20 Best Part Time Jobs For Students That Pay The Highest

Working full-time, juggling personal growth, and maintaining a healthy social life can be overwhelmingly difficult when you are also a student with a full-time course going on. In fact, according to recent studies, nearly 70% of college students in the U.S. work while enrolled in school, with many balancing both full-time coursework and part-time jobs. In such a scenario, working part-time in a time-flexible job can help you handle things better. Working in one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students can spare you some essential extra hours during the day while you make enough money to sustain yourself.

Finding a part-time job is similar to finding a full-time job. You can use reliable job and internship websites to find opportunities and apply for the highest-paying part-time jobs as a college student. Now, let’s understand more about these high paying part-time jobs for students in this blog!

Online Part-Time Jobs for Students

When you are a student, online jobs can be one of the best ways to maintain a healthy work-study-life balance. You save money and energy as you don't have to travel to work! If you're a fresher looking to get started in the remote work world, focus on building a strong online presence, tailoring your resume for remote roles, and applying to entry-level positions that match your skills. So, here are the top online part-time jobs for students:

1. Freelancer 

Average Salary: $40,000 - $70,000

If you are a student and need one of the highest-paying part-time jobs that give you the freedom to choose your work hours, you should try freelancing. In today's time, almost all industries across the globe need textual and video content, visual graphics, and websites. Many companies outsource such requirements and thus need freelance writers, video editors, graphic designers and web developers. The heavy demand for these skills in the marketplace paves the way for numerous opportunities and gigs for freelancers, making it easier for them to find work and make money.

2. Virtual Assistant

Average Salary: $30,000 - $50,000

A virtual assistant is an independent, contract-based service provider providing specific services to clients. The work is mostly administrative and needs management skills to a certain extent. Like freelancing, being a virtual assistant gives you more flexibility with your schedule as you work from home while collaborating with your clients. The services you can provide as a virtual assistant can be anything from handling customer feedback to accountancy, and bookkeeping, to even content marketing services, depending on the requirements of your contract. You can easily make around $10 - $30 per hour as a virtual assistant making it one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students.

3. Social Media Manager 

Average Salary: $50,000 - $70,000

According to data from reputable sources like Statista and other digital market research firms, the number of active social media users globally was projected to reach approximately 4.9 billion in 2023. That's more than half of the world's population! In such a scenario where the world is right in the middle of complete digitisation, it is natural that businesses have understood the importance of their social media presence. As a student, you can benefit from this market need by working as a social media manager, one of the highest-paying part-time jobs.

If you are an avid social media user, understand the latest trends and are enthusiastic about keeping up with them, a job as a social media manager can be perfect for you. Social media management can be flexible and convenient, and you can also make around $15 - $35 per hour.

4. Tutor 

Average Salary: $35,000 - $60,000

Tutoring can be a great and one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students. Tutoring is convenient, flexible, and a good way to practise academic skills. Since you are teaching, you are also brushing up your knowledge and skills, reinforcing what you have already learnt. Online tutoring, on the other hand, can be an even better job experience since you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

This can help you save on the energy and money you would've spent travelling to your students. Start by identifying your strengths in specific subjects and consider gaining some experience by helping peers or volunteering for becoming a tutor and getting most of this job. Read our blog to find out how to become a tutor as a student. This will expose you to different cultures and backgrounds, helping you develop as a person while making almost $20 per hour! A clear win-win, right?

5. Transcriptionist 

Average Salary: $25,000 - $45,000

Many essential industries, like healthcare, PR, media, entertainment, and academia, require transcription. It is a job where you convert audio files into textual documents. The process is essential in documenting lectures, video editing, and addition of subtitles, etc. To fulfil this demand, industries need skilled transcriptionists who can document accurate data, information and statistics with proper indexing. If you are a student, one of the highest-paying part-time jobs, transcriptionist, can be a very feasible option since the job is somewhat easy, can be done with minimal skills and pays around $12 - $20 per hour. 

