30 Best Summer Jobs for College Students and How to Choose One

When books shut and the campus quiets, summer turns into more than a long holiday. It's a stretch of time to earn money, taste new experiences, and nudge your career outside the classroom. Even so, summer gigs differ widely. Some polish hard skills, a few pay well, and the dream roles even let you clock out with an ocean breeze. No matter what you hope to do, a position that fits your plan is probably already waiting.

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List of Summer Jobs for College Students

Every student has different interests and needs, so no single summer gig suits everyone. To help, we've gathered thirty solid options, explained the main tasks for each, and included a rough pay range. Whether you want to beef up your resume or just grab some fast cash, this list has you covered.

See also: How to list education on resume.

1. Lifeguard

If you like the sun, aren't afraid of whistle-blowing, and swim well, guarding a pool or beach is a tried-and-true summer gig. You'll watch over guests, keep the rules, and jump in when trouble spots up. Many pools offer short shifts and plenty of sunburn breaks.

Average Salary: $13–$17 per hour

2. Camp Counselor

Spending days outdoors, leading cheers, and keeping younger campers smiling can be fun if you click with kids. You'll plan hikes, run games, and step in as a big sibling when homesickness hits. The perks include sunsets, smores, and instant stories for years to come.

Average Salary: $300–$500 per week (often includes housing and meals)

3. Retail Associate

Retail jobs are amazing opportunities at malls, outlets, and smaller shops where you will be doing customer service, stocking shelves, and using a cash register. A great job for a student who enjoys conversing with people and is enthusiastic about learning how businesses operate, and retail jobs come in all kinds of shops! 

Average Salary: $12–$15 per hour

4. Barista

Jump into the coffee trade and learn how to make lattes, cappuccinos, cold brews, and all the other interesting drinks with intriguing names you have seen on menus before.  You will work with customers, cash register duties, and keep the shop area clean and in order. Barista work is busy, fast-paced, and yet very entertaining! 

Average Salary: $11–$14 per hour (plus tips)

5. Tutor

If you possess skills in an academic subject like math, English, or science, then being a tutor may be flexible work and a well-paying job. You could do it in-person, or online, while supporting an elementary, middle, or high school student.

Average Salary: $20–$40 per hour

6. Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

If you are an animal lover, then you could get paid to care for an animal while their owner is away. It may be walking a dog, feeding a cat, or just hanging out and enjoying time with someone's furry friend. There are little expectations on you, plus if you have developed your own clientele your hours can give you flexibility. 

Average Salary: $15–$25 per hour

7. Freelance Writer

Online jobs like freelance writing are flexible but require discipline, kind of like the usual E learning pros and cons students deal with. Here, you could just write blog articles, social media captions, or just content for websites. Many gigs are remote and pay per word or per project. 

Average Salary: $20–$50 per article (rates vary based on experience)

Check also: How to start a career in sports writing.

8. Delivery Driver

With apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart driving around will earn you money delivering food or groceries. This job offers maximum flexibility. Work when you want, as long as you have a car, or bike. 

Average Salary: $15–$25 per hour (including tips)

9. Tour Guide

If you live in an area with a lot of tourists and like giving speeches, guiding tours is a fun way to spend summer days and provide more history knowledge to visitors. You will need to be knowledgeable about your local history, and capable of managing groups. 

Average Salary: $14–$20 per hour (plus tips)

10. Food Truck Worker

Assisting in preparing and serving food from a mobile kitchen. This work is fast-paced and physical, requires teamwork, and often includes music festivals, markets, or outdoor events. Free food is often a great perk of this job as well! 

Average Salary: $13–$16 per hour

11. Server or Waitstaff

Serving in a coffee shop or restaurant is a busy, fast-paced job that helps you to improve your skills in communication, multitasking, and stress management. It will keep you on your feet all day, but it is a job in which the ability to remember details is beneficial, and tips can make it worthwhile both financially and emotionally, of course! Serving is a great job for the extroverts who just want to be busy and meet new people.

Average Salary: $3–$5 per hour base (plus $15–$30 per hour in tips)

12. House Painter

Many local companies hire students to assist with home or business painting projects during the summer. It's physical labor, but it will provide you with discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail. Also, you will be spending your days outdoors, and you will be able to see at the end of each day that you have completed some meaningful work. If you do not mind sweating in the summer heat and getting primer and paint on your clothes, it can be quite fun.

