12+ top available jobs for teens in the UK
Here are the top jobs available for teenagers to do in their local area in the UK. You’ll need to know how to write a CV for some of these jobs, but some of them you can get through word of mouth.
1. Fast food
What it is: If you’re on the till, fast food involves taking customer orders, handling their cash or cards, and then handing them their prepared meals.
If you’re working in the kitchen, you’ll be heating and preparing food and drinks. You’ll also customise customer orders (for example, cooking a hamburger without gherkins).
Skills you’ll need:
- Customer service skills
- Maths skills
- Food hygiene
- Collaboration skills
The benefits of this role: Working in fast food, you’ll learn how to work as part of a team. Because you’ll be working with the same people day-by-day, you’ll make friends quickly.
It’s also common for fast food chains to provide a meal for you, so you won’t need to spend money on food during your break. You may also get a discount to use in store when you’re off duty.
How to apply: You can find fast food jobs by looking on the careers sections of big name chains like McDonalds, Pret à Manger, and Greggs. You can also apply to local fish and chips and pizza shops.
Here’s what a typical job advert might look like:
2. Retail
What it is: Jobs in retail involve:
- working on the till
- answering customers’ questions
- restocking shelves
- processing refunds
Skills you’ll need:
- Numeracy skills
- People skills
- Point of sales systems
- Organisational skills
The benefits of this role: Working in a retail environment will expose you to a wide range of people every day. It’s a great experience for learning how to get on with people. It’s also likely you’ll be given a staff discount and a free uniform.
How to apply: You can apply directly to retail chains on their websites by sending in your retail CV. Ideas include Waterstones, HMV, Next, and WHSmith.
3. Dog walking
What it is: Dog walkers walk neighbourhood dogs while their owners are at work or on holiday. You might also be asked to feed them, especially if the owner will be away for a few days.
Skills you’ll need:
- Reliability
- Trustworthiness
- Stamina
- Discipline skills
The benefits of this role: Walking dogs is perfect if you’re active, like animals, and enjoy being outdoors. You’ll also get to know your neighbours better, which will come in handy if you ever need to call in a favour.
How to apply: Dog walking is an informal job. Instead of advertising, think of all the people in your area who have dogs. Then, knock them up and ask if they need their dogs walked. Be aware that because it’s not a regular job, different people will offer you different amounts of money to walk their dog.
4. Online work
What is it: There’s a wide variety of online work available. You might edit text, fill out surveys, design websites, or write copy for online adverts. You can base the kind of online work you search for on the subjects you get the best marks in in school.
For example, if you get good marks at Art and ICT, you could provide artwork to marketing companies.
Skills you’ll need:
- Time management skills
- Remote collaboration tools
- Computer skills
- Communication skills (for keeping in touch with clients)
The benefits of this role: You’ll be able to set your own working hours, work from home, and work independently without a boss.
How to apply: There are many websites where you can offer your services online like UpWork:
Simply create a profile and start applying for jobs or short-term projects. You’ll be able to see how much you’ll be paid before you apply, but you can also negotiate a higher rate.
5. Car washing
What it is: Car washing involves soaping down, rinsing, and waxing the outsides of cars. You might also offer to hoover and tidy up car interiors.
You’ll normally be washing neighbours’ cars, and vehicles of people in the wider area. If you do a good job, you could win regular customers.
Skills you’ll need:
- Cleaning skills
- Customer service skills
- Attention to detail
- Time keeping skills
The benefits of the role: Washing cars is a great way to build connections in your neighbourhood while earning money. If you’re thinking about buying your first car, you’ll also be able to compare the interior features and comfort of each model.
How to apply: Knock up your neighbours and ask them if they need their cars washed. Or print out leaflets that introduce you, your services, and your rate and put them through your neighbours’ letterboxes. You might have to alter your rates though, based on other people’s expectations and whether or not they supply their own car cleaning supplies.
6. Paper rounds
What it is: Doing a paper round is a traditional job for teens. You’ll deliver people’s chosen newspaper(s) straight to their letterboxes. Depending on customers’ needs, you might also handle money for people who prefer to pay you for their newspapers rather than in the shop or by direct debit.
Skills you’ll need:
- Maths skills
- Stamina
- Attention to detail (so you don’t deliver the wrong newspapers)
- People skills
The benefits of the role: Walking is great exercise, and you’ll definitely reach your 10,000 steps goal (about 5 miles) if you do a paper round. You’ll also get to know your local area better. Finally, a paper round is a steady and secure job for a teenager. As long as you deliver the right newspapers to the right houses on time, you’ll earn a regular wage.
How to apply: Check in at your local paper shop and see if they have any rounds for you to do.
7. Waiting staff
What it is: As a waiter, you’ll greet and take orders from customers, relay them to the kitchen, and serve them meals. Depending on the restaurant, you might also offer suggestions for good food combinations, as well as wine pairings. In pubs, you’ll also take payments and serve alcohol (although you’ll legally need to be 16 years old to serve alcohol).
Skills you’ll need:
- Teamwork skills
- Point of sales (cashier) skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
The benefits of the role: You’ll make friends quickly working as waiting staff because the job involves working closely with other people. You’ll come into contact with many different types of locals and tourists, and may even make tips. You can normally expect to be fed for free on your break too.
How to apply: You’ll primarily apply online for chains like Pizza Express, Nandos, and YO!Sushi. For independent restaurants, you can pop in and hand your waiter CV to the manager because they’re less likely to advertise online.
8. Leaflet delivery
What it is: Similar to taking on a newspaper round, leaflet delivery involves being responsible for an area of your town and delivering leaflets and brochures to every home.
