10 In-Demand Part-time Jobs for Indian Students in USA

What are Part-Time Jobs in USA?

Part-time jobs in the USA are not full-time jobs; these are odd jobs that students can take up while studying across US universities. Part-time jobs are permitted for international students in the USA, with a maximum of around 20 hours a week. Students can earn around USD 10 - USD 25 an hour; thus, they can support their additional peronal expenses with this money. There is a wide range of part-time jobs available in USA for students. Part-time jobs in the USA can be found through university portals or job posting websites. Students must be enrolled for a full-time course to pursue a part-time job in USA. 

Check out some of the most popular part-time jobs in the USA, along with the highest-paying part-time jobs in the USA, in the following sections.

Rules & Regulations for Part-Time Jobs in USA for International Students

International students on a student visa - F1 are allowed to work part time on campus. Applicants who want to work part time in US can do so, but there are some rules and regulations around it. Check them out below:

• On Campus Part Time Work: International applicants on an F1 visa are permitted to work in their university. F1 visa holders do no require additional permission to work part time on campus while studying. These applicants can look for jobs in on campus library, café, administrative offices, etc.

• Off Campus Part Time Work: Here applicants have to take special permission for part time work or internships through CPT. Internship pr part time jobs should be related to the applicants course of study at the US university.*

• Onilne Part Time Jobs: There is no special permission required for jobs like these in US.

*In some cases, where students face financial hardship and cannot make ends meet can also apply for off campus part time jobs. For this, they will need to get permission from USCIS.

Top 10 Highest Paying Part-time Jobs in US for Indians 2026

Applicants can take up on campus part time jobs easily in USA. Here are the 10 most popular and also highest paying on-campus, part-time jobs in USA for students that they can take up at American universities:

These are a few part time jobs in USA for students that are paid highly. There may be other options, applicants must search for the best possible option based on their research and networking.

Part Time Jobs in USA for International Students - Job Description

Based on the part time jobs in USA for students above, here is what these job roles exactly expect their employees to do. 

1. Teaching Assistant

You can apply for these posts if you are devoted to academics because this is one of the most popular part time jobs in USA for students. There are two types of profiles - "teaching fellows" are usually graduate students, whereas, "teaching assistants" could be graduates too but have less formal responsibilities such as handing out and collecting assignments. There are almost no formal openings for this post, so you must network well with your professors for this post.

2. Tour Guide

Campus tours are a popular campus activity in the US among prospective students, applicants, and their parents. Since the American campuses are huge and have many important historic architecture, guided and paid tours are just a way to get to know the campus better. You can take up this job in the second, third or fourth year when acquainted with your campus. In this job, you will directly report to your college's Admissions Department. This job requires you to be outgoing and friendly to give group and personal tours and talk to potential students about all the college offers.

3. Academic Department Assistant

This part time job in USA for students is primarily a clerical job where you must sort and file paperwork. Ask your Head of Department about the opportunities that are available. Departments generally give priority to students within the field. If you work within your department, it is a good chance to make connections and network with professors, along with understanding the functioning of your department.

4. Campus Tech Support

Check with your computer support department for assistant job openings. If you are computer savvy or majoring in a technical field, look for a job at your college's computer centre. All US universities offer tech support to libraries, classrooms, and laboratories, which has become an important job position. Moreover, you will be required to work only in case of emergencies, so during the downtime, you can focus on your academics.

5. Production Assistant

American universities are known for their importance on extra-curricular activities like dances, concerts, comedy shows, and plays. All these events require a lot of backstages and technical work. So, if you're interested in cultural performances, this is a great job that pays well and allows you to watch performances at no cost while you work.

6. Research Study Assistant

The Research Assistant collects information, conducts research, and assists professors with a particular subject. Also another popularly opted part time jobs in USA for students. They also collaborate with other researchers who require research assistants for their projects. This job is particularly relevant and useful for those wishing to pursue a PhD or enter academia later.

7. Barista

Most college students live off coffee, considering sleep a luxury. With so many exciting things happening in their lives, coffee is the most in-demand drink on campuses. If you love coffee yourself, work as a barista, and you will learn a lot about coffee, espresso, tea, and other drinks. You will be given employee discounts that will save a lot of money on coffee cravings.

8. Catering Assistant and Food Runner

Catering assistants can work in university cafeterias and restaurants. These jobs are well suited for students pursuing hospitality courses as they can get hands-on experience in catering. However, this does not mean other students cannot opt for this job. Who wants to miss the smell of freshly baked cookies?

9. Sales

Sales jobs are among the best part-time jobs in the USA for foreigners since they allow international students to interact with others. Not only does it help them make some extra money, but it also allows them to integrate into the new society. Students can work as sales assistants at the campus grocery store, bookstores, clothing stores, etc.

10. University Book Store Assistant 

All universities have a bookstore on campus that sells course books, reference books, works of fiction, and school supplies. It comes with the convenience of being on campus, and you may even get useful employee discounts on books, stationery, or other supplies. You can contact the bookstore manager directly to inquire about job openings.

These are some of the best part-time jobs for students in the USA while studying. Students can also find some of the best part-time jobs based on their interests. These jobs can help applicants recover some part of their cost of living in USA.

Online Part-time jobs in USA for Indians

As per US Labour Report, 34% increase in remote work or online jobs was recorded in US in 2024. Since online jobs are the new in, many students prefer taking them up. International students can also do online part-time jobs in the U.S. Some of the online part-time jobs are:

• Blogger
• Translator
• Web Developer
• Social Media Manager

How to Find Part-Time Jobs in USA?

Finding part time jobs in US can be time-consuming and challenging. But this can be eased if students look for the jobs through the right channel. Some of the resources to find a part-time job are given below:

• These can help you by providing crucial information about the upcoming vacancies and the process to apply for them.
• You can also contact the career services offices at your respective universities to learn about part-time jobs in the U.S.
• If there are multiple departments at your university, chances are that there will be several temporary jobs available at these departments. So, it is best to go around and enquire about the positions.
• It is advised to stay updated with your university’s official website or online community to know about job openings. You can also stay connected with the social media websites like Facebook to know about part-time job openings.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in USA

Other Popular Part Time Jobs in USA for International Students

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal minimum or lowest wage for covered non-exempt employees (like managers or IT professionals) is $7.25 per hour. Let us look at the highest-paying part-time jobs for international students in the U.S.

International students can work on-campus or off-campus based on their choice of job option while studying in the US. There are ample sources to look for part-time jobs in the USA also.