Average Salary: $14–$20 per hour

13. Golf Caddy

At golf courses, caddies are hired to assist the golfers by carrying their bags and clubs, offering advice based on course conditions, and maintaining the bags and clubs. It's a physically active job that requires some knowledge of the game, but if you're a fast-paced person and on your feet, it can be a great way to make some money. Most caddies earn more in tips than they do in pay, especially at more upscale courses. 

Average Salary: $15–$25 per hour (plus tips)

14. Warehouse Associate

Warehouse associates commonly pick up, pack, sort, and ship products. They often tend to have consistent schedules with steady hourly wages, often making them enticing work for students looking for insurance. The repetitive manual labor can be incredibly physically taxing. Fortunately, many warehouses offer bonuses, or shift differentials, for performance or night shifts.

Average Salary: $16–$21 per hour

15. Social Media Assistant

If you're attached to Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter, why not get paid for it? Lots of small businesses are looking for students to help with their social media presence during the summer. You will write posts, track post engagement, and sometimes run a paid ad campaign! It is a more modern job; it is creative, it is fast-paced, it is great for a portfolio!. 

Average Salary: $15–$25 per hour

16. Theme Park Attendant

Working at a theme park is not just handing out giant cotton candy! At a theme park, you could be working one of many jobs: operating rides, managing lineups, assisting guests, gift shops, or food stalls. Working at a theme park can be high energy, hot, crowded, and intimidating, but if you want to have fun at work and enjoy socializing with co-workers, it can be one of the most amazing jobs you will ever have! 

Average Salary: $12–$16 per hour

17. Farmhand or Fruit Picker

Working seasonally for a farm can be hard work, but it is a fun way to make money and work outside doing it. You may be asked to plant, weed, harvest, or sort produce. Seasonal farm jobs are common in rural areas and often include accommodation and/or meals as part of the ‘deal' as well. It is honest work, simple work, and teaches patience & perseverance.

Average Salary: $13–$18 per hour

18. Housekeeper or Hotel Staff

Hotels and resorts frequently hire students to assist with housekeeping, laundry, or front desk positions for busy summer travel times. These positions are fast-paced and require a dedication to cleanliness, guest service experience, and teamwork. If you are organized and detail-oriented, this position can help you develop strong hospitality skills.

Average Salary: $12–$17 per hour

19. Photographer Assistant

If you have any level of interest in photography, assisting a local photographer during wedding season, or during event-heavy months is an exciting way to learn. In this position you help the photographer to take part in the planning, set up the gear, manage the lighting, and manage the shoot. You may even have the opportunity to practice some editing along the way. It is a great opportunity, especially because it is creative and can provide practical experience in the field if you are developing a media career.

Average Salary: $15–$20 per hour

20. Event Staff or Festival Crew

In the summer months, we don't have to wait for or be concerned about spring rain; it's outdoor concerts, fairs, and festival season. Event Staff assists with setting up, directing guests, checking tickets, and security checks. This type of work will really appeal to students who enjoy the stamina and pace of working in a large crowd with lots of action, even if it's behind the scenes.

Average Salary: $14–$18 per hour

21. Babysitter or Nanny

Summer vacation means a lot of parents need extra help watching their children while out of school. Babysitting or nannying can vary from a few hours a day to full-time, depending on the family. Most responsibilities include watching children while they play, preparing meals, helping with some light chores, and, in some cases, planning fun activities for them. If you are responsible and patient and like to spend your time with children, this can be a very personal and fulfilling job.

Average Salary: $15–$25 per hour

22. Grocery Store Assistant

Grocery stores are always hiring, especially during the rush of the summer months. You may be stocking shelves, helping customers, bagging groceries, or working the till. It's a steady job with regular hours and best of all; it is ideal for students looking for something routine and with less guesswork. It will also help develop customer service and time management skills that can relate to any job you take in the future.

Average Salary: $13–$17 per hour

23. Landscaper or Groundskeeper

If you like working outdoors in the summer to maintain gardens, lawns and public spaces and you do get your hands dirty, then being a landscaper or groundskeeper may suit you.  You will mow, trim and plant, and in some cases work on irrigation and clean-up projects too. The work can be physically demanding, however it can be rewarding watching the immediate outcome of your work take shape. And don't forget the fresh air!

Average Salary: $14–$20 per hour

24. Pool Cleaner or Maintenance Assistant

Pools require care and maintenance throughout the summer, and some companies may hire seasonal help just to clean filters, balance chemicals, vacuum debris, or check equipment. If you are reliable and not afraid of getting wet or dealing with leaves and bugs, this is a calm but steady option. Much of this work is done alone and is great if you like working independently.

