How Students Can Make Money: Part-Time Jobs and Summer Opportunities
Many students want to earn money without sacrificing their academics. The good news is that many different sources of income can be built while keeping up with school.
Whether for tuition or activities, it’s more than money; it’s about freedom and enjoyment.
According to the NCES, approximately 40% of full-time undergraduate students were employed while enrolled as of October 2023.
This article will discuss:
- Popular part time roles for students
- Various outdoor and summer jobs
- Remote work jobs
- Delivery and other income sources
Popular Part-Time Jobs for Students
Tutoring and Academic Support Roles
If you are strong in one subject, you should consider being a tutor. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, tutors earn a median wage of $19.27/hr, and many schools actively hire students for tutoring jobs in math, science, writing, or foreign languages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for tutors will grow 1% over the next decade, showing a consistent need for these types of roles.
You might even work as a private tutor for high school students or help classmates in study centers.
You can offer accelerated classes in any subject that you’re good at, especially if the person you’re tutoring has grades lower than yours.
Tutoring offers more opportunities for income than many entry-level jobs. You also set your classes after school, so you won’t be worried about getting work done during school.
You build clear skills:
- Explaining ideas in simple steps
- Managing time and lesson plans
- Speaking with parents or school staff
You not only help your students but also yourself because when you teach material, it allows it to solidify in your brain even more.
If you want a career in teaching, tutoring might be the first step to getting experience. You can also list your tutoring services on platforms like Upwork’s tutoring marketplace to find clients outside of school.
You can explore ideas from this list of popular part-time jobs for students to see how tutoring fits into your schedule.
Retail and Customer Service Positions
Retail jobs remain a top choice for students. Some options include a retail sales associate, which you can find in many clothing stores, bookstores, or electronics shops.
According to the BLS, the median hourly wage for retail salespersons is $16.62/hr. In this role, you’ll be greeting customers, answering questions, stocking shelves, and acting as a cashier.
You can also work as a customer service representative, earning a BLS-reported median pay of $20.59/hr, handling returns and basic questions.
Tip: On your first few shifts, spend 10 minutes noting your store’s top items and the 5–10 most common customer questions. You’ll answer questions faster, reduce your stress, and look like a pro to your employer.
For both of these, you can select evenings and weekends, so you won’t struggle coming to work.
You gain skills that transfer to many careers:
- Clear communication
- Handling cash and payment systems
- Solving problems on the spot
- Working with a team
Retail work might feel hard during busy days, but you’ll learn how to keep calm under pressure. Employers also value the experience you’ll gain from these jobs because they show you know how to deal with customers.
Food and Hospitality Work
If you choose this path, you’ll be part of the largest youth workforce. In 2023, the BLS reported that the Leisure and Hospitality industry employed 25% of all working youth ages 16–24 — the highest share of any industry.
Being the largest sector for young workers, these roles lean more into improving your communication skills and offering a steady income. You can work as either a server, host, barista, or even a bartender if you meet their age requirements.
As a server, you’ll earn a BLS-reported median pay of $16.23/hr and receive orders and manage food deliveries.
Tip: When things get difficult, pause for two seconds and breathe. This helps you keep calm and can actually lead to bigger tips. Customers tend to tip more when they see you can keep control under pressure.
A barista, per the BLS Food and Beverage Serving Handbook, makes a median of $14.92/hr and handles drinks and the register. Work at 75–85% speed during rushes.
You’ll make fewer errors, and because of that, you’ll earn your manager’s trust faster. If you go at 100% speed, you risk getting an order wrong.
As a host, at a median pay of $14.61/hr, you’ll be welcoming guests, seating them, and managing reservations.
These jobs teach you to:
- Multitask during busy hours
- Communicate clearly with customers
- Work closely with the kitchen or floor staff
Top Summer Job Opportunities
Summer is the season when you can earn cash and get experience at the same time.
Camp Counselor and Summer Camps
Camp counselor: At about $17.01/hr, this job ranks among the best summer jobs for students who have good group-leading skills. You will oversee activities and supervise campers while they do sports and crafts.
Tip: Stay in control without overdoing it; kids respond better to calm leadership than strict authority. Smile, use their names, and keep your energy high — you’ll build rapport faster and get better reviews from both campers and your boss.
This job allows you to build skills in leadership, problem-solving, and communication. These skills matter for future careers in social services and business management.
