As teenagers, your wants and needs start to grow as you get older. So does the expense for those things.
It’s quite common for teens to work these days. Of all young Canadians under 19 not in school full-time, four in five (79.7%) had a job in 2019.
Since many teens don’t have their own car yet, going to a physical job location can be challenging. Because of this, making money online serves as a convenient option for teens to earn their own money.
Continue reading to learn how to make money online as a teen in Canada!
How Much Money Can You Make Working Online as a Teen?
The exact amount of money that you can make working online varies. You could be making as little as $50 to over six figures in a year with the right approach to your work. A realistic average would be $12-$20/hour for most online jobs with little prior experience.
How to Make Money Online as a Teen in Canada
If you are a teen or a parent of a teen, make sure you check out this comprehensive guide for how to make money online as a teen in Canada. I’ve picked out my favourite ideas to share with you:
1. Start a Blog
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per hour
Blogging is one of the most popular ways to make money online. It’s an excellent option for teens with little to no experience in online work. Creating content can be taken on in your free time after school and the other things you have going on in your life.
Building an audience takes time, so you’ll need a blog with quality content that people are willing to read and come back to.
Related Post: How To Make Money Blogging
2. Start an E-commerce Website
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per hour
Starting an e-commerce website is a great way to earn cash by selling your finds online if you’re good at researching and finding the best deals on products. You can set up your online storefront with Shopify for free in just minutes. Once you’ve reviewed the products you want to sell, list them all for sale on your site!
3. Start Freelancing
Pay Range: $10-$100+ per article
You can make money freelancing by completing different tasks that are assigned to you. Each job that you complete will be paid for at a specific rate.
It’s essential to track the number of hours it takes you to complete each task so that you can receive payment accordingly. The easiest way to start freelance work is through online job boards like Upwork or Fiverr.
4. Start a YouTube Channel
Pay Range: $1-$5 per 1,000 views
YouTube is one of the most popular sites on the internet. The site has grown exponentially in recent years because of its ability to provide people with a platform to share their videos with the world.
As YouTube continues to grow, it also means more opportunities for making money on the site. Building viewership for your YouTube channel provides an opportunity to make money from advertisements. It’s essential to have quality content that viewers will want to watch repeatedly to reach this goal.
Related Post: How To Make Money on YouTube
5. Sell Crafts on Etsy
Pay Range: $3 to $200 per item
You may have noticed that there is a market for arts and crafts being sold online. One particular place where you can sell your arts and crafts as a teen is Etsy.
Etsy is an online retail platform that specializes in handcrafted items, vintage items, and artisan goods. As long as you create something that is high quality, you will be able to sell your items on Etsy.
6. Sell Stock Photos Online
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per photo
You can make money selling photos online by uploading your images to stock photography websites, which are websites that allow you to sell your photos.
You may need to take professional photographs of different products or events for them to be accepted by the site. But once your photo is on the site, it’ll be available for purchase by anyone anywhere in the world!
There’s no risk on your part since you get paid upfront, and royalties from photo sales go back to you. You don’t even have to do anything after the sale is made!
7. Become a Virtual Assistant
Pay Range: $10-$40+ per hour
A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative and other services to clients remotely using a computer, telephone, or other digital devices.
Some of the skills needed include but are not limited to social media management, data entry, research, customer service work, online shopping organization or management, etc.
If your goal is to get paid to do tasks (rather than sell a product), becoming a virtual assistant is one of the easiest ways to make money. You can find these jobs in various places, including online job boards like Upwork and Fiverr.
How to Get Started: My friend took this 90DayVA course, and she was able to land a job quickly as a VA and now works remotely from around the world.
8. Transcribe Audio and Video
Pay Range: $15-$30 per hour
There are many opportunities to make money online through transcription. The first step is to find a website that will pay you for your work, such as Rev or GoTranscript. The next step is to get signed up and complete the audio or video transcription test that they assign to you.
Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll be able to pick and choose the projects you transcribe. Depending on how fast you do the work, you’ll be able to earn more per hour.
How to Get Started: My friend Jeff landed a job within a month of completing the Transcribe Anywhere program. Note for Canadians – don’t do the legal course as that is mostly for Americans, but rather complete the general course. You can sign up for a free seven lesson mini-course here.
9. Complete Online Surveys
Pay Range: $2-$5 per hour
Taking online surveys is one of the easiest ways to make cash from home. Many survey sites let you get paid for your opinion on different products or services, which can help market these products to others like yourself!
