Top 6 In-Demand Part-time Jobs for Indian Students in USA

Studying in the USA gives you access to top universities, a mix of cultures, and endless opportunities to grow your career. But for many Indian students, finding a good part-time job is just as important. It helps you manage living costs, gain practical skills, and get valuable work experience in the US job market. Under F-1 visa rules, you can work up to 20 hours a week during classes. Most students work on campus, but you can also explore certain off-campus options with CPT or OPT approval.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top 6 part-time jobs for Indian students in the USA. They cover pay, skills, hours, and why each job is worth your time. Whether you want to boost your resume, meet new people, or earn extra money while studying, you’ll find an option here that works for you.

Part-time Jobs for Indian students in USA:

Library assistant

Library Assistant is among the most accessible part-time jobs in USA for Indian students. The reason being that it’s on-campus, quiet, and timetable-friendly. Most mid-to large-size US