What is a good hourly to pay a teenager for a tough little job?

[bettyellen]

I'm employing my 16 year old nephew to do some weeding and hole digging for a few hours. It's a little strenuous and dirty.
Have no idea what the going rate is, but want to be generous. Any thoughts?
TIA!

[bigwillq]

1. $10

For a few hours, he'll make $20-30.
Sounds about right to me.

[trof]

8. Yep, that's the going rate for unskilled labor here too. Coastal Alabama.

[Populist_Prole]

2. Just happened the other day: Just gave him a flat rate for the job.

A couple hours of yard brush clean-up and bundling, moderately strenuous. Gave him $25 dollars and a good lunch.

[angstlessk]

3. I agree a flat fee..figure out how long you think it would take and pay..say 15.00 per hr

if you want to be generous..then let him decide the pace of work...he could do it quickly, or at a slow pace...HE ultimately would decide his hourly rate.

[PuffedMica]

12. Flat rate is the way to go

Negotiate the final price. Tell them there will be deductions for shoddy work and put a time limit on when to be finished (before dark is a good time). Stick to the deal you make, it will work out better for the both of you in the long run.

[Jeff R]

4. Flat rate/piece work

I would agree with that idea.
Pay by the hour even at that age they might milk the clock.
You might want to use the ten dollar an hour amount, figure the amount of hours it would take you to do it, and pay accordingly.

[LeftofObama]

5. I agree with the others

$10/hr. Maybe with a little bonus if he does a really good job.

[Callmecrazy]

6. Yeah $10 to $12 an hour for unskilled labor is a good rate

$15 if you wanna be generous. But definitely a flat rate because I know I'd milk it.

[bettyellen]

7. Ha ha, the milking it thing never occurred to me! He would do it for free if I asked - he's that

much of a sweetheart. I just wanted to make sure I had the right rate in mind.
Thanks guys!!

[Mr.Bill]

9. $10 an hour, but

if he works hard and steady and finishes in a short time, pay him a bonus. This will pay off next time you hire him.

[olddots]

10. 100$ an hour

this will prepare him for the future "job" market -------naw ten bucks an hour but I'd work for half of that .

[Separation]

11. Hourly?

Heck growing up when offered some type of yard work it was always a set amount. That way it was up to me if I got $5 an hour working for 4 hours, or $20 an hour getting it done in a hour.

[RILib]

13. if a few hours is three or such

I'd give him a flat $50. $10 an hour is near minimum wage, and you're talking about significant physical labor.

[bike man]

14. Ask him "What do you think is a fair price for....?" If you think it is too low, just

give him more. If too much, negotiate.

We did this for a grandson and one of his friends. They made us two porches with handicap ramps. Gave us their price for labor (we were paying for materials), it was too low, so we doubled it. The young friend said "I told you they'd do that".

Edited to add - Both graduated HS last year, finishing 1st year college. That has nothing to do with the job, just wanted to say they have ambition.