Make sure to join only reputable survey websites so that you don’t get scammed out of any hard-earned money! Also, keep in mind that you won’t be able to do too many survey sites at once because they all want something different, so pick your favorite 3 or 4 websites and stick with them until you become a pro!
How to Get Started: My top pick for best survey online company is Swagbucks. You can sign up for them here.
10. Babysitting
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
There are a few ways that teens can make money babysitting. You can ask your friends and family if they need someone to watch their kids for a night.
It’s essential to treat the family you babysit for with respect and take care of their children so they will want to come back. If you’re going to continue this money-making opportunity, it might be best to ask your friends if they need help with babysitting.
This way, if one family doesn’t return, then you’ll already have another family lined up that wants your services!
You can also put up a profile on sites like Care.com, SitterCity, and Sitter.com.
11. Cashback Apps and Rewards Sites
Pay Range: $2-$5 per hour
Cashback apps and rewards sites allow you to make money by shopping at the stores you love. One of the most popular cashback apps right now is Rakuten. Rakuten gives shoppers a percentage of their purchase back in “rebate dollars,” redeemable for gift cards, electronics, or even cash!
Another popular rewards app is Swagbucks. Cashback websites like Swagbucks are all about earning money passively by signing up, browsing, shopping online, and taking surveys.
They also allow companies to reach out to you with offers that may lead to a sale. If you choose to purchase something through an offer you were referred to, Swagbucks will pay you back for it! You can sign up for it for free here.
12. Play Video Games
Pay Range: $2-$5 per hour
Playing video games can be one of the most enjoyable ways to make money because all you have to do is play. You can start online by playing different games that will pay you (either monthly or hourly). Other rewards companies, like Mistplay, reward you for specific tasks and levels.
If you want to try your hand at making money streaming, you can also sign up for sites like Twitch and YouTube. Streaming takes time to build up an audience base, so you shouldn’t expect to be raking in the dough overnight.
13. Get Paid to Walk
Pay Range: $1-$2 per hour of exercise
Some people may think that exercising is the worst way to make money, but you could be making money while you exercise if you sign up with an app like Strava. Strava is a social fitness company that offers incentives for its users through its “Goals” function.
If you sign up to Strava and set goals for yourself, the more active you are, the more chances you have at prizes that range from gift cards to fitness gear. You’ll also earn badges along the way that can help motivate you to do better!
14. Become a Tutor
Pay Range: $10-$25+ per hour
To start, you can check if your school has a tutoring program and see what tutoring opportunities they may have. If this is not an option, you could also contact local colleges and see if they need any help with your subject area.
You can specialize in a particular subject that is in high demand, such as calculus, and charge more per hour. You could also offer tutors online through sites like Tutor.com that allow individuals to pay for additional help virtually.
15. Proofread Documents
Pay Range: $15-25 per hour
Online proofreading is another excellent way that teens can make money. Online proofreaders are needed for many different types of documents like essays, articles, or presentations. The only things you need are good typing speed and solid grammar skills.
How to Get Started: Here’s a reputable course that can help you network and learn the skills necessary to become a proofreader quickly: Proofread Anywhere Course
Here are some websites that will pay people to proofread their articles:
16. Wash Cars
Pay Range: $20-$100 per hour
Washing cars is an excellent way to make money if you’re willing to get your hands dirty. You’ll need some supplies including a bucket, a sponge, car soap and soft towels.
Depending on the type of service you want to offer customers, you might need an air compressor or vacuum too. You can always charge more by doing something special for people, like detailing the inside.
Consider teaming up with a couple of friends to increase efficiency!
17. Be a Lifeguard
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Becoming a lifeguard can be a viable option if you live near a pool. To start making money as a lifeguard, head over to your nearest rec center or community pool and ask about vacancies. Usually, all you need is CPR training (sometimes provided) and some experience with swimming.
18. Sell Your Stuff
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per hour
If you have a lot of extra stuff lying around, consider selling some of it! eBay is a great place to sell your old or unused items for a profit online.
If you have a lot of stuff that you think people would be interested in buying, you can also consider hosting a yard sale. To increase attention, try getting some of the others in your neighborhood to join and post signs along nearby roads advertising the day(s) of the sale ahead of time.
19. Test Websites for Companies
Pay Range: $10-$60 per test
Testing websites is a great way to make money. You can get paid to test new websites, mobile apps, or software products. Sometimes companies will pay you hundreds of dollars to spend an entire day trying out different products or playing around on their website.
