Are you puzzled by the most common question: Can international students work part-time in the USA? The simple answer is yes!
Working alongside education is a usual aspect of international studies. There are various reasons why students prefer doing part- time jobs. Firstly, part-time jobs reduce the financial burden on students and provide them with economic independence.
Especially in countries like the USA where the cost of living is on the higher side, doing part-time jobs gives ease to their expenditure. Secondly, the students gain experience working in the host country and get exposure to the local culture. Also, students gain confidence through the social interactions they experience at the job.
As per the student visa guidelines, students can only work 20 hours a week on campus. In this blog, we will detail all the aspects of Part-Time Jobs for International Students in the USA.
What are the part-time jobs for students in USA
There are two major types of part-time jobs found in the USA. They are on campus part-time jobs and off campus part-time jobs. In both the cases there are numerous opportunities for international students to land in a part-time job in the USA. Here we have listed some of the best part-time jobs for international students in USA.
Part-time jobs for students in USA
International students on an F-1 visa can work on-campus without special authorization. They can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term (when the classes run). They can also work full-time (40 Hours a week) during official school breaks like summer vacation. Per the Visa regulations, F1 students should not work off campus during the first academic year. After the first academic year, they can engage in off-campus employment.
However, on-campus, part-time jobs in the USA are open for all F1 visa students. The average salary for part-time employment in the U.S. is typically around $12 to $18 per hour for entry-level positions, it can be a little higher for specialized jobs like freelancers.
Part-time jobs for F1 students in USA
On campus Part-time jobs in USA
- Library Assistant
A library assistant is supposed to help manage books, assist students, and maintain library resources. The pay ranges from $12- $15 per hour.
- Teaching Assistant (TA)
You are required to assist professors with grading, organizing class materials, and conducting lab sessions. The pay ranges from $15- $20 per hour.
- Research Assistant
As a research assistant you need to support faculty members in academic research related to their field of study. The payout ranges from $15- $25 per hour.
- Campus Tour Guide
A campus tour guide provides tours to prospective students and their families when they reach the university. The pay ranges from $10 - $15 per hour.
- Student Ambassador
As a student ambassador you represent the university at events and assist with recruitment efforts. The pay ranges from $10 - $15 per hour.
- Dining Hall Staff
Work in campus cafeterias or food courts.
- Residence Assistant (RA)
You need to manage dormitory activities and support students living on campus. The pay ranges between $10- $15
Off campus part-time jobs in USA
Off Campus Part-time jobs are for sophomores and above who should have a work permit to take up these. Here are some popular Off campus Part-time jobs in the USA.
- Retail Sales Associate
Retail sales associates work in clothing stores, supermarkets, or electronics outlets. Their job profile demands interacting with customers and selling the products in the store.
- Customer Service Representative
As a customer service representative, you are responsible to handle inquiries and assist customers at call centers or offices. You will get a great exposure to customer service and this can add significantly to your resume too.
- Barista
You can also work in coffee shops like Starbucks or local cafes. These are very popular part-time jobs in the USA.
- Server or Host at Restaurants
As a server one needs to take orders, serve food, and manage guest interactions. There are many restaurants, cafes and hotels that offer server jobs to international students.
- Delivery Driver
Deliver food or packages for companies like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Amazon.
- Freelancer
As a freelancer you can offer services in graphic design, writing, web development, or social media management. It is one of the best part-time jobs for students in USA. These jobs offer flexibility and also the opportunity to work on various projects. It is also one of the highest paying part-time jobs in USA for international students.
USA part-time jobs for students' salary
|
Job |
Pay Range (per hour) |
Location |
|
Library Assistant |
$12 - $15 |
On-Campus |
|
Teaching Assistant (TA) |
$15 - $20 |
On-Campus |
|
Research Assistant |
$15 - $25 |
On-Campus |
|
Campus Tour Guide |
$10 - $15 |
On-Campus |
|
Student Ambassador |
$10 - $15 |
On-Campus |
|
Dining Hall Staff |
$10 - $14 |
On-Campus |
|
Residence Assistant (RA) |
Benefits + $10 - $15 |
On-Campus |
|
Job |
Pay Range (per hour) |
Location |
|
Retail Sales Associate |
$12 - $18 |
Off-Campus (Stores) |
|
Customer Service |
$12 - $18 |
Off-Campus (Call Centers) |
|
Barista |
$11 - $15 (+ tips) |
Coffee Shops |
|
Server/Host |
$10 - $15 (+ tips) |
Restaurants |
|
Delivery Driver |
$12 - $20 (+ tips) |
DoorDash/Uber Eats |
|
Freelancer |
$20 - $50 (depends on skill) |
Remote |
How to find Part-Time Jobs in the USA for Indian Students
-
University Career Centers: All the universities have University Career centers that check on-campus job boards. They assist students in their job search efforts and also professional growth. They provide on campus job listings that include positions like library assistant, teaching assistant, research assistant and more. University Career Center Advisors Provide personalized guidance on job search, interview preparation, and resume building. They also provide career fairs network events which can help potential employers to pick individual candidates.
-
Job Portals: You can utilize many job portals like Indeed, Glassdoor and LinkedIn which provide notifications related to the latest part-time jobs available in your Apart from this, there are many other social media platforms which can help you to navigate in finding a suitable part-time position.
-
Networking: Networking always opens doors to the opportunities that are not openly publicized. Try to connect with your fellow students and professors to understand if there are any job vacancies available in the university. You can also get in touch with the university alumni through social media platforms so that you can get an opportunity to work part-time off campus.
- Local Businesses: Explore nearby stores, cafes, or restaurants. Try to get in touch in person and inquire about the job openings. Local chambers also offer job listings, or they can direct you to the businesses that are hiring.
Conclusion
Adhere to the USA visa guidelines and seek opportunities legally to secure a part-time job in USA. Securing a suitable part-time job in the USA offers valuable opportunities to gain work experience, supplement income, and integrate into the community. Utilize all the resources available to land an appropriate job that enhances your skills and supports your stay in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What are the legal requirements for international students to work part-time in the USA?
- On-Campus Employment: International students with F-1 visas are generally allowed to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Off-Campus Employment: After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in off-campus employment through programs like Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Q. What are the common types of part-time jobs available to international students in the USA?
- On-Campus Positions: Library assistant, teaching assistant, research assistant, campus ambassador.
- Off-Campus Positions (with authorization): Internships related to your field of study, tutoring, retail positions.
Q. What are the typical hourly wages for part-time jobs for international students in the USA?
Wages vary by position and location. Hourly wage ranges from $12- $21, depending on the type of employment.
Q. How can international students find part-time jobs in the USA?
- University Resources: Utilize career services and on-campus job boards.
- Online Platforms: Search on Indeed, LinkedIn, and university portals.
- Networking: Connect with professors, peers, and attend career fairs.
Q. What are the tax implications for international students working part-time in the USA?
- Income Tax: Earnings are subject to federal and state income taxes; filing a tax return is mandatory.
- Social Security and Medicare Taxes: Generally, international students are exempt from these taxes if they are nonresident aliens in F-1 status.
Must Read:
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