Did you know that you could earn $350 a week working a summer job?
That’s right, many seasonal jobs are available for college students during the summer break. More and more college students take on summer jobs to gain real-world experience and earn extra money on the side!
To help your job search, we have gathered the best summer jobs for college students. We ranked these summer jobs considering criteria like training time, salary, career advancement, and flexibility.
1. Dog Walker
Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
I was shocked when I found out that some people actually pay to walk their dogs.
Here’s the deal: dogs need to walk to get mental stimulation, exercise, and take a “potty break.” However, many dog owners are busy and do not have the time to walk their own dogs. This is where you can propose your service as a dog walker. This is the perfect summer job for lazy college students and the easiest way to make while taking a quick walk in the park!
Job Information
- Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Proven experience working with dogs.
- Preferred: dog walker certification that includes dog first aid and CPR training.
2. Summer Internship
Salary: paid internships can pay up to $20 per hour.
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Summer interns assist the company with tasks set out by various teams, such as research, data capturing and working closely with different team members to learn more about the company.
There are many reasons why most college students want to land a summer internship:
- To gain first-hand, real-world work experience.
- To boost one’s future career.
- To start a professional network before graduating college.
- To get a dream job out of the internship program.
In a nutshell, an internship is like any job but without the financial benefits. You may consider it as unpaid training that provides the same tasks as the actual position. Many college students find internships at international companies with the help of their school, others might land summer internships by contacting local companies.
Job Information
- Salary: paid internships can pay up to $20 per hour.
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Requirements
- Depends on the summer internship.
3. Lawn Mowing
Salary: $19 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 5 hours per week.
Lawn mowing is one of the most popular summer jobs.
Many members of your community might need to get their grass cut. Some employers also hire college students to mow residential or commercial grounds. Lawnmowers are expected to cut lawn riding mower and edge around walks, flower beds, and walls. Some jobs also involve clearing leaves, applying fertilizer, and other general maintenance work.
Job Information
- Salary: $19 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 5 hours per week.
Requirements
- Manual dexterity, physical strength, and stamina.
- Familiarity with lawn care equipment and tools.
4. Outdoor Adventure Guide
Salary: $13 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few weeks.
Workload: at least 8 hours per week.
Outdoor adventure guides are passionate about nature.
They share their passion and conduct activities such as bungy jumping, hunting, mountaineering, and trekking. The goal of these adventures is to provide tourists with an unforgivable experience. The summer break is ideal to find these kinds of adventure jobs!
Job Information
- Salary: $13 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few weeks.
- Workload: at least 8 hours per week.
Requirements
- Preferred: first aid and CPR certification.
5. Bartender
Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few days.
Workload: at least 18 hours per week.
Bartenders are the best when it comes to mixing, garnishing, and serving alcoholic drinks (and even sometimes non-alcoholic drinks).
Bartending is the dream job for many college students who like to party and have fun while making money on the side
Job Information
- Salary: $14 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few days.
- Workload: at least 18 hours per week.
Requirements
- Additional education, training, certificates, or experience may be required.
- Meets state minimum age to serve alcohol.
- Customer service skills.
6. Camp Counselor
Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Camp counselors might seem like the dream summer job.
However, it is not all fun and games. Camp counselors also have many responsibilities:
- Role model: camp counselors assist and motivate children in daily activities.
- Creativity: camp counselors make each of their campers’ summer the most memorable yet.
- Planning: lead and implement fun camp programs for children.
Job Information
- Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Requirements
- Requirement: A high level of maturity.
7. Lifeguard
Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few weeks.
Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Keeping people safe is something to be proud of!
However, being charged with people’s safety is no light matter. This is why lifeguards must be alert at all times and assertive when they see unsafe behavior.
All in all, lifeguarding is an excellent summer job for responsible young adults who are strong swimmers.
Job Information
- Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few weeks.
- Workload: at least 20 hours per week.
Requirements
- Be at least 16 years of age.
- Complete lifeguard training and get a lifeguard certification.
8. Freelance Writer
Salary: between $20 and $100 per 1000 words.
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Freelance writers is a great summer job for college students who want to set their own hours and earn extra money. Freelance writers get paid to write:
- Web content (blog posts, product descriptions, web pages, etc.)
- Video and radio scripts (Youtube video scripts, podcast scripts)
- Emails (marketing emails, newsletters)
- Press releases (for small businesses and online companies)
- Magazine articles
- Newspaper articles
Job Information
- Salary: between $20 and $100 per 1000 words.
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- A good grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- A portfolio that shows excellent writing and editing skills.
