You want to work, but you can’t do 9–5 Monday through Friday.
Whether you’re a busy student, looking for a side gig, or just otherwise can’t work a full 40-hour week, you’ll want to locate a great part-time opportunity.
While almost every job title you can think of has part-time jobs available, not all are equal. So, in this post, we’ve listed the best part-time career opportunities out there, along with their median hourly rates, required experience, and projected job growth.
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Here are the best part-time jobs to consider:
1. Barista
2019 US Median Pay: $11.06 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 10%
A barista is one of the most important jobs on the planet; as a barista, you’ll serve up liquid energy to make every other job in your city possible.
Being a barista is a great choice for a part-time job. It can be a quiet affair where you have time to chat with your neighbors while serving them beverages, but it’ll also offer those bursts of busyness to keep you on your toes.
2. Retail Salesperson
2019 US Median Pay: $12.23 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: High school diploma, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 0%
One of the funnest jobs I had during my college years was as a retail salesperson (“team member”) at Target. I was given decent pay, a health insurance policy, company-matched 401K, and other great benefits and perks. On the job, I stocked shelves, helped customers with their purchases, rang up sales at the cash register, and made a lot of great friends.
A retail position makes for one of the best part-time jobs for college students, high school graduates, and others. And, you have tons of options to choose from, from small boutique clothing shops to massive big box stores like Walmart or Target.
3. Accountant
2019 US Median Pay: $34.40 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree, recognition as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 4%
Accountants may not have the most glamorous jobs, but they have high paying part time jobs that need doing. While many businesses look for full-time accountants to add to their payroll, plenty of others require only part-time employees, especially when they’re smaller businesses, like, say, a restaurant or a boutique marketing agency.
Some of the benefits of this part-time job includes great pay, excellent benefits, and great experience for your resume to use toward future employment in the finance industry. And, if you really want a part-time job where you dictate your hourly rate and hours, just work for yourself as a freelance accountant, bookkeeper, or auditor.
Related Read: 21+ Best Freelance Jobs & Where to Find Them (In Demand, Great Pay)
4. Lyft or Uber Driver
2019 US Median Pay: $16.01 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: Driver’s license.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 11%
One of the most popular part-time jobs that pay well of the past decade is the Uber driver. Ubiquitous around the world, many people depend on them day-to-day to get to work, run errands, or safely deliver one home after a night of drinking. You can choose to drive for Lyft, Uber, Bolt, or another service, and all you need is your own transportation and a driver’s license to get started.
Similarly, delivery drivers are always in demand. Whether it’s for UPS, Fedex, or a private delivery company, many are eager for part-time workers. You’ll need a driver’s license, a clean driving record, and a sufficient level of physical fitness to schlepp those packages around, but your own ride is not necessary.
5. Fast Food Restaurant Worker
2019 US Median Pay: $11.65 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 10%
If you’re looking for part-time work ideal for nights and weekends and with job security, look no further than the fast food industry. There’s McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Hardee’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr., Domino’s, Shake Shack, and countless others, all with various part-time positions to fill within.
Depending on your experience and skills, you could work as a fast food cashier, food preparer, or in a supervisory role. Many of these chain restaurants also have great perks: McDonald’s offers a career and academic advisory service, Starbucks has child care benefits, and Taco Bell gives out free meals, just to name a few.
6. Web Developer
2019 US Median Pay: $35.46 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: Past web development experience, possibly a degree.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 8%
If you’re looking for a great job for introverts, college students, or tech-oriented minds which pays well, you can’t go wrong with web development. Because of the nature of web development and the needs and expenditure of different parties varying greatly, it’s easy to find part-time jobs in web development.
To start, it may be best to work for a startup or agency, and you may need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar to land it. However, once you build up enough experience, create an online portfolio of your completed projects and feel free to set off on your own!
Related Read: 15+ Best Jobs For High School Students (Part-Time, Weekends, Summer)
7. Construction Worker
2019 US Median Pay: $17.31 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: Physical fitness, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 5%
Construction work isn’t just a great way to get paid for getting into shape and building up your city’s skyline—it also happens to be one of the best jobs with part-time availability out there! While a lot of contractors and construction companies will need full-time workers, many are eager to get part-time employees, as well, particularly in general labor.
