25 Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students (High Paying)
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A common stereotype is that most college students are broke, and it’s not a false one. Rising tuition and housing prices ensure a large proportion of broke college students for years to come. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to be.
A part-time job can be a great way to make extra money during your time as an undergraduate student, as well as offset the cost of that pesky student loan. Many of these jobs can also provide work experience to add to your resume and help prepare you for a future career. Here are the best part-time jobs that offer high pay for college students!
Campus Jobs
Working on campus is a great option for international students or students without accessible transportation. There are many options to consider with generous pay, including:
Campus Tour Guide: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
Becoming a campus tour guide may be a good fit if you know your university inside and out and enjoy talking with prospective students. Tours are usually scheduled well in advance, so you’ll be aware of your schedule, and be able to get your steps in while you give walking tours! If you have a helpful personality and are knowledgeable about campus resources, this job may be for you!
Campus Ambassador: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
If you’re passionate about what a particular company or organization does, consider applying to become a campus ambassador. Campus ambassadors are basically the voice of an organization on campus, so they focus on promoting awareness of the brand among students. Duties may include managing a social media account, as well as planning events such as workshops, Q&A sessions, and product demonstrations.
Library Assistant: Average Wage $12-18 per hour
Working as a library assistant is convenient for students, especially if you already spend a lot of time studying at the library! The common duties of a library assistant include managing database archives, overseeing the process of borrowing books, DVDs, and tech equipment, and serving as a helpful resource for customers and students.
Teaching Assistant: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
If you’re an upperclassman or graduate student who has excelled in a course in need of a teaching assistant (TA), this job may be for you. Teaching assistants are often in charge of grading homeworks, holding office hours, and serving as a point of contact for any student inquiries about the course or material. Sometimes, teaching assistants are also in charge of teaching practice material during problem sessions or labs. If you have a knack for explaining things and a history of excellent grades, becoming a teaching assistant may be a fantastic option!
Tutor: Average Wage $15-30 per hour
Most universities have tutoring centers where students can come for extra help. Becoming a tutor on campus can provide a consistent schedule and opportunity to make some extra cash. If you enjoy teaching, consider this option. Alternatively, you can become a freelance tutor. Consider tutoring high school students as well as your fellow students in college. Freelance tutoring allows you to set your own rates depending on the subject and difficulty and have more control over your schedule.
Research Study Assistant: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Faculty members are often in need of research assistants, especially if you attend a research university. Many professors consider their primary role to be a researcher rather than an instructor. Make connections with your professors during class, come to office hours, and form relationships. Professors will often prefer to have a student they are familiar with join their lab as opposed to a random student who sent them an email, even if they have more experience. Assisting in research is also a great resume-builder, and can help you land jobs and internships down the road!
Resident Advisor: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Do you enjoy helping your fellow students get acclimated to student life? Resident Advisors plan residence hall activities, act as a mentor for students, and enforce campus policies. As an RA, you will be a vital part of campus life, and the compensation can be generous. Resident Advisors are often compensated through free or discounted housing, which eliminates the biggest expense of college life!
Personal Trainer: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
If you enjoy fitness and helping others get in shape, you may want to think about becoming a personal trainer. Campus gyms are often looking to hire personal trainers to promote health and fitness on campus, and there are always students who want the accountability provided by a trainer! Many gyms will even help you train to become a personal trainer, even if you have no prior experience. Check out your campus gym’s website for more info.
Online Jobs
Want a job you can manage from your dorm or apartment? The options below are a great fit for anyone looking for a flexible schedule and location!
Brand Ambassadors: Average Wage $15-25 per hour
Have a significant social media following? Many brands will reach out to YOU in order to promote their products for a commission. You can also apply to be a brand ambassador for companies that you already love and purchase from. All you have to do is tell your followers why you love the brand, and when they make a purchase through your link, you’ll make a commission!
Virtual Assistant: Average Wage $15-25 per hour
Are you a very organized person? Administrative assistants can easily work remotely taking phone calls, scheduling appointments, managing social media accounts, and performing other office tasks. If you’re organized and detail-oriented, this job may be for you.
Related: “15 College Dorm Necessities You Forgot to Pack”
Customer Service: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Customers will always have questions, so knowledgeable problem-solvers will always be needed. Becoming a customer service representative may be a good fit if you enjoy problem solving, helping customers, and have a gift for patience!
