How Much Allowance Should Kids Get by Age

There is no official or correct allowance amount. Families usually pick a small, regular weekly amount that rises with age and decide what it must cover. A popular rule of thumb is about $1 a week for each year of age, though that is a shortcut and not research, and some families use half that. This guide compares common approaches by age band, explains whether to tie allowance to chores and shows how to start.

What the numbers look like

Surveys of what families pay differ widely, which is why a single “right” number does not exist. A 2025 Wells Fargo survey, conducted by Ipsos in April and May 2025 with about 1,600 U.S. parents of children ages 5 to 17, found that about 71 percent of parents give an allowance and that the average was around $37 a week. Averages can be pulled up by parents who give much more than most, for example when the child covers more of their own expenses. Treat it as a data point, not a target.

A better question than “what do other parents pay?” is: what do I want the money to teach, and what should my child pay for with it?

Allowance by age band

The “rule-of-thumb” column uses the dollar-per-year-of-age shortcut. Adjust up or down to fit your budget.

Age band	Common approach	Rule-of-thumb amount per week	How often to pay	Main lesson
3 to 5	A few coins, often tied to counting and a clear jar. A regular allowance can wait until age 5 or 6.	Small, such as a dollar or less	Weekly, in cash	Money is something you can count, save and spend
6 to 8	A small weekly amount with a save jar and a spend jar	About $6 to $8, or half that	Weekly	Saving for a goal, waiting, comparing prices
9 to 12	A weekly amount that covers small wants such as treats or toys	About $9 to $12, or half that	Weekly or every two weeks	Choices, trade-offs and simple budgeting
13 to 15	A larger amount that covers specific costs, such as snacks, games or outings with friends	Varies with what it covers	Every two weeks or monthly, often moved to a bank account	Planning ahead and tracking spending
16 to 18	A monthly amount that covers a defined list, such as clothing, gas contributions or entertainment	Varies with what it covers	Monthly	Managing a budget, saving for bigger goals

For a stage-by-stage view of money skills, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Money as You Grow page groups tips by young children, school-age children to preteens, and teens to young adults. Our guide to teaching kids about money by age lists activities that pair with allowance.

Should allowance be tied to chores?

Families split on this, and there is no proven right answer. The main models:

Model	How it works	Upside	Downside
Allowance separate from chores	Children get a set amount for learning money skills. Chores are part of living in the family. Extra jobs can earn extra pay.	Keeps chores a family expectation and money a learning tool	Children may not connect money with effort unless extra jobs exist
Allowance tied to chores	Children earn money by completing listed jobs	Connects effort and pay, which can motivate some children	Children may refuse a chore if they do not need money that week
Mixed approach	A small base amount plus pay for bigger extra jobs	Combines both ideas	Requires clear rules about what counts as extra

Whichever model you choose, write the rules down. Our guide to a chore chart by age can help you decide what is expected and what is extra.

How to start an allowance

Decide what it covers. Small wants such as treats and toys are a good start. Add bigger items as the child grows.
Pick an amount and a day. A predictable weekly payday matters more than the exact amount.
Use jars or accounts. Split money into save, spend and give. Some families use equal thirds, and others choose a different split.
Pay in small bills and coins at first. Younger children understand cash better than numbers on a screen.
Let mistakes happen. If a child spends everything on something that breaks, resist the urge to refill the jar. Talk about what they would do differently.
Review once or twice a year. Raise the amount on a birthday, and add new responsibilities when you do.

A short family conversation can set the rules. See our guide to running a family meeting if you want a format for it.

Rules that help the system work

Be consistent. Pay on the same day, even when life is busy.
Do not use allowance as discipline. Keeping it separate from punishment helps it stay predictable. This is a style choice, not a rule.
Do not lend against it too often. Occasional advances can teach about borrowing, but frequent ones undermine saving.
Let children keep their savings. Taking money back damages trust.
Check any app or card carefully. If you use a prepaid card or kids’ banking app, review the fees, controls and age limits. Many are for older children.

Teens and bigger allowances

As children get older, many families switch from a small weekly payment to a larger monthly amount that covers defined expenses. The teen decides how to split it and keeps any savings, while the parent still covers essentials and big-ticket items. If your teen has a part-time job, adjust the allowance so it does not duplicate what they earn. Avoid giving access to credit before your child understands interest and fees.

Bottom line

There is no standard allowance. Choose a small regular amount, decide what it covers, link it to chores only if that fits your family’s values and review it each year. Use survey figures as context, not targets, and focus on what your child learns about saving, spending and giving.

FAQ

At what age should a child start getting an allowance?

Some families start around ages 5 to 7, when children can count coins and begin to understand saving. There is no required age, so start when your child is ready.

How much allowance should an 8-year-old get?

It varies. The dollar-per-year rule of thumb suggests about $8 a week, and some families pay half that. Choose an amount tied to what the child must buy.

Should I pay an allowance for good grades?

Opinions differ. Some parents avoid paying for school performance so learning stays its own reward. If you do, set clear terms and review how it affects motivation.

What if my child never saves?

Start with a small savings goal they care about, show progress on a chart and match a small part of what they save if your budget allows. It takes time to learn.