8. Real Estate Broker or Sales Agent
2019 US Median Pay: $24.39 per hour [souce: BLS]
Experience Required: High school diploma or GED, on the job training for entry-level positions.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 2%
If you have the gift of salesmanship and know your town like the back of your hand, why not become a real estate agent? Many agencies look for part-time workers, especially for tasks like showing houses on the weekends. And, not only is the pay quite decent, but you can also earn a sizable commission should you ever sell a property!
9. Restaurant Server (Waiters & Waitresses)
2019 US Median Pay: $11.00 per hour, plus tips [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 4%
Waiting tables is just about the quintessential part-time job, and there’s a reason for that. You can earn more than $100 in a single shift just in tips, and that money is yours to spend as soon as you leave the restaurant. On top of that, you get to meet the locals, work when you’re available, and often get a free shift meal to top it all off!
Related Read: Best Jobs For College Students: 75+ Options for the Ambitious Student
10. Camp Counselor
2019 US Median Pay: $12.67 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training, high school diploma or equivalent.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 10%
Summer camp counselors, park attendants, and other recreation workers have some of the most enviable part-time jobs on the planet. If you’re eager to care for nature and have a job where you spend more time outdoors than inside, consider becoming a summer camp counselor or a day camp counselor.
While many do work full 9–5 jobs, or perhaps even in a 24-hour or week-long capacity, part-time positions are available, especially in the warmer months and during school breaks. Other similar jobs include fitness instructors, arts and crafts directors, and working at residential care facilities.
11. Software Developer
2019 US Median Pay: $51.69 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree, previous software development experience.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 22%
If a high salary is your main motivation, then software development is the best part-time job on our list. While you will usually need a bachelor’s degree and at least a bit of experience to start as a junior software developer, it’s easy to find work in both physical and online environments around the globe.
12. Office or Hotel Receptionist
2019 US Median Pay: $14.45 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: High school diploma or equivalent, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 4%
If you want a fun part-time gig that lets you work the days you’re free, consider becoming a hotel receptionist. You’ll meet interesting people, get great travel discounts, and have a job which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Similarly, there are many part-time opportunities available as administrative assistants or secretaries. While the typical, small office may prefer a full-time employee, many larger companies and those with extended working hours will need to rotate through several workers each week, leaving plenty of room for you to nab that part-time job.
Related Read: 40+ Best Summer Jobs for High School & College Students 🌞
13. Bartender
2019 US Median Pay: $11.39 per hour, plus tips [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 6%
Like being a waiter or a waitress, a bartender is another quintessential part-time job. Be it at a restaurant, cocktail bar, or an upscale lounge, bartenders often just work a few days per week, since they can make quite a bit of money in tips in just a single busy night. While you’ll have to be quick on your feet and great with your hands, no degree required!
14. Customer Service Representative
2019 US Median Pay: $16.69 per hour [source: BLS]
Experience Required: None, on the job training, high school diploma or equivalent.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): -2%
Want a part-time job where you can possibly work from home? Consider becoming a customer service representative. You’ll help customers with their questions, provide support, and assist them with placing orders, among other things. Not only is it a great employment opportunity with excellent benefits, but there are often lucrative advancement opportunities to be had, as well.
15. Massage Therapist
2019 US Median Pay: $20.59 per hour [souce: BLS]
Experience Required: Postsecondary massage therapy education, license/certification.
Expected US Job Growth (2019–2029): 21%
Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing part-time jobs on our list, expected to grow by a whopping 21% in the next decade! On top of that, it happens to also be one of the highest-paying part-time jobs in our roundup, as well.
In most of the United States and in many countries, you may need a license or a certification before you can practice. However, once you do so, you can easily join any spa, massage parlor, or wellness center—or, have the best part-time hours around by working for yourself!
Related Read: Work From Home Jobs: 13 Best Remote & Online Jobs for 2021 & Beyond
Well, that’s our post on the best part-time jobs around, and we hope it helps you make that important decision! Got any questions, feedback, or other amazing jobs that are part-time to add to our list? Let us know in the comments section below, and thanks for reading!