Jobs For 17-Year Olds | Summer, Part-Time, & Online Options

A mechanic with instructor working on a car battery.

You might have some time to spare as a 17-year-old looking to get a job. Given that the demands of many jobs are high, you might not be an eligible candidate for some of those. However, you only need to do little research to come across various jobs you can apply to, whether in the summer or as a part-time employee. In fact, you can take up online remote jobs if you cannot be physically present.

To get any of the above, you only need to look at the right places. In this guide, we shall take you through some of the jobs you can consider if you’re 17 years of age. These jobs have been carefully selected based on quality and advantages.

 

Part-Time Jobs For 17 Years Olds

A girl working at her laptop computer.

In a world that continues to evolve like ours, different roles spring up that don’t require many technicalities. From working in the food service sector to being a lifeguard, there are numerous jobs you can take on with experience and the ability to work based on instructions. Here are some of the part-time jobs you can take on as a 17-year-old.

 

— Telemarketer

This might be a befitting role if you have great communication skills and love to talk to people. A telemarketing role, as one of the jobs hiring 17-year-olds, requires you to handle sales calls to and from clients. This requires some level of diligence, as sales calls can be complex sometimes. 

However, most companies will provide you with the training you require. You’ll also get a script with which you’ll handle most of your calls. This makes the process a lot easier for you. Additionally, the nature of the job makes it possible to work part-time. You simply need to come in for your shift and handle the calls allotted to you.

Although most telemarketers work from call centers, it’s possible that the company might allow you to work from home. In that case, you’ll have to get your working hours from the company and discuss it with your parents accordingly. Also, you’ll need a landline specifically for your work to ensure you deliver effectively.

A notable perk about most sales companies is that you tend to get bonuses and rewards if people purchase products through you. This is asides from the salary scale, which ranges between $19,000 ad $34,000 yearly.

— Camp Counselor

A camp counselor is responsible for leading group activities and engaging a group of children on key things. Here, you’re not babysitting. As opposed to being a babysitter, you are focused on key values such as leadership and how to be a team member, among others. As a camp counselor, you’ll be involved in activities you equally find interesting and impactful. Therefore, if you generally love to engage people and teach them, you’ll likely find this role adequate.

This is one of the decent 17-year-old jobs that aren’t too demanding. Many schools tend to open this position up for job applications from 17-year-olds around the summer. As such, you can target this period if you’re looking toward the role. Nevertheless, you should shoot applications across the year, as different schools have needs for camp counselors at different times. 

The expected yearly pay for this role sits somewhere between $16,000 and $27,000. Importantly, however, you should note that the actual pay you receive is influenced by the time of the year and the location of the job.

— House Cleaning

If you’re contemplating jobs hiring at 17, then you should look at the house cleaning space. Here, you’ll find two areas that often require this service — private homes and hotel rooms. This is one of the jobs hiring at 17 years old that you can consider, especially because it doesn’t demand any technical skill.

It also fits the bill as a part-time job. You get shifts for you to come in and clean the home or hotel room accordingly. Additionally, you don’t need to look too far to get a job of this nature, as you can apply to homes and resorts in your neighborhood. 

Some of the chores you can expect to handle include dishes, bed making, and cleaning floors, among others. You’ll also get instructions from the hotel or the homeowner concerning what you’re expected to do and how to handle them. For most hotels, there are standards of operations that cleaners follow to ensure effectiveness. 

Working in this capacity should earn you about $11 per hour. You can complete the cleaning of a house in about 2 to 4 hours, depending on its size. You can also increase what you charge based on the furniture and other items in the house.

 

Summer Jobs For 17-Year-Olds

A woman working with plants in a large greenhouse.

Before summer, you’re likely thinking about easy jobs that pay well. After all, having a job during the summer is a great way to use the break while making some funds on the side. 

There are numerous jobs for you to consider. But as a 17-year-old, here are some popular jobs that might fit you adequately and meet your needs.

