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Original poster

Paper round pay?

86 replies

Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:03

My DC has just got a paper round job.

It's £13

But we don't know if that's per day (about 45mins to 1 hour delivery round) or per week!! (DC seems to think it's per week from what was said at 'interview' last week, and I also think, sadly, it's per week!)

Anyone have recent experience and knowledge of what the going rate is?

Thanks!!

(AIBU to think, if it's £13 a week, that's a bit exploitative!!? My DC is very keen and thinks this is a lot of money! And if that's the rate, is very fine with it!! But as an adult I realise that for an hour a day, it's peanuts!!)

(DC will be getting up early every day before school in all weathers! Getting to the shop to collect the papers is quite time consuming, and then getting home after the round will take longer (as they end up further away at end of round!). There aren't many houses to deliver to, but they r quite spread out!! So it will take about 2 hours all-in probably, from leaving home to getting home again!)

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 03/01/2025 19:44

Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:07

So I think that's about double what DC will get then! Oh well, we all have to start somewhere I guess (DC wants to be a millionaire! 🤣 small steps .. 🤣)

Show quote history

Well, my son had a paper round- and Mr P. the newsagent had a theory that his past papergirls and boys all were successful, they had drive and nous, rather than just wanting to be handed money by their parents.

I think he may be right- My son isn't a millionaire {yet!} but he has his own house {mortgage} and works diligently.

Good luck to your son, and hopefully the pay will be better than £13 a week. {Can he find another newsagents in that case?}

ScottBonnet · 03/01/2025 19:44

Pretty sure it’ll be a daily rate if the round will take that long. My godchild does a paper round each morning - approx 22 papers, which takes 20-25 minutes home-to-home. Plenty of time for shower and breakfast before leaving for school. Papers are heavier on weekends and a few more houses. Earns total of £52 per week.
Mon-Fri - £6 per day
Saturday - £12
Sunday - £10

Weight of weekend papers would mean delivering 1/2 and returning to the shop to collect and deliver the rest. Parent drives them on a weekend to save time.

During school holidays they sometimes do double round and earn £105 per week (other round has more papers on a Saturday so is a bit more money).

Definitely check if it’s a daily rate. If not, you could ask at the Post Office if they need any paper boys/girls, or to go on their waiting list. Lots of my GS friends do rounds and is how he got the job. Christmas is his favourite time as always gets approx £200 total Christmas Box from customers.

unlikelychump · 03/01/2025 19:43

Surely he misheard and if us £30 a week?

TidyingThePantry · 03/01/2025 19:41

I was also paid that 30 years ago. That can't be right!

Lobstercrisps · 03/01/2025 19:39

It does seem insanely low OP.

I got £8.50 a week in 1991-1993 for 7 mornings a week (Sunday required a return trip to the shop to fill up again as the papers were so thick!)

And bizarrely, every now and then I dream about the road I used to deliver on. It was a long hill and I did 34 houses every day.

In those days I had to be at the shop at 6am, I was home, showered and eating cornflakes by 7.15.

Popadomorbread · 03/01/2025 19:38

I was paid £15 a week for a paper round 25 years ago! I would definitely check this!

ButterflyBitch · 03/01/2025 19:36

£10 a week when I was a teenager (30 odd years ago) so if it’s £13 per week now then that’s ridiculously low.

TartanMammy · 03/01/2025 19:36

My ds was offered to cover a friend's paper round over the summer and he was going to get £45 for 9 days. He says the run takes about 45mins on his bike, including sorting the papers at the shop.

Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:32

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 03/01/2025 19:25

Mine started testing video games for money at 13….there is a hub for it now called playtester.

No cycling in the dark on icy roads for pennies.

Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much for this!! DC loooves gaming and has been looking for something like this!

I'll let them start the paper round because exercise is good and they found it themself 😉! But I'll let them know about this in a month or two! Sounds brilliant!

OP posts:
Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:30

DamsonIcecream · 03/01/2025 19:17

My son did a paper round for similar and saved absolutely tons. He's got about £2k in his account after 3/4 years which he wants to buy a car with (he's 17 now). It only took 15 mins, 5 days a week, and taught him discipline, how to be reliable etc / and he loved the Christmas tips Smile. Let him get on with it - it's a great thing to do.

Wow! Well done to your son! Thats brilliant!!!! ,👍👍

OP posts:
Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:26

OurDreamLife · 03/01/2025 19:19

Sounds like a good lesson for them to get all the info next time 🙂

I agree - though I don't think they r bothered!
£13, even for a whole week, sounds a lot when u r 13!!!

OP posts:
SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 03/01/2025 19:25

Mine started testing video games for money at 13….there is a hub for it now called playtester.

No cycling in the dark on icy roads for pennies.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 03/01/2025 19:22

https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1548/economics/wages-for-paper-rounds/

How much does a 13 year old Paper Boy make?

