Allowance for 14, 15, 16 and 17 Year Olds: the numbers
| Age | Half rule ($0.50 per year) | Classic rule ($1 per year) | Classic rule, per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | $7.00 a week | $14 a week | about $61 a month |
| 15 | $7.50 a week | $15 a week | about $65 a month |
| 16 | $8.00 a week | $16 a week | about $69 a month |
| 17 | $8.50 a week | $17 a week | about $74 a month |
What the allowance can cover at this age
- Clothes beyond school basics
- Phone add-ons, apps and subscriptions
- Gas or transit and time out with friends
- Saving for a car, a trip or college costs
Chores that suit this age
- Grocery shop from a list
- Cook dinner for the family once a week
- Yard work and snow shoveling
- Drive siblings to activities (with a license)
- Deep-clean the kitchen
- Manage their own appointments
Make a printable chart with these chores in the free chore chart maker.
Money lessons for this age
Move to a monthly payment and a simple budget: fixed costs first, then savings, then spending. If they earn money from a job, many families lower the allowance but keep paying for the agreed basics.
Other ages
- Allowance for 5, 6 and 7 Year Olds
- Allowance for 8, 9 and 10 Year Olds
- Allowance for 11, 12 and 13 Year Olds
How much allowance should a child get?
There's no official number, but the most common rule of thumb is $1 a week for every year of age. A 6-year-old gets $6 a week and a 12-year-old gets $12. It's simple, it goes up on every birthday, and children can see the rule is fair between siblings.
It isn't right for every family. Many give half that ($0.50 per year of age), and some give a set amount to every child. What matters more than the amount is what the allowance has to cover. If a 13-year-old buys their own snacks, games and outings, they need more than a child whose parents still pay for those.
Allowance by age
| Age | Half rule ($0.50 per year) | Classic rule ($1 per year) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | $2 a week | $4 a week |
| 6 | $3 a week | $6 a week |
| 8 | $4 a week | $8 a week |
| 10 | $5 a week | $10 a week |
| 12 | $6 a week | $12 a week |
| 14 | $7 a week | $14 a week |
| 16 | $8 a week | $16 a week |
Save, spend and give jars
Splitting each payment into jars turns pocket money into a money lesson. A common split is 40% to save, 50% to spend and 10% to give, but any split works. Younger children do best with real jars they can see filling up. Older children can save toward a goal, like a game or a bike, and see how many weeks it will take.
Should allowance be paid for chores?
Some families pay for every chore, some give allowance with no strings attached, and many do a mix: everyday jobs are expected, and bigger weekly jobs earn the money. If you tie it to chores, enter how many paid chores there are each week and the calculator shows what each one is worth. Our free chore chart maker prints a chart with that amount on it.
Weekly or monthly?
Young children understand weekly money best, because a month is a long time to wait. From around 11 or 12, paying every two weeks or monthly helps them practise making money last, which is a useful habit before their first paycheck.
Questions
How much allowance should a 15-year-old get?
With the $1 per year of age rule, a 15-year-old gets $15 a week, about $65 a month. Teens who pay for their own clothes or phone often get more, while teens with a part-time job may get less.
Should teenagers still get an allowance if they have a job?
It depends on what the allowance covers. Many families keep a smaller allowance for agreed basics and let job money go to wants and savings, so the teen still practices budgeting.
What is the $1 per year of age rule?
Each week, a child gets one dollar for every year of their age, so the allowance goes up on every birthday. It's a starting point, not a requirement. Many families use 50 cents per year instead.
How should kids split their allowance?
A popular split is 40% save, 50% spend and 10% give, using three jars. Any split works, as long as some goes into savings each time.
Should I pay allowance weekly or monthly?
Weekly works best for young children. From around 11 or 12, paying every two weeks or monthly helps them learn to make money last.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are suggestions to help you plan. Choose the amount that suits your family's budget.
Suggestions to help you plan, not financial advice. Choose the amount that suits your family's budget.