💼 Updated May 2026 · Federal FLSA Rules + Pay Data

Summer Jobs for High School Students

Real pay data, age requirements, work permit rules, and how each job looks on a college application. Browse by age or job type.

Browse All 28 Job Types →Highest Paying Jobs

Browse by Age

Federal FLSA rules differ by age. Find jobs you can legally work right now.

🌱
Age 14
FLSA limits 3hr/school day

Non-hazardous retail, libraries, food service, golf caddying. Hour restrictions apply.

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🌿
Age 15
Up to 8hr/day in summer

Same as 14 plus more options open up. Work permits still required in most states.

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🚀
Age 16
No hour restrictions

Hour restrictions lifted. Nearly all non-hazardous jobs open. Highest pay available.

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⭐
Age 17
Full summer hours

All non-hazardous jobs. Drive for primary job duty restrictions still apply in most states.

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🎓
Age 18
All restrictions lifted

Full adult employment. All jobs open. No FLSA minor restrictions apply.

See jobs for age 18 →

Top Paying Summer Jobs

Ranked by typical hourly rate. Pay sourced from ZipRecruiter & BLS May 2026.

📚
SAT/ACT Tutoring#1
$30–80/hr
Min age 16+ · 1400+ SAT or 32+ ACT
🏊
Lifeguarding#2
$14–22/hr
Min age 15+ · Red Cross certification
🌊
Swim Instructor#3
$16–25/hr
Min age 16+ · WSI certification
🏕️
Camp Counselor#4
$300–600/wk
Min age 16+ · None required
🌿
Lawn Care#5
$15–30/hr
Min age 14+ · Self-employed
👶
Babysitting#6
$15–25/hr
Min age 14+ · CPR cert helps

Federal Work Laws for Teens (FLSA 2026)

Age Under 14
Only self-employment (babysitting, lawn care, acting). No formal employment.
Age 14–15
Non-hazardous jobs. Max 3hrs/school day, 18hrs/school week, 8hrs/day in summer (7am–9pm).
Age 16–17
No hour restrictions. All non-hazardous jobs open. Cannot work in mining, roofing, excavation.
Age 18+
Full adult employment. All restrictions lifted. Hazardous jobs permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best summer jobs for high school students?
SAT/ACT tutoring ($30–80/hr), lifeguarding ($14–22/hr), swim instructing ($16–25/hr), camp counseling ($300–600/wk), and lawn care ($15–30/hr self-employed) are the top earners. Tutoring pays the most but requires a 1400+ SAT score.
Do you need a work permit for a summer job?
Most states require an Employment Certificate for workers under 16. Get it from your school district office before starting. Babysitting, lawn care, and pet sitting are self-employment and typically don't require a permit.
How much can a high school student make in a summer?
Working 20 hours/week for 10 weeks at $15/hr = $3,000 before taxes. Lifeguarding at $18/hr for a full summer = $3,600+. Tutoring 3 sessions/week at $35/hr × 10 weeks = $1,050–$4,200. Most teens working consistently 15+ hours/week exceed $2,000 by August.

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