Many camps also hire swim instructors ($22.20/hr), lifeguards ($15.07/hr), and even sports referees ($18.66/hr). If you hold any CPR or first aid certifications — available through the American Red Cross — these jobs can often offer increased pay because of the certification.
Camps often need more help during the summer and spring months; expect slightly busier and more active days when working during those months.
These types of jobs offer something very important: leadership experience, which is crucial for many jobs and great for resumes, as it shows employers you’ll take an active role in their company.
Outdoor and Seasonal Roles
Do you like being active? That’s where these types of jobs come in handy.
Some jobs include: landscaper or lawn care services. At an average pay of $18.50/hr, you’ll be mowing, trimming, planting, and performing basic yard cleanup.
Tip: If you plan to make this into a company, you can take before and after photos for your future social media page. This will give you a basis from which you can build.
If you want to earn more while doing this, you can bring your own tools, so you won’t have to worry about whether your customer has a certain type of equipment. This can be really useful as well if you plan on continuing this as a career.
You can also work as a farm worker; you’ll be harvesting crops and feeding livestock. You’ll be working long days, but with the benefit of a higher, stable pay of about $17.16 per hour.
Recreational sites hire golf caddies, park aides, and event staff at around $18.85/hr. These work really well for the summer, as you’ll be able to get more hours in.
Many listings appear in guides like 30 Best Summer Jobs for Making Extra Cash. Apply early because these roles fill fast when summer comes.
Childcare and Babysitting
If you work well with children, become a babysitter during the summer break. According to ZipRecruiter, babysitters earn an average of $17.62/hr nationally. Parents need help when school closes, which increases demand significantly.
In these jobs, you’ll perform tasks such as preparing meals, planning simple activities, and supervising children.
To earn more, you can get a CPR or first aid certificate through the American Red Cross. Families often pay more if you offer better care and a more secure environment for their children.
Tip: Before going in, ask for emergency numbers so that if a minor accident happens, you can call the number. But if something catastrophic happens, it’s better to call emergency services than the emergency number.
This type of job produces skills in leadership and independence. They’ll show future employers that you’re responsible and capable of leadership and patience.
Flexible and Remote Work Options
You can earn by being at home; many online roles let you set your own hours and have freedom when it comes to choosing your schedule.
Creative and Digital Roles
If you have skills in writing and digital art, you can sell those. A 2023 Upwork study found that 52% of Gen Z professionals have already performed freelance work, proving that remote, skill-based roles are becoming a primary income source for students.
Many students do freelance writing, which ZipRecruiter reports averages $23.27/hr, graphic design averaging $34.67/hr, or social media management averaging $25.32/hr. You can list your work and services on platforms such as Fiverr and Freelancer to start building a consistent audience.
Tip: Don’t fully use AI for these; it can act as a useful tool for building drafts or providing an outline, but human polish is what gets you consistent clients and higher rates.
Common tasks include:
- Writing blog posts or product descriptions
- Designing logos and social media posts
- Managing Instagram or TikTok accounts
- Editing photos if you work as a photographer
These jobs allow you to set your own rate and goals. This shows employers that you take charge and are capable of managing a service by yourself.
Start with competitive (not zero) rates to land your first 5–10 clients and build reviews. Once you have testimonials, raise prices 20–30%.
It also helps you improve time management and client communication skills.
Virtual and Personal Assistant Jobs
These jobs are not just about typing fast; they’re about quality. In these jobs, at around $22.88/hr, you’ll have to manage calendar invites, organize messy digital files, or handle customer service questions.
Tip: Master new or current online tools, even if you think you know them, such as Google Docs, Sheets, Gmail, and Microsoft Office. This provides an advantage in your technology knowledge and shows employers you have a deep work ethic.
There is plenty of work for these remote support jobs. Sites like FlexJobs post remote student jobs that are flexible and part-time all the time.
Work varies often; one day you can be answering customer service questions, and the next you’ll be organizing online files for your customer.
What’s nice? These jobs bend around your academic life. You set your own hours, stay organized, and if you can communicate well, you’ll keep your clients for longer periods.
Delivery, Gig Economy, and Other Income Sources
If you’d rather be more active, then delivery work and short-term labor jobs can earn you money while letting you burn some extra calories, and you might even enjoy it.
