Many students struggle with how to earn money for college.
Though there are many jobs that offer part-time work, it is difficult to find a job during the school year.
That’s why I’m going to show you the best ways to make money as a student no matter what your class schedule looks like!
This blog post will provide tips on how to make some extra cash while still in high school, college, or even if you’re already out of high school and looking for employment.
Before I get started with the actual listing of ideas, there are a couple of things you should know.
First off, if you are under 18 make sure you get your parent’s permission before accepting any type of employment or doing any sort of work.
Some jobs will require this for legal reasons, but others may require it because your age could affect your performance.
The second thing you should know is that some of these ideas may not be the best options if you are strapped for cash.
If you’re in a lot of debt or need money ASAP, I recommend skipping the ideas that will take some time to start earning or won’t provide a lot of money.
The third thing, this list is NOT all-inclusive!
If you know of any other ways to make money as a student, please share them in the comments section at the bottom of this page so I can add them to the list.
Make Money As A Student – Part-time Jobs
Your first priority with how to make money as a student should be finding part-time work!
That’s because many student jobs will require that you work on weekends, after school, or both.
This isn’t always the case but it can be true depending on what type of place you’re working for and your personal schedule.
1) Babysitting – If you really enjoy spending time with children or have a knack for nurturing them, babysitting is a great way to make money as a student. Make $10+ per hour babysitting children in your neighborhood!
How to: Call up all the parents of kids who go to your school and ask if they need a babysitter for the weekend or after school.
If you don’t have time during the week, wait until summer break or winter break to start offering this service.
2) House Cleaner – If you’re a neat freak and love cleaning, you can offer your house cleaning services to people in your area.
How to: Make a flyer with your name, number, and what you can offer. Put up signs in your neighborhood or pass out flyers to people you know.
You can offer anything from deep cleaning to just changing sheets.
3) Pet Sitter – If you like animals and pets of all kinds, pet sitting may be a good option for you. Love dogs? You could make $20+ per hour taking care of people’s pups while the owners are away on vacation!
How to: Find people in your area who are looking for pet sitters or post flyers with your contact information.
You can even advertise on Craigslist, but be sure to meet them before any type of payment is given.
4) Dog Walker – If you can’t get enough of those wiggly tails and furry faces, dog walking could be a great way to make money as a student.
You can also ask neighbors if they would like someone to walk their pup while they are at work.
5) Dishwasher – This job isn’t going to make you rich or anything, but it is fairly simple and requires no experience. Make $8+ per hour washing dishes in a restaurant kitchen!
How to: Ask your school’s guidance counselor for a list of local restaurants and call the managers to see if they need dishwashers. You can also look on Craigslist under restaurant jobs or even walk around with a notepad taking down names and phone numbers.
6) Fast Food Worker – Not all fast food establishments provide student jobs, but if you’re lucky enough to find a place that does this could be a great option.
How-to: Once again, ask your school’s guidance counselor for a list of local restaurants and start calling the managers.
This is another job where you will have to be persistent so stay on them until they can give you information or schedule.
7) Waiter/Waitress – Similar to fast-food work, not every restaurant offers employment for students.
How to: Look on Craigslist or ask your guidance counselor for restaurants in your area that hire students.
8) Stocker – Retail stores often have night and weekend shifts available for stockers. Make $10+ per hour stocking shelves!
How to: Call your local grocery stores, clothing retailers, and general merchandise stores to ask if they are hiring stockers.
9) Bakery Assistant – If you love baking or know someone that does this could be the perfect job for you! Make $12+ per hour working at a bakery!
If you know someone who works at a bakery, see if they can put in a good word for you or teach you the basics so that you will be ready for an interview.
9) Cashier – If you have experience being a cashier at some point, this may be a great option for you. Some grocery stores and gas stations hire students to work the cash register during busy hours.
How to: If you have a part-time job in retail, see if they can add you to the schedule during Christmas time or other busy holidays when cashiers are needed.
10) Event Staffing – If there’s a big event in your area that requires a lot of staffing, event staff jobs are usually available for people under 18.
How to: Ask your guidance counselor if they know of any events that are looking for student employees.
11) Librarian Assistant – Some librarians have assistants that help them with various tasks. Make $8+ per hour being an assistant librarian!
How to: You can visit your local library with a resume in hand and ask them if they are looking for student employees. If they have an “at-need” list, you can sign up and they will call you when the need arises.
12) Office Assistant – Offices sometimes hire students to answer phones, schedule appointments, or clean up. Make $10+ per hour working in an office!
How to: Look online for private companies that hire students. Call their office and ask if they are looking for student employees.
13) House Sitting – If you love pets and houses, house sitting may be a great option for you. You can make $15+ per hour watching peoples’ homes while they’re away!
How to: Search on Craigslist or take out an ad if you really want to make the big bucks. Just make sure you are available when people need you and be very responsible with their home.
14) Teacher’s Aid – Some schools hire students to assist teachers during the school year.
