Disclosure: this guide has no affiliate links. Last updated: October 2026. Pay figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 data, published in 2026) and the company or platform pages linked in each section.
The best part-time jobs pay a fair hourly rate, fit around your life and don’t take months of training before your first paycheck. Plenty of people want exactly that: about 22.8 million Americans worked part time by choice in July 2026, on top of 4.9 million who worked part time because they couldn’t find full-time work (FRED / BLS, BLS).
Most lists of good part-time jobs quote pay ranges that nobody can check. This one doesn’t. For every job below, I give the median hourly pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the platform’s own figures, what you need to start, and the catch.
I haven’t worked all 18 of these jobs myself, so I don’t claim personal results. What I’ve done is check every number against its source, so you can compare the best part-time jobs on facts, not hype.
Key Takeaways
- The best part-time jobs for pay need some training. Interpreters and translators earn a median $28.93 an hour and massage therapists $28.10, and both fields commonly offer part-time work.
- You can earn over $20 an hour with no degree. Customer service reps ($21.53), bank tellers ($20.69) and Amazon warehouse staff (about $23 on average) all start with a high school diploma or less.
- Gig work is flexible but check the net pay. Uber drivers earn a median $21.18 an hour before expenses, but most net about $15 to $18 after gas and car costs.
- Some part-time jobs come with real benefits. Starbucks offers health coverage to partners working 20 hours a week.
- Remote part-time work exists, mainly in tutoring, writing, virtual assistance, translation and paid research studies.
The Best Part-Time Jobs at a Glance
Here are the best part-time jobs in this guide, ranked by median hourly pay. Gig and freelance pay depends on your hours and rates, so those figures are estimates.
| Job | Median pay | What you need | Remote? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpreter or translator | $28.93/hr | Fluency in 2 languages, often a degree | Often |
| Massage therapist | $28.10/hr | State license, training program | No |
| Bookkeeper | $24.36/hr | Some college or certificate | Sometimes |
| Amazon warehouse associate | About $23/hr (average) | None | No |
| Fitness trainer or instructor | $22.67/hr | Certification | Sometimes |
| Pharmacy technician | $22.00/hr | High school diploma, training | No |
| Customer service representative | $21.53/hr | High school diploma | Sometimes |
| Uber driver | $21.18/hr gross, about $15 to $18 net | Car, license, background check | No |
| Bank teller | $20.69/hr | High school diploma | No |
| Receptionist | $18.27/hr | High school diploma | No |
| Recreation worker | $17.58/hr | High school diploma | No |
| Dog walker or pet sitter | $17.08/hr (animal caretakers) | Love of animals | No |
| DoorDash driver | $12.43/hr gross (average) | Car or bike, background check | No |
| Online tutor | $35 to $60/hr (Wyzant average price) | Subject knowledge | Yes |
| Freelance writer | You set your rate | Writing samples | Yes |
| Virtual assistant | You set your rate | Organized, reliable | Yes |
| Starbucks barista | Varies by location | None | No |
| Paid research studies | At least $8/hr (Prolific) | A computer | Yes |
Sources: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 medians), Gridwise, Wyzant, Prolific and the company pages linked below.
High-Paying Part-Time Jobs (Some Training Needed)
These are the best part-time jobs if you want the highest hourly rate. Each one needs a skill, a license or a certificate, but part-time schedules are common in all of them.
1. Interpreter or translator
Median pay: $28.93 an hour
Interpreters and translators convert spoken or written words from one language to another. The BLS says “part-time work is common” in this field, and 28% of interpreters and translators are self-employed, so they can set their own schedules (BLS).
The catch: most employers want a bachelor’s degree, and growth is slow (2% from 2025 to 2035). If you’re bilingual but don’t have a degree, freelance subtitle translation is an easier entry point. We cover it in our guide to getting paid to watch videos.
2. Massage therapist
Median pay: $28.10 an hour
Massage therapy is one of the best part-time jobs for pay, partly because the work is physical. The BLS notes that “part-time work is common for massage therapists,” since many can’t give massages eight hours a day, five days a week. Employment is projected to grow 15% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average (BLS).
The catch: most states require a license, which means completing an approved training program and passing an exam before you earn anything.
3. Bookkeeper
Median pay: $24.36 an hour
Bookkeepers record transactions and keep financial records up to date. A small business may need only a few hours of help a week, so bookkeeping can work as a part-time or freelance job. The typical entry requirement is some college, with no degree needed (BLS).
The catch: employment is projected to decline 6% from 2025 to 2035 as software automates more of the work. The BLS still expects about 144,100 openings a year, mostly to replace people who leave.
