Landing your first job is an exciting step towards independence and personal growth. Whether you want to gain experience, save money or explore different career paths, there are plenty of entry-level roles to choose from. We have created a list of the best first jobs that will not only provide pay but also help you develop important skills such as customer service, communication, time management, and more.
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The best first job in the food industry
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Fast Food Worker
When you think of the job of your first student, turning a burger over is always something that comes to mind! Fast food employees prepare food, take customer orders and keep the restaurant clean. It needs to function quickly in a fast-paced environment while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction.
Average Salary: $13.25 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Claiming Fame: Before becoming a well-known comedian and talk show host, Jay Reno worked for McDonald’s.
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Barista
Barista prepares and serves coffee, tea and specialist drinks while providing friendly customer service. It also maintains equipment, inventory supply and processes cash transactions.
Average Salary: $14.75 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Assert Fame: Before becoming Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield worked as a barista at Starbucks where he developed strong customer service skills.
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Restaurant server or host
Our server takes food orders, serves meals and provides excellent customer service. The host greets guests, manages seats and assists in running the restaurant. The server also has the opportunity to get tips.
Average Salary: $13 per hour + Tips Education/Training: On-the-Job Training
Claim fame: Before taking a big break with a friend, Jennifer Aniston was a waitress!
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Delivery driver (ages over 18)
Delivery drivers use services such as Doordash, Uber Eats, and Instacart to transport food, groceries, or packaging. This job offers flexible time and the ability to gain tips. You obviously need a driver’s license!
Average Salary: $16.50 per hour + Education/Training: Driver’s License, Vehicle (for most jobs)
Claims for Fame: Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt delivered food to El Polo Loco and even dressed up as chicken.
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Catering or Banquet Server
Banquet servers work by weddings and corporate events, setting up tables, serving meals, and ensuring a guaranteed experience for guests.
Average Salary: $14.50 per hour + Tips Education/Training: On-the-Job Training
Assert Fame: Before becoming a lifestyle mogul, Martha Stewart helped her to successfully launch her catering business and start a career in dining and home entertainment.
Best first job in retail & customer service
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Retail Associates
Retail Associates helps customers, organizes products, and handles transactions in store, including clothing stores, bookstores, and grocery stores.
Average Salary: $14.50 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Asserting Fame: Before becoming a rapper and fashion monarch, Kanye West worked at the gap, where he became interested in fashion and design.
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Grocery store bagger or cashier
For many years, this was a typical first student job! Grocery store employees help customers by bagging items in registers, storing shelves, and processing transactions.
Average Salary: $13.50 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Claiming Fame: Long before her desperate housewife’s success, Eva Longoria started as Wendy’s cashier.
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Cinema attendant
Cinema employees sell tickets, prepare concessions and sell clean theatres between shows. They often enjoy free or discounted movie tickets as perks.
Average Salary: $13.25 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Assert Fame: Legendary director Quentin Tarantino worked at a video rental store where he cultivated a deep love for film.
The best first job in education and childcare
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Babysitter
Babysitters supervise and care for the child while parents are away. They may prepare meals, help with homework and engage children in fun activities.
Average Salary: $15 per hour + (varies depending on location) Education/Training: CPR Certification Recommendations/May be required
Claim fame: There are many stories of babysitters for other celebrities!
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Camping Counselor
Camp counselors lead the activities, oversee campers and help create a fun and safe environment. This is a great seasonal job for students who enjoy working with their kids.
Average Salary: $13.50 per hour Education/Training: CPR and First Aid Certification may be required
Asserting Fame: Before becoming an Oscar-winning actor, Denzel Washington worked as a camp counselor where he hone his leadership and communication skills.
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Private tutor
Private tutors support students with academic subjects such as mathematics, science, and English. They can work independently at a tutoring center or online.
Average Salary: $18 or more per hour Education/Training: Proficiency in subjects, certification may be required
Asserting Fame: Before becoming a bestselling author, Stephen King worked as a tutor to help support himself while writing stories.
