The best part-time jobs for high school students
Ten part-time jobs that work around a class schedule, what each realistically pays, and why getting paid per video is the newest entry on the list.
Write It teamUpdated 4 min read
The best part-time job in high school is the one that pays fairly, flexes around exam weeks, and does not eat the hours you need for school. That rules out more jobs than you would think — and it is why a few online options now beat the classics.
The list at a glance
| Job | Typical pay | Schedule fit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC videos (Write It creator program) | $2 per 1,000 verified views in 14 days, plus $10 over 1,000 views in the first 7 days; $800 total cap per standard video | Whenever — fully async | Anyone with a phone |
| Tutoring | $15–$30/hr | You set it | Strong students |
| Lifeguarding | $13–$20/hr | Seasonal, shift-based | Swimmers |
| Babysitting | $15–$20/hr | Evenings/weekends | Responsible, references help |
| Retail | $12–$16/hr | Fixed shifts | Steady hours |
| Food service | $12–$15/hr + tips | Fixed shifts | Fast environments |
| Grocery | $13–$16/hr | Fixed shifts | Reliable, close to home |
| Lawn care / snow | $20–$40 per yard | Weekends | Self-starters |
| Youth sports referee | $20–$35 per game | Weekends | Athletes |
| Library or office aide | $12–$15/hr | After school | Quiet, study-adjacent |
Pay ranges are typical US figures and vary by state and city — check local minimum wage.
What actually makes a job "best" in high school
- It flexes when school does not. A manager who will not move your shift during finals is the most expensive thing about a cheap job. Ask about exam-week flexibility in the interview — it is a normal question.
- The hourly math includes getting there. A $14/hour shift with a 40-minute round trip is really paying you closer to $11. Online work wins a lot of these comparisons on commute alone.
- It leaves something behind. Tutoring builds a college-app story. Editing videos builds a skill. Some jobs only build a tolerance for standing.
The classics, honestly ranked
Tutoring is the best classic job for most strong students: it pays two to three times retail, you set the hours, and every session doubles as review for your own classes. Lifeguarding pays well but is seasonal and certification costs money up front. Babysitting is reliable evening money once two or three families trust you. Retail, food service, and grocery are the easiest to get and the least flexible — fine as a first job, worth outgrowing.
Lawn care and refereeing are the sleepers. Both pay per job rather than per hour, which means a motivated Saturday can clear $100 — and nobody schedules you on a Tuesday night before a test.
The newest entry on the list is also the most flexible one, because it is not a job so much as a payout for something you probably already know how to do: make a short vertical video.
How the Write It creator program works
Applications and new submissions are paused. The new workflow starts with an unpublished draft, then approval to post. A reviewer checks the public video against the approved draft before verifying views.
Submit a draft and wait for approval before publishing. Standard videos earn $2 per 1,000 verified views, plus a $10 bonus only after exceeding 1,000 views within 7 days of posting. Total pay, including the bonus, is capped at $800 per video. AI videos and slideshows earn $0.10 per 1,000 verified views with no bonus, capped at $500 per video. View pay covers the first 14 days after posting. Only approved published videos earn cash.
For example, a standard video with 5,000 verified views in its first week earns $20: $10 in view pay and the $10 bonus. An AI video or slideshow with the same views earns $0.50. Both are subject to review.
Earlier submissions keep their recorded rates, thresholds, caps and payment windows. The new rules apply only to new submissions.
Know the rules for working as a minor
US federal law limits 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week, with more freedom at 16. Some states require a work permit signed by your school. None of this applies to self-directed work like mowing lawns or posting videos — one more reason the flexible options suit high schoolers.
Write It creator program
Applications and new submissions are paused. You can read the review process and payout terms, or visit your dashboard to manage earlier work.