Part time jobs in USA assist international students with funding for expensive higher education. International students can pursue either on-campus or off-campus part time jobs while studying in the universities in USA. You can work for 20 hours a week during semesters and full time during vacations or after course completion. Also Explore: Cost of Studying in USA

Currently, the hourly wage of the students employed in part time jobs in USA range between 9 to 17 USD (735 to 1,390 INR). The minimum wage according to the Federal government in the USA is 7 USD per hour. According to the report of monthly part-time employees, 25.09 million people were doing part time jobs in the USA in August 2022. The latest 1-year part time employment statistics of USA is provided in the following table:

Part Time Jobs in USA: Minimum Wages

Currently, the Federal minimum wage in the USA is 7.25 USD per hour. Several states in the USA have distinct minimum wage laws. The consolidated minimum hourly wages of these US states are as follows:

  1. Alaska: $10.34
  2. Arkansas: $11
  3. Arizona: $12.8
  4. California: $14
  5. Colorado: $12.56
  6. Connecticut: $14
  7. Washington DC: $16.1
  8. Delaware: $10.5
  9. Florida: $10
  10. Hawaii: $10.1
  11. Illinois: $12
  12. Massachusetts: $14.25
  13. Maryland: $12.5
  14. Maine: $12.75
  15. Michigan: $9.87
  16. Minnesota: $10.33
  17. Missouri: $11.15
  18. Montana: $9.2
  19. Northeastern United States: $9
  20. New Jersey: $13
  21. New Mexico: $11.5
  22. Nevada: $10.5/ $9.5
  23. New York: $13.2
  24. Ohio: $9.3
  25. Oregon: $13.5
  26. Rhode Island: $12.25
  27. South Dakota: $9.95
  28. Virginia: $11
  29. Vermont: $12.55
  30. Washington: $14.49
  31. West Virginia: $8.75
  32. Virgin Islands of the United States: $10.5
  33. Guam: $9.25

Check Out: Best Student Cities in USA

Best Part Time Jobs for Students in USA: On Campus

In USA, on campus part time jobs for students are the most convenient and easy to find employment options. On campus job options are available majorly across teaching and research, counter sales, library and laboratory assistance. Some of the popular on campus roles in USA and their details are listed in the following table:

Serial Number On-Campus Job Positions Average Salary Per Hour (USD) Job Description
1. Teaching Assistant 11.85 Supervise classroom activities, assist students with studies, leading classes and marking students’ work
2. Book Store Assistant 15 Assist customers, providing required merchandise, keeping account of sales, returns, cash accuracy
3. Library Assistant 13.24 Taking care of books, keeping notes of check in, check out, assisting librarians and training volunteers
4. Research and Study Assistant 15.48 Working on research projects, maintaining laboratory equipments, assisting professors and scientists
5. Department Assistant 16.44 Assisting professors in departmental work, supporting administrative and secretarial job
6. Sales Assistant 20 Selling clothing, groceries and merchandise in stores related to the university
7. Tutor or Peer Mentor 21.31 Teaching and assisting fellow students or juniors with course content and assignments
8. Campus Ambassador 10.94 Promoting the university in front of the prospective students, showing them the benefits, sharing interesting facts and providing guided campus tours
9. Food Runner or Catering Assistant 16.81 Delivering ordered food from the kitchen to customer’s table
10. Barista 11.59 Preparing and serving beverages at the cafes or restaurants on campus
11. Receptionist 13.31 Office and administration support, communicating via phone or email

Best Part Time Jobs in USA: Off Campus

Off campus jobs are comparatively less preferred by students as it might require traveling and negotiation with classes. Students most likely find a suitable off campus job near the university campus. A brief details of the popular off campus part time jobs in USA is tabulated below:

Serial Number Off-Campus Positions Description
1. Office Administration Support Preparing and keeping account of office documents, communicating with customers, scheduling and coordinating meeting
2. Call Centers Respond to customers through inbound and outbound calls, resolve issues
3. Driver Driving and taking care of private and rental cars
4. Babysitter Taking care of babies and infants, providing tuitions
5. Freelancer Various jobs across business, content, graphics, and data
6. Translator Read and translate content from one language to another
7. Store Associate Keeping track of products, ordering for resources, assisting customers

How to Find Part Time Jobs in USA?

Students can look for part-time employment in USA through the following resources:

  • University Career Center: The career centers arrange for various job fairs, career events and regularly update job listings for students.
  • Online Job Portals: The online job portals provide adequate information about job availability based on location, role and shift.

Part Time Jobs in USA: Government Regulations

International students with an F1 visa status can pursue on campus jobs in USA from the first year of study. Students might not be able to pursue off campus jobs in the USA for the first year due to certain restrictions and conditions from the government. F-1 students can start working across the following 3 types of off-campus employment:

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT)
  • STEM Optional Practical Training Extension (STEM OPT)

F-1 students can also work off-campus on a case-by-case basis. This includes special situations like financial crises, natural catastrophes, etc.

Know More:

US Student Visa USA F1 Visa Interview Questions Differences between J, M and F Visa Post Study Work Visa in USA

Curricular Practical Training

The Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a part of the academic curriculum of the international students. Students need a SEVIS authorization for CPT from the Designated School Official (DSO). This authorization is printed on your Form I-20. A student can have more than one CPT authorization at a time.

Explore: OPT vs CPT

Optional Practical Training

An Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment related to the major areas of study of the student. OPT can be subcategorized as pre-completion OPT and post-completion OPT.

Pre Completion OPT: A pre-completion OPT allows students to work for 20 hours in a week while school is in session. Students can work full-time when school is not in session.

Post Completion OPT: Students can apply for a post-completion OPT right after completing their studies. Students pursuing post completion OPT can work full-time or part-time (20 hours a week) depending on their convenience.

Also Check: High Paying Jobs in USA

STEM OPT Extension

Students with a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics can request for a 24-month extension of their post completion OPT. The condition to avail STEM OPT extension are as follows:

  • You must be an F-1 student with an STEM degree listed in the STEM Designated Degree Program List by US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Also Check: STEM Courses in USA

  • You should be employed by an E-verify enrolled employer
  • You must have received an initial grant of post completion OPT employment authorization based on your STEM degree.

Part Time Jobs in USA: Taxes

Noncitizen students in the USA are subject to specific rules for taxation of their income. Students with income partially or totally exempt from tax under the terms of a tax treaty need to file a tax return. Students earning from a taxable scholarship or fellowship grant also need to file a tax return. There is no minimum amount of income required for filing requirements.

Universities in the USA offer many part time job options paying above the average wage based on your earning potential. Part time jobs in USA can earn you around 800 USD (65,310 INR) a month at entry level. This amount can be well utilized in your everyday expenses.