Best Jobs for 17-Year-Olds in 2026: High-Paying, Flexible Options with No Experience Needed

Looking for the best part-time jobs as a 17-year-old high school student in the USA? In 2026, opportunities abound in high-paying gigs, flexible remote work, summer roles, and entry-level positions that fit around school--no experience required. From online tutoring at $15-30/hour to warehouse shifts at Amazon paying $18-22/hour, we'll cover labor laws, work permits, gig apps like TaskRabbit, teen entrepreneur ideas like Etsy dropshipping, and more. Plus, get comparisons of retail vs. remote vs. gigs, and actionable steps to build your college resume, even without a car.

Quick Answer: The #1 Best Job for a 17-Year-Old in 2026

Online tutoring. Hands down, this is the single best job opportunity for a 17-year-old in 2026. Platforms like Book Nook, Outschool, and Fiverr let you earn $15-30 per hour teaching K-8 subjects like math, reading, or English--often without lesson prep, as curricula are provided.

Why is it the best?

• High pay and flexibility: Average $12-30/hour (up to $25+ for experienced tutors), with schedules around school. One teen, Jade Weatherington, scaled to $10k/month teaching writing.
• Low barriers: No car needed--just a laptop and internet. Start at 13 on Fiverr; 16+ on most platforms. No experience? Tutor peers or younger kids in your strengths.
• Resume gold: Builds teaching, communication, and entrepreneurial skills for college apps.
• 2026 edge: Demand surges with AI tools needing human tutors; remote work booms post-pandemic.

Sign up on Book Nook (structured for K-8) or Outschool (3-18yo courses). Pros: Work from home, set hours, entrepreneurial vibe. Quick start: Create a profile, pass a demo, and book sessions.

Key Takeaways: Top 10 Best Jobs for 17-Year-Olds in 2026

Scan these highest-potential jobs with projected 2026 pay, requirements, and school-friendly pros:

1. Online Tutoring ($15-30/hr): Platforms like Book Nook/Outschool. No exp needed; remote, flexible.
2. Gig Apps (TaskRabbit/UrbanSitter, $20-100/hr): Tasks like moving (Dolly $50/hr) or babysitting. Bike-accessible local gigs.
3. Retail/Fast Food ($15-20/hr): No exp; steady shifts at malls or chains. Restricted hours during school.
4. Lifeguard ($18-25/hr): Cert training (Red Cross, 15+yo); summer pools/beaches.
5. Freelance Creative (Fiverr, $14-35/hr): Graphic design, writing. 13+yo; build portfolio fast.
6. Warehouse (Amazon/UPS, $18-22/hr): Entry-level, no exp; seasonal hiring.
7. Tech Internships: Free/paid programs like Tech360 (16+yo, coding exposure).
8. Teen Entrepreneur (Dropshipping/Etsy, $100-1000/mo): Low startup; Shopify stores.
9. Remote Customer Service ($15-20/hr): Entry-level via FlexJobs; headset only.
10. Amusement Park/Summer ($15-20/hr): Seasonal fun; up to 50 hrs/week on break.

These hit $20+/hr targets, with remote/gigs leading for flexibility.

US Labor Laws for 17-Year-Olds: Hours, Permits, and State Variations (2026 Update)

Know the rules to stay legal. Under FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act), 17-year-olds can work unlimited hours in non-hazardous jobs--no cap on days/hours like for 14-15yos. No hazardous work: can't operate heavy machines, fryers, or certain restaurant equipment (DOL Fact Sheet #2A).

State variations (DOL 2025 data, projected stable 2026):

• School week: Often 8 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week (e.g., CA/FL exemptions to 11pm).
• Non-school/summer: Up to 10 hrs/day, 50 hrs/week in many states (e.g., between last school day and Labor Day).
• Work permits: Required in ~11 states (e.g., CA, NY for under 18); others none. Parental consent often needed.
• Recent changes: 2024 laws in AL/FL/IN/Iowa/KY/WV weakened some restrictions, but federal overrides hazards. Youth min wage $4.25/hr first 90 days possible, but most pay $15+.

Check your state's DOL site or YouthRules! app. Always prioritize school.

Fast Food and Retail Jobs: Pay Rates and Restrictions

Common starters: DOL bans under-18s from powering meat slicers or deep fryers. Pay: $15-20/hr projected 2026 (above $19.38 national avg). Chains like McDonald's hire 16+; retail (Target) too. Local, steady, but school-night curfews (e.g., midnight non-school nights).