 

— Nursery Worker

If you’re good at helping people out and taking care of things, then you might want to consider working as an Outdoor Nursery Worker. Here, you can expect to take care of plants and help customers out with their orders. 

The great thing about the job is that it’s not tasking and befitting for the summer. You also don’t have to work full-time, meaning you can still get enough time for family and other activities. 

The average pay you can expect as a Nursery Worker is $14 per hour.

— Retail Sales Associate

As a 17-year-old, you can choose to work as a Retail Sales Associate, where you’ll help customers find products they desire in the store. You’ll also monitor the stocks in the store and ensure they are all adequate. To work in this role, you must have some knowledge concerning sales and returns. The great thing here is that you can conveniently learn all you need to perform on the job as you go.

Working as a Retail Sales Associate can also make you eligible for discounts. This is one of the perks people consider. It’s important to note, however, that you may have to work weekends and extra hours. You must also be prepared to interact with many customers on a daily basis.

If you’re contemplating applying for this job position, the expected pay scale is $10.50 per hour.

— Cashier

If your parents own a small store, you might have worked as a cashier in the past. This role doesn’t require much beyond understanding basic calculations and how to use a cash register. As a cashier, you’ll need to keep records of sales and items purchased. Once you understand how to handle money and keep a cash drawer, then you’re good to go.

In a similar manner to a Retail Sales Associate, you can learn all that you need to execute this job before getting started. You can go online to learn how to keep a cash register or simply learn from a former cashier. The pay scale for this job is somewhere around $9.35 per hour.

— Tutor

Smart college students make money teaching kids during summer. You can consider this line of work to make some extra money as well. Teaching kids generally requires an understanding of the subject, the ability to work well with kids, and patience. Patience is perhaps the most important factor, as it can be challenging working with kids on anything, especially education.

Therefore, if you’re applying for this job, you must show the parents of the children that you tick the box. Due to the nature of the job, tutors generally get paid about $17.51 per hour.

— Landscaping

To work in this capacity, it will help if you already have some experience. It might be that you’re conversant with landscaping at home or you’ve learned about it in the past. Landscaping often has to deal with the gardening, lawn maintenance, and planting of trees, among others. 

So, if you already have experience in this area, you can just pick up a job during the summer. If you’re looking to work with a company, expect the pay to be around $12.86 per hour. However, if you have what it takes to operate individually, then there is an opportunity to earn more.

 

Online Jobs For 17-Year-Olds

A person using a stylus pen on a touchscreen laptop computer.

In a fast-paced digital world such as ours, people now render services to clients completely online. The remote work culture has grown sizably over the years, with millions of people working as freelancers and delivering great services from the comfort of their homes. Other options include becoming a brand ambassador or reviewing products on Amazon for a fee.

Therefore, if you’re contemplating online jobs for 17-year-olds, you simply need to learn a global in-demand skill and position yourself to get high-paying jobs. Here are some of the jobs you can consider.

 

— Article Writer

If you have great writing skills as a 17-year-old, you only need to model them in the right direction to become an excellent article writer. Many companies require writing services on a daily basis. From blog posts to content marketing, there are numerous ways writing comes into the operations of small and big companies.

If you want to be an article writer, you simply need to search for jobs in this field online. Once you get a job, your task will center around research, curation of ideas, and execution. Understand that quality articles provide useful information, so you’d want to focus more on quality over quantity. 

Article writing is considered a high-value skill in this current era. Therefore, with the right network and valuable clients, you can make thousands of dollars from writing on a monthly basis. This skill is also an important one personally. When you possess great writing skills, you can easily leverage them for your growth as well. This is evidenced in writing your statements of purpose, essays, and more.

— 3D Artist

Another in-demand skill is 3D modeling. As a 17-year-old, this is a skill you can pick up, especially if you fancy art, drawing, and modeling. When people want to bring their 2D drawings to life and make them feel more realistic, they call on 3D modelers. Many companies and individuals need these services, so there’s a market for the skill.