6. Online Survey Participant

Average Salary: $10,000 - $20,000

Participating in online surveys can be a simple and quick way to earn some extra cash. Companies and research firms are constantly looking for consumer opinions to improve their products and services. As a student, you can sign up on various survey sites and get paid for sharing your thoughts. The pay can range from $1 to $5 per survey. This can become one of the highest-paying part-time jobs based on your frequency.

7. Content Creator on YouTube or TikTok

Average Salary: $20,000 - $100,000+ (Varies widely)

If you have a knack for creating engaging videos, becoming a content creator on platforms like YouTube or TikTok can be one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students. Depending on your content's popularity, you can earn money through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. While it may take time to build a following, successful creators can make hundreds to thousands of dollars per month.

8. Online Customer Service Representative

Average Salary: $30,000 - $45,000

Many companies hire remote customer service representatives to handle customer inquiries via phone, chat, or email. This job requires good communication skills and a quiet workspace. It offers flexible hours, and you can earn between $12 to $20 per hour, making it one of the highest-paying part-time jobs.

9. Remote Data Entry Clerk

Average Salary: $25,000 - $40,000

Data entry is among the best-paying side jobs that involve inputting information into databases or spreadsheets. It requires attention to detail and basic computer skills. Many companies offer remote data entry positions, allowing you to work from home at your own pace. The pay typically ranges from $10 to $17 per hour.

10. Online Reseller

Average Salary: $20,000 - $70,000+ (Highly variable)

If you have an eye for valuable items, you can become an online reseller. This involves buying products at a low price (from thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces) and selling them for a profit on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, or Depop. With some initial investment and effort in finding the right products, this can be one of the highest-paying part-time jobs.

Offline Part-Time Jobs for Students

Offline jobs can be a great source of exposure, fun and income (of course!) Travelling to your work every day and taking on responsibilities can help you prepare for the real world. Engaging in offline work helps you develop a strong work ethic, enhances your communication skills, and prepares you for future professional challenges. Here are some of the offline part-time jobs for students that can be done offline:

1. Teacher's Assistant 

Average Salary: $20,000 - $30,000

One of the most popular, feasible and highest-paying part-time jobs for college students, a teacher's assistant or TA is a part-time job that doesn't require you to leave your campus! Thus, the job saves your travelling time and energy while giving you a better chance at managing your studies and work simultaneously.

Most university teachers and lecturers hire assistants to help them with their work, including paperwork, planning lessons, handling worksheets, etc. However, the only drawback here is that you already have at least a year of college experience to be a teacher's assistant, which means you cannot be a TA in your first year. You must also have experience in the course or subject you are helping teach and great organisational skills to be successfully hired as a TA.

2. Bartender/Server

Average Salary: $25,000 - $40,000 (including tips)

Among the best part-time jobs for college students, bartender or server is among the most popular. Since the job requires you to work during the nights and weekends, it becomes a practical choice for students who have classes during the day. The job is technically not one of the highest-paying part-time jobs, but the tips you receive can make it a huge amount. With your basic pay and tips, you can earn between $75 and $200 a night. So, if you are in a country with good nightlife, you can make more than this mentioned amount by working long nights on busy weekends. The job will also teach you useful skills for the hospitality industry while allowing you to interact with different types of people daily.

3. Nanny/Governess 

Average Salary: $30,000 - $50,000

Suppose you genuinely like spending time with children and caring for them; being a part-time nanny can be a surprisingly great income source. Since more and more people are opting for dual-income households, parents need to help care for their children. This necessity paves the way for demand for people with care-taking skills. You can make an average of $15 per hour as a nanny. The work might include taking care of the children, cooking for them, entertaining them, picking them up from school or giving them company while the parents are at work. You can charge higher for added responsibilities and flexible working hours, making it one of the most comfortable and highest-paying part-time jobs.