Data Entry: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Numerous companies always need someone to input, transfer, and organize their data. Data entry jobs can be fairly easy for an undergraduate student to get, and they can lead to more permanent roles within the company. One of my best friends started out as a data entry clerk his freshman year and was transferred into a better permanent position after graduation.
Social Media Assistant: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Do you enjoy marketing? Creating original social media posts? Sharing your enthusiasm for a brand with others? Then consider becoming a social media assistant. Countless small businesses need to outsource their social media marketing tasks because they simply don’t have the time to manage it themselves. Managing social media accounts can also help you build a portfolio of marketing content to show prospective employers.
Graphic Designer: Average Wage $15-25 per hour
Companies are always in need of new logos, well-designed brochures, and other eye-catching marketing materials. If you have an eye for design, try your hand at becoming a freelance graphic designer, and have the flexibility to set your own schedule around your school work.
Freelance Writer: Average Wage $20-30 per hour
Large blogs often outsource blog post articles to skilled writers. If you enjoy writing, consider signing up to be a freelance writer for a blog or agency. Choose a blog based on a topic that you’re already interested in so that your writing will be better quality and the work will be enjoyable! Enjoy a flexible schedule while building your writing portfolio!
Captioner/Transcriptionist: Average Wage ~$0.45-0.54 per minute
Working as a captioner or transcriptionist is another job that will allow you to work flexible hours. Companies hire captioners and transcriptionists to transcribe video and audio clips so viewers can scan the transcription for video highlights or follow along with the captions if they are hard-of-hearing. If you speak another language, you can get paid even more to create subtitles.
Related: “8 Websites Every College Side-Hustler Should Know About”
English Teacher: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Do you speak English? There are millions of students around the world who are trying to learn it. Although many companies require teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, some do not have this requirement. If you’re a graduate student, more teaching opportunities will be available due to your level of education. Either way, working as an English teacher can be extremely rewarding.
Other Part-Time Work
Dog Walker: Average Wage $10-15 per hour (per dog)
Do you miss your animals from back home? Do you need to get more exercise? Dog walkers can make a lot of money quickly since multiple dogs can be walked at once. They also have the benefit of a flexible schedule since there is often a window of time when the dog needs to be walked, rather than a set schedule. Get your exercise and make quick cash by working as a dog-walker!
Pet Sitter: Average Wage $12-18 per hour
Did you know that being around pets during exam time can actually reduce stress? Plus, pets are usually less maintenance than children. Pets with separation anxiety often just need someone to come be with them, so it’s not uncommon that you’ll just do what your title suggests - sit! Don’t forget to play, feed, and pet them too!
Retail Stores: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
Ever thought of working in retail? This is another job where you can build marketing experience and business knowledge. There is also room for upward growth… you may even become a manager or team lead.
Babysitter: Average Wage $15-20 per hour
Are you good with kids? All parents need a night out every once in a while, and you can keep the kids occupied while they’re away. Try asking parents you know if you can have an opportunity to babysit, or use an at-home care site to find your clients.
Food Delivery Driver: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
If you want a flexible schedule but also somewhere to go, look no further than food delivery! Sign up to deliver for Grubhub or UberEats and make some quick extra money whenever you need it. This job has plenty of demand in highly-populated areas, so it may be a good fit if you live in a city and own a car.
Barista: Average Wage $10-15 per hour
I’m assuming you love a good coffee shop as much as anyone else does, so why not become a barista? Coffee shops often provide enjoyable work environments for both customer and employee, so choose your favorite coffee spot and give it a shot!
Restaurant Service: Average Wage $12-18 per hour
Whether you’re a restaurant host or server, working in the food service industry is popular among college students. Serving can be a stimulating challenge, and you may also get discounts on food! Be prepared for a fast-paced work environment that includes scheduling outside of normal business hours.
Bank Tellers: Average Wage $12-18 per hour
A bank teller performs client services such as cashing checks, initiating transfers of funds, and performing other account-related tasks. This job may be a good fit if you are a detailed person who is gifted in customer service.
Related: “7 Money Saving Strategies to Help You Graduate From College Without Debt”
All of these jobs are excellent opportunities to pursue if you’re looking to make some extra cash during college. These 25 best high paying part-time jobs can provide valuable work experience that can aid in your post-grad job search as well as offset college expenses.
For more information about how to reduce college living expenses and graduate without debt, sign up for my free workshop below!