Of course, you’ll first have to learn how to make 3D versions of drawings. But that’s the only stumbling block between you and making money with the skill. Once you learn and understand the fundamentals, you can begin searching for jobs and accumulating clients. 

— Audio Editor

In an era of audiobooks and various audio products, people constantly need the services of audio editors to make their products sound refined and pleasing. The great thing here is that you can learn how to become an audio editor through YouTube videos, among other online classes and courses. You essentially need to understand how to use different software to complete projects. Once you know that, you can start editing audiobooks and refining recordings. 

— Data Entry Specialist

People work with a huge chunk of data for different purposes. As such, they often require people to help them organize data or enter them into a spreadsheet. It’s a simple job that requires diligence to ensure you don’t make mistakes.

Often, all you have to do is to source certain pieces of information and copy them somewhere. Alternatively, you might be provided with the required data and would simply have to put them in order. Whichever is the case, there’s often a lot of work available in this space once you can convince the person you’re working for that you’re the right candidate.

— Graphic Designer

Across the world, every company and business needs graphic design. From webpages to logos and magazines, graphic designers translate value and words into symbolic pictures. As a graphic designer, you help a company say more with less while contributing to the company’s brand presence.

To excel in this job, you’ll need to understand colors and the best ways to achieve excellent design outcomes that meet the demands of your clients. Start by learning via online educational platforms, get the software you need, and practice till you become an expert. It’s a valuable skill that can earn you notable money online.

 

Understanding The Labor Laws

17-year-olds may apply for certain jobs and be employed accordingly. However, the law aims to protect people in this age range from certain forms of work that are deemed hazardous. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the definition concerning employment and jobs that 17-year-olds cannot take up

Generally, people aged 17 years can work up to 40 hours a week and no more than 8 hours per day. If you intend to take up a job with more than one employer, your hours must not exceed the number permissible, which is 40. These laws and rules are in place to ensure the fair protection of 17-year-old individuals looking to take up jobs for extra money.

However, this mostly affects physical jobs. For most online jobs and freelancing generally, the hours you spend working might be pretty much irregular. This is because freelancers tend to work based on their preferences with regard to time. Although you and your client might agree on certain hours, things can still exceed these hours occasionally. 

Overall, as a 17-year-old looking to take up a job, you should understand what the law says. That way, you can protect yourself against any form of unfair treatment. After all, the job requirements for a 17-year-old are different from those of a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old.

 

Picking The Right Job For You

When many people need extra money, they just go for whichever job they find available. For instance, you might find your friend applying to become an attendant at a fast-food restaurant or a crew member at a warehouse. Although this might be understandable in situations where there are limited choices, there are better ways to go about getting the right job.

As a job seeker, you should put on job alerts for different job search platforms. Additionally, beyond a job title, you should study job descriptions carefully when you see job postings pop up. You should also consider the minimum age requirement before going forward. This will help you make quality decisions concerning the jobs you pursue.

To get the right job as a 17-year-old or a high school student, you need to consider the skills you possess and what interests you. For instance, if you realize that you enjoy writing, chances are that you’ll excel as an article writer or blogger quicker than you’ll land jobs in 3D modeling. Understanding your skills and interests will help you position yourself for the right job.

Furthermore, the platforms you leverage to search for jobs matter. When you’re contemplating valuable jobs, you should look towards places with valuable companies and individuals. This is why you should continue to improve your skills to get better. As a great article writer, you can shoot emails at businesses identifying their needs and stating how you can come in to address them. Getting the right job requires you to take proactive steps. 

Additionally, it’s important to note that building your profile is great for positioning. The more jobs you work on, the better your CV. Whether you’re working part-time or you decide to become a freelancer and work online, your experience will impact the quality of your offers. 

