5 Types of Part-Time Jobs for College Students

The best part-time jobs for college students are flexible and convenient. They accompany your school schedule in a way that doesn’t affect your ability to maintain good grades.

If you’re thinking about working while in college, look for options like on-campus jobs, paid internships, or freelance jobs that allow you to work around your own schedule. 

5 part-time jobs for college students

Find an employer who is understanding of your status as a college student. Look for a part-time job that can fit your college schedule and bring you experience and income as you complete your college education. 

*Salary data represents average hourly pay rates according to Indeed [1].

1. On-campus positions 

Working in an on-campus position can allow you to work alongside your peers, allowing you to build professional relationships and networks for your career. With an on-campus job, you will be in a more flexible position to change your working times since they will strictly depend on your class schedule. 

• Library associate: $17.31

• Tutor: $24.20  

• Teaching assistant: $16.40

• Campus ambassador: $14.22

• Resident assistant: $16.33

• Campus tour guide: $22.36

Landing a job on your campus can also provide you with work-study credit to help pay your education expenses. 

Learn more: How to Get Your First Job: A Guide

2. Retail and marketing positions  

Retail jobs include local boutiques, e-commerce, and social media. Working in a brick-and-mortar shop can provide you with valuable human and workplace skills that can be used later in your professional career. Likewise, working in an online position will equip you with technical skills like business analysis that can enhance your resume and gain an advantage over your competitors when applying for a job in your preferred field.

Many brands rely on social media to garner business and recognition and are outsourcing this work to online candidates. If you have social media skills like content creation on YouTube or Instagram, apply for part-time social media management roles. 

If you enjoy getting in front of a camera to promote certain products, submit your resume for brand ambassador positions to increase brand awareness and sales revenue during your own time. This role averages about $20.30 an hour and presents an excellent opportunity to start a career in marketing, entrepreneurship, or advertising [1]. 

Additionally, if you have an impressive social media presence of your own, reach out to different companies’ marketing or advertising teams to offer them your content creation services and rates. This approach requires more time and effort on your part, but it can greatly help you generate income and build your online reputation. 

Learn more: Social Media Jobs: 6 Roles to Explore

3. Food-service jobs 

With a job in the food-service industry, which is made up of restaurants, cafeterias, and catering companies among other businesses, you can generate tips in addition to an hourly pay. This is especially helpful during peak hours and holidays because your income could be higher than usual. 

• Barista: $15.18 per hour 

• Restaurant server: $17.14 per hour 

• Restaurant host: $15.35 per hour 

• Bartender: $17.16 per hour

4. Paid internships 

Make the most out of your part-time college job with a paid internship that can help build your resume with relevant experiences. Most paid internships are worked during the summer, so it can complement your regular part-time job and help sustain you for the remainder of the school year. 

In a paid internship, you may be able to benefit from: quality references for your resume, possible future full-time employment opportunities, a higher paying job after graduating college, and a new skill set to take with you into your career. Paid internships also show initiative and drive, which are highly valued by many employers. 

Some companies, particularly in tech, use internships as part of their hiring pipeline. Perks also include the pay. A 2023 report by Glassdoor found that some internships are paying as much as $9,064 a month [2].

You can find other paid internships outside the computer and technology industries with local businesses, financial institutions, and the government. They will help you expand your skill set and resume while making extra cash to pay for college expenses. 

Get involved: How to Get a Cybersecurity Internship

5. Freelancing 

The current “gig economy,” as some people call it, works to your advantage as a college student seeking part-time jobs. From babysitting to opening your own online shop on sites like Etsy, it’s highly convenient if you want to work during your own, flexible hours. If you have a talent like painting or knitting, sell your work at local artists’ markets and online. If you have experience babysitting, cleaning, or pet sitting, monetize it by opening your own small business.  

• Rideshare driver: $20.41 (varies by drive times, locations, etc.)

• Babysitter: $21.73 (varies by number of children and duties) 

• Private tutor: $24.20

• Pet sitter/dog walker: $15.92

Note that these estimated incomes vary by location, expertise, and schedule. 

Starting a small business can be a rewarding process for people who value being in charge of their workplace and enjoy turning their business visions into a reality.

Outline your criteria before choosing a part-time job.  

Establish your criteria before looking for a part-time job so the employer will know exactly what you’re willing to do and under which conditions. If you have an established school schedule, determine how many free work hours you’ll have each week. Avoid overextending yourself. Set clear expectations and boundaries around your working and studying hours and your curriculum schedule to maintain a healthy work-life synergy. 

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Negotiate your hours.

During your job interviewing process, communicate that your schedule will likely change based on your curriculum. And don’t forget to make time for your social life in your weekly projected schedule, which is essential in keeping a good work-life balance. Discuss your personal time off, or PTO, while considering holidays, school projects, and other important events. It’s helpful and shows respect when you notify employers early about any anticipated time off. 

Read more: How to Prepare for an Interview

Set realistic expectations for pay and benefits.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for the part-time college student jobs category in the United States was $36,824 a year, as of March 2022 [3]. This breaks down to $17.70 an hour, $708 a week, or $3,069 a month.

Many part-time jobs will be entry level and will require little to no experience. However, you can negotiate a higher salary or hourly pay rate if you have relevant experience.

Be sure to ask the employers about benefits like health insurance and paid sick leave. Laws that require employers to offer benefits to part-time employees vary by state and local laws. Check the laws in your area to find out what benefits may be applicable to you. 

Be conscious about location. 

Consider a part-time job close to your home to prevent long commutes while you’re enrolled in classes. Seek on-campus positions within a few minutes' drive for your convenience. If you drive a car to campus, you’ll have more flexibility to move around town as often as you please, but if you take a bus or ride a bike, a job near your home or campus will save you time and energy.

Do something you enjoy. 

To have a satisfying time between college and work, match your interests or field of study to your job. If you’re in school earning a degree in business, take your resume to locally owned businesses. This will help you gain real-world experience that will complement your long-term career goals. You’ll develop valuable technical and human skills in the process.

Learn more: 21 Side Hustle Ideas and How to Get Started

Benefits of holding a part-time job in college 

Being employed in a part-time job while enrolled in college shows that you are a hard worker. It will help you build a skill set that you’ll bring into your career and beyond the workforce. These skills include time management, communication, and problem-solving, among others. Take this time to explore your interests and fully prepare for your career, and expand your resume and your character while taking charge of your finances. 

Read more: Jobs to Pay for College: 2022 Guide

Enhance your college major with job-ready skills

As you consider which part-time job fits you, prepare your resume and perfect your interviewing skills. Research resume templates, interview etiquette tips, and the most commonly asked interview questions for your preferred field of work.

Coursera Plus offers tons of courses for you to choose from that can help you prepare for real-world jobs.

Build job-ready skills with a Coursera Plus subscription

Start 7-day free trial

• Get access to 7,000+ learning programs from world-class universities and companies, including Google, Yale, Salesforce, and more
• Try different courses and find your best fit at no additional cost
• Earn certificates for learning programs you complete
• A subscription price of $59/month, cancel anytime

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