Food and Package Delivery Jobs
Want to get an easy entry-level job? Try being a delivery driver! The BLS reports a median of $17.85/hr for driver/sales workers, and you can use your own car, bike, or scooter.
Apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Postmates make it easy to deliver meals and receive orders. You open the app, accept an order, grab the food, and deliver.
Tip: Don’t select just any order — choose ones that are closer to you and that offer higher pay.
From jobs like these, you’ll earn a base pay and tips. You can deliver based on how flexible or busy your schedule is.
Afraid of earning less because of your schedule? Dinner hours often earn slightly more than other hours of the day. You can also work during peak hours for a chance to earn bonuses.
Before you jump in, make sure you have:
- A valid driver’s license and insurance
- A reliable vehicle
- A smartphone with a data plan
- The ability to lift a few small packages
You can also deliver groceries if you want to. The best thing about these kinds of jobs is that they’re as customized as you want them to be.
Car Washing and Mover Roles
If you’re tired of scrolling on your phone, these jobs are for you. They encourage more active and productive workers.
If that’s you, then car washing is a fantastic choice. ZipRecruiter reports an average of $15.54/hr for car washers, and you’ll be cleaning car interiors and exteriors.
Expect to vacuum insides, wipe down car surfaces, and dry cars by hand. If you can do this quickly and effectively, expect tips coming your way.
Tip: You can start by offering different kinds of packages for your customers — for example, basic service at $35 (outside only) or an ultimate service at $100 (outside, inside, and wheels). That way, your prices are set, and your income becomes more organized.
Mover roles are a bit more demanding. ZipRecruiter reports movers earn an average of $18.19/hr. You’ll load and unload furniture, boxes, and sometimes appliances.
Tip: Always prioritize having clear communication with your customer; you don’t want to misunderstand them and do something they don’t want done.
If you’re going for physical jobs, keep these things in mind:
- Lift safely — your back will thank you later
- Communicate clearly with your team
- Show up on time, every time
These roles can be difficult, but they can offer money for savings while also being stable. There is almost always demand for these types of services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should a student work per week?
Research consistently suggests keeping work to 15–20 hours per week during the school year. Students working under 20 hours tend to maintain their academic performance, while those working significantly more often see drops in GPA and course completion. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks that most working students fall in the 20-hours-or-less range for exactly this reason.
What is the best job for a student with no experience?
Tutoring, retail associate roles, and food delivery are the easiest to enter with zero prior work history. Tutoring tends to pay the most at a median of $19.27/hr (BLS). At the same time, delivery driving and retail can be started within days of applying.
Can students make money working from home?
Yes. Virtual assistant roles, freelance writing, social media management, and graphic design can all be done remotely with a laptop and reliable internet. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and FlexJobs list entry-level remote roles that fit around a class schedule.
What summer job pays the most for students?
Among common student summer jobs, swim instructors earn the highest at $22.20/hr, followed by sports referees at $18.66/hr and landscapers at around $18.50/hr. Virtual assistant work can also reach $22.88/hr for students with strong organizational skills.
Do I need a certification to work with children?
No certification is required for babysitting or general childcare, but holding a current CPR and First Aid certificate — available through the American Red Cross — significantly increases your hourly rate and makes you a more trusted candidate. Many families specifically seek out certified caregivers.
Is food delivery worth it as a student?
Yes, particularly for students who need maximum schedule flexibility. You set your own hours, there are no fixed shifts, and you can earn more by targeting dinner hours and peak-demand periods. Apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats let you start earning within a few days of signing up.
How do I balance work and school at the same time?
The key is choosing a job with genuinely flexible scheduling — delivery apps, tutoring, and remote freelance roles let you work around your class timetable rather than the other way around. Block your study hours first, then fill the gaps. Most students who work successfully during school treat their work schedule the same way they treat a class — it’s a fixed commitment, not something squeezed in randomly.
Final Thoughts: How Students Can Make Money
Finding a job isn’t about finding the perfect option; it’s about finding one you enjoy and can still earn decent money from.
You’re already balancing your academics, but if you’re able to make money while doing so, you’re ahead of most people your age.
So, what’s stopping you — which job will you choose to do?
If you want further info, you can explore more on ScholarlySphere under the “money” tag.
References
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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Customer Service Representatives.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/delivery-truck-drivers-and-driver-sales-workers.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-and-beverage-serving-and-related-workers.htm
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