Discover the Best Jobs for 17 Year Olds UK Students

Looking for the best jobs for 17 year olds UK to earn extra money and gain valuable work experience? Stepping into the workforce at 17 helps build your confidence, teaches key real-world skills, and boosts your future career opportunities.

Popular roles for teenagers include working as retail assistants in major supermarkets, joining busy hospitality and café teams, or training as leisure centre lifeguards. If you want to earn while learning a trade, paid intermediate apprenticeships are another excellent route. These positions frequently hire staff under 18 and offer flexible weekend or evening hours to easily fit around your studies. Finding the right position gives you independence and sets you up for long-term success.

What Are The Best Jobs For 17 Year Olds UK?

Finding a great job at 17 brings real independence without adding extra stress to your life. The best roles offer flexible hours, fair pay, and positive working environments. Since your education comes first, look for evening shifts or weekend contracts that easily fit around your college classes and exams.

You do not need years of work experience to land a starter role. Most entry-level employers value a positive attitude, punctuality, and an eagerness to learn over a long CV. Furthermore, many popular retail and hospitality brands voluntarily pay above the UK National Minimum Wage for under-18s to reward your hard work.

Every shift helps you build vital life skills like customer service, money handling, communication, and teamwork. These practical strengths instantly boost your CV for future career steps. Finally, UK law caps work at 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week for 17-year-olds, protecting your energy so you can relax, study, and thrive.

Top 10 Best Jobs For 17 Year Olds UK

Retail Assistant

If you enjoy talking to people, a retail assistant job could be a great choice. You do not need much experience because most shops give training. You do not need much experience because most shops give training. The average salary is around £24,000 to £27,000 a year. Part-time workers usually earn about £12 to £13 per hour. However, pay can change depending on the shop and your location.

Your main job is to help customers find the products they need. You answer simple questions and give friendly service. You also fill shelves, arrange products, and keep the shop clean. In addition, you take payments at the till and help with simple returns. Every day feels different because you do many small tasks.

This job helps you learn useful skills. You can improve your communication and teamwork skills while working. It also helps you learn basic maths and time management. You can find retail jobs in supermarkets, clothes shops, toy shops, and other local stores. Many shops offer evening and weekend shifts. This means you can work while you study.

Restaurant or Café Worker

Many 17-year-olds choose to work in restaurants and cafés. It is a good way to gain work experience and earn money. It is a busy job, but it is also fun. You meet new people every day and learn useful skills. The average salary is around £24,000 to £28,000 a year. Most part-time workers earn about £12 to £13.50 per hour. Some employers also give tips.

You can work as a waiter or waitress and serve food and drinks. You can also work as a kitchen assistant and help prepare food, wash dishes, and keep the kitchen clean. Another popular job is a barista. A barista makes coffee, tea, and other drinks for customers.

This job has many benefits. First, you learn how to talk to customers in a friendly way. You also improve your teamwork and problem-solving skills. Besides that, you learn how to stay calm when the café or restaurant gets busy. Many places offer evening and weekend shifts. Therefore, you can earn money and still have time for school or college.

Delivery Driver Assistant

If you enjoy being on the move, a delivery driver assistant job could be a good choice. You travel with a driver and help deliver items to customers. Most employers provide training, so it is easy to get started. The average pay is around £12 to £14 per hour.

Your main job is to help with deliveries. You load boxes into the van before each trip. Then, you help unload the items when you reach the customer. You also carry parcels safely and check that the correct items go to the right place. As a result, every day feels different.

This job helps you build useful skills. You need good teamwork because you work closely with the driver. You also need to be organised, careful, and friendly when meeting customers. In addition, you should have good physical fitness because you lift and carry items. This job gives you valuable work experience and helps you earn money while you study.

Babysitter

Babysitting is one of the best jobs for 17-year-olds if you enjoy spending time with children. It is flexible, so you can work after school or at weekends. The average hourly pay is about £10 to £15. However, your pay may be higher if you care for more than one child.

Main responsibilities:

Keep children safe and happy.
Prepare simple meals and snacks.
Help with homework.
Play games and do fun activities.
Read stories.
Help children get ready for bed.

Skills you need:

Patience and kindness.
Good communication skills.
Basic safety knowledge.
Ability to stay calm in an emergency.
Basic first aid skills can be helpful.

You may find babysitting jobs through your local community, friends, or family. This job helps you earn money while building responsibility and confidence.

5. Delivery Driver Assistant

Do you enjoy active work? Then a delivery driver assistant job could be right for you. You travel with a driver and help deliver items to customers. Most employers give training, so experience is not always needed. The average pay is around £12 to £14 per hour. However, your pay may be higher in some areas.

In this job, you help the driver with deliveries. First, you put boxes in the van before leaving. Then, you help take them out at each stop. You also carry parcels safely and make sure they reach the right place. So, your day stays busy.

6. Tutor or Teaching Assistant

If you like learning and helping others, this job is a great choice. You help younger students with their schoolwork and help them feel more confident. Also, tutors usually earn around £15 to £25 per hour. Teaching assistants often earn about £12 to £15 per hour, depending on the school and location.