4. Barista 

Average Salary: $20,000 - $30,000

Imagine working in a place that smells like coffee all the time. Who wouldn't like that? If you are too obsessed with coffee, one of the best part-time jobs for students, Barista, can be your dream college job! Fortunately, most cafes, coffee shops and even coffee franchises prefer hiring students. So it is only natural that they offer more flexible working hours, fun benefits, and a basic salary. The job lets you experiment with coffee, interact with different people and serve them their daily dose of caffeine while you make $10 - $15 per hour.

5. Dog Walker 

Average Salary: $15,000 - $30,000

The dream job of every dog-lover, dog walking, is becoming increasingly popular. As more and more millennials have started to prefer pets over children, the demand for skilled, loving, and compassionate dog walkers has increased. Dog walking can be one of the most fun, flexible and best part-time jobs for students as the time commitment is very, and you also get to hang out with many fur babies! You can also combine dog walking with occasional pet sitting to earn additional income.

6. Retail Sales Associate

Average Salary: $25,000 - $35,000

Working as a retail sales associate in a store can be one of the best-paying side jobs. It involves assisting customers, stocking shelves, and handling transactions. This job helps you develop customer service skills and can offer flexible hours. Pay rates vary but typically range from $10 to $15 per hour.

7. Delivery Driver

Average Salary: $30,000 - $45,000

With the rise of food delivery services like UberEats, DoorDash, and Postmates, becoming a delivery driver is a viable high-paying part-time job for students. You can choose your working hours and earn money through base pay plus tips. Depending on the demand and your location, you can make around $12 to $25 per hour.

8. Library Assistant

Average Salary: $25,000 - $35,000

If you enjoy a quiet and organised environment, working as a library assistant can be among the high-paying side jobs. Duties include shelving books, assisting patrons, and managing checkouts and returns. This job is often available on campus, making it convenient for students. Pay typically ranges from $10 to $15 per hour.

9. Fitness Instructor

Average Salary: $30,000 - $50,000

If you are passionate about fitness and have the necessary certifications, working as a part-time fitness instructor can be both rewarding and lucrative. You can teach classes at local gyms, and community centres, or even offer private sessions. The pay can range from $20 to $40 per hour, depending on your expertise and location, making it one of the highest-paying part-time jobs for students.

10. Event Staff

Average Salary: $20,000 - $35,000

Working as event staff for concerts, sports events, or conferences can be an exciting part-time job. Duties may include ticketing, ushering, and providing customer service. This job often offers flexible hours and the opportunity to experience events for free. Pay rates vary but can be around $10 to $20 per hour.

The Importance of Part-Time Jobs for Students

Balancing academics with work can be challenging, but high-paying side jobs offer you valuable opportunities beyond financial benefits. And by engaging in high-paying side jobs you develop essential life skills, gain practical experience, and build a professional network while managing their studies. Here, we delve into why highest-paying part-time jobs are crucial for you and the numerous advantages they bring:

Work doesn't always have to be difficult; it can be enjoyable too. That's exactly what our list of the top 20 best part-time jobs for students aims to showcase. We hope this list helps you discover one of the highest-paying part-time jobs that are not only financially rewarding but also genuinely fun to do. For more insights, don't miss out on our blog on the highest-paying jobs with a psychology degree and if you want to know more about jobs while you are pursuing your engineering degree then read our blog on highest-paying engineering jobs, which could guide your future career decisions.

‍Amber's Ambassador Program

Our Ambassador Program could be the best part time job for students because it is not just about rewards; it's a pathway to upskilling towards success!

By participating in the student ambassador program, you can gain valuable skills in digital marketing, content creation, personal branding, and community management. These skills can turbocharge your career, making you a more appealing candidate for future employers.

Join the ranks of ambassadors who've not only mastered marketing but have also made a real difference in students' lives while enhancing their own career prospects. It's time to start your upskilling journey today and unlock new learning, career development, and monetary opportunities with amber.