For a schoolchild under 16 years of age. A decent paper round would be something earning an hourly rate of £3.00. If your round takes 45mins a day – 6 days a week – 4.5 hours a week. Look to get at least £13.50.30 Apr 2017

Wages for Paper Rounds - Economics Help

What makes a fair wage for a paper round? A minimum rate should be £3.00 an hour. A good rate would be towards the £4 an hour. The national minimum wage for 16 year olds is £4.05

https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/1548/economics/wages-for-paper-rounds

Dollshousedolly · 03/01/2025 19:22

Is it five or seven days a week ? If it’s £13 for five or seven days a week, I wouldn’t let my child do it as it’s exploitative, £13 per shift seems too high. I’d get him to double check before starting,

Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:21

Christmasrefridgerator · 03/01/2025 19:19

Will they be hot and sweaty from cycling and need a shower? Sorry just thinking of my DS, he always needs to shower in between otherwise he would stink during the day and be super uncomfortable too 🫣

Show quote history

We hadn't thought that through! 😉 Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:20

SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 03/01/2025 19:10

Ridiculous to do a paper round for pennies. He’d be much better off using the time for health or educational purposes.

They've wanted a job since age 8 and had 13th birthday last week, they were so happy they r old enough for a job now! They can't get a job anywhere else at this age really (well we can't find anywhere anyway!)

OP posts:
OurDreamLife · 03/01/2025 19:19

Sounds like a good lesson for them to get all the info next time 🙂

Christmasrefridgerator · 03/01/2025 19:19

Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:16

If they can get there for 7am they should be home by 8:30/8:40, so just enough time!! (school is round the corner!) We hope!

Show quote history

Will they be hot and sweaty from cycling and need a shower? Sorry just thinking of my DS, he always needs to shower in between otherwise he would stink during the day and be super uncomfortable too 🫣

Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:17

FoxtonFoxton · 03/01/2025 19:07

I think you need to double check. It does seem ridiculously low. I'd assume they'd heard incorrectly.
Edited to add...just looked back in my ancient diary from the 90s to my paper round and I got more then!

Edited

Wow!

Let's hope they heard wrong! (not sure they did though!) Or who knows, maybe it's £13 per day!!!! (but that seems way too high, so I doubt it!!)

OP posts:
DamsonIcecream · 03/01/2025 19:17

My son did a paper round for similar and saved absolutely tons. He's got about £2k in his account after 3/4 years which he wants to buy a car with (he's 17 now). It only took 15 mins, 5 days a week, and taught him discipline, how to be reliable etc / and he loved the Christmas tips Smile. Let him get on with it - it's a great thing to do.

Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:16

Christmasrefridgerator · 03/01/2025 19:10

Just be careful of timings, I don't think they can legally start before 7am so will they have enough time to get to school?

Show quote history

If they can get there for 7am they should be home by 8:30/8:40, so just enough time!! (school is round the corner!) We hope!

OP posts:
SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 03/01/2025 19:14

This is possibly illegal child labour as what you have described appears to breach several restrictions
https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment

Children are not allowed to work:

  • without an employment permit issued by the education department of the local council, if this is required by local bylaws
  • in places like a factory or industrial site (unless as part of work experience)
  • during school hours
  • before 7am or after 7pm
  • for more than one hour before school (unless local bylaws allow it)
  • for more than 4 hours without taking a break of at least 1 hour
  • in any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education
  • without having a 2-week break from any work during the school holidays in each calendar year

Child employment

Minimum working age and pay for children, how to apply for performance licences and what local council bylaws say about employing children, paying someone over 16

https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment

WorldMap24 · 03/01/2025 19:11

DS gets £25pw for 6 days. To be fair it takes him less than an hour mon-Fri, and his pay hasn't changed in the 2.5 years he's been doing it. Now he is turning 16 I've wondered if he should ask for a small bump up as I don't think he is hitting minimum wage. £13 seems extremely low.

Original poster
Paperound · 03/01/2025 19:10

Ineffable23 · 03/01/2025 19:06

Can you go in with them and check? I think that would be pretty exploitative. £2.50 for an hour's work seems really really low.

Edit: or if it's 7 days a week that's even lower?!

Edited

It's 5 days!

They r 13!

They would die of embarrassment if I went anywhere near the shop, let alone talk to the staff on their behalf!! They wants to handle it all themself!! (and they seem happy with £13 a week!)

(Just using 'they' to triple check anonymity and not reveal gender! because 'they' really wouldn't want me posting on here if there was anyway they would be identified! They r way too cool for their mum to be involved in helping them in anyway!!)

OP posts:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 03/01/2025 19:10

I mean, it’s the best part of 40 years since I did a paper round but it was £10 a week even then! 6 mornings ( cant remember who did the Sunday papers!!) and a much quicker evening round some days as well.