Earning money while studying in the US can be a helpful and rewarding experience for international students. Along with access to top-ranked academic programs in the US, students choosing to work during their studies are exposed to a variety of learning opportunities, cultural diversity, networking prospects, and more!
Read on to learn more about how to earn money as a student in the US — all while staying within visa rules and keeping academics as your top priority.
Benefits of Earning Money as a Student
Many international students choose to earn money while pursuing their US university degree. Here are just a few reasons why:
Extra income — Having a source of extra income can help international students manage daily expenses more comfortably. Whether it is through part-time work, internships, or freelance projects, earning a little money can go a long way in supporting your student life in the US.
Global exposure — Whether you choose to work online or in person, working while studying abroad exposes you to different working environments, people from multiple backgrounds, and opportunities to develop your communication skills, preparing you for careers anywhere in the world.
Skill development opportunities — Working part time as a tutor, teaching assistant, freelancer or in other roles helps students build both technical and soft skills. They learn to communicate clearly, manage time effectively, and solve problems in real-world settings.
Having a well-planned class, assignment, and examination schedule is essential for making sure you can balance work and your studies. It is also very important to ensure you are always following the laws and regulations specified for international students who choose to work in the US, so you can pursue your higher education in the US stress-free!
Is It Possible to Get a Job in the USA as an International Student?
International students can pursue a variety of in-person jobs and opportunities to earn money, and the type of student visa you have will determine your requirements and eligibility for working in the US. For example, students with an F-1 visa can only work for a maximum of 20 hours per week on campus while their academic term is in session.
Similarly, students with a J-1 visa can only work on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Full-time work is permitted during academic breaks and any off-campus work must be authorized by the student’s sponsor and university.
If you are an M-1 visa holder, you may only work in practical training positions after completing your studies. Students can work for a maximum of six months and require a work permit or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to earn money in the US.
Your student advisors and professors can offer support and resources on how to earn money as a student in the US, provide recommendations, and guide you in building your resume and cover letter. Consider also keeping an eye out for jobs from locally posted notices on your university or college’s own job boards to help you find the ideal full-time, part-time, or internship role.
Many employers around the world also post job roles on online recruitment websites to hire a variety of talent from any location. Websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn offer a variety of jobs you can browse. Take your time researching each opening that interests you and carefully review the organization’s requirements, including the role’s responsibilities and hours of work.
9 Best Options to Earn Money as a Student
There are many ways for students to earn money in the US, but finding the right fit depends on your personal interests, academic goals, class schedule, and the opportunities available to you. Here are nine options to help you get started:
1. Work-Study Programs
Work-study programs are government-funded financial aid initiatives that provide undergraduate and graduate students the chance to earn money while studying. Through community service roles and jobs related to your course of study, work-study programs are usually part time and can help with tuition, living expenses, and other education-related costs.
To be eligible for work-study, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Make sure you check the box that indicates you want to be considered for work-study. Consider filling out the form and submitting all required documents as early as possible because jobs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Estimated earning potential: $1,800 to $1,850 per year
2. Campus Jobs
Campus jobs are flexible and rewarding part-time opportunities offered within your university to earn money while studying. On-campus roles often include library assistant, research assistant, student ambassador, or IT assistant, and these types of roles give you the opportunity to work alongside supervisors and coworkers who understand your classwork and exam priorities. Additionally, if you live on campus, you are close to home and don’t have to spend time and money on travelling to work.
Reach out to your student advisor, professors, and colleagues to help you identify and apply for campus jobs that may interest you.
Estimated earning potential: $25,000 to $50,000 per year
3. Paid Internships
Internships are a valuable employment opportunity designed to offer hands-on learning experiences from industry professionals while you build key skills. With paid internships, you would receive financial compensation for the services you provide to the company; these opportunities are often more competitive and limited in number. If your performance during your internship is positive, some organizations may offer full-time employment after the internship concludes or upon your graduation.
Estimated earning potential: $27,520 to $61,167 per year
4. Freelance and Online Services
Freelancing is a self-employment option where students can work on projects for multiple clients without being employed at the organization. For example, a freelance content writer can write articles for a food and beverage company, while also writing scripts and blog content for a media agency. Freelancers have the flexibility to decide which clients they want to work with, how much work to accept, and when to schedule deadlines to complete tasks on time. It is a very flexible way for international students to earn money while they are studying, as you can schedule deliverables and timelines around your class schedules and examinations to ensure you can balance your studies and work.
