26 Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students to Earn Extra Cash

The best part-time jobs for college students will beef up your resume (and, more importantly, your wallet) without sacrificing your grades. 👌

There are endless options out there that fit with your personality and your schedule — whether it’s in service, education, media, or technology. 

To help you out, we’ve rounded up 26 of the best in-person part-time jobs that keep you employed all year round.💪

1. Retail Sales Associate 🛍️

Having a sixth sense of what products work best based on someone’s needs will make you a star retail employee. 🤩 

A regular shift usually consists of ringing up purchases, assisting with customer concerns, and keeping the store clean and organized — all of which you can do with a flexible part-time schedule that allows you to work during the evening or on weekends. 📅

Though this is a minimum wage job, you can make more cash if the business has sales incentives or if you have built the experience to take on a supervisory role. 📈

2. Call Center Representative 🎧

Finding a job at call centers can be easy-peasy since they’re often on the lookout for students with superb communication skills. 📞

Expect to answer calls and inquiries (and yes, even complaints) about your clients’ accounts, products, or services. 

Use the various shift schedules to your advantage and snag a job outside of class hours. 

To bag this job, a high school diploma is enough for most businesses needing representatives like businesses, colleges, and non-profit organizations.

3. Gym Attendant 💪

Feel like you never get a chance to go to the gym? Why not work there instead? You can even get yourself some sweet discounts or free membership. 😉

Working at the gym — especially those open for 24 hours — offers some flexibility, making it a perfect part-time job for college students with a strict class schedule.

Special qualifications aren’t needed since your daily tasks include assisting gym goers, cleaning up equipment, or completing basic administrative duties. 🖥️

4. Hotel Receptionist 🏨

Becoming a great hotel receptionist requires two things: a killer smile and a winning personality. These will keep your guests happy from the moment they arrive. 😊

This is one of the best part-time jobs for college students because night shifts are perfect to work around your class schedule. 

The good news is that you don’t need previous experience or certificates to become a hotel receptionist. Excellent communication and organization skills will do.

Working as a hotel receptionist may quickly not fill up your piggy bank, but it can be a great entry into the hospitality industry as you learn the tricks of the trade. 🏨

5. Barista ☕

Sleep-deprived college students love these two words: free coffee. Did that catch your attention?

Being a part-time barista hones your skills in socialization and time management as you rush around working the till, serving coffee-based drinks, and sanitizing areas. We forgot to mention that the tips are great too!

When arranging your work schedule around classes, expect weekday mornings at the coffee shop to be hectic with an onslaught of customer orders. 😮‍

Prior experience in food service will give you an edge, but consistent good customer service and willingness to learn (such as latte art and specialty drinks) will help you flourish in this student job.

6. Bartender 🍸

A night owl with daytime classes and a favorite guest at too many dorm parties — if this is you, then it’s time to be a part-time bartender. 😉

Just like at a coffee shop, there’s a big chance of earning decent tips and making connections that can brighten your undergraduate experience.

Usually, a high school diploma is all you need to serve delicious cocktails and clean the bar. But some friendly advice: take care of your health since staying up late is the norm.

7. Fast Food Server 🍔

If you’re on the hunt for a job that quickly teaches you valuable skills in the workplace, working in the fast food industry is just the ticket. 🎫

A proactive fast-food worker juggles cleaning the kitchen and dining area, serving food, working the register, or promoting the latest diner deals. 🐔

However, it does come with less ideal working conditions, like minimum wage, graveyard shifts, and rude customers. On the flip side, you don’t need a lot of qualifications to get started, making this a stellar first job. 

8. Movie Theater Attendant 🎬

Film buffs will love working in a movie theater for a special reason: free or discounted movie tickets and snacks! 🍿😀

The job’s relatively simple: clock in and start a routine of checking tickets, manning the snack booth, helping people find their seats, and cleaning up after screenings.

You can work your class schedule and study hours during the day since the busy hours are usually during late nights or on weekends when most people go out to unwind.

While there are no special qualifications needed to apply, being able to take care of customer concerns as part of a smooth theater experience is a plus. 

9. Amusement Park Attendant 🎪

This one is for college students with outgoing personalities and a knack for adventure. 🎡

An amusement park is a vibrant and social environment where you can wear many hats, so it’s great for networking opportunities and building your resume.

Filled with thrilling rides and themed events, amusement parks need attendants to sell tickets, operate rides, stock souvenir shops, and manage visitors. 🎢 

A high school diploma is enough to get your foot in the door since most of the training happens when you get the job. 

Most guests come and visit on the weekends, so expect slow hours from Monday to Friday — making it an ideal job for students. 