Skills you’ll need:
- Stamina
- Reliability
- Thoroughness
- Good time keeping
The benefits of the role: Leaflet delivery is another job that’s good for your health. You’ll be walking a lot, and potentially climbing stairs if you live on or near a council estate. You’ll also get to know about your local area.
How to apply: Most leafleting jobs are available online. If you’re expected to drive to the delivery location, make sure the company covers your petrol costs, and that you have a valid driving licence.
9. Tutoring
What it is: Tutors give one-on-one lessons to students struggling in a particular school subject. You’ll provide guidance in the subject you’re good at to classmates or students from other schools, helping them to understand the topic.
Skills you’ll need:
- Teaching skills
- Patience
- Communication skills
- People spaces
The benefits of the role: As a teenage tutor, you’ll gain experience teaching other people, which can help you decide whether teaching or tutoring is something you’d like to do as an adult. You’ll also make a higher wage than most other positions on this list, especially if you have good marks. You can charge more if you have a good reputation as a tutor too.
How to apply: If you don’t mind tutoring people in your school, you could advertise on noticeboards (ask whichever teacher or caretaker is in charge of the notice boards first). You can also advertise online or on local parents’ groups on Facebook. You might need to provide your GCSE or A-Level certificates to parents so they can see you’re good at the subjects you’re teaching.
10. Mystery shopping
What it is: Mystery shopping involves going into shops and restaurants and evaluating the service or product quality. Some companies want to know how well their products are performing and how friendly their staff are. But other companies, like pollsters, are also curious in comparing the offerings from a wide variety of businesses.
Skills you’ll need:
- Poker face
- Reliability
- Acting
- People skills
The benefits of the role: Being a mystery shopper is an engaging job for teens that sees you interacting with a variety of people and trying out new products and cuisine. It’s worth noting that sometimes your “pay” will be a free product or meal rather than cash.
How to apply: If you’re looking for a mystery shopper role for a particular company, you can apply online. Look out for roles that reimburse your travel expenses (for example, bus fares and petrol costs).
11. Modelling
What it is: Modelling will see you posing for photos and videos while wearing clothes or makeup from a particular brand or designer.
Skills you’ll need for the job:
- Ability to follow instructions
- Spatial awareness
- Good body language
- Self-confidence
The benefits of the role: Modelling allows you to express your personality and make connections in an industry that always needs skilled new faces. You’ll earn competitive wages, and you’re also likely to receive free products such as the clothes you model and the makeup you’re asked to wear.
How to apply: Try sending an application to local modelling agencies by searching for agencies in your area. You can also apply to larger agencies that have a nationwide presence like Sarah Reynolds. You’ll need to apply to your local council for a licence if you’re under 16.
12. Delivery driver
What it is: Delivery driving usually means picking up hot food freshly prepared by restaurants and delivering it to the person who ordered it. As well as food, other kinds of delivery services exist like document delivery.
Skills you’ll need:
- Driving licence
- Time management skills
- Customer service skills
- Organisation skills
The benefits of this role: As a delivery driver, you’ll develop good time management skills. Because it’s likely you’ll have recently received your driving licence, it’s also an opportunity to develop your driving skills while being paid for your petrol costs.
How to apply: You can ask around at local restaurants for opportunities, or use a delivery app like Uber Eats to deliver for multiple restaurants. You’ll need to show you have a driving licence and a clean driving record to get a job. You can also use online job sites like the official Department for Work and Pensions site:
Minimum wage for teen jobs
The minimum wage in the UK depends on your age:
If you’re a waiter, your employer can’t count tips as part of your wage.
Note that the minimum wage only applies if you’re working for a company. Some of these jobs like washing cars are classed as self-employed because you’re your own boss. There’s no minimum wage for self-employed roles.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the answers to common questions about working as a teenager.
What jobs can you get at 13 in the UK?
If you’re 13 years old, you’re old enough to work part time. The kinds of jobs you can get depend on the rules in your local area. You can check if you need permission (a “work permit”) to work by checking with your local council. Some councils require all 13 year olds to get a work permit, while other councils only require a work permit for some jobs.
How many hours can I work when I’m 13?
As a 13 or 14 year old, you can work up to 2 hours per day on school days and Sundays, and 5 hours per day on Saturdays.
During the school holidays, you can work up to 25 hours a week, including up to 5 hours a day on Saturdays and weekdays plus 2 hours a day on Sundays.
How many hours can I work when I turn 15?
When you turn 15, you’ll be able to work up to 8 hours a day on Saturdays, but still only 2 hours a day on weekdays and Sundays.
In the school holidays, you can work up to 35 hours a week: 8 hours a day on weekdays and Saturdays, and 2 hours a day on Sunday.
Can I work when I turn 16?
In England, you can work part time when you turn 16 as long as you either,
- stay in full-time education
- do an apprenticeship or training programme
- take part-time classes
In Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, you can work full time at 16 once you leave school.
If you want to work at 16, learn how to prepare a CV for a 16 year old to maximise your chances of finding work quickly.
Are there any restrictions on the types of jobs I can do?
Local councils decide on the kinds of jobs you can do if you’re under 16. You might need a work permit to do some (or all) jobs until you’re 16, so find out which council is in charge of your area and check their rules on working as a teenager.
What are the other rules I should know about working as a teenager?
You can’t work in factories or industrial settings until you’re 16. It may seem obvious, but you’re not allowed to work during school hours in term time, or before 7:00 or after 19:00. You also can’t work in the hour before school starts.
Additionally, you’ll need to take an hour’s break after four hours of working. You’ll also have to take two weeks off work during the school holidays at least once a year.
Now that you know about jobs for teens in the UK, it’s time to make your CV.