How to: Call your guidance counselor for a list of schools in your area and inquire about their hiring process.
15) GED Tutor – If you have a college degree and can pass the GED test, you may be able to get paid to teach others how to pass it too.
How to: If you are unemployed, this is a great way to earn money quickly. You can easily find jobs online or wait for people to post on Craigslist under “GED tutoring.”
16) Party Planner – People often throw parties that require planning and hosting. You could hire yourself out for this job and make $20+ per hour!
How to: If you are not sure where to start, see if family or friends have any upcoming events that they would like you to plan.
17) Cartoonist / Caricaturist – If you have a knack for making silly drawings, a caricaturist may be a good part-time job for you.
How to: Find a list of people that would like to hire you online or on Craigslist and charge them for your services. You will need to have the proper equipment as well as be ready to paint at any time!
18) DJ – If you’re musically inclined and can work with a crowd, becoming a DJ is another great way to make money as a student.
How to: Look for bars or clubs that allow DJs to spin music and offer to work there for free. If they like you, they will most likely hire you on a regular basis!
19) Promotional Model – Some stores pay students to help them with advertising and marketing campaigns.
20) Tour Guide – If you’re outgoing and love learning about new places, becoming a tour guide may be right for you. Make $10+ per hour as a tour guide!
How to: Look on Craigslist for jobs in your area. If you don’t mind working even part-time, you can still make some good cash from a tour guide position!
21) Bartender – If you’re over 18 and have experience bartending, this may be a great way to make money. Some bars offer student jobs.
How to: Visit bars in your area and ask if they are hiring. If so, fill out an application and wait for them to call you. You will need a bartender license as well!
22) Dog Walker – People with busy lives often need someone to take their furry friends out for walks while they’re working or away.
How to: Search for dogs on Craigslist or put up your own ad. Make sure you have a leash and treats if needed!
23) Etsy Seller – If you love selling things online, becoming an Etsy seller is one of the best ways for students to make money.
How to: There are so many great online tutorials on YouTube about how to set up an Etsy page for free. From there, you can list items and sell them directly to buyers!
24) Window Cleaner – If you have a truck and ladders, this may be a great job for you. People are always looking for ways to get their windows cleaned without doing it themselves!
How to: Depending on how often you want to work, find homeowners that would like their windows cleaned and offer to do it for free. Once they see your work, they will definitely hire you again!
25) Tailor / Seamstress – One of the best ways to learn how to sew well is by helping others with their clothing. Make $10+ per hour as a tailor/seamstress!
How to: Find a local dry cleaner that doesn’t have a seamstress on staff and offer to sew for them. If they like your work, they will most likely hire you full-time!
26) Camera Operator – If you know how to use a camera and enjoy filming videos, working as a camera operator might be right for you.
How to: There are so many great online tutorials on YouTube about how to be a camera operator – it’s easiest if you know how to use a DSLR but film students can also learn how!
26) Freelance Writer – If you can write well and have your own laptop, becoming a freelance writer is another great student job option.
How to: Sign up on Craigslist or Elance and search for freelance writing jobs. You don’t need any experience in order to do this!
27) Online Tutor – If you can help others with their math, writing, foreign language or science homework, becoming an online tutor is a great way to make money as a student!
How to: There are so many great websites out there that connect students who need help with their homework with tutors. This is often easiest for languages or math!
28) Personal Assistant – Some people crave having someone available for errands and side jobs. You could charge $10+ per hour as a personal assistant!
How to: Find a business near you on Craigslist and offer your services. You don’t need any experience, just a positive attitude!
29) Event Photographer – Some people need help photographing their events. You could assist them for an hour or two and make $20+ per event.
How to: Search for events on Craigslist or Eventbrite. If you have your own camera, this is an easy way to make some extra cash!
30) Delivery Driver – If you have your own car, delivering packages during breaks is another great way to make money as a student—usually $10+ per hour!
How to: Search for delivery jobs on Craigslist or Google “student driver jobs near me.” If you have your own car, this is an easy way to make some extra money.
31) Social Media Assistant – Some people need help with managing their social media. You could charge $10+ per hour to be their assistant!
How to: Search for companies on Craigslist or Elance. It’s easiest if you are familiar with social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – but not required!
32) Children’s Party Entertainer – People often want someone to entertain at children’s birthday parties.
How to: Search for children’s parties on Craigslist or Eventbrite. If you have your own equipment, this is an easy way to make some extra cash!
33) Storyteller – If you have a good imagination and some experience being a storyteller, this may be a great job for you.
How to: Find a local library or bookstore and offer your services. You don’t need any experience, just a positive attitude!
34) Gigs on Fiverr.com – If you have skills or services that others need, you can sell them on Fiverr.com.
How to: Sign up and post an ad about your skills or service. You can do anything from illustrating portraits on Photoshop, to designing logos, writing custom rap lyrics, and more!
Conclusion
You can try some of the above work opportunities or you can share your thoughts about the above job opportunities in the comment section below.