9. Pet Sitter
Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Pet sitters take care of pets while their owner is on vacation or traveling for business. They usually work at the pet owner’s home, but pets may also be at the provider’s home or at a pet sitting business. Even though most pet sitting jobs involve dogs and cats, some pet sitters also take care of birds, fishes, and reptiles.
Job Information
- Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- An extensive amount of hands-on experience with the animal in question.
- Preferred: pet first aid and CPR training.
10. Ice Cream Scooper
Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 15 hours per week.
Ice cream scoopers are responsible for greeting customers, maintaining dairy inventory, suggesting flavors, and maintaining the work area clean.
Anything that involves ice cream is a good summer job for a gluttonous college student!
Job Information
- Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 15 hours per week.
Requirements
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
- Preferred: Prior cashier experience.
11. Freelance Photographer
Salary: $17 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few weeks.
Workload: as much as you want.
There are many opportunities to make money by taking pictures:
- Event photography (festivals, weddings, etc)
- Advertising for local businesses (bakeries, kennels, etc.)
- Professional pictures (music bands, influencers, lawyers, etc.)
Job Information
- Salary: $17 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few weeks.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- A portfolio of beautiful pictures.
- Working knowledge of Photoshop.
12. Yard Worker
Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Yard workers are responsible for maintaining the grounds surrounding businesses, public buildings, and private homes.
Their job involves spreading mulch, pulling weeds, planting flowers, mowing the grass, trimming bushes, and running the irrigation system.
Job Information
- Salary: $12 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Preferred: Knowledge of Horticulture and Agronomy.
13. Administrative Assistant
Salary: $16 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few days.
Workload: at least 10 hours per week.
Administrative assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, prepare documents, update administrative databases, and support other staff.
Job Information
- Salary: $16 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few days.
- Workload: at least 10 hours per week.
Requirements
- Usually required: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Preferred: At least one year of relevant work experience.
14. Babysitter
Salary: $18 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few days.
Workload: as much as you want.
Babysitters are responsible for the safety and well-being of children when their parents are away.
Sitters can also take on additional responsibilities (helping with homework, cooking, recreational activities, etc.).
Job Information
- Salary: $18 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few days.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- 18 years of age or older
- Ability to pass a background check
- Preferred: Child care training and/or experience
- Preferred: Driver’s license (some parents want you to pick their kids up from school)
- Preferred: CPR and First Aid certification
15. Barista
Salary: $13 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few days.
Workload: at least 16 hours per week.
Baristas prepare and serve hot and cold drinks such as coffee, tea, artisan, and specialty beverages. Their duties include working with other Baristas to help take orders, make drinks and provide timely service to customers.
Job Information
- Salary: $13 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few days.
- Workload: at least 16 hours per week.
Requirements
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
16. Driver
Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Here are the most popular ways to make money driving cars:
- Driving for Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing companies.
- Delivering food for Uber Eats, DoorDash, PostMates, and other food delivering companies.
- Deliver packages for UPS, FedEx, and other package delivery companies.
Job Information
- Salary: $15 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Required: a driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.
- Required: auto insurance that meets the liability requirements.
- Usually required: 21 years of age or older.
17. Data Entry Clerk
Salary: from as little as $5 up to $25 per hour.
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: as much as you want.
Data entry jobs are exactly what they sound like! They’re jobs that involve entering data, such as:
- Describing or identifying images
- Entering up-to-date prices
- Transcription of audio notes
- Subtitling
- Tagging and annotating data
- You name it!
You are typically asked to perform on-demand tasks that computers are unable to do.
Job Information
- Salary: from as little as $5 up to $25 per hour.
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: as much as you want.
Requirements
- Preferred: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Preferred: Completing a qualifier to validate transcription/subtitling/tagging skills.
18. Fast-food Worker
Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
Training time: a few hours.
Workload: at least 14 hours per week.
Working in a fast-food restaurant isn’t glamorous, but you earn your pay every week/fortnight/month.
There are many different fast-food related jobs:
- Assembling items, such as sandwiches and salads.
- Cashiers
- Customer service
- Restaurant manager and logistics jobs
Job Information
- Salary: $10 per hour (on average).
- Training time: a few hours.
- Workload: at least 14 hours per week.
Requirements
- Preferred: customer service experience.
More Jobs for College Students
Many more part-time jobs are available for college students throughout the year and not only during the summer vacation. To get a few ideas about which job you should choose, I recommend the following articles:
- Best Winter Jobs for College Students
- Best Part-Time Jobs for College Students
- Best Part-Time Jobs for 21-Year-Olds
I hope that these jobs will help you earn extra money and guide you to a better career path.