4. Fitness trainer or instructor
Median pay: $22.67 an hour
If you already love the gym, this is one of the best part-time jobs to turn a hobby into income. The BLS says “many fitness trainers and instructors work variable or part-time schedules that may include nights, weekends, or holidays,” and projects 7% growth from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
The catch: personal trainers usually need a certification before they can work with clients.
5. Pharmacy technician
Median pay: $22.00 an hour
Pharmacy techs help pharmacists fill prescriptions and serve customers. “Most pharmacy technicians work full time, but part-time work is common,” according to the BLS, and the field is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS).
The catch: you’ll need on-the-job training, and many states require registration or certification.
Good Part-Time Jobs With No Degree
These good part-time jobs only ask for a high school diploma, or nothing at all, and several still pay over $20 an hour.
6. Amazon warehouse associate
Average pay: about $23 an hour
Amazon said in 2025 that its regular fulfillment and transportation employees earn an average of $23 an hour, and seasonal workers more than $19, with total compensation over $30 an hour including benefits. It planned to hire 250,000 people in the US for the 2025 holiday season (Yahoo Finance).
The catch: warehouse shifts are physical, and pay varies by location. Seasonal roles end after the holidays.
7. Customer service representative
Median pay: $21.53 an hour
Customer service reps answer questions and solve problems by phone, chat or email. “Although most customer service representatives work full time, some work part time,” the BLS says, and “working from home is also possible in some companies” (BLS).
The catch: employment is projected to decline 5% from 2025 to 2035, but turnover still creates about 289,500 openings a year. Remote customer service jobs attract scammers, so read our FlexJobs review for a safer way to search.
8. Bank teller
Median pay: $20.69 an hour
Tellers handle deposits, withdrawals and customer questions. You only need a high school diploma (BLS), and some tellers work evenings or weekends, which can fit around another job.
The catch: employment is projected to fall 13% from 2025 to 2035 as more banking moves online, so this is a job, not a long-term career bet.
9. Receptionist
Median pay: $18.27 an hour
Receptionists greet visitors, answer phones and schedule appointments. Most work full time, but hospitals and nursing homes need receptionists for evenings and weekends (BLS), which suits people with a weekday job.
The catch: the pay is lower than the jobs above, and growth is flat.
10. Recreation worker
Median pay: $17.58 an hour
Recreation workers run activities at camps, parks, community centers and gyms. “Many work part-time, irregular, or seasonal hours,” according to the BLS (BLS). It’s one of the best part-time jobs for students and retirees who want active, social work.
The catch: summer and school-break demand means hours can be uneven during the rest of the year.
11. Starbucks barista (for the benefits)
Starbucks makes this list for its benefits, not its pay. Part-time partners qualify for health coverage at 20 hours a week, including medical, dental, vision and mental health resources (Starbucks).
The catch: pay depends on your store and city, and early-morning shifts are common.
Flexible Gig Jobs (Pick Your Own Hours)
Gig apps are among the best part-time jobs if flexibility matters more than a steady rate. You choose when to work, but you also pay your own expenses.
12. Rideshare driver
Median pay: $21.18 an hour before expenses
Gridwise, which tracks more than 500,000 drivers, found that Uber drivers earned a median $21.18 an hour in total trip pay in 2025, including tips. After gas, maintenance, insurance and depreciation, it estimates most drivers net about $15 to $18 an hour (Gridwise).
The catch: your car is your biggest cost. Track your miles for taxes, and read our guide to financial planning for gig workers.
13. Dog walker or pet sitter
Median pay: $17.08 an hour (animal caretakers)
The BLS says “part-time work is common” for animal caretakers, and employment is projected to grow 11% from 2025 to 2035 (BLS). On apps like Rover you set your own rates, and Rover keeps a 20% service fee, so you take home 80% of each booking (Rover).
The catch: you’re responsible for someone’s pet, and good reviews take time to build.
14. Food delivery driver
Average pay: $12.43 an hour gross (DoorDash)
Delivery apps let you work in short blocks, even an hour at lunch. But Gridwise data shows DoorDash drivers averaged just $12.43 an hour gross in 2025, well below Uber rides (Gridwise), and that’s before car costs.
The catch: the pay is the lowest on this list once you subtract gas. Use delivery for fast, flexible cash, not as your main income. If daily payouts matter most, see our list of side hustles that pay daily.
Remote Part-Time Jobs
These are the best part-time jobs if you want to work from home. Pay is less predictable, but you skip the commute. For more options, see our guide to remote side jobs.
15. Online tutor
Typical rate: $35 to $60 an hour (Wyzant average price)
Wyzant says the average price for tutoring on its platform is between $35 and $60 an hour (Wyzant). That’s what students pay, and platforms take a share, so your take-home pay is lower.