Sites worth signing up for:
20. Teach Music
Pay Range: $20-$60+ per hour
Teaching music is a great way to make money teaching music to other people. For this, you would need some experience with playing an instrument and the ability to teach someone how to do it. You can start by advertising your services at your local library, school or posting in local Facebook groups.
If you want to start teaching lessons in your home, all you need is a space where there’s enough room for the student and the teacher and a comfortable chair in which the student can play their instrument.
Otherwise, you can try virtual lessons, going to the client’s home, or a public meeting place that wouldn’t be too disruptive.
21. Become an Online Influencer
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per hour
In the last decade or so, social media has become a significant part of our daily lives. In this day and age, you can use social media to make money by opening up a popular account on platforms like Instagram or YouTube.
Making money online as an influencer isn’t always as simple as it may seem, though. Some of the most successful influencers nowadays started years ago and had to grow their accounts and audience before seeing any revenue.
If you’re looking for ways to make money online as an influencer, here are some tips:
- Be respectful towards your audience.
- Post high-quality pictures and videos of yourself or something you like so your followers can get interested.
- Interact with others by liking their posts, sharing, or commenting on them.
22. Test Products
Pay Range: $15-$50+ per hour
Making money by testing products can be a lot of fun! Companies want to know what you think of their product and are willing to pay you for your time and opinion.
You can get paid to try out new products and share your honest thoughts on them. Companies will pay you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on how long you test their product and the type of feedback they ask for.
23. Become a Flipper
Pay Range: $0-Unlimited per hour
If you are looking for a way to make money online, flipping stuff is a great option.
To get started, all you have to do is find items that have good resale value and purchase them at a low price so that you can resell them at a higher price! Consider scouting through local yard sales and thrift stores for items to purchase that you can then resell for a higher value online.
Selling items like this isn’t always easy, though, and can require a bit of work and time. You’ll need to make sure the object in question is in good condition and has a high probability of selling quickly for a higher price than what you bought it for.
24. Data Entry
Pay Range: $15-$25+ per hour
Data entry is a great way to make money online. Plenty of companies are willing to pay people just to type in the information for them. Data entry typically requires you to enter the client’s information into another program or spreadsheet.
This is a fast and easy way to make money without too much effort on your part. Bonus points if you’re a fast typer!
In-Person Ways to Money as a Teen in Canada
Here are a few bonus ways teens can make money in Canada in person.
25. Ask Your Parents
Pay Range: $10-25+ per week
One great way to make money as a teen is by asking your parents for an allowance. Your parents might not be too happy at first, but they’ll eventually come around when they see how much you’ve saved up and the difference you’re making in the world.
Most parents will want something in return, like doing chores. Consider selling yourself on your ability to cut the grass, watch siblings, take the trash out, clean and put away the dishes, tidy the house, or do other activities.
26. Get a Paper Route
Pay Range: $10-$15 per hour
If you ever wanted a job as a paperboy or girl, now’s your chance.
Most people nowadays would instead read the newspaper on their phone or tablet for convenience, but those who still want their hands on an actual newspaper still subscribe to a delivery service. That means they’re looking for someone else to deliver that newspaper to their doorstep each morning!
27. Work at a Retail Store
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Lots of us have had jobs at a retail store at some point in our lives. Working as a retail associate is a great way to make money as a teen. Retail stores are always looking for assistants, and you can usually find them at the mall or nearby shopping centers.
The hours are usually from nine to five or nine to nine. However, they do vary from company to company. Some stores have more flexible schedules than others.
As a bonus, most retail stores offer incentives like discounts and access to the newest products coming out before anyone else!
28. Run a Lemonade Stand
Pay Range: $5-$20 per hour
If you need some quick cash without a lot of initial investment, then running a lemonade stand is the way to go. The more people you have living in your area, the more likely you will attract potential thirsty customers.
Consider setting up flyers in your area to draw attention to your stand, and make sure you’re reasonably pricing your product so people don’t shy away.
You can make this a regular hobby or use it as seed money to invest in your next money-making adventure.
29. Walk Dogs and Pet Sit
Pay Range: $5-$20 per hour
A lot of people want to work with animals, but they don’t know how. Walking dogs and pet sitting is a great way to get involved with animals.
It’s not always an easy task, but it can be rewarding. You’ll need to learn about the animal you’re walking or pet sitting for before taking on the job for the first time so you know what to expect. Then you’ll find there are many ways of walking dogs and pet sitting that works for you.
