13 Best High Paying Jobs For 18 Year Olds

As a legal adult, life can start to get expensive quickly. Everyone has some bills to pay.  So, it’s not surprising that you’ve searched for high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

The great news is there are a lot of good paying jobs for 18 year olds. Whether you are looking for a lucrative way to make ends meet or possibly fund your education, you’ve come to the right spot.

We’ll cover some of the best jobs for 18 year olds below!

What are the best jobs for 18 year olds?

When hunting for a job as an 18 year old, the first thing you need to know is there are many opportunities out there. That’s great news!

Don’t hold yourself back from jobs with amazing earning potential due to your age. Instead, pursue a job that looks like it will fit your interests and skill set.

Below, you’ll find a list of some of the high paying jobs for 18 year olds. If you are ready to pursue a lucrative job, jump into one of the opportunities below.

1. Pet sit

Pet sitting is one of the very best jobs for 18 year olds who love furry friends.

And it can be lucrative too! According to Indeed, dog walkers earn an average of  $21.77 per hour. So, it's one of the good paying jobs for 18 year olds.

Depending on your schedule, you could offer to take dogs for a walk at lunchtime or even feed a kitten all week long. The short-term nature of pet sitting means that you can work out a schedule that works for you.

If you are looking for clients, then one option is to spread the word through family or friends. But another idea is to sign up for a site like Rover.

2. Babysit

If you are comfortable working with children, then babysitting is another one of those high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

A good place to land your first client is through word of mouth. According to Care.com, you can expect to charge $16 per hour for one child. But it’s possible to earn even more money if you watch multiple children or are in a high-demand location.

In many cases, you’ll even get a free meal on top of your hourly rate!

3. Provide lawn care

Lawn care is a necessary chore for homeowners across the country. But since many people don’t have the time or energy to tame their lawns, you can step in for them.

According to Zippia, the average lawn care worker earns $13.61 per hour.

However, you might earn more or less based on the services offered. For example, you’ll be able to charge more if you provide more than a basic mowing service. Get creative about your offerings to earn more.

4. Get a retail job

A retail job might not be your dream job. But it opens the door to earning a decent wage as an 18-year-old.

Depending on the store, you might stock shelves, help customers, or operate the checkout line. The amount you can earn varies. However, the national average is $15.35 per hour.

When applying for an employer, look beyond the hourly wage. Some companies offer tuition assistance to make your experience more lucrative. The extra perks can push this opportunity into one of the high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

5. Become a freelance writer

Freelance writing is a powerful side hustle that makes the cut as one of the good paying jobs for 18 year olds. If you can craft content for businesses, then you can be highly paid for that service. Plus, you’ll stay in control of your time.

Payscale reports that freelance writers earn $24.64 per hour. But you might earn more or less based on your skill set and target client.

6. Deliver goods

If you have a vehicle and spare time, you can earn money by delivering items to customers.

For those interested in delivering food, check out UberEats and DoorDash. But if you’d prefer to deliver groceries, then give Instacart a try.

The amount you can earn varies widely based on your location and platform. You may earn something close to the average of $15.81 per hour. But you’ll need to factor vehicle costs into your earnings.

7. Become a virtual assistant

A virtual assistant offers services to companies from the comfort of their own home. Depending on your skills and interests, you can offer everything from administrative assistance to social media marketing.

If you are highly organized, then this could be a great fit for you. Plus, you can earn between $18 to $35 or more per hour. That wage secures its spot as one of the high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

8. Tutor online

Tutoring is one high paying job for 18 year olds that offers a way to turn your knowledge into business. If you excel at a particular topic, then your skills are needed as a tutor.

Start advertising your tutoring services to parents of younger kids and hang up signs around town. As you jump in, consider both in-person and online tutoring options.

On average, tutors earn $23.90 per hour. But it’s possible to charge more for a specialized skill set.

9. Pursue voice-over acting

Voice-over acting can be an interesting way to earn a paycheck. You’ll narrate for every kind of audio imaginable. You can find voice-over opportunities for everything from audiobooks to YouTube videos.

Voice-over actors earn between $16 to $23 per hour. But this work-from-home job can become more lucrative for those with the right skill set, which makes it one of the top high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

10. Become a camp counselor

Camp counselors are in charge of creating a great experience for campers. Although the job can be rigorous, it can be a fun way to share your passion.

Personally, I spent a summer as a tennis camp counselor in my late teens. I enjoyed passing on my knowledge of the sport to the kids at camp. But it was also a relatively lucrative gig.

On average, camp counselors earn $15.27 per hour. If you have a skill you want to share, this is an especially enticing opportunity.

11. Data Entry

Entering data might not sound like a dream job. But it’s an important part of many business operations.

If you are an accurate typist, then consider data entry as an opportunity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average data entry keyer earned $17.28 per hour.

Why not give this remote job a try? It doesn't hurt that it's one of the high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

12. Transcribe audio

Transcriptionists listen to audio and then type what they hear. Typically, this is a freelance opportunity done from the comfort of your home.

Although the amount you can earn varies, the average wage is $16.51 per hour. A few places to get started include TranscribeMe, CastingWords, and Rev. But don't be afraid to find clients on other platforms.

13. Start a blog

Did you know it’s possible to make money from a blog?

If you want to create your own business, then starting a blog presents a great opportunity. It’s a business that you can build at your own pace.

Although not every blogger makes any money at all, it’s possible to build a sustainable business from a blog. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, carefully consider this as one of the high paying jobs for 18 year olds.

Set your finances up for success as an 18 year old!

As you pass the mile marker of your 18th birthday, earning money shouldn’t be the only financial to-do on your mind. In addition to earning more, you should also consider what to do with that paycheck.

Here’s how to set up your finances for long-term success.

Set money goals

It’s difficult to define financial success without setting money goals. Although it’s tempting to skip this step, it’s important to map out some starter money goals.

For example, you might decide to start saving for a major purchase or make it a point to save $50 every week. Whatever your money goals are, take the time to write them down.

Create a budget

A budget serves as your roadmap to your money goals. Without a budget, it’s very easy to get blown off course by accidentally overspending. So, crafting a budget is critical.

Begin by writing down your income and your expenses. From there, decide what matters to you most.

As you write down your expenses, it’s okay to spot areas where you want to cut back. But don’t forget to leave space for your big money goals!

Open a high-yield savings account

Savings serve many purposes. Although you might only think of building savings towards a long-term goal, an emergency fund of reserve savings can give your finances the cushion you need for a comfortable journey.

Instead of stashing your savings in a traditional savings account, opt for a high-yield savings account. With a high-yield savings account, you are putting your money to work for you. But you’ll still have easy access when you need it.

Start investing

It’s never too early to start investing! In fact, the sooner you start to invest, the better.

Investing as a teenager opens the door to a bright financial future. A popular investment vehicle is the stock market. So, you might make your first investments through a brokerage account.

But don’t forget to invest in yourself as well! Build skills to access more lucrative employment opportunities.

The bottom line: High paying jobs for 18 year olds are out there!

High paying jobs for 18 year olds are out there. As you become a full-fledged adult, it’s entirely possible to lock in a great employment opportunity.

Don’t hesitate to pursue the job that sparks your interest. And as you navigate the job market, build skills that will propel you to even better opportunities.

Be sure to check out Clever Girl Finance's other articles about earning money and making a plan for your finances.