Part-time jobs in the USA for International students – Are you an international student who seeks opportunities to enhance your professional career? Several options for part-time jobs in the USA will allow you to gain valuable experiences and insights. Working these jobs can help you gain an academic-work-life balance, which will be extremely useful post-graduation.

Additionally, you can network with people and gain financial independence while working for yourself! Although the living expenses may be high and costly, the USA is a global hub for culture, innovation, research, development, and opportunity. For international students like yourself, work experience in the USA can allow you to gain the skills needed in a professional workplace, as well as a high-quality education. 

Visas and Eligibility – 

SEVP (the student and exchange visitor program)- ensures that government agencies have the required data about non-immigrant students and will approve the F-1 visa. 

• F-1 (on-campus employment): You can apply for an F-1 visa only once a university has accepted your application. As an F-1 student, you can work 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours per week during breaks. This employment form is known as CPT (curricular practical training) and it authorizes international students to work paid jobs and internships on campus.
• F-1 (off-campus employment): You can work for off-campus jobs at least 9 months into the academic year at your university. This is known as optional practical training (opt). You must receive your employment authorization document from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to work for OPT. This usually takes 60-90 days to be approved.

Requirements for opt

1. The job you apply for needs to be related to your major.
2. You must apply for an opt before completing all work towards a degree.
3. You need to maintain a lawful f1 visa status.
4. For undergraduates, you must be enrolled in school full-time and can work full-time once you have completed your course. 

On-campus part-time jobs in the USA for International Students

These jobs allow students to work on the physical institute premises; you must follow your school’s employment rules and regulations. However, you don’t need approval from the USCIS. 

These are some common on-campus part-time jobs in the USA for international and Indian students, including salary

• Library monitor: 13 USD per hour
• Teaching Assistant: 12 USD per hour
• Subject tutor: 21 USD per hour
• Academic department assistant: 16 USD per hour
• Teaching Assistant: 12 USD per hour
• Barista: 11 USD per hour
• Research study assistant: 15 USD per hour
• Campus ambassador: 11 USD per hour
• Receptionist: 13 USD per hour
• Food running/ caterer: 17 USD per hour

More about salary

The salary you earn as an international student will depend on the job; the average part-time salary, however, is 7.25 USD per hour. However, some jobs may pay 15 USD per hour. It is essential to consider your expected salary when applying for a part-time job. Also, each state has its wage law, meaning that how much you are expected to earn is impacted by where you choose to study. 

F1 students must pay tax on

1. Wage
2. Tips
3. Dividends
4. Awards
5. Interest 

How do you find a job- building your portfolio?

Here are some ways to find Part-time jobs in the USA for International students. Let’s look at them one by one.

• LinkedIn: In today’s modern, interconnected world, LinkedIn is the most popular employment hub, bridging the gap between aspiring students like yourself and employers abroad. You can create a LinkedIn profile that will appeal to employers and reflect your potential, achievements, and credibility. Employers usually spend 3-5 minutes looking at your CV, so keep it brief and ensure it highlights your skills well. 
• University websites: Check your university’s website to see if any job applications are available. University faculties often look for students who can take on on-campus jobs. 
• Websites like indeed.com, flexjob, and upwork offer many internships and part-time job opportunities. It is worth noting that these might not always provide a salary and may primarily be available to gain work experience.
• Social networking: Speak to your peers, teachers, or departments at school to learn about part-time jobs you can apply for. 

Online part-time jobs in the USA for International Students

If you seek more flexibility within your schedule and prefer working online, here are some Part-time jobs in the USA for International students to consider:

• Content writer: 23 USD per hour
• Social media manager: 22 USD per hour
• Video editor: 22 USD per hour
• Graphic designer: 22 USD per hour
• Data entry agent: 10 USD per hour
• Translator: 22 USD per hour
• Website developer: 23 USD per hour
• HR recruiter: 21 USD per hour

Exchange Program

Another opportunity to work part-time in the US as an international student is through an exchange program. The global undergraduate exchange program, sponsored by the US Department of State, provides scholarships to international students like yourself. It is a one-semester, non-degree student exchange that allows you to familiarize yourself with the employment culture and gain experience.

How do I apply for the UGRAD exchange program? 

The annual application opens on November 1st and closes on December 15th for students who want to travel the following year. So, if you apply in November 2024, your exchange program will take place in fall 2025 or spring 2026. Interviews occur from January to February, and the selection is completed between March and April. If you want to learn more about the UGRAD exchange program, check out their website!

To participate in the exchange program, international students need to apply for a J-1 visa, also known as the exchange visitor visa. If you have a J-1 visa, you are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week, and full-time work is allowed if you have an academic break/holiday. If you want to work off-campus, this needs to be authorized by the exchange sponsor and host university. Securemyscholarship encourages you to engage in these programs, by offering advice and support if you are keen towards this endeavor! We aim to make this as worry-free of a process as possible. 

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If you are an international student aspiring to work in the USA, so many opportunities are available to you! They can help you become more resourceful and independent, and we can guide you in the best possible direction so that you achieve your goals.

FAQS about part-time jobs in the USA for International Students

Q1. Can I do both CPT and OPT?

• You can work for both CPT and OPT, but not at the same time. 

Q2. How easy is it to find a part-time job as an international student? 

• Several factors can influence the process of finding a job in the US, such as your visa status, language proficiency, job experience, and work authorization. However, if you have adhered to the regulations, it is not exceptionally difficult to get a job as an international student. 

Q3. What grades do I need to apply for a part-time job?

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to work as a student in the US.

Q4. Where in the USA could an international student be paid the highest? 

• As mentioned, the average salary you could be paid varies with the state you are working in. The most popular cities in the USA for part-time jobs are New York, California, Washington, and Massachusetts; it is worth researching the city average employment rates and wages before you apply.