The best first job in healthcare and safety
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Lifeguard
Lifeguards oversee swimming areas to ensure safety, enforce rules and respond to emergencies. They work in the pool, water park and beaches.
Average Salary: $15.50 per hour Education/Training: Lifeguard Certification (Red Cross or Equivalent)
Assert Fame: The 40th US President, Ronald Reagan, worked as a lifeguard, a summer job he had been doing for seven years!
Animal care work
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Pet sitter/Dog Walker
Pet sitters care for animals while their owners are apart and provide feeding, exercise and dating. Dog pedestrians can take their pets for daily walks, soothe themselves and exercise.
Average Salary: $14 per hour + (variation) Education/Training: Animal experience may be expected
Claim Fame: She is already a big star, but Pamela Anderson is known in the moonlight as a dog pedestrian.
Best First Management and Office Jobs
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Reception or Office Assistant
Receptionists will answer calls, schedule appointments and assist with administrative tasks in the office. Office assistants help you with filing, data entry and document formation.
Average Salary: $15 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Claim Fame: Before landing a breakout role on a friend, Jennifer Aniston worked as a receptionist, answering the phone and handling office tasks.
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Library assistant
Library assistants help you organize your books, help you with your users, and help you manage your check-in and check-out.
Average Salary: $14.50 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Fame claim: Beverly Cleary, the author of a beloved children’s book, works as a librarian and helps younger readers discover the book.
Best First Outdoor Workers and Physical Work
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Landscaping or Lawn Care
Landscaping workers mow the lawn, plant flowers and carry out general garden maintenance. This job is perfect for students who enjoy working outdoors.
Average Salary: $14.75 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Assert Fame: After working as an apprentice gardener, Alan Ticchmarsh became a well-known media personality.
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Farm or farm worker
Farm workers help plants, harvest and care for crops. This is a physically demanding but rewarding job, and is often available for each season.
Average Salary: $14 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Assert Fame: Matthew McConaughey worked on an Australian farm before making it in Hollywood.
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Car wash attendant
At a drive-through or hand wash station, a car wash attendant will clean and dry the vehicle. Some positions allow tips and increase revenue.
Average Salary: $13.50 per hour + Tips Education/Training: On-the-Job Training
Asserts fame: rapper and music magnate Rick Ross worked in a car wash where he developed a strong work ethic and dreamed of success.
Best First Creative and Digital Jobs
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Freelance Writer or Blogger
Freelance writers create content for websites, blogs and social media. You can write articles, product descriptions, or creative works.
Average Salary: Changes in Education/Training: Writing Skills
Asserting Fame: Before founding The Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington worked as a freelance writer and published articles and books that helped launch the media empire.
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Social Media Assistant
Social Media Assistant helps businesses and influencers manage their online presence by creating posts, engaging with followers, analyzing trends.
Average Salary: $15.50 per hour Education/Training: Social Media Platform Knowledge
Claim fame: After posting a video to YouTube, Justin Bieber’s career was by understanding how to take advantage of social media on the early days.
Best First Entertainment and Event Jobs
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Amusement park workers
Amusement Park employees run rides, sell food and products, and assist guests. These jobs are seasonal, but they are fun ways to make money.
Average Salary: $14 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Asserting Fame: Before becoming a legendary comedian, Steve Martin worked in Disneyland’s sales guidebook and playing Magic Tricks.
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Event staff
Event workers will assist in concerts, sports games and festivals by setting up, selling tickets, or by teaching guests.
Average Salary: $14.75 per hour Education/Training: Practical Training
Fame claim: Kim Kardashian established himself as a public figure, especially after working as a personal assistant and event organizer at Paris Hilton and Serena Williams.
Best First Jobs – Internships and career exploration
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Internship or apprentice
Some companies offer paid internships or apprenticeships to students interested in a particular career field. These roles are excellent first student jobs as they provide practical experiences and networking opportunities.
Average Salary: Education/Training Changes: High School Diploma or Currently Registered
Asserting Fame: Before becoming a media mogul, Oprah Winfrey began as a teenage intern at a local radio station.
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