10. Bank Teller 🏛️

It’s said that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” but how come banks have branches? 😂 

Puns aside, major bank branches close early which makes it ideal for students taking evening classes. If you want more schedule flexibility, look for part-time teller positions in credit unions or smaller banks.

A high school diploma is commonly accepted for you to process customer payments, withdrawals, and deposits, as well as handle concerns over the counter, but a college major in business or finance could give you an edge.

Aside from tasks that could seem repetitive, a big part of your job is to keep a keen eye on fraudulent cash, checks, and IDs. 👀

11. Valet or Parking Attendant 🚗

All you need for this part-time job is something you’ve likely had for years: your driver’s license. 😉

Oftentimes, valets are hired by hotels, resorts, and luxury businesses to attend to high-end customers, with chances of earning high tips. Because of the nature of clients, a spotless driving and criminal record are a must. ✨

You can rest easy with your coursework and club commitments during the day since huge events typically happen during evenings and weekends.

12. Swimming Instructor 🏊

Make some coin by teaching people how to survive in the water as a part-time swimming instructor.

This is ideal for college students who are part of the varsity team or grew up with swimming as a hobby. Plus, if we’re talking perks, this job keeps you in great shape when you can’t stop by the gym after all your classes. 🙌

This part-time job needs you to secure Basic Swim Instructor and CPR and First Aid certifications. 

13. Fitness Trainer 🏋️

As a fitness trainer, you get to stay in shape, earn money to pay off your tuition, and boost your resume for jobs in the health and wellness industry later on. 💯

It’s a relatively easy job for gym buffs since you help design workout routines for clients according to their fitness goals while avoiding injury. 💪

Clients tend to work out before or after office or school hours, so you can definitely pencil this into your daily schedule. 

You’ll often need certifications in CPR/AED and Personal Fitness Training that equip you with the necessary knowledge that won’t injure your clients.

14. Tutor 👩🏾‍🏫

If getting As and Bs is your superpower, you can tutor struggling peers or kids who need a leg up in their classes. 🧠

Parents and students will pay top dollar for you to prepare lessons and go over subjects or topics that are harder to understand.

Find tutoring work on college boards or reach out to your neighbors with children who need help in school. Tutoring centers are also great but may require you to show mastery of subjects through certifications or acing their tests or teaching demos. 

In terms of schedule, tutoring usually happens after school, so you can head straight to work after you’re done with your classes for the day. 📚

15.  IT Support Technician 💻

Not everyone has the patience or the knowledge to deal with pesky tech glitches. If you’re more than a little computer-savvy, this is the college job for you.

Here’s what a normal day looks like: customers or colleagues will send in technical concerns for you to resolve, ranging anywhere from installing software to assisting in virtual conference calls.

If you’re studying a tech-related course, you can apply your lessons to resolving issues. Plus, you could find a job opening in your own backyard, since your own college may just need techie people to keep its systems up and running. 👨‍💻

16. Library Assistant 📚

There’s much to love about being a library assistant, especially if you’re a bookworm. It’s a quiet environment that’s all about organizing knowledge materials for easy access.

You’ll be helping out with organizing books and other resources and assisting students at the counter.

But do you know what makes the job even better? You can familiarize yourself with different resource materials that will help you with college, like how to write a killer essay. 

While you might not make bank with this job, it’s a great option for students who can’t be too far away from campus or spend extra time commuting to work. 🚶

17. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant 🎓

Working as a part-time undergraduate teaching assistant gets you started in a life devoted to academia. 

Busy professors need an awesome sidekick that can lighten their load: someone who can take student attendance, help check quizzes, and participate in administrative tasks. 📝

Make the most of it by mastering the lessons and building a strong network of colleagues and students. These will come in handy if you decide to pursue further higher education and teaching. 🏫

To succeed in this job, you must be a proactive upper-level student in a related course who’s already earning stellar grades in class. After all, professors prefer working with dependable students who can serve as role models.

18. Pet Sitter 🐕

Animal lovers will think this job is the cat’s pajamas! 🐈 

Feeding, grooming, and taking care of house pets requires a whole lot of love as a pet sitter. You can sign up with an agency, or try your hand at finding freelance jobs!

To bag this part-time job for college students, you only need a high school diploma and a record of working with animals, like volunteering in shelters or even your own pets. 🤗

Since pets may need emergency care, owning a driver’s license and knowing pet first aid is an advantage. 

READ MORE: 67 Top Side Hustles for College Students to Make Fast Cash

A bonus? The hours can be flexible and you can take time off over exam season too. 

