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Highest-paying summer jobs hiring now: The best roles with no experience needed

Lana Clements
Written by Lana Clements
Editor in chief at thinkmoney
23rd Jul 2026
2 minute read

Whether you need help with the cost of living or some extra cash for a getaway in the sun, the summer holidays can be a great time to give your bank account a boost.

There are plenty of seasonal and temporary jobs looking for workers with little or no experience.

For workers aged over 21, the national minimum wage is £12.71 per hour.

But if you know where to look, you can find jobs that will pay more than this over the summer.

Here is a guide on the best high-paying jobs to bag you some extra cash.

Cleaner

Hotels, holiday parks and holiday lets often need extra cleaners during school holidays.

One of the benefits is flexible hours and you'll be guided on how to clean to a good standard with no previous experience needed. You can expect to earn around the minimum wage for this type of work.

If you can already clean your own home to a good standard, and own a vacuum, mop and other cleaning supplies, you could also consider trying to get jobs directly.

Many busy homeowners are looking for good and reliable cleaners and will often pay between £15-20 an hour for someone who does a great job.

Advertise on Facebook community groups or local notice boards, and you could find that you have a flexible source of income.

It's a little more tricky in terms of paperwork if you work for yourself, for example, you should get insurance to cover yourself for any accidents.

You will also need to file a tax return if you earn more than £1,000 through self-employed work.

Festival jobs

The cost of going to a festival can be really expensive but if you get a job you could actually be paid to soak up the atmosphere.

Most events will typically hire temporary staff for festivals for recruitment agencies.

You can expect to be paid around the national living wage of £12.71, however, the saving you are getting on going to a festival can make this a more valuable role.

During breaks you could be able to go and explore and even watch live music.

FestivApp is a good place to start if you're looking for paid summer work at a festival.

Download the app and you can apply for jobs as event stewards, bar staff, ticket scanning, and more.

Best supermarket jobs hiring now

Supermarkets are often looking to recruit extra staff during the holiday season to cover annual leave and meet higher customer demand.

The good news is that many of the supermarkets pay well above the minimum wage for jobs that require no experience.

Tesco is currently advertising for customer assistants starting at £13. 28 an hour.

Sainsbury's is also advertising for trading assistants starting at £13.23 an hour.

Aldi is advertising for store assistants on a fixed-term contract starting at £13.50 an hour.

Lidl's customer assistant roles start at £13.45 an hour.

You'll also usually get discounts in store which will help cut the cost of your food bills as part of job perks.

Best pub and hospitality jobs

Pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels often recruit extra waiting staff and bartenders over the summer as holidaymakers and outdoor events boost demand.

Typical duties include serving food and drinks, taking orders, preparing tables and providing customer service.

Many employers don't require previous experience.

The underlying wage is close to the minimum wage but, as well as your hourly wage, you can receive tips from customers which can give your earnings a big boost.

Depending on where you work, tips may be kept individually or shared among staff.

The best way to find these jobs is approach local venues in your area

Roofer or construction labourer: well-paid outdoor work

If you like the idea of working outdoors, a summer job as a roofer's labourer or construction labourer can be one of the better-paying seasonal roles.

Construction activity often increases during the warmer months, with longer daylight hours and better weather making it easier to carry out building, roofing and renovation projects. As a result, many employers look for extra labourers to support skilled tradespeople.

Typical duties can include:

  • Loading and unloading building materials

  • Keeping construction sites clean and tidy

  • Mixing cement and preparing equipment

  • Assisting roofers, bricklayers and other tradespeople

  • Moving tools and materials around site

To work on most construction sites, you'll usually need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, which shows you have completed the required health and safety training. Some employers may help new starters obtain one before they begin work.

Construction work is often paid by the day and you could expect to earn from around £120 up to £180 a day.

Lifeguard: get paid to work by the pool or beach

If you're a confident swimmer, working as a lifeguard can be a rewarding way to earn extra money over the summer.

Swimming pools, leisure centres and some beaches often recruit additional lifeguards during the school holidays, when visitor numbers are at their highest. The role involves supervising swimmers, responding to emergencies, carrying out safety checks and helping ensure everyone follows the pool or beach rules.

To become a pool lifeguard, you'll usually need a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), although some employers may pay for your training if you're successful at interview.

Pay varies depending on where you work and your level of experience, but lifeguard roles often pay above the National Minimum Wage. Some employers also offer enhanced rates for weekends, bank holidays or overtime.

If you're looking for vacancies, check the careers pages of your local council or leisure centre operator.

Lana Clements
Written by Lana Clements

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