Many students need help with Maths, English, and Science. You explain lessons in easy words and help with homework. You may also help students get ready for tests. As a result, they understand their lessons better.

This job has many benefits. First, you improve your own learning while helping others. You also build confidence and learn how to explain things clearly. In addition, you improve your communication and patience. These skills help you in many future jobs. You can find tutoring jobs through schools, local families, community groups, or online websites.

7. Supermarket Assistant

A supermarket assistant is a popular job for 17-year-olds in the UK. Many supermarkets offer part-time jobs for students. The average salary is around £24,000 to £27,000 a year or about £12 to £13 per hour.

Main duties:

Help customers find products.
Organise products on the shelves.
Keep the shop clean and tidy.
Work on the checkout.
Take payments from customers.

Skills you learn:

Good communication skills.
Teamwork.
Time management.
Customer service skills.
Confidence when talking to people.

Many supermarkets offer evening and weekend shifts. Therefore, you can earn money while still having time for school or college.

8. Customer Service Assistant

Customer service work is a good option for 17-year-olds. You help people and build new skills at work. Many companies also offer part-time hours for students. The average pay is around £12 to £13.50 per hour.

Your main job is to answer customer questions. You also help solve simple problems and give useful information. Sometimes, you help customers in a shop. Other times, you speak to them on the phone or online. As a result, you meet many different people.

This job helps you build useful skills. You learn how to talk to people in a friendly way. You also improve your teamwork and problem-solving skills. These skills will help you in many future jobs.

9. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

If you love animals, this job is a great choice. It is fun, flexible, and easy to start. The average earnings are around £10 to £15 per hour. However, you may earn more as you gain experience.

Your job is to walk dogs and look after pets. You feed them, give them fresh water, and spend time playing with them. You also make sure they stay safe and happy. Every day feels different because every pet has its own personality.

You can start by helping family, friends, or neighbours. Then, ask them to tell other people about your work. In addition, you can join local pet groups or use online websites to find more jobs.

10. Social Media Assistant

A social media assistant helps businesses online. This job is a good choice if you enjoy using Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. The average pay is around £12 to £15 per hour.

Your job is to create simple posts and share photos or videos. You also reply to messages and help manage social media pages. As a result, more people can learn about the business.

This job helps you learn useful skills. You become better at writing and using social media. You also learn how to stay organised and work with others. These skills can help you find better jobs in the future.

How Much Can a 17-Year-Old Earn in the UK?

If you are 17, you can earn at least £8.00 per hour in the UK from 1 April 2026. This is the National Minimum Wage for workers under 18 who have finished school. So, every hour you work, your employer must pay you at least this amount. However, some companies pay more than the minimum wage. Therefore, you may earn a higher hourly rate depending on where you work.

Important Pay Rules

Apprentice Pay: If you are 17 and work as an apprentice, you will earn at least £8.00 per hour.
Pay Goes Up at 18: When you turn 18, your minimum pay goes up to £10.85 per hour.
Some Jobs Pay More: Also, many supermarkets, shops, cafés, and restaurants pay more than the minimum wage. So, it is a good idea to compare jobs before you apply.

What Are the Legal Working Rules for 17-Year-Olds in the UK?

If you are 17, you can legally work in the UK. However, the law protects your health, safety, and education. So, it is important to know the rules before you start your first job.

You can work up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Your employer cannot make you work more than these limits. Also, if you work for over 4 hours and 30 minutes, you must get a 30-minute break. These rules help you stay healthy, safe and rested.

At 17, you can work in shops, cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, offices, and many other places. However, you cannot do work that is dangerous or could harm your health. Your employer must give you a safe workplace, proper training, and any safety equipment you need.

If you have finished compulsory school, you can usually work these legal hours all year. However, different rules may apply if you are still at school. Therefore, always check the latest guidance before you start a new job.

Final Thoughts on Best Jobs For 17 Year Olds UK

Best jobs for 17 year olds UK let you earn money while learning new skills. You do not need a lot of experience to get started. Instead, choose a job that you enjoy and one that fits around school or college. Every job helps you build confidence and learn important skills like teamwork, communication, and time management. Also, make sure you know your pay and your legal working rights. Your first job is a great chance to gain experience and prepare for a successful future.

FAQs

1. What is the best job to start at 17?

Some of the best jobs to start at 17 are retail assistant, supermarket assistant, café worker, and babysitter. These jobs help you earn money, learn new skills, and gain work experience.

2. What jobs pay 1000 pounds a week?

Jobs like doctors, airline pilots, software engineers, and experienced managers can earn £1,000 a week or more. However, you usually need training and experience for these jobs.

3. What jobs pay 500 pounds a day?

Some doctors, lawyers, IT experts, and business consultants can earn £500 a day. However, these jobs need special skills and many years of experience.

4. Why is Gen Z struggling to find jobs?

Many Gen Z workers find it hard to get jobs because there is a lot of competition. Also, many employers want people with work experience.

5. What is the #1 happiest job?

There is no one happiest job for everyone. However, many people enjoy jobs like teacher, librarian, and gardener because they like helping others and have a good work-life balance.

6. Is it hard for a 17 year old to get a job?

Yes, it can be hard at first because many employers want experienced workers. However, many shops, cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets hire 17-year-olds.