Top 10 Highest Paying Part-Time Jobs in the USA (2024–2026): $20–$60+/Hour Roles for Students, Retirees & Gig Workers

Physician assistants top the list at $62.74 per hour, followed by consulting managers at $58.71 per hour and tutors ranging $22–$74 per hour, according to FlexJobs 2026 data and Kiplinger 2025. These roles work well for job seekers in the USA--college students, teens, retirees, and gig workers who need flexible schedules, remote work, or no/low experience entry. Most pay $20–$60+ hourly without full-time commitment. Delivery driving offers the fastest start; high-skill options like freelancing fit experienced workers. Keep in mind this advice may not apply in low-demand rural areas or regulated fields that need licenses.

If you've got skills, aim for $30+/hr roles. Need quick entry? Try delivery.

Scroll to the Evidence Pack table for side-by-side hourly pay, entry barriers, and best-fit audiences.

Highest Paying Part-Time Jobs in the USA (2024–2026 Data)

Part-time roles paying $35+/hour lead with professional gigs like physician assistants and consulting managers, per FlexJobs 2026. Tutors hit peaks of $74/hour for specialized subjects (Kiplinger 2025). The sources reviewed didn't include BLS or state-specific wages.

Retirees can leverage experience here, and students can build skills. Older data shows medical roles at $38–$47/hour (Kolabtree 2021, historical)--stick with recent FlexJobs figures since market conditions have changed.

Top Roles Paying $30+/Hour – Professional and Skilled Gigs

Physician assistants earn $62.74/hour part-time, consulting managers $58.71/hour, clinical research managers $39.82/hour, and CPAs $37.62/hour--we're calling $35+/hour "high-pay" (FlexJobs 2026). Field marketing managers reach $43.11/hour in flexible postings.

These suit skilled workers with certifications. Skip them if you don't have credentials like the associate degree and 2-year training physician assistants need (nysmda.com 2025).

Healthcare and Medical Part-Time Opportunities

Part-time physician assistants average $62.74/hour (FlexJobs 2026); BLS confirms high demand (2024). Many roles without degrees need certifications that take 6–24 months (nysmda.com 2025). Historical rates for medical roles ranged $15–$47/hour (Kolabtree 2021, historical).

High demand drives pay, but PRN CNAs face unpredictable shifts (Switchcare 2024). Works best for retirees on evenings or those with training. Pros: flexibility. Cons: shift variability.

Gig Economy and Delivery Driver Pay – Flexible $15–$25/Hour Realities

Delivery via Instacart averages $15–$16/hour, up to $20+ with tips; DoorDash runs similar, needing a 4.2 rating and 80% completion (recent job boards 2025). Bartenders see 18–22% tips or $2/drink (historical, Thrillist 2019); rideshare peaks on weekends (BudgetsAreSexy 2014, historical).

DoorDash has lower barriers than Instacart. Earnings vary 20–37% based on tips and schedule (ParaWorks via Simulateur 2025). Keep your ratings up and target weekends for better results.

Remote and Freelance Side Hustles for Students and Retirees

Virtual assistants earn $15–$30/hour remotely (MyMountainMover 2025); remote roles hit $30+/hour (recent job boards 2025). Retirees average $22/hour, up to $150/hour consulting or $22–$74/hour tutoring (Kiplinger 2025; Rest Less 2025, UK similar).

College students fit no-experience virtual admin; retirees can use expertise evenings and weekends. Don't have tech skills? Try local gigs instead.

One retiree tutored evenings and earned steady income using experience (Kiplinger 2025).

Teen and No-Experience Entry Points – Realistic High-Pay Starters

Teens (16–19, n=20,000+) earn $20.59/hour in customer service, $23.88/hour as automotive techs (Forbes 2025). Lifeguards hit $20/hour with CPR (age 15+); historical averages run $12–$20/hour for babysitting and lifeguard work (Heartland 2022, historical).

Get CPR certified for lifeguard pay bumps; warehouses need you to lift 70lb. Peak rates require training, not just showing up.

Real Estate and Sales Commissions – Boom or Bust Part-Time?

Part-time agents earn $61k–$102k annually (~$30–$50/hour at 20 hours/week, ZipRecruiter via VanEd 2024); 5–6% commission, typical 70/30 split (Remitly 2025). But 75% fail in year 1 (NAR via VanEd 2025); NAR.realtor Stats.

License costs run ~$1,300, and you'll network on weekends (StuartChng 2025). Full-timers outperform part-timers. Skip this if evenings aren't available.

How to Land These Gigs – 5-Step Action Plan

• Got the skills? Target $30+ roles (e.g., healthcare certs take 6–24 months, nysmda.com 2025).
• Search Indeed with "part-time [skill]" (recent job boards 2025).
• Get quick certs like CPR for entry gigs.
• Focus on weekends for rideshare and delivery.
• Negotiate using market data, like "$35/hour based on experience" (recent job boards 2025).

Regional demand varies--no state data covered here.

Evidence Pack

Rating: High (recent, n>500 equiv); Medium (variable/historical).

Pitfalls and When to Skip High-Pay Hype

Real estate sees 75% year-1 failure (VanEd 2025); gig earnings vary 20–37% (Simulateur 2025); PRN shifts stay unpredictable (Switchcare 2024). Historical gig data (like 2014 Uber numbers) may not match today's reality.

No car? Skip delivery. Low-demand area? Avoid real estate. Simpler local options often prove steadier.

FAQ

What are part-time jobs paying $30+/hour in the USA?
Physician assistants ($62.74/hr), consulting managers ($58.71/hr), and CPAs ($37.62/hr) lead (recent job boards 2026). They require certifications or experience; find remote options via job boards.

How much do Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart drivers make part-time?
Averages hit $15–$16/hr, up to $20+ with tips; DoorDash needs a 4.2 rating (TheBudgetDiet 2024). Weekends boost earnings through demand; tips and schedule create variability.

Best part-time jobs for college students or teens with no experience?
Customer service ($20.59/hr, n=20k teens), delivery gigs ($15–$20+), virtual assistants ($15–$30/hr) (Forbes 2025; MyMountainMover 2025). Start by building ratings or basic tech skills.

What certifications for highest-paying healthcare part-time roles?
Most take 6–24 months without degrees, like CNAs; physician assistants need a 2-year associate (nysmda.com 2025). PRN shifts pay premiums but vary in availability.

Real estate agent part-time earnings and failure risks?
$61k–$102k annual (~$30–$50/hr equiv), 5–6% commission (VanEd 2025; Remitly 2025). 75% fail in year 1; requires $1,300 license and evening availability.

Match to Your Schedule

1. How many hours do you have (evenings? weekends?)?
2. What skills or certs do you have (healthcare training? driving?)?
3. Where are you located (urban for gigs?)?

Search Indeed for "$35/hr part-time [your skill]" today. If you're stuck under the $20/hr barrier, get one quick cert like CPR.