High-Paying Part-Time Jobs ($20+/Hour) for 17-Year-Olds – No Experience Needed

Chase $20/hr+:

• Warehouse (Amazon/UPS): $18-22/hr; entry-level picking/packing. Seasonal 2026 hiring.
• Lifeguard: $18-25/hr post-cert (2-3 day training, $200-300 cost).
• Gigs: TaskRabbit $50/hr moving; snow shoveling $100/day (NC case). DOL-compliant non-hazardous.

Teens report $100/day peaks--flexible, cash-heavy.

Flexible & Remote Jobs for High School Students: Perfect Around School Schedules

School first? Go remote/no-car:

• Tutoring/CS: $15-25/hr (Book Nook, FlexJobs).
• Freelance: Writing/design on Fiverr ($14-35/hr).
• No-car hacks: Bike dog walking ($15/wk ongoing), reselling (eBay/Depop, hundreds/mo), neighborhood trash pickup flipping.

Cases: Teen bikes for trash treasures, sells for profit; another dogsits one client weekly.

Summer, Seasonal & Holiday Jobs: Cash In During Breaks (2026 Edition)

Breaks = big bucks:

• Lifeguard/Amusement Parks: $15-25/hr, 50 hrs/week allowed summer.
• Holiday Retail/Warehouse: Peak Dec 2026 hiring.
• Events: $100+/day festivals (equiv. UK data).

Cert up early for lifeguard (Red Cross, 15+).

Gig Economy & Teen Entrepreneur Ideas: Apps and Low-Cost Startups for 2026

Independent cash:

• Apps: TaskRabbit (tasks), Dolly ($50/hr moving, truck needed?), UrbanSitter (100% earnings), Indeed Flex (shifts). 16+ often.
• Startups: Etsy handmade ($2-10k/mo royalties), Shopify dropshipping ($100-1000/mo), digital courses. Low cost: TikTok marketing, parental consent.

Reddit case: 8k designs = $2-3k/mo.

Resume-Building Jobs & Internships: Tech, Healthcare, and Creative Paths

College edge:

• Tech: Tech360 (free summer coding, 16+), AEOP apprenticeships (Army labs, 16+).
• Healthcare: CNA training paths (16+ in some states).
• Creative: Fiverr gigs showcase skills.

Interns gain networks, hands-on exp--huge for apps.

Retail & Fast Food vs. Remote/Gig Jobs vs. Internships: Pros, Cons & Pay Comparison (2026)

Gigs win pay/flex; internships long-term value. Note youth min $4.25 vs. gig highs.

Entry-Level Jobs Hiring Now: Warehouse, Customer Service & More (No Experience)

• Amazon/UPS Warehouse: 16+ hiring 2026 peaks.
• Remote CS: $15-20/hr, entry via FlexJobs.

Search Indeed "17 year old hiring."

How to Land the Best Job as a 17-Year-Old: Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Check laws: State DOL for permit/hours.
2. Resume: List school clubs, skills (even no exp).
3. Apply: Indeed Flex, Fiverr, Snagajob.
4. Certs: Lifeguard/CPR ($200, quick).
5. No-car: Online/bike gigs.
6. Interviews: Practice "flexible team player."

How to Start a Teen Side Hustle or Freelance Gig: 5-Step Launch Plan

1. Pick skill: Tutoring/design.
2. Platforms: Fiverr (13+), Shopify ($29/mo).
3. Market: TikTok/Instagram free.
4. Legal: Parent consent/permit.
5. Scale: Reinvest earnings (e.g., Jade's $10k/mo tutoring).

Low-cost: $0-100 startup.

FAQ

Can 17-year-olds work unlimited hours under US labor laws?
Federal FLSA: Yes, non-hazardous. States cap school weeks (e.g., 40 hrs).

What are high-paying remote jobs for 17-year-olds with no experience?
Tutoring ($15-30/hr), CS ($15-20/hr), Fiverr freelancing.

Do I need a work permit for jobs at 17 in the USA?
Depends on state (e.g., yes in CA); check local DOL.

What certifications are needed for lifeguard jobs for 17-year-olds?
Red Cross Lifeguarding (15+, 2-3 days training).

Best gig apps for 17-year-olds to earn $20+/hour in 2026?
TaskRabbit, Dolly, UrbanSitter, Indeed Flex.

How can 17-year-olds without a car find good part-time jobs?
Remote (tutoring), bike gigs (dog walking), reselling, neighborhood tasks.