Does the idea of earning extra cash have your ears perking up? What about exploring a new interest or working from home? These are all possible with a part-time job. Don’t fall for the misconception that part-time jobs pay minimum wage and are only for students. In fact, quite the opposite can be true if you know where to look.
Below, you can get an idea of whether a part-time job is suitable for you and review our list of some of the highest-paid part-time jobs in the US right now.
Should I Get a Part-Time Job?
There are many benefits of working a part-time job, including a more flexible schedule, better work-life balance, and of course some extra cash. Applying to a part-time job might be right for you if you are a student, balancing multiple life commitments, retired, or are looking to switch careers.
If you fall under one of the following categories, then you should consider part-time work.
You Are a Full-Time Student
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Let’s face it, student loans aren’t going away anytime soon. That’s where a part-time job comes in. You can spend at least half of your free time on your studies and the other half working to pay for school.
You Are Balancing Your Life
Part-time jobs are easier to manage for those who are juggling multiple life commitments, such as children. Moms and dads can spend more time at home when working part-time, especially if the position is remote.
You Are Retired
A part-time job is ideal if you are retired. You have earned your retirement, but perhaps you are looking for a way to keep busy as a retiree. It’s half the commitment of working full time and you can work in any field you wish, maybe even on the golf course.
You can weigh many different options when looking for your new part-time job, including retail, restaurant work, hospitality, and more.
You Want to Explore a New Career
Perhaps you wish to start a new career, but you don’t know what industry might be best for you. Working part-time at first means you don’t have to fully commit right away and can make a smooth transition to full-time work when the time is right.
What Are the Best Part-Time Jobs?
Job searching can be stressful and you might not know where to start. However, there are plenty of jobs that are offered for both part-time and full-time work. The best places to find part time jobs are job boards such as Glass Door or Indeed.
You can also choose to peruse social media outlets such as LinkedIn. Additionally, you can use LinkedIn as a platform to reach out to hiring managers. Now that you know where to find them, below are some of the best part-time jobs on the market.
Nanny
A nanny cares for children by bathing, feeding, and cooking for them, and putting them down for naps. Depending on the parents’ preferences, you may be required to assist with homework, organize playtime, and drive the children to and from school.
The requirements of a nanny job vary depending on the parents, but typically, a reliable form of transportation and experience caring for children are required. As a nanny, you can set your own rates and availability.
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists improve others’ lives by reducing stress, tension, and pain by using touch to manipulate the body’s muscles. There are many opportunities for a part-time masseuse.
You can work in a spa, from home, or travel to other people’s homes to perform massages. You will also be able to build your own schedule.
Fitness Instructor
A fitness instructor leads, instructs, and motivates individual or group exercise activities. This is a great part-time job because there are many different avenues for you to pursue. You may choose to work in a gym, or even work from home by promoting your training on Instagram or YouTube.
Customer Service Representative
As a customer service representative, you will communicate with customers on behalf of a company. This communication may take place in person, over the phone, by email, or messenger.
You will ensure that customers’ concerns are addressed, and will provide feedback to the relevant department. This position typically requires a high school diploma, although some roles may require a special license. The average wage for a customer service representative position is $13.48 per hour.
Personal Shopper
If you shop online all day for yourself without getting paid, you might want to consider a part-time position as a personal shopper. A personal shopper maintains an in-depth knowledge of stores and their products.
You will work to develop a customer base and continuously deliver great shopping experiences. If asked, you will make recommendations based on your clients’ needs and wants. A high school diploma or GED is preferred to become a personal shopper, and the average hourly rate is $21.62.
Delivery Driver
Take on this work opportunity from behind the wheel. In an age where you can order anything with the click of a button, there are many part-time jobs available as a delivery driver. The main duty of a delivery driver is to pick up orders and deliver them to their destination.
Depending on your location, it may also involve planning routes to ensure efficient delivery. You will be required to have a valid driver’s license, and usually a clean driving record. The average salary for a delivery driver is $15.68 an hour.
Bank Teller
A bank teller will greet customers and direct them to the correct department. They will also process deposits, withdrawals, and other banking transactions. To excel in this position, you will need to have basic math skills and will have to complete the training required by the bank to which you have applied. The average hourly wage for this position is $12.82.
Bookkeeper
As a bookkeeper, you will be responsible for balancing and maintaining ledgers and can build your own client base. Other tasks include organizing bank deposits and reporting financial results.
A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a similar field is required. The average salary is $17.24 per hour.
Freelancer
A freelancer sells a specific talent, skill, or product, and most importantly, they set their own schedule. There are freelancers in many areas, including designers, writers, consultants, and more.
As a freelancer, you will be responsible for building and maintaining your own client base. The requirements and income of a freelancer vary based on your field and experience.
Warehouse Worker
Warehouse work might not have been the first thing to come to mind. A warehouse worker is responsible for replenishing stock and keeping the warehouse clean and organized. Job duties include organizing, retrieving, and maintaining inventory for shipments to and from a warehouse.
Depending on the role, machine operation may be required. A high school diploma or equivalent may be required for this job, and you must be able to lift and move heavy items. The typical hourly wage for this position is $15.42 an hour.
Mail Carrier
Everybody loves receiving mail, but maybe you would enjoy delivering it as well. A mail carrier is responsible for delivering and retrieving mail or packages. As a mail carrier, you will follow specific routes to ensure consistency and timing.
You will need a high school diploma or equivalent and will need to pass an exam. The average salary is $16.70 per hour.
Security Officer
Security officers are responsible for watching over a specific building or site. A security officer’s specific duties may include inspecting buildings, taking control of trespassers, watching security cameras, and reporting any security issues that may arise.
Requirements of a security officer include a high school diploma or equivalent and some businesses will require a clean background check. The average salary is $13.16 per hour for this position.
Tutor
You can be a tutor in any subject you choose. Job duties include asking students about topics they are struggling with and reviewing homework assignments and tests. A tutor will also be responsible for keeping the student’s guardians up to date on his or her progress.
A tutor usually must pass a background check and drug test. The average salary is $24.40 per hour.
Real Estate Agent
Thanks to shows like Selling Sunset, real estate work is gaining popularity. Some responsibilities of an agent include networking to find clients, traveling to properties, showing homes, and comparing properties based on a client’s need.
More specifically, a real estate agent will guide their clients through the process of staging and preparing their homes for sale and will negotiate prices and contracts to favor their clients. You will be required to have a valid real estate license. The average annual salary is $82,646.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist will evaluate injured or ill patients to determine their physical condition. More specific job duties include providing physical therapy guidance and education during sessions and creating reports for the patients and their doctors.
A master’s degree in occupational therapy and a state occupational therapy license are required for this position. The average hourly wage is $44.26.
Receptionist
As a receptionist, you can work in many different settings. Typical responsibilities include answering phone calls and emails, making appointments, greeting clients, and entering data. The average hourly wage is $13.57.
Conclusion: Find a Good Fit During Your Job Search
No matter what job you choose to apply for, you must find a good fit between you and your employer. Therefore, choose a part-time job that you have an interest in and where you could potentially see yourself growing in.
While you may only be interested in part-time work right now, you never know where you will be in a few years, and you may want to work into a full-time role or up the company’s ladder. Also, ensure that you are looking at salary and schedule when choosing which part-time job you are interested in. Tailor your resume around the part-time job that you are applying to. Additionally, you can find more resume advice at Career Karma.
