Best Paying Jobs for College Students

Finding a job that fits into the busy schedule of a college student while also paying well can be a challenge. However, several positions offer competitive wages, flexible hours, and valuable experience. Here’s a list of the top ten jobs that could be ideal for college students, including job descriptions, responsibilities, and required education where applicable.

Barista

• Average Salary: $11.53 per hour, with potential additional earnings from tips​​.
• Job Description: Baristas prepare and serve coffee and other beverages in cafes or coffee shops.
• Responsibilities: Making coffee, customer service, maintaining a clean work environment.
• Required Education: No formal education required; training is typically provided on the job.

Companion Care Provider

• Average Salary: $13.00 per hour, with some positions paying $15 per hour or more​​.
• Job Description: Companion care providers offer companionship and assistance to the elderly or individuals living alone.
• Responsibilities: Social interaction, light housekeeping, possibly running errands.
• Required Education: High school diploma may be required; specific qualifications can vary by employer.

Library Assistant

• Average Salary: $14.37 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Library assistants help with the daily operations of a library.
• Responsibilities: Assisting patrons, organizing materials, checking books in and out.
• Required Education: High school diploma; some positions may require or prefer some college education.

Transcriber

• Average Salary: $17.97 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Transcribers convert audio recordings into written documents.
• Responsibilities: Listening to recordings, typing out the content accurately.
• Required Education: High school diploma; proficiency in typing and good listening skills are essential.

Fitness Instructor

• Average Salary: $20.77 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Fitness instructors lead exercise classes and provide personal training.
• Responsibilities: Designing fitness programs, teaching fitness classes, ensuring safety during workouts.
• Required Education: Certification in personal training or specific fitness areas; CPR certification may be required.

Book keeper

• Average Salary: $18.85 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Bookkeepers maintain financial records for businesses.
• Responsibilities: Recording transactions, balancing books, preparing reports.
• Required Education: High school diploma; knowledge of bookkeeping software.

Bank Teller

• Average Salary: $14.64 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Bank tellers handle customer transactions at banks.
• Responsibilities: Processing deposits and withdrawals, cashing checks, selling financial products.
• Required Education: High school diploma; on-the-job training provided.

Landscaper

• Average Salary: $15.08 per hour, with potential for higher pay in larger cities​​.
• Job Description: Landscapers maintain and beautify outdoor spaces.
• Responsibilities: Mowing, planting, maintaining gardens and lawns.
• Required Education: No formal education required; on-the-job training provided.

Warehouse Worker

• Average Salary: $15.42 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Warehouse workers manage inventory and fulfill orders in a warehouse setting.
• Responsibilities: Loading and unloading goods, organizing stock, packaging orders.
• Required Education: No formal education required; physical fitness is necessary.

Administrative Assistant

• Average Salary: $17.14 per hour​​.
• Job Description: Administrative assistants support office operations and staff.
• Responsibilities: Data entry, file management, scheduling, general clerical work.
• Required Education: High school diploma; proficiency in office software.

Final Thoughts

These jobs offer more than just a paycheck for college students; they provide opportunities to gain valuable work experience, develop skills, and potentially explore career interests. Balancing work with studies can be challenging, but finding the right job can make a significant difference in a college student’s life, both financially and professionally.

Demographic-Specific Opportunities

• Best Paying Jobs for Women
• Best Paying Jobs for Veterans
• Best Paying Jobs for Teenagers
• Best Paying Jobs for Moms
• See All High-Paying Career Opportunities By Industry

Sources

• Well Kept Wallet: https://wellkeptwallet.com/high-paying-jobs-for-college-students/
• Millennial Money Man: https://millennialmoneyman.com/best-part-time-jobs-college-students/

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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