Best Paying Summer Jobs for College Students

With summer around the corner, many college students are on the lookout for jobs that not only pad their wallets but also align with their career goals and interests. High-paying summer jobs offer a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, and save money for the upcoming academic year. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten summer jobs for college students, complete with job descriptions, average salaries, and required education where applicable.

Computer Technology

• Average Salary: Starts at about $15 per hour
• Job Description: Involves various IT-related tasks such as computer programming and networking.
• Responsibilities: Freelance work for multiple companies, portfolio building, and real-life skill development in IT.
• Required Education: Interest and experience in IT​​.

Bank Teller

• Average Salary: $12 to $15 per hour
• Job Description: Handling transactions and providing customer service in a bank setting.
• Responsibilities: Cash handling, customer service, and maintaining financial records.
• Required Education: High school diploma, with some positions preferring some college education​​​​.

Waiting or Bartending

• Average Salary: Varies, primarily tip-based
• Job Description: Serving food and drinks in a restaurant or bar setting.
• Responsibilities: Taking orders, serving customers, and ensuring a satisfactory dining experience.
• Required Education: Minimal; on-the-job training provided​​​​.

Child Care

• Average Salary: $12 to $20 per hour
• Job Description: Providing care and supervision for children, often during the summer months when school is out.
• Responsibilities: Organizing activities, preparing meals, and ensuring a safe environment.
• Required Education: Experience with childcare preferred; certifications in first aid and CPR beneficial​​.

Landscaping

• Average Salary: Over $12 per hour
• Job Description: Outdoor work including lawn maintenance, garden care, and landscape design.
• Responsibilities: Mowing lawns, weeding, planting, and maintaining outdoor spaces.
• Required Education: None specified, but physical fitness is essential​​​​.

Ice Cream Shops

• Average Salary: Minimum wage plus tips
• Job Description: Serving ice cream and other treats, often in a tourist-friendly setting.
• Responsibilities: Customer service, maintaining cleanliness, and handling transactions.
• Required Education: Minimal; on-the-job training provided​​.

Camp Counselor

• Average Salary: Over $18 per hour in some places
• Job Description: Supervising and organizing activities for children at summer camps.
• Responsibilities: Leadership, ensuring safety, and providing a fun and educational environment.
• Required Education: Often requires certifications such as first aid and CPR​​​​.

Freelance Writer

• Average Salary: Variable based on assignments
• Job Description: Writing content for various clients across different industries.
• Responsibilities: Research, content creation, and meeting deadlines.
• Required Education: Strong writing skills; a degree in English, Creative Writing, or similar may be beneficial​​.

Transcriber

• Average Salary: $17.97 per hour
• Job Description: Transcribing audio recordings into written documents.
• Responsibilities: Listening carefully to audio recordings and typing them out accurately.
• Required Education: Good listening and typing skills; no specific education required​​.

Fitness Instructor

• Average Salary: $20.77 per hour
• Job Description: Leading fitness classes and personal training sessions.
• Responsibilities: Designing and conducting fitness routines, motivating clients, and ensuring safe exercise practices.
• Required Education: Certification in personal training or specific fitness areas preferred​​.

Final Thoughts

Securing a well-paying summer job can be a significant boost for college students, not just financially but also in terms of gaining valuable work experience and skills. These jobs can vary widely in terms of responsibilities and requirements, so it’s crucial to find one that aligns with your interests, career goals, and summer plans. Whether you’re looking to break into the tech industry, gain customer service experience, or simply enjoy the outdoors, there’s a high-paying summer job out there for you.

Sources

• Money Under 30: www.moneyunder30.com
• Well Kept Wallet: www.wellkeptwallet.com
• Universities.com: www.universities.com
• Premium Schools: www.premiumschools.org

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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