If there’s one thing known about college students, they’re always looking for another source of income to pay for their grocery bill, utilities, or, well, beer. We’ve created a list of the part-time jobs that any college student should consider to help them move away from the daily ramen noodles and on to more advanced tastes.
Best Job Categories for College Students
There are many different industries you could work in being a college student. From fast food to retail, some might be better fits than others.
Retail
Retail jobs are in abundance even with the recent expansion of e-commerce. Stores are always looking to hire students who are vibrant and youthful for their stores. Depending on your location, you can expect to make anywhere from $7.25 to around $18 per hour working a retail job but your location will have a major impact on your earnings.
Fast Food or Restaurants
For many of us, our first job might have come at a fast-food joint. And while it was by no means fun, it served its purpose. It provided us with enough income to keep our gas tank full and our fridge stocked. There are many different jobs you can have in the restaurant and fast food industry, making it a good option for those who might be interested in different positions. Basic fast-food workers can expect to make anywhere from minimum wage to about $16 per hour, depending on your location and skills. Those who are servers can make much more. Depending on the type of restaurant and skill, you could make upwards of $60,000 annually as a waiter working at a nice restaurant.
Tutoring
Many college students who excel in education will choose to become part-time tutors for other students. These jobs can come directly from the university or from a personal connection. The amount you make will vary based on your job, category, and experience. These jobs will typically pay more than a fast-food or retail job and tend to offer more flexible hours.
Babysitting & Nannying
Babysitting has been around for decades. When the parents need a break, someone has to watch the kids. So a baby sitter or nanny is hired. Babysitting also typically pays more than retail or fast food but is less consistent and does not normally come with a set schedule.
Babysitting is a great way to earn $20 or more!
Uber or Ride Hauling
If you have a car, you can use it to make money with Uber or other ideas hauling services. The typical pay is dependent on your region, driving, and gas prices. For those who offer excellent service, you can make more money in the form of tips. If you drive a car that offers excellent gas mileage, you can expect to be more profitable than others. Being a driver offers many benefits for college students, like the ability to tailor your schedule to when you’re available. Are finals this week? No worry, you don’t need to work. Is the electric bill due this week? No worry, you can drive for as long as you’d like to earn some extra cash. Be sure to check out our tips to make more money driving for Uber to maximize your profits.
Internships
Depending on your education, you might have the opportunity to work as an intern for a company. This is typically offered to students in their Sophomore or Junior year of college, who have more tailored skills. Pay for an internship can range from $0 to $30 per hour depending on the company, location, and your skills. Internships can offer more flexibility than other types of jobs but sometimes the pay can be negligible.
For many, working as an intern is more about career advancement than pay. If the company you work for might considering hiring you full time once your internship is over, it could be well worth the lack of pay upfront. You can think of an internship as an investment in some ways.
Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students and Teens
Below is a list of some of the best places to work as a college student or teenager. The list mentioned things like compensation, work flexibility, and how stressful the job could be.
Apple Store
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Above Average
Stress Level: Slightly Above Average
Comments: Have you ever wanted to be an Apple Genius? The benefits are pretty solid and they’re always looking for new talent. They will pay more than your normal retail job and offer some awesome benefits. You can apply to be an Apple Genius here.
Starbucks
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Above Average
Stress Level: Above Average
Comments: A Starbucks barista can be a great part-time job in college as it’s pay is above average and they offer great benefits. Plus, what’s better than smelling coffee all day? Apply to work at Starbucks here.
Lifeguard
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Below Average
Stress Level: Below Average
Comments: Being a lifeguard at your local pool is a great summer job. The main perk of being a lifeguard is its relatively low-stress environment but this is offset by little to no benefits. If you’re looking for a low-stress job, this is probably the way to go with the added bonus of getting free time in the sun. Another downside could be the seasonality depending on your location but working at an indoor pool could fix that.
Tutoring
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Above Average
Benefits: Below Average
Stress Level: Average
Comments: Tutoring can provide a boost to your income with above-average pay and the ability to craft your own schedule, however, the work can be inconsistent. If you’re looking for a stable income, being a tutor might not be the right choice. In addition, you’ll have to have a strong knowledge of your topic in order to be a successful tutor, making it a harder option for many.
Serving
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Average
Stress Level: Above Average
Comments: Serving can provide a great source of income and can even become a full-time job. The best thing about serving is the ability to make more based on your efforts. Those who provide the best service can expect to make more than those proving subpar service. It’s all about what you put in! Apply to be a server at your favorite restaurant today.
Lululemon
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Above Average
Stress Level: Average
Comments: Lululemon is one of a few places we can say is doing retail right. While their prices might be high, as an employee, you’ll get to see some of that money in your paycheck. In addition, you can take advantage of an employee discount if you are keen on their clothing. Apply to work at Lululemon here.
Student Worker
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Above Average
Benefits: Average
Stress Level: Average
Comments: Working for a university can provide the flexibility to succeed in your studies. While the pay is extremely average if not slightly below average, it can prove to be beneficial for your educational success. You can normally find job postings on your university’s website.
Dog Walker
Pay: Above Average
Flexibility: Above Average
Benefits: Below Average
Stress Level: Below Average
Comments: Dog walking is relatively new to the side gig economy, but can provide college students or teens the ability to earn some extra cash in a relatively low-stress environment. There are several apps that function similar to ride hauling services to let you work as you are available. It’s common to be paid by the number and length of your walks, so the more you can do, the more you’ll make. One of the most common dog walking services is Wag, you can apply to become a dog walker here.
Gym Associate
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Average
Stress Level: Below Average
Comments: If you love health and fitness and want to make some money, try applying for a job at your local fitness center. They will oftentimes offer students the flexibility they need and a work environment that is relatively stress-free.
McDonald's
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Average
Benefits: Average
Stress Level: High
Comments: McDonald’s has been a first job for thousands over the years and the burger joint continues to expand its offerings for those entering the workforce. For some, they will pay for your GED or college depending on your scenario. McDonald’s can be a stressful work environment but they can be flexible with your schedule if notice is provided. You can apply to work for McDonald’s here.
Photographer
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Above Average
Benefits: Below Average
Stress Level: Below Average
Comments: If you have a quality camera and are a good photographer, consider offering your services to others. You could start with friends and family and then extend your services to events or corporate photography. Another option to consider is selling your photos online in the form of stock photography where you can make anywhere from $5 to $10 per download. Income from photography can be inconsistent, so many people will choose to work another job in addition. Because you work your own schedule the flexibility makes it a great gig for any student or teen.
Internship
Pay: Average
Flexibility: Above Average
Benefits: Above Average
Stress Level: Average
Comments: Internships can provide you with a career path once your education ends making it a strong choice for many college students. You will gain real-world experience that will supplement your education making you stand out as a job applicant. Oftentimes your university will provide a career center where you can find open internship opportunities.
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Conclusion
Working a job in college is necessary to keep the electric on and your gas tank full but some jobs are better than others. Jobs like a barista at Starbucks, tutoring, dog walking, or working as an intern can offer much more than a typical fast-food restaurant. It's wise to consider all aspects of the position and not just the compensation when deciding which job is the best fit for you.
What was your favorite job in college? Comment below!
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