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The cost of getting a degree can be steep, and many college students need to work to help pay for tuition, room and board, or their living expenses. Fortunately, there are many jobs that can be a good fit for a student’s schedule and interests that also have good earning potential. Read on to learn about the best jobs for college students and how much they pay.
What Makes a Job Great for College Students?
The best jobs for college students have flexible scheduling and offer good pay, among other things. Here’s what to consider as you’re looking for a job.
Pay
Making good money is a top priority for many student job-seekers. For instance, you may be looking for a job in which you can earn enough to pay some of your living expenses and have extra spending money. Some students may also find that having a job makes it easier to start paying down their student loan debt.
Flexibility
A job that’s flexible is also important. You need a job that you can do between classes or after them. You might also require some time off to study for finals or finish big projects.
How Hard the Work Is
It’s vital that your job doesn’t interfere with your studies. A job that isn’t too stressful, such as dog walking or a receptionist position, can help you earn extra cash without getting burned out.
How Valuable the Experience Is
Some college jobs can help a student build a strong resume. For example, a paid internship can give you valuable work experience while you’re earning money.
Other Non-Compensation Job Perks
When considering good jobs for college students, think about other perks the job may have in addition to the pay. For instance, the ability to work from home and discounts on merchandise and services can all be extras to keep in mind. Recommended: How Does Student Loan Refinancing Work?
16 Top Jobs for College Students
There are many good jobs for college students. Finding the one that’s right for you will depend on your needs and preferences. Here are some of the best jobs for college students to consider.
1. Nannying
National average salary: $15.27 per hourWorking as a nanny is often a part-time job that can be a good fit for students who have time to work in the late afternoons or evenings. It also can be a good summer job for college students. Nannies take care of children by doing things like preparing meals for them, helping them with homework, and driving them to or from school.
2. Call Center Work
National average salary: $11.98 per hourIn a call center, a student may work as a telemarketer selling products or services over the phone. Call center employees often work from a prepared script. This role can be a good introduction to a career in sales.
3. Animal Caretaker
National average salary: $11.53 per hourWorking at a vet’s office, pet daycare, pet shop, aquarium, or zoo, could be a good fit for students who are passionate about animals. Duties typically require feeding, grooming, playing with, and exercising animals.
4. Bank Teller
National average salary: $12.29 per hourA part-time position as a bank teller may help students learn customer service, among other things. The job is relatively low stress. Bank tellers assist customers with financial transactions such as making deposits, as well as answer phones and greet customers.
5. Barista
National average salary: $10.88 per hourBaristas work at coffee shops and restaurants taking orders, making drinks, and serving customers. They may also handle payments. Free coffee can be a perk of a barista job.
6. Tax Preparer
National average salary: $11.05 per hourStudents pursuing a career in the accounting or finance industry may want to consider a part-time job as a tax preparer. The position is often seasonal and involves helping clients file their taxes.
7. Tutor
National average salary: $24.11 per hourTutors can help younger students or even other college students study for tests and complete projects, and also assist them with their homework. Tutoring can be in person or virtually, and can be a good remote job for college students.
8. Host/Hostess
National average salary: $11.06 per hourA host or hostess at a restaurant greets and seats customers and handles reservations. This can be a good job for college students who enjoy interacting with people.
9. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter
National average salary: $15.17 per hourDog walking and pet sitting jobs are often extremely flexible. Students can walk dogs during the day, around their school schedule, or pet sit on weekends. In addition to dog walking, the job may consist of feeding pets and playing with them. Dog walking can be a good opportunity to see what it’s like to be self-employed.
10. Gym Receptionist
National average salary: $12.32 per hourWorking as a gym receptionist is a fairly low-stress part-time job for college students. It involves greeting and checking in guests, answering the phones, and doing basic administration tasks.
11. Social Media Assistant
National average salary: $17 per hourCollege students who are savvy about social media may be able to find work as social media assistants. In this job, you plan, create, and share content; schedule posts; and respond to comments with followers, among other things.
12. Resident Advisor
National average salary: $19.42 per hourResident advisors help students navigate dorm rules and offer support and advice for roommate conflicts or other issues. They also help students move in and out of the dorms, and plan events. As an added benefit, resident advisors usually get free room and board in the dorm.
13. Personal Trainer
National average salary: $24 per hourWorking as a personal trainer often requires certain fitness certifications. However, if you are certified and enjoy working out, it can be a good way to earn money and help clients exercise more effectively.
14. Waiter/Waitress
National average salary: $10.17 per hourWaiters and waitresses have the potential to earn good money in tips in addition to their hourly base pay. Restaurant servers take orders, deliver food and drinks to customers, and handle payments, among other things.
15. Caregiver
National average salary: $12.42 per hourCaregivers often provide in-home help and companionship to clients. The job can include preparing meals, doing light housework, running errands, taking clients to doctor appointments, and making sure they take their medication correctly.
16. Parking Attendant
National average salary: $11.90 per hourParking attendants work at locations such as restaurants, hotels, clubs, and parking lots. Their main job is to park customers’ cars and then retrieve the vehicles later when customers are ready to leave.
The Takeaway
Getting a part-time job can be a good way for college students to earn money for school costs and living expenses. Landing a job that pays well is typically a top priority, but it’s also important to look for a position with flexible scheduling that’s low stress, so that you have enough time for your classes and school work. It’s even possible to find a position that can help you gain experience for a future career, and help you build your resume.
3 Student Loan Refi Tips
Once the pandemic-related pause on federal student loan payments ends, going back to making payments may be hard on budgets. One solution is to refinance to a lower interest rate, longer loan term, or both, depending on your situation. (The tradeoff is that you’ll be forfeiting federal benefits such as repayment programs.) Find and compare your student loan refinance options.
Paying extra each month on your student loan can reduce the interest you pay and so lower your total loan cost over time. (The law prohibits prepayment penalties on federal or private student loans.)
Depending on their income, qualified borrowers can deduct the interest they pay for student loans, both federal or private, up to $2,500 per year. The deduction phases out for modified adjusted gross incomes of $70,000 to $85,000 for single individuals and $145,000 to $175,000 for people married and filing jointly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Photo credit: iStock/MarsBars
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About the Author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a personal finance writer and editor based in Southern California. While she spends the bulk of her time writing about complex financial issues, she also tackles a variety of subjects ranging from food to fashion to travel. Her work can be found across dozens of publications such as Credit Karma, LendingTree, Northwestern Mutual, The Everygirl, and Apartment Therapy.