Average Salary: $15–$22 per hour

25. Library Assistant

While libraries might look boring and quiet, they are busy behind the scenes, and summer is often much busier than other times of year - typically because kids and students are in and out frequently. Assistant positions could include shelving books, assisting patrons with finding resources, running events, and working on the front desk or the circulation desk. Library staff operate in a calm environment, and this type of work fits a student's schedule while allowing time to study and allowing for interest in reading, writing, and community service.

Average Salary: $12–$16 per hour

26. Tech Support Intern

If you're studying computer science and/or IT, summer is a prime time to get a tech internship where you might be limited to basic tech support. This might include setting up devices, fixing software issues, keeping a help desk operational, or even troubleshooting a simple issue with a network. Regardless, it's a good way to help get your foot in the door for tech careers, especially if you get some sort of mentorship or ongoing job offers at the end of it!

Average Salary: $18–$25 per hour

27. Tourism Assistant or Rental Agent

In areas with heavy tourism, there are always businesses that require seasonal labor from students to help tourists rent bikes, paddleboards, surf gear, or even cars. You'll engage with visitors, provide local ideas for entertainment, and process payments. This work will keep you occupied and put you in a sociable environment, and often, it involves fun perks like renting equipment for free.

Average Salary: $14–$19 per hour

28. Campus Maintenance Crew

Many colleges and universities on the summer job search will have opportunities for current students looking to get hired as temporary laborers for summer maintenance of residences, classrooms, or common spaces. You may be doing things like cleaning, painting, building furniture, or renovating. They are usually easy jobs to apply for, they will generally have consistent pay, and you usually will keep coming back to campus over the summer.

Average Salary: $13–$17 per hour

29. Online Reseller

If you have a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, consider starting a small reselling business. You will research thrifted or discounted clothing, gadgets, or collectibles to resell on one of the applicable platforms like eBay, Depop, Poshmark, etc. There might be some amount of work upfront and a marketing component [developing an audience on social media], but if you are good at it, then you can develop a successful reselling business right from home and on your own schedule.

Average Salary: Highly variable; $200–$800 per month or more, depending on effort

30. Movie Theater Staff

The summer film season brings big crowds to the theaters, and they often hire extra people to help manage the crowd. You could be selling tickets, working concessions, cleaning the theatres, or even running the projector in some cases. The atmosphere is chill and often provides you with free or discounted films.

Average Salary: $12–$15 per hour

How to Choose a Summer Job with a Quick Guide

Picking a summer gig can feel hairy when a hundred postings flash in front of you. Feeling stuck on which one to grab is normal. Use the simple checklist below to zero in on the option that matters most to you.

• First, ask yourself why you're looking for work. Do you need cash today, skills for tomorrow's resume, or a mix of both? Some roles pay like crazy yet teach nothing. Others slide you a smaller paycheck but hand over real know-how.
• Next, own the hours you can actually give. Can you clock in full-time, squeeze in part-time slots, or only steal a few evening minutes? Clear limits mean you dodge overcommitment- and the burnout that follows.
• Location counts, too. Is the workplace a quick bus ride or a forty-minute traffic nightmare? A friendly couch-and-internet gig can save time, money, and sanity.
• Now think about fit. Choose tasks that lean on your current chops, or stretch them in a way that sparks real learning. The balanced challenge is where genuine growth sneaks in.
• Keep an eye on the long game. Will this role land you on future employers' radar? Even a small-season stint can loop you into useful networks and earn glowing references.
• Finally, remember summer is supposed to feel a bit light. If the daily grind doesn't at least raise a smile, it probably isn't worth the heat.

Keep your outlook plain and clever, nothing flashy. And don't forget, summer gigs build useful social chops. If you're wondering how to make friends in college, this is a perfect launch pad. Teaming up with other people shows you how to talk, solve problems, and pull together skills that stick long after the sunny months are gone.

To Sum Up

Summer breaks aren't long, but the right gig can turn those weeks into pure gold. Whether you shovel cones at the corner stand or log hours in a cubicle, every shift adds a fresh chapter to your story. So choose wisely, show up, and let the season work for you.

And if work plus school feels heavy, EssayPro will help carry the load. Buy an essay; it's that easy. From stubborn essays to panic edits, our writers have your back all summer.

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