Best Paying Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students

Best Paying Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students. Numerous international students seek part-time employment during college to earn income and acquire work experience without compromising their academic commitments.

Due to their student visa status, international students in the United States often face limitations on job eligibility. If you’re an international student aspiring to work while in university, understanding the available part-time job options is advantageous. This article delves into some of the best-paying potential part-time positions suitable for international students.

What are part-time jobs for international students?

Part-time employment opportunities for international students entail working limited hours under student visas. Due to favourable policies, visa eligibility influences the range of qualifying jobs, prompting many students to seek on-campus positions. These jobs seldom disrupt academic commitments, featuring flexible schedules that accommodate classes and homework, allowing students ample study time. 

Best Paying Part-time Jobs in USA for International Students

1. Usher: Average hourly wage nationwide –  $12.15

Key responsibilities: Ushers assist patrons in finding their seats at sports games, movies, or special events. At college campuses, they may also facilitate seating for guest lectures, theatre productions, and concerts. Ushers welcome guests, validate tickets, and distribute programs and brochures. They may address inquiries and provide information about the building’s restrooms and exits.

2. Culinary Expeditor: Average national pay rate – $13.92 per hour

Main responsibilities: A culinary expeditor is tasked with delivering finished orders to patrons at restaurants or cafes. Coordinating with kitchen staff, they ensure timely order availability, transport meals and drinks to customer tables, and address inquiries about the menu. Given the prevalence of restaurants in colleges and universities, these establishments offer convenient work opportunities for international students residing on or near campus.

3. Coffee Server: Average national wage – $14.02 per hour

Key responsibilities: A coffee server is responsible for crafting and vending specialty beverages like coffee and espresso drinks. Tasks may include receiving and managing customer orders, utilising diverse ingredients to concoct coffee beverages, and maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in equipment and food preparation zones. Baristas at cafes may also handle the preparation of modest food items such as pastries and sandwiches on occasion.

  1. Teaching Assistant: Average national wage – $14.36 per hour

Main responsibilities: Teaching assistants can also be referred to as educational support personnel and aid teachers and professors in managing their classes throughout the academic year. Their duties include supervising students in the professor’s absence, assisting students seeking help with coursework, and grading papers, homework, and tests on behalf of the professors. More experienced teaching assistants may also conduct classes independently, as requested by their overseeing professor.

  1. Server in the dining room: Average national wage – $14.42 per hour

Main responsibilities: A dining room server assists diners throughout their dining experience, including setting up the dining area, assisting customers in placing orders, delivering food, and managing post-meal cleanup. In a college setting, dining room servers may be employed in student dining halls, serving meals to students and addressing their questions about the menu. They may also liaise with kitchen staff to ensure the prompt delivery of meals.

  • Student Ambassador: Average national wage – $14.92 per hour

Main responsibilities: Student ambassadors offer details about their educational institution to potential or incoming students and their families. They may visit nearby high schools to discuss their colleges, assist students in initiating the application procedure, and respond to inquiries about their school experiences. Student ambassadors often advocate for their schools on campus by conducting guided tours and delivering presentations to parents.

  • Front Desk Attendant: Average national wage – $15.48 per hour

Key responsibilities: The front desk attendant manages the reception area in a facility and carries out administrative tasks for the respective company, university, or organisation. Their duties encompass a range of responsibilities, including handling and directing phone calls to appropriate departments, greeting and assisting employees and visitors, completing requested paperwork, retrieving organisational records, and disseminating memos. They may be involved in organising and maintaining the filing systems to ensure efficient storage and accessibility of essential documents.

  • Front Desk Attendant: Average national wage – $15.48 per hour

Key responsibilities: The front desk attendant manages the reception area in a facility and carries out administrative tasks for the respective company, university, or organisation. Their duties encompass a range of responsibilities, including handling and directing phone calls to appropriate departments, greeting and assisting employees and visitors, completing requested paperwork, retrieving organisational records, and disseminating memos. Additionally, they may be involved in organising and maintaining the filing systems to ensure efficient storage and accessibility of essential documents.

  • A representative at a call centre: Average national wage – $16.74 per hour

Key responsibilities: Working at an inbound or outbound call centre, the representative contacts potential customers or the general public. Their tasks include responding to customer inquiries, providing information on specific products or services, or confirming contact details. Additionally, they may transfer calls to the relevant department to ensure callers receive the necessary support.

