Attention high schoolers: Here are some great ideas for your summer job

lifeguard watching kids in pool

When it comes to making money during the summer, high schoolers over the age of 16 have a lot of options to choose from. The key is to select a job that best fits your interests and one that you can see yourself braving the hot summer heat for. Here is a list of some of the best (and most lucrative) summer jobs for high school juniors and seniors. 

Lifeguard 

If spending hours at the pool sounds like fun to you, then why not become a lifeguard at your local pool? Lifeguards can make anywhere from $13-$20/hour, depending on their experience and it’s a great way to be around friends and keep your community safe too. You must be willing to be outside – no matter the weather – for at least 8 hours at a time. Lifeguards obviously have a very important position, so if you’re a social butterfly who finds it hard to focus without being distracted, then this may not be the best fit for you. 
 
Camp Counselor 

Whether it’s a sleepaway camp or a day camp in your area, being a camp counselor lets you go on many summer adventures and get paid doing it! Typically, camp counselors make between $12-$15/hour and are required to work at least a 6-hour shift. You may be responsible for anywhere from 5 to 20 campers at a time and the age group may vary. If you enjoy being around younger children (think under 10 years old), then this could be a great opportunity for you to explore.

Dog Walker 

Are you good with pets? Especially the four-legged ones? If so, think about dog walking or even pet sitting. So many working people have to leave their pets home for 8+ hours a day and many of these pet owners would love for their pups to get fresh air. Dog walkers not only get their steps in and stay fit, but they’re able to charge $10-$20 per dog to make a very decent pay at the end of every week. 

Business Intern 

Perhaps you want to venture into the business world and try being an intern for a few months. Not only does this get you great exposure into what it could be like after college, it’s an amazing way to try out a profession you’re interested in. Whether you offer to be the social media intern for a small business, become an office assistant, or help to run errands for a busy entrepreneur – being an intern has its perks. Depending on what you’ll be doing, you could easily make $10-$20/hour. 

Babysitter  

With parents having to commute to and from work, getting their little ones from daycare or summer camp can be daunting. Having a reliable babysitter (with a car and a clean driving record), can lighten the load of so many parents! It’s a great job that only requires a few hours of your time a day – typically between the hours of 3pm and 6pm. Babysitters that can provide transportation to and from camp (or daycare), can typically ask anywhere from $15-$25/hour for their services. If you are willing to cook meals and shuttle children to after camp activities, you could charge on the higher end! 

As you can see, as a high schooler you have LOTS of options to choose from to make money over the summer break. The key is to think about what really interests you and where you wouldn’t mind spending your time. Be creative! This list is just to get you started, there are even more opportunities to choose from in your local area – so keep an eye out! 

Check out all the summer jobs on our Seasonal Jobs page.