Consider signing up for Rover or posting in local Facebook groups to attract potential clients.
30. Work at a Grocery Store
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Working at a grocery store is one of the most common first jobs for teens. Depending on your age, you may need a work permit to start working at a local grocery store.
Next, you’ll need to meet the minimum hours’ requirement. There are a variety of positions available to teens at a grocery store with a variety of hours, depending on what fits your schedule the best. Most larger grocery stores will be acceptable with you only working one or two days a week.
These positions may include but are not limited to being a cashier, customer service representative, door greeter, or cart pusher.
31. Yard Work and Landscaping
Pay Range: $15-$25+ per hour
If you’re willing to do some manual labour, yard work and landscaping can be a viable way to make money as a teenager. People want their lawns mowed, bushes trimmed, or flower beds pruned, so there’s always work available for teenagers who are willing to do these tasks.
You can sign up on websites like Kijiji or Craigslist to post your services. Alternatively, you can also go door-to-door or offer your services, or post flyers around the neighbourhood as advertisements.
32. Work as a Camp Counselor
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
If you’re looking for a job that is full of campfires, water balloon fights, and s’mores, then working as a camp counsellor may be the right fit for you. Camp counsellors are in charge of looking after children while they attend summer camps.
They will need to take care of them while they do their activities each day, go on trips and lead activities.
Working is usually only available during the summer months, with some flexibility depending on the type of camp you’re working at.
33. Food Delivery
Pay Range: $10-$25 per hour
If you have access to a car, you can consider working as a delivery driver for a local restaurant. The hours are sometimes later than desired, but the money you’re able to make in tips can be well worth it.
If you’d prefer to have more of your schedule, consider signing up for DoorDash. This would allow you to work when you want, for however long you want. Just make sure you’re factoring in your gas and wear-and-tear on your vehicle when accepting these types of jobs.
Pay Range: $20-$40+ per hour
If you’re up for a bit of adventure and want some cash, then signing up with Uber or a similar company may be an excellent opportunity for you! These companies allow passengers to hire you to drive them from one location to another.
Things to consider: Newer model vehicles are generally a requirement as is having a clean safety history. You will also go through a comprehensive background check before you can get started.
Don’t forget that you’ll be able to earn tips on top of each ride’s commission.
35. Cleaning
Pay Range: $15-$25 per hour
If you’re confident in your ability to clean, this could be a great way to earn some money. You could advertise your services by posting flyers around the neighbourhood or even offer them through word of mouth or posting in local Facebook groups.
You’ll want to take precautions with this type of job because you’ll be entering people’s homes. Be smart, stay safe, and do your research before entering a stranger’s house.
36. Shovel Snow
Pay Range: $25-$100+ per hour
If you’re not afraid of the cold and are physically fit, snow shovelling may be a viable option for you to earn some extra cash. Consider door-to-door sales in your neighbourhood ahead of a storm or posting flyers around your area.
You’ll want to make sure you’re able to clear driveways, sidewalks, and patios promptly. For an extra fee, consider offering salting or car clean-off services as well.
You can also sign up with on-demand companies like Shovler, which will allow you to be connected with customers who need their sidewalks and driveways clear.
37. Work at an Amusement Park
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Working at an amusement park can be both fun and profitable. For the summer, you’ll need to sign up for shifts during the day or at night. You can get paid for helping out on some of the rides or offering security on busy days.
Most parks also have gift shops and food stands that need assistance during the busy season.
38. Do Odd Jobs for People
Pay Range: $15-$30+ per hour
If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash, consider doing odd jobs. There are tons of services that people need to be done around the house, but they don’t have the time or tools to do it themselves.
You can offer these services through word of mouth, your local Facebook group, or posting flyers in the local area.
Some of the most common tasks are painting, garbage disposal, power washing, furniture assembly and installing blinds.
It can be helpful to come up with a proposal that includes an itemized list of how much each task will cost. Be careful not to over-sell yourself by trying to do too much. Only take on projects you know you’ll be able to complete.
39. Work as a Referee
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
If you’re interested in refereeing soccer, basketball, hockey or other sports, sign up with one of the leagues in your area. These are typically seasonal positions at first, but once you’ve proven your worth, they can become more permanent.
40. Work in a Restaurant
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Working in a restaurant is a great way to make some money. One of the main things you’ll want to do if you’re new is ask for a trial shift where you work as a server, hostess, or bus person. This will allow you to find out if this is the right job for you and enable the restaurant to see what you can do.
