowing, Car Wash, Ice Cream Scooping | Dog Walking, Babysitting | $15–$50/job | Boys: Strength edge; Girls: Nurturing fit |
| Creative/Indoor | YouTube Gaming, Thrift Resell | Online Tutoring, TikTok | $12–$30/hr | Flexible, skill-based |
Mini-case: Boy earns $400/summer mowing; girl $15/hr babysitting (Resumegenius).
Pros & Cons: Traditional Offline Jobs vs. Online Gigs for 14-Year-Olds
| Aspect | Offline (Babysitting/Retail) | Online (Tutoring/Content) |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Cash tips, social skills | Flexible, remote ($12–$30/hr) |
| Cons | Hour limits (3/day school), travel | Age rules (TikTok 18+ direct), screen time |
| Best For | Hands-on learners | Students w/WiFi |
Data resolves conflicts: TikTok brand deals bypass 18+ (Manychat/Mydoh).
How to Get Hired: Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist for 14-Year-Olds
Actionable for "jobs near me":
- Check laws/permit: DOL site + school.
- Build resume: List skills (e.g., "Reliable, pet lover").
- Network/apps: Nextdoor for dog walking; Indeed for retail.
- Apply safely: Parent supervision, meet public.
- Safety: First aid cert, share location.
Mini-case: 14yo lands Publix via permit/networking (Reed.co.uk/BeamJobs).
FAQ
Are fast food jobs legal for 14-year-olds by state?
Yes in some (McDonald's/Chick-fil-A select franchises); check DOL state page--Taco Bell mostly 16+.
What are the highest paying jobs for 14-year-olds paying $15/hour?
Tutoring ($12–$30), lifeguard ($15+), mowing ($20–$50/job).
Can 14-year-olds do online jobs like YouTube or TikTok in 2026?
Yes--brand deals/affiliates; direct monetization 18+ (Mydoh/KidVestors).
Do I need a work permit for babysitting or lawn mowing?
No for informal neighborhood gigs; yes for retail/employer jobs.
What are the best summer jobs for 14-year-olds near me?
Lifeguard training, Publix bagger, lemonade stands--search Nextdoor.
Retail jobs hiring 14-year-olds in 2026: Which companies?
Publix (14+ baggers), Kroger (w/permit), Wegmans (15+ but check).
Start earning legally today--pick one and go!