Most guides to making money as a teenager are written for American readers, or list ideas that are not actually legal for under-16s in the UK. This one is UK-only and current for 2026, so it covers what you can do at each age, how many hours the law allows, what you should be paid and how to find work without spending weeks posting flyers.
The short version
- In most of the UK you can do part-time work from 14, and some councils allow it from 13.
- Until you leave school, the law limits your hours, keeps you to light work between 7am and 7pm, and does not give you a minimum wage.
- Once you pass the school leaving date at the end of Year 11, employers must pay you at least the National Minimum Wage, which is £8.00 an hour for 16 and 17 year olds from April 2026.
- Small local jobs for neighbours, such as car washing, gardening, dog walking and tech help, are the easiest way to start at any age.
What you can do at each age
At 13
Only some councils allow work at 13, and only light work from a short list, such as delivering newspapers or leaflets, helping in a shop or light garden work. Odd jobs for neighbours are where most 13 year olds start. Read the full guide to making money at 13.
At 14
Part-time work is allowed in most areas, up to 12 hours a week in term time and 25 in the holidays. Most big chains still hire from 16, so local work is the realistic route. See jobs for 14 year olds.
At 15
Your limits loosen a little, with up to 8 hours on a Saturday and 35 hours a week in the holidays. See jobs for 15 year olds.
At 16
Once you are past the school leaving date, you can work longer hours, employers must pay at least the minimum wage, and shops, cafés and supermarkets start hiring. See jobs for 16 year olds.
At 17
The pay rules are the same as at 16, more employers are open to you, and the experience you build now feeds straight into uni, apprenticeship and job applications. See jobs for 17 year olds.
The rules every under-16 should know
Child employment rules come from national law plus your local council's bylaws, which is why some details vary between areas. While you are still of school age:
- You cannot work during school hours, before 7am or after 7pm.
- In term time you can work up to 2 hours on a school day or a Sunday, and 12 hours a week in total.
- You need a break of at least an hour after 4 hours of work.
- You must have 2 weeks off work during the school holidays each year.
- Factories, building sites, pubs and anything dangerous are off limits.
- Most councils require employers to get a child employment permit.
The guide to whether a 13 year old can work has the full hours breakdown, and child work permits explained covers who needs one.
12 ways teenagers actually make money
- Car washing. Almost every street has cars that need a wash, and you need little more than a bucket, a sponge and some microfibre cloths. Here is how to do it properly.
- Dog walking. Busy owners pay for short midweek walks, and regular customers mean regular money. How to start dog walking.
- Gardening and lawn mowing. Weeding, sweeping, raking and mowing small lawns keep you busy from spring to autumn. See gardening jobs for teenagers.
- Leaf clearing. In autumn, raking and bagging leaves is a quick job most gardeners will not bother quoting for.
- Tech help. Setting up phones, Wi-Fi and smart TVs for older neighbours is something you are probably better at than most adults.
- Pet sitting. Feeding cats, topping up water and checking on pets while a family is away.
- Tutoring younger children. If you are strong in a subject, helping a younger student with homework pays well for the time.
- Paper rounds and leaflet delivery. Still one of the few employed jobs open at 13 and 14.
- Helping with moves and clear-outs. Carrying boxes, sorting a garage or emptying a loft.
- Christmas jobs. Gift wrapping, decorations and getting houses ready for guests. See Christmas jobs for teenagers.
- Selling things you make. Crafts, art or baking, usually through a parent's account because most selling apps are 18+. More in making money online as a teenager.
- Weekend and holiday jobs in shops and cafés, possible from 15 in some places and much more common from 16.
How much can you earn?
Under-16s are not entitled to the minimum wage, so pay is whatever you and the person hiring you agree. For small local jobs that usually means a fixed price per job rather than an hourly rate, and the teen price guide gives fair starting prices for the most common ones. Once you are 16 and past the school leaving date, anyone employing you must pay at least £8.00 an hour.
Do you pay tax?
Almost certainly not at first. Everyone can earn £12,570 a year before income tax, and money from small self-employed jobs is also covered by a £1,000 trading allowance. The details are in do teenagers pay tax?
Staying safe
- Tell a parent or carer where you are going, who the job is for and when you will be back.
- Only work at a house where you know who will be there.
- Agree the price and the task before you start, and do not take on extra jobs on the spot.
- Walk away from anything that asks you to pay upfront, receive parcels or move money for someone, because those are scams. More in how to make money fast without getting scammed.
Find paid jobs near you
KidsHustle is a UK app that shows paid jobs posted by ID-verified adults near you, from car washing to tech help. Your parent approves each job before you apply, payment is set aside before you start, and you never have to deal with cash. Download KidsHustle and see what is near you, or read how to find jobs for teens near you.