Online services are similar to freelancing, with the main difference being that students only offer their services over the internet. To earn money online, students use websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru to create profiles that highlight their skills, qualifications, scope of work, experience, and service fees. Common freelance and online service roles include copywriter, graphic designer, SEO specialist, web developer, and more.
Estimated full-time earning potential: $31,000 to $275,000 per year
5. Tutoring and Teaching Online
For international students who are confident and skilled in certain subjects, and good at helping their classmates better understand coursework in those subjects, tutoring and teaching online can be a good way to earn money. You can tutor fellow students, younger kids, and schedule individual or group tutoring sessions online through videoconferencing platforms. Alongside improving your communication skills and boosting your confidence, tutoring gives you the chance to earn money while also strengthening your knowledge in your field of study. You can market your tutoring services through word-of-mouth on campus or post ads online through social media or freelance work platforms.
Estimated full-time earning potential: $31,781 to $100,248 per year
6. Selling Secondhand Items
If you have an interest in developing your ecommerce skills, selling items online can help you develop key employability skills such as marketing, logistics, customer service, and more. You can start by selling things you no longer use, like textbooks, clothes, electronics, or furniture on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and campus groups that make it easy to connect with buyers.
Selling secondhand items is a flexible and low-cost way of earning money, while also gaining insight into an ecommerce environment. Remember to follow safety tips and local rules when conducting ecommerce transactions or shipping items to different locations.
Estimated full-time earning potential: $80,000 to $200,000 per year
7. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
International students who are fond of animals can walk dogs and take care of pets to earn money while studying. Dog walking requires you to take your clients’ dogs for a walk for a specified amount of time, and as a bonus, you can also make additional revenue by recording your steps! Some paid-to-walk apps can reward you with PayPal credits, gift cards, and free merchandise in return for recording your steps through the app.
Pet sitting involves taking care of someone’s pets while they are away. This may include feeding, walking, playing, and sometimes staying overnight to keep the pet company. As of 2024, 66% of US households own a pet, offering many opportunities for international students to secure clients through online websites, pet-sitting forums, and your university notice boards.
Estimated earning potential: $30,725 to $77,733 per year
8. House Sitting
House sitting often involves looking after someone’s home while they are away. This can include basic tasks like collecting mail, watering plants, keeping the house secure, and sometimes caring for pets, too — but the primary responsibility is the home itself. House sitting offers flexible hours, and in some cases, students are even offered free accommodation in exchange for their time and responsibility. You can find opportunities through local community boards, word of mouth, or trusted websites like TrustedHousesitters or HouseSitter.com. House sitting can be a good match for responsible, detail-oriented students who enjoy quiet and independent work.
Estimated earning potential: $25 to $150 per night
9. Babysitting
Babysitting is a popular part-time job for students who enjoy working with children or those who are enrolled in programs such as child development, education, and health care. It is usually flexible and can fit around your class schedule, especially if you choose to accept sessions in the evenings or on weekends.
You can find opportunities through local parent groups, referrals, campus bulletin boards, or trusted apps like Care.com or Sittercity that allow you to set up a profile with your name, photo, experience level, location, and availability. A certification in child care can also help you secure more requests from prospective clients.
Estimated earning potential: $14.46 to $33.92 per hour
The amount of money you can earn from each of these roles depends on many factors, such as hours worked, skill level, number of clients booked, and more. For example, secondhand item sellers’ earnings are based on the number of items sold and the value of each item. Similarly, tutors’ earnings are based on the subject they teach and the number of students they are teaching.
Before accepting any job role, remember to recheck the regulations and conditions for working during your studies or upon graduation, as per your student visa. Following these guidelines is mandatory for maintaining a valid student visa, and ensures your safety and ability to focus on your academic progress while pursuing your degree program.
If you are thinking “how can I earn as a student” and need support in identifying which option would work best for you, consider reaching out to a Shorelight advisor for help navigating the process. Shorelight advisors can offer in-person guidance on how to apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. They will help you find a role that is the best fit for you, so you can earn money while studying in the US.