Nevertheless, it’s understandable if your first job isn’t a big deal. When employers hire teens for the first time, they tend to offer generic roles to test them out. So, you just have to navigate your way until you get a more befitting role.

 

How To Save Your Earnings

A bank teller handing cash over to a customer.

When you make enough money as a 17-year-old, you should consider adopting a habit of saving. Saving helps you out of different financial challenges and also puts money in your pocket for future needs. However, while many people understand the need to save, not everyone goes through with the plan. So, how can you save your earnings?

Start by creating a plan. To save and stay committed, it’s great to have a plan which should include how much you’re looking to save over a period of time and how much you will be saving on a daily or weekly basis. Once you have a plan, you’re a bit more encouraged to follow through with it.

Furthermore, it’s important to cut down on unnecessary expenses if you want to save. Sometimes, you realize you spend so much on items you can do without. You’ll only realize this when you begin to operate on a budget. For instance, if you need to get some items from the supermarket, create a list and don’t go past it. Many people overspend in stores because they don’t stick to their list.

Another important hack to great savings is to outsource it. There are thousands of savings apps that help you keep your money until you need it. Some of these apps might even offer you bonuses and investment opportunities for saving them. If you cannot use these savings apps because of age restrictions, then you can have your parents open an account on your behalf. 

Finally, saving takes commitment. Irrespective of the plan you may have, you need to stay committed if you want to build an effective savings plan.

 

The Bottom Line

Jobs hiring 17-year-olds are myriad. However, it’s important that these jobs comply with employment laws and fair standards. Whether you’re looking for part-time physical jobs or online work, we have covered their various types in this guide. 

For most of these jobs, you can learn what you need while on the job. Jobs in this category include cashier, and retail associates, among others. Concerning most online jobs, you’ll need to build your skill and sharpen them before sending out applications. This way, you can get the best experience and make good money.

Ultimately, you should understand how to pick the right job and how to save your earnings. This is how you can maximize your money and meet your financial demands.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best job to get at 17?

When you’re contemplating getting a job at 17, there are many jobs up for consideration. For you to get the best one, you need to consider your skills and look at the jobs that match. This is the case, especially if you’re planning to take an online job such as article writing or graphic designing. 

However, if you’re looking to take up part-time physical jobs such as a cashier or retail associate, then skills aren’t exactly a factor. For these jobs, you can pick up what you need just before starting. You don’t need any technical skills to understand how to help customers with their orders or to ensure store inventories are in order.

Essentially, the best job for you will depend on your preference, availability, and perhaps pay. Jobs with great pay might be more appealing, especially if they are not as demanding. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to make good money, it’s advisable that you learn high-demand skills and pursue relevant jobs accordingly.

 

What can I do to get a job at 17?

Getting a job at 17 doesn’t look as difficult as you might seem. Employers are allowed to offer 17-year-olds jobs as long as the terms comply with the relevant employment law. Therefore, what you should do to get a job at 17 is to shoot an application to where you want.

The process starts with a job search. Find the places taking applications for 17-year-olds and apply accordingly. Of course, the kind of job you want will impact how you approach the application. For instance, if you’re interested in house cleaning, you simply need to approach homeowners or apply to a hotel with such an opening.

On the other hand, if you’re contemplating online jobs such as a data specialist or article writing, then you may have to send emails to companies or leverage freelancing platforms.

 

Where can I find a job for a 17-year-old?

As a 17-year-old, there are many places you can find a job, including social media. You can look toward schools searching for camp counselors, stores in need of cashiers and retail associates, or clients in need of writing services. You simply need to look or put the word out that you need a job.

Stores and schools with relevant openings for 17-year-olds will always make such announcements public. That way, you can apply through the normal route and go through the hiring stages if there is more than one.

Therefore, you should always look out for jobs for 17-year-olds near you. It’s important to also always stay updated with the internet. Many jobs are advertised on a daily basis, especially if you’re interested in digital gigs.