The catch: you need to build reviews before students book you regularly, and many sessions happen after school hours.
16. Freelance writer
Typical rate: you set it
If you write well, freelance writing is one of the most flexible part-time jobs, because you choose how many projects you take on. Rates depend on your niche and experience. Start with our guide on how to get paid to write and our list of freelance writing websites.
The catch: your first clients take effort to find, and income can be uneven from month to month.
17. Virtual assistant
Typical rate: you set it
Virtual assistants handle email, scheduling, research and admin tasks for busy business owners, usually for a set number of hours a week. It’s one of the best part-time jobs for organized people with office experience. Our step-by-step guide shows how to become a virtual assistant with no experience.
The catch: you’ll need to market yourself until you have steady clients.
18. Paid research studies
Typical pay: at least $8 an hour on Prolific; over $45 per study on User Interviews
Research platforms pay you to answer questions, test products or join interviews. Prolific requires researchers to pay at least $8 an hour (Prolific), and User Interviews says its average study pays over $45 (User Interviews).
The catch: studies are first-come, first-served, so this is extra money rather than a regular part-time job. Read our Prolific review and User Interviews review before you sign up.
How to Choose the Best Part-Time Job for You
The best part-time jobs for you depend on what you need most. Ask yourself four questions:
- Do you need the highest hourly rate? Look at jobs that need training, like massage therapy, translation or bookkeeping. You’ll invest time up front, but every hour pays more later.
- Do you need to start this month? Choose a no-degree job like customer service, warehouse work or bank teller, or a gig app you can join in days.
- Do you need benefits? Some employers, like Starbucks, offer health coverage to part-time workers. Ask about benefits before you accept an offer.
- Do you need to work from home? Tutoring, writing, virtual assistance and research studies are your main options.
If you already work full time, our guide to making extra income while working full time shows how to fit part-time work around a 9-to-5 without burning out.
How to Avoid Part-Time Job Scams
Remote part-time jobs attract scammers. In the first half of 2024 alone, job scam losses reported to the FTC topped $220 million (FTC). Watch for these red flags:
- You’re asked to pay for training, equipment or “starter kits” before you can work
- The offer pays far more than the jobs above for very simple tasks, like liking videos
- The “employer” contacts you by text or WhatsApp out of the blue
- You’re asked to deposit a check and send part of the money back
No legit employer asks you to pay to get paid. If you see any of these signs, walk away.
FAQ
What are the best part-time jobs?
The best part-time jobs balance pay and flexibility. By BLS median pay, interpreters and translators ($28.93 an hour), massage therapists ($28.10) and bookkeepers ($24.36) earn the most among jobs where part-time work is common. With no degree, customer service reps ($21.53) and Amazon warehouse workers (about $23 on average) pay well.
What part-time job pays the most?
Among common part-time jobs, interpreters and translators earn the highest median pay at $28.93 an hour, followed by massage therapists at $28.10, according to BLS May 2025 data. Both need training or credentials. Online tutors can also earn $35 to $60 an hour on platforms like Wyzant, before platform fees.
What are good part-time jobs with no experience?
Good part-time jobs with no experience include Amazon warehouse associate (about $23 an hour on average), customer service representative ($21.53 median), bank teller ($20.69), receptionist ($18.27) and recreation worker ($17.58). Gig apps like Rover, Uber and DoorDash also let you start quickly.
Which part-time jobs offer health insurance?
Starbucks offers health coverage to part-time partners who work at least 20 hours a week, including medical, dental and vision. Amazon says its total compensation, including benefits, exceeds $30 an hour. Always check benefit rules with the employer, because eligibility can change.
What are the best part-time jobs from home?
The best part-time jobs from home are online tutoring, freelance writing, virtual assistance, translation and paid research studies. Wyzant says tutors charge $35 to $60 an hour on average, while Prolific requires researchers to pay at least $8 an hour. Some customer service jobs are also remote.
The Bottom Line
The best part-time jobs aren’t the ones with the flashiest pay claims. They’re the ones that fit your schedule, pay a fair rate after costs and lead somewhere. If you can invest in training, massage therapy, translation and bookkeeping pay the most per hour. If you need money soon, customer service, warehouse work and gig apps get you started in days.
Pick one job that fits your situation and apply this week. And if you want flexible cash alongside it, browse our guide to apps that pay you real money or our weekend side hustles you can start on Saturday.
Related guides
- 15 Best Remote Side Jobs You Can Start From Home (With Real Pay)
- Is FlexJobs Legit? An Honest 2026 FlexJobs Review
Writes and tests every guide on hustle&passive. Everything here is something we have actually run — including the parts that did not work.