19. Nanny 🧸

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and the job’s a game!” Sounds familiar? That’s from the famous nanny, Mary Poppins. ☂️

Dropping off and picking up the kids from school, assisting with homework, preparing meals, and the occasional grocery run become more enjoyable when you’re working for a great family.

Babysitters are only hired when parents want a date night or are working overtime, but becoming a nanny means you’re in it for the long ride. So, you typically have regular hours set around your schedule.

It’s also good to have a driver’s license and a First Aid certification — just in case an emergency situation pops up.

20. Bookkeeper 🧾

Calling accounting and business majors! 📢 Sharpen your money management skills and earn some cash by working for an actual business.

Working as a bookkeeper lets you observe how a business operates in real time, letting you gain real experience in handling invoices, personnel payroll, and processing administrative requirements. 💰

The heavy data and paperwork can be monotonous, but it’s a good training ground for your future career. It may even teach you a thing or two about managing your student budget. 👩🏽‍💻

Part-timers have a flexible schedule but expect tax seasons to require some overtime. As such, plan ahead to make sure you’re still prepared for your exams and big projects occurring in the same period.

21. Research Assistant 📊

Students eyeing a job in public policy or becoming a marketing whiz could get a leg up by perfecting their research skills in this part-time job for college students. ✨

A job as a research assistant is pretty straightforward. You assist a team of researchers and project implementers by helping collect, check, organize, and record data in various industries. 

A high school diploma and related background experience are the usual requirements. For example, digital marketing jobs prefer someone who’s social media savvy or NGOs may look for students with a strong background in advocacy. 

READ MORE: 15 Profitable Online Jobs for College Students

What makes this great is that you get relevant experience, rub elbows with notable people in your field, and get paid while you’re at it. 😉

22. Disc Jockey 💿

If you’ve got great taste in music that gets everyone in their dancing shoes, you’ll have a blast as a part-time DJ!

Disc jockeys select, play, and mix the hottest songs to keep people on the dancefloor. Owning a physical deck to play around with is fun, but you can still get by with just a laptop’s music software.

This is one of the best part-time jobs for college students who love to party because you’ve most likely built a wide network of like-minded friends who can connect you to DJs in clubs or in private events. 🕺

DJs usually have a flexible work schedule or play on selected nights, so you can still stay on top of your coursework.

23. Local Tour Guide 🗺️

Knowing your city like the back of your hand could turn into hard cash. 💸 

Guiding curious tourists mostly happens during the daytime, so it’s perfect if you’re taking evening classes. Part of your job involves preparing itineraries, providing information, and accompanying them to local haunts and cultural sites. 

Look for part-time openings in travel agencies, local government or tourism offices, or non-profit organizations promoting tourism in your city. 🏙️

You’ll typically only need a high school diploma, but you might have to ace an exam or secure a tour guide certification or license depending on your state’s requirements.

24. Warehouse Associate 📦

There’s a huge demand for warehouse employees thanks to people’s love for online shopping. 

Working in a stockroom offers a flexible schedule, especially since some companies still keep their supply chain up and running during the evenings, weekends, and holidays. 🕒

Your organization skills could be truly tested during busy months and sale seasons as you juggle work and coursework, so it’s best to plan ahead.

A warehouse associate is tasked with filling orders, moving inventory, and sometimes delivering the product to its final destination. 🏬 

Some assignments require you to walk around while checking and sorting items, while some may require you to lift heavy objects or drive if you have a forklift driving certification.

25. Grocery Worker 🛒

Working in a supermarket is another one of the best jobs for college students. Why? Because it’s easy to do, you have a flexible schedule, and you get first dibs on discounts!

You’ll be busy arranging items, guiding customers, bagging groceries, cleaning floors, and working the cash register, giving customers a smooth shopping experience. 🛍️

Although this is typically a minimum wage job, it’s a good choice if you live nearby and want to meet people in your area. 

Plus, you’ll mostly be on your feet during your shift, which is a good balance between all those times you spend sitting in classes and studying. ✨

26. Home Health Aide 👩🏻‍⚕️

Students eyeing work in healthcare can get a headstart by working in residential facilities. 🧓 

You’ll be caring for the elderly or persons with disabilities under the guidance of a registered nurse: administering medicine on schedule, assisting individuals in maintaining personal hygiene, and doing housekeeping chores in the facilities. 🧹

With facilities operating 24/7, a flexible working schedule can be on the cards so you still have time for your school activities.

Most employers require part-timers to know CPR and have First Aid training. Add those to having a record of responsible behavior, and you’re good to go.

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There you have it! A job for every personality, career goal, income preference, and lifestyle as a college student.

By being open to learning new things, you’re bound to find the best part-time job for you in no time. ✨

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