  • Peer Mentor: Average national wage – $17.06 per hour

Key responsibilities: A peer mentor interacts with and advises incoming students, assisting them in recognising their capabilities. In this capacity, international students may aid fellow international students in adjusting to college life locating beneficial resources and services. They may also assist in establishing academic or career objectives and conducting regular progress assessments to ensure goal achievement.

  • Retail Sales Representative: Average nationwide wage – $17.35 per hour

Main responsibilities: Serving as a retail sales representative involves assisting customers with store purchases. Responsibilities include guiding customers to specific store sections, providing recommendations for products that may interest them, and handling transactions, including purchases and returns. Additionally, the role may address inquiries about the business’s offerings and services.

  • Department Assistant: Average National Wage$ – 18.44 per hour

Main Responsibilities: The role of a department assistant involves handling administrative tasks for a specific academic department in a college or university. Responsibilities include managing front desks, scheduling appointments for students seeking meetings with professors or advisors, and coordinating departmental events like guest lectures and luncheons. Additionally, department assistants may address inquiries from potential students regarding departmental offerings such as available courses.

  • Research Assistant: Average national wage – $19.88 hourly

Responsibilities: Research assistants support professors in academic studies, engaging in diverse research project facets. Tasks include utilising campus resources to investigate specific subjects, collecting materials for the supervising professor’s studies, and maintaining equipment used during studies, such as laboratory tools and technology devices. They also contribute to preparing professors’ work for publication by reviewing and synthesising findings into coherent, accessible written content.

  • Tutor: Average hourly national wage –  $23.94

Main responsibilities: Tutors provide additional support to students struggling in specific subjects or completing assignments. Their duties encompass discussing academic objectives with students, assisting them with assignments, introducing novel study methods, and promoting attentiveness during classes. Some tutors may create lesson plans for regular sessions with students.

How do you find part-time jobs in the USA?

There are many part-time job opportunities in the USA, aking it easy to secure employment. 

Various methods can help you find the perfect job, such as 

  • Connecting with current students on platforms like Facebook, 
  • Seeking guidance from your university’s career services office, 
  • Exploring university employment portals and 
  • Utilising platforms like LinkedIn, CoolWorks, CollegeGrad, Snagajob, Upwork, FlexJobs, Craigslist, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions about Part-Time Jobs in USA

What is the part-time job salary in USA for international students?

International students in the USA can earn part-time jobs with salaries ranging from USD 7.5 to USD 20 per hour.

What is the highest student part-time job salary in USA?

The part-time job salary for students in the USA ranges from 20 USD per hour to 25 USD per hour, with the highest pay falling within this bracket.

What types of part-time jobs are available for international students in the USA?

Numerous part-time employment prospects exist for international students in the United States, including. 

  • On-campus roles like library or teaching assistants, 
  • Off-campus positions such as retail sales associates or food service workers
  • Opportunities for internships or cooperative programs aligned with their field of study.

What are the benefits of working part-time in the USA for international students?

International students in the USA can experience numerous advantages by engaging in part-time work, including supplementing their income to cover living expenses or educational costs, acquiring valuable work experience and skills, establishing a professional network and connections, and bolstering their resume or CV for prospective career opportunities.

Can international students work full-time in the USA after completing their studies?

After finishing their studies in the USA, international students can engage in full-time employment through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program permits students to work within their area of study for a duration of 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields) following their graduation.

How can international students find part-time job opportunities in the USA?

International students in the USA can explore part-time employment avenues through various means, including university career services, online job platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor, networking events or job fairs, and receiving recommendations from professors or peers.

How many hours can international students work part-time in the USA?

During the academic session, international students can engage in part-time employment for up to 20 hours per week and work full-time during breaks, such as summer or winter breaks.

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About Folashade Olawale, M.Ed.

Folashade Olawale is a distinguished education expert and academic consultant with over 12 years of experience in the Nigerian educational sector. She holds a Master's degree in Education from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where she specialized in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. Folashade's expertise encompasses innovative teaching strategies, educational technology, and student engagement. As a passionate advocate for quality education, Folashade regularly contributes insightful articles to Just School News, focusing on educational trends, school management, and student success strategies.