It’s also crucial that you understand that working at a restaurant is not always easy, as it may involve long hours and late hours. To be successful, treat your work as if it’s your own business and have high expectations of yourself.
41. Become a Golf Caddy
Pay Range: $15-$25+ per hour
Becoming a golf caddy can be very physically demanding and will require that you know exactly what you’re doing on the course. You’ll want to demonstrate some skills before getting started with this type of work.
Many golf courses have open interviews where you can audition for jobs at certain events. Golfing tournaments are also a fantastic opportunity to get work if you’re interested in this type of job!
42. Work at a Movie Theatre
Pay Range: $10-$20 per hour
Working at a movie theatre is a great way to make some money! Indeed you’ll find a position you enjoy working in, such as cashier, concession stand worker or usher.
It’s also important that you know this isn’t always an easy job – it can involve long hours and late nights. Be sure to get comfortable shoes because you’ll often times need to stand for long periods of time.
Making Money online Goal Setting
Before getting started, make a list of goals for yourself. What do you want to accomplish with the money that you make? How much money would it take to get what you want?
For example, if you wanted to buy a new car, how much would it cost, and how long would it take to save up enough money?
If you need $3,000 and you’re able to save $250 a month, it’ll take you 12 months to achieve your goal.
If your timeline to hit your goal seems unrealistically long, take a step back and try some additional ways to make money. You’ll eventually find something that you enjoy doing that earns more money.
Understanding Online Money Making
As a teen in Canada, there are several ways to make money online, but it’s crucial to understand how online money-making works. Here are a few things you should know:
Online Jobs for Teens
Online jobs for teens are a popular way to make money. They include jobs such as online tutoring, content creation, and social media management. These jobs can be done from the comfort of your home and can be part-time or full-time.
Online Business
Starting an online business is another way to make money online. You can start a blog, create an online store, or offer services such as web design or freelance writing. Starting an online business can be a scalable way to make money, but it requires hard work and dedication.
Easy Money and Online Scams
There is no such thing as easy money. While there are many ways to make money online, they all require effort and dedication. Be wary of any website or offer that promises easy money with little effort, as they are likely scams.
Be aware of online scams. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid websites that ask for money upfront. Do your research before accepting any online job or offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are the most frequently asked questions I receive about ways to make money online as a teen in Canada.
How Can a 14-Year-Old Make Money Online Fast?
There are a variety of ways that a 14-year-old can make money quickly online. Several methods outlined earlier in this article that would make money quickly include hosting a car wash, selling unused items, or doing odd jobs around the neighbourhood.
How Can a Teenager Make Money Online Legally?
There are many ways for teenagers to make money legally online, as outlined earlier in this post. Be sure to read the fine print when signing up on various websites. Some will require you to have a legal parent or guardian sign up with you, others will not allow anyone under the age of 18 to sign up.
How Do You Get Paid as a Teen Working Online?
Some companies offer hourly wages, while others can pay you by the project or based on their performance standards. Most websites will pay you directly via PayPal, with gift cards, or via check.
Do You Need Parental Consent to Work Online as a Teen?
Most jobs will not require you to have parental consent. Depending on where you live, local laws may require you to get permission from school prior to starting work. If you’re 18 or older, you will not need any parental consent.
Is Working Online as a Teen Safe?
Working online as a teen is safe, but exercise caution when putting your information anywhere online. Be sure that you’re only entering your information on reputable websites that aren’t trying to steal your information.
Are there any online platforms where Canadian teens can find work?
Yes, there are several online platforms where Canadian teens can find work. Some popular platforms include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. You can also find work on websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.
Can Canadian teens earn money through dropshipping or affiliate marketing?
Yes, Canadian teens can earn money through dropshipping or affiliate marketing. Dropshipping involves selling products online without holding inventory, while affiliate marketing involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission on sales. Both can be lucrative if done correctly.
What are some tips for Canadian teens to make money online without investment?
Some tips for Canadian teens to make money online without investment include offering your skills as a freelancer, participating in online surveys, and becoming a social media influencer. You can also start a blog or YouTube channel or sell products online through platforms like Etsy or Amazon.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a teen that wants to make money, there are plenty of ways for you to do so. The internet is packed with opportunities, and many jobs don’t require any experience or qualifications. It’s also important to keep in mind your local laws, as some may prevent teens from working without parental or school consent.
As long as you treat it like a business and have high expectations of yourself, you’ll be able to do well!
Be sure to check this related article on fun ways to make money as a kid!
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