As a high school student today, you can access a wide range of online jobs that make it possible to explore academic interests, career fields, and professional skills from anywhere in the world. These opportunities can include everything from part-time remote work and freelance gigs to structured internships and research programs. Many of them connect you with employers, mentors, or researchers who can offer insight into different industries and career paths. In addition to giving you valuable experience, these jobs can strengthen your college applications by showing initiative, responsibility, and curiosity. You may even have the chance to earn a stipend or paycheck along the way!
What do online jobs for high schoolers include?
Online jobs for high school students can involve writing, tutoring, helping with research, managing social media accounts, or supporting ongoing projects. Some jobs may take the form of virtual internships or research programs, where you work on a project with guidance from a mentor, researcher, or professional in the field. Many of these opportunities require you to use tools like shared documents, email, and video calls to communicate and complete your work. Depending on the role, you may be asked to create a final product, such as a presentation, report, article, research paper, or portfolio project. You will also get to work with other students or team members.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 online jobs for high school students.
You can also check out these guides on online college courses, free AI courses, and free college courses for high school students!
Key Takeaways
- Online jobs range from paid stipend internships in healthcare and government to unpaid research and mentorship programs in AI, psychology, and environmental science
- Several programs offer financial compensation, including SHE in Oncology ($500 stipend), Camp Zon by Zon Lab (paid), and the U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program (paid), making remote work a genuine income option for motivated students
- Most opportunities combine independent project work with mentorship, requiring you to communicate regularly via video calls and shared documents while producing a tangible deliverable like a research paper, presentation, or portfolio project
- Programs span a wide range of disciplines, including biomedical research, government operations, cultural heritage, computer science, psychology, and sustainability, giving students broad flexibility to match opportunities to their interests
15 Online Jobs for High School Students
1. Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 taxable stipend
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: March 22
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are residents of Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
The Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology (SHE) is a virtual program where you’ll explore cancer science and medicine through project-based work and faculty-led sessions. As a participant, you will work on a genetics-focused research project and a patient case study, examining how cancer is studied and treated across different contexts. The program includes daily lectures, panel discussions, and workshops led by professionals in biomedical fields, providing exposure to different areas of cancer research and care. You can collaborate with peers from multiple institutions while completing assigned projects over a structured two-week schedule. Activities are conducted online and combine independent work with guided sessions and group discussions.
2. Camp Zon by Zon Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Typically, April
Eligibility: High school students (16+) residing in Massachusetts
Camp Zon by Zon Lab is a virtual research internship where you’ll engage in biomedical research topics related to blood development and cancer biology. You will work as part of a research team and contribute to activities such as developing hypotheses, designing experiments, and analyzing data using model organisms like zebrafish. The program also involves attending lectures delivered by scientists on topics ranging from foundational biology to clinical research applications.
3. Internships at the American Psychological Association (APA)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid and unpaid options available
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on the specific internship
Eligibility: High school students; If under 18, you must submit an official District of Columbia Work Permit
American Psychological Association internships offer you the opportunity to explore psychology through structured work experiences. You may be involved in tasks such as assisting with research activities, supporting educational content, or contributing to outreach initiatives, depending on the specific placement. The work typically introduces you to how psychological concepts are applied in professional and academic settings. Some roles may involve reviewing materials, organizing information, or observing ongoing projects.
4. Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s Eve And Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
Location: Virtual + in-person options available
Cost/Stipend: Free; 1 $500 scholarship will be awarded
Dates: Online session 1: July 6 – 16; Online session 2: July 20 – 30
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Current 11th-12th graders from Los Angeles and its adjacent counties
The Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program by the Los Angeles Pediatric Society is a multi-week summer program that can be attended in a virtual format, introducing high school students to careers in healthcare. You can join scheduled online sessions where medical professionals from different specialties present their work and discuss their roles. The program includes exposure to fields such as pediatrics, surgery, nursing, and other allied health professions. Sessions focus on explaining how different parts of the healthcare system function through talks and discussions. You may also engage in Q&A interactions with professionals during these sessions.
5. Central Smithsonian Wide Internships: Internships at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Location: Virtual + In-person options
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid (exact amount not listed)
Dates: 8-16 weeks in the summer; Year-round internships available
Application Deadline: March 1 (summer internship)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as non-students, including working professionals
The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Internship Program is a research and cultural heritage internship where you can work on projects related to folklore, anthropology, and public cultural programming within the Smithsonian Institution. You will contribute to activities such as research, archival work, documentation, or content development connected to initiatives like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and cultural sustainability programs. Your tasks will be organizing collections, assisting with audiovisual documentation, supporting outreach efforts, or preparing materials for public programs under staff supervision. Internships span multiple disciplines, including museum studies, media production, marketing, and cultural research, depending on your placement.
6. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Virtual or in-person
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Varies by project
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S citizens or permanent residents
The SPARK Summer Mentorship Program is a mentorship-based program where you’ll work with professionals from fields such as technology, business, and research on defined summer projects. You will be matched with a mentor based on your interests and complete project-based work that may include research, technical documentation, or developing solutions in areas like AI, engineering, or marketing. You can engage in a collaborative mentorship format, where you will be expected to take initiative in setting goals, communicating with your mentor, and progressing through your project over the course of the program. The experience involves regular interaction with mentors and may include tasks such as reading research material, analyzing data, or contributing to project outcomes.
7. UT Southwestern: Psychiatry Internship for High School Students
Location: Virtual, in-person, and hybrid options available
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 2 weeks in June
Application Deadline: Late September – early February
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders and rising college first-years
The UT Southwestern Psychiatry High School Internship is a short-term summer program for high school students that introduces the field of mental health through structured academic and discussion-based sessions. The program runs over two weeks and is delivered through interactive online sessions led by clinician-scientists, including psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and social workers. Before each session, you will be expected to review assigned reading materials drawn from both media sources and scientific literature to prepare for discussions. During sessions, professionals explain their daily work and respond to questions about their roles, training paths, and career decisions. You will be introduced to different areas within psychiatry, including psychotherapy, neuroscience, and community psychiatry.
8. The U.S. Department of State’s Pathways Internship Program
Location: Virtual + in-person at multiple locations nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Free; Paid (exact amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies depending on position
Application Deadline: Varies depending on position
Eligibility: U.S. students (16+) who have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA; Participants will have to obtain Secret or Top Secret security clearance
The U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program is a paid federal internship that offers opportunities to work in government offices supporting the Department of State’s operations. The program includes both the Internship Experience Program (IEP) and the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP). Depending on the position, you may assist with research, communications, administrative projects, data management, or other office functions that support the Department’s work. Internship opportunities are available across a range of bureaus and offices, allowing you to learn about different areas of government operations.
9. Seaside Sustainability
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None (college credits offered)
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on the specific internship
Eligibility: High school students, college students, and more
The Seaside Sustainability Internship Program is a set of part-time internships where you can contribute to environmental conservation, education, and sustainability-focused projects. In remote roles, you will collaborate with a global team of interns on initiatives related to climate action, marine science, outreach, or organizational operations. The program is structured around project-based work, where you can research, create content, support campaigns, or assist with internal functions like marketing, HR, or technology. Internships typically run for fixed periods with a minimum weekly time commitment, but schedules are flexible and can be adjusted around your availability. You may present findings, contribute to reports, or participate in virtual meetings with your team as part of your responsibilities.
10. Medicine Encompassed
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Varies based on specific internship
Application Deadline: Varies based on the specific internship
Eligibility: High school students, college students, and more
The Medicine Encompassed program is a student-led initiative where you’ll take on roles within a nonprofit focused on medicine, STEM, and educational outreach. You can join one of several committees or departments and contribute to ongoing projects such as writing medical articles, creating educational resources, or supporting organizational operations like marketing or partnerships. The experience is structured around collaborative, project-based work, where you’ll work with other students to produce content and materials aimed at increasing access to medical knowledge. The organization also runs initiatives such as mentorship programs, research cohorts, newsletters, and webinars, which you can participate in as part of your role.
11. George Mason University: ASSIP
Location: Virtual, in-person, and hybrid options available
Cost/Stipend: $25 nonrefundable application fee + $1,299 for three college course credits (full financial aid available); Unpaid
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: December 8 – February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students (minimum age depends on project type; 15+ for computer/remote projects & 16+ for wet-lab placements)
ASSIP is a summer research program offered by George Mason University in which high school and undergraduate students are matched with faculty mentors to contribute to ongoing in-person, remote, or hybrid research projects. You will work independently, communicating with your mentor regularly to receive guidance, review progress, and refine your work. Depending on the project, tasks may include computational modeling, data analysis, literature review, software development, or scientific writing. You can also participate in online seminars and career discussions with researchers across scientific disciplines. At the end of the program, you will present your findings in a virtual poster session and may be listed as a co-author if your work is submitted to the Mason Journal of Student Scientists Research. Remote projects span fields such as machine learning, data science, mathematical modeling, epidemiology, astronomy, cybersecurity, and more.
12. NASA GeneLab for High Schools
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 1 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 15 (or until 1,000 applications are received)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors or graduating seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0; Must be U.S. citizens and permanent residents
NASA GeneLab for High Schools (GL4HS) is a summer training program focused on space biology and bioinformatics, offered by NASA through its Ames Research Center. As part of the program, you will be required to complete modules that introduce omics-based research, including the analysis of genetic data, protein interactions, and large biological datasets. The program includes training in computational biology techniques and the use of bioinformatics tools to process and interpret research data. You can work through assignments such as Jupyter notebook exercises, data analysis tasks, and scientific readings aligned with current research practices. You may also participate in optional capstone work where you analyze datasets in teams and prepare a research presentation.
13. Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $45 application fee + $2,400 program fee (financial aid available); Unpaid
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 21
Eligibility: High school students (14+) currently attending a U.S. high school
Stanford AIMI Summer Research Internship is a virtual research training program focused on artificial intelligence applications in healthcare and medical imaging. The program includes mentored sessions with Stanford researchers and student leads who guide project development and review your work. You will participate in technical lectures on machine learning, medical datasets, model evaluation, and clinical AI applications. Your tasks will typically include analyzing datasets, applying basic algorithms, and organizing findings for presentation.
14. Girls Who Code Pathways
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 6-7 weeks (dates vary by cohort); Fall: October 19 – December 4
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall: July 8 (early), August 26 (general)
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14-18) who identify as girls or non-binary individuals
Girls Who Code Pathways Program is a virtual computer science program where you complete coursework across technology tracks such as data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, web development, and game design. As a participant, you will work through self-paced modules that include coding exercises, guided tutorials, and project-based assignments using programming languages and digital tools. The program involves completing course projects that apply core concepts such as data analysis, front-end development, or basic machine learning techniques. You can also participate in optional live events, including career panels, workshops, and sessions with industry professionals.
15. The Coding School: Summer Research Program with Columbia University
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (need-based scholarships available); Unpaid
Dates: 5 weeks
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students in 10th-12th grades and recent high school graduates
The Coding School’s Summer Research Program is a virtual research initiative where you engage in computer science projects across areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, and software development. You’ll work on defined research problems that may involve coding, data analysis, or algorithm development, depending on the selected track. The program includes mentorship from instructors and industry professionals who guide your project work and review progress. Your tasks can include building models, analyzing datasets, or developing technical solutions using programming tools. You’ll collaborate with peers in small groups and participate in sessions that introduce research methods and technical concepts. Your work typically concludes with a project presentation or submission that documents your findings and approach.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are online jobs for high school students?
Online jobs for high school students are remote opportunities that combine work experience with skill-building, ranging from paid internships and stipend-based research programs to unpaid mentorships and structured virtual coursework. Most involve project-based work, communication with mentors or supervisors, and a final deliverable such as a report, presentation, or research paper.
Are there paid online jobs for high school students?
Yes. SHE in Oncology offers a $500 taxable stipend. Camp Zon by Zon Lab and the U.S. Department of State Pathways Internship Program both offer paid positions, though exact amounts vary. The American Psychological Association offers both paid and unpaid internship options depending on placement. Several other programs, including ASSIP, Stanford AIMI, and NASA GeneLab, are unpaid but provide research experience and mentorship.
Do I need prior experience to apply for these online jobs?
Most programs do not require prior research or work experience. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program, Medicine Encompassed, and Seaside Sustainability are structured as accessible entry points for students without prior professional experience. More research-intensive programs like ASSIP, Stanford AIMI, and NASA GeneLab benefit from some prior coursework in the relevant subject, though formal lab experience is not typically required.
Which online jobs are good for students interested in healthcare or medicine?
SHE in Oncology focuses on cancer research and patient case studies. Camp Zon by Zon Lab covers blood development and cancer biology research. The Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program introduces multiple healthcare specialties through sessions with medical professionals. UT Southwestern’s Psychiatry Internship focuses specifically on mental health and psychiatric careers.
Are there online jobs specifically for girls or underrepresented students in tech?
Yes. Girls Who Code Pathways is designed for high school students who identify as girls or non-binary individuals and covers tracks including data science, AI, cybersecurity, web development, and game design. The program is free and includes optional live events with industry professionals.
Can online jobs for high school students help with college applications?
Yes. Most programs produce a tangible output, such as a research paper, presentation, or co-authorship credit, that can strengthen a college application by demonstrating initiative and sustained engagement with a field. ASSIP participants may be listed as co-authors if their work is submitted to the Mason Journal of Student Scientists Research. For students looking for an even more research-intensive credential, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a mentored program for developing an independent research paper across over 600 specializations.
When should I apply to online jobs for high school students?
Deadlines vary significantly by program. UT Southwestern’s Psychiatry Internship accepts applications from late September through early February. Los Angeles Pediatric Society’s program closes February 13, and NASA GeneLab closes March 15 or once 1,000 applications are received. ASSIP has a window from December through mid-February. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program and Camp Zon typically open applications in April. Reviewing individual program timelines in the fall and applying early to stipend-based or competitive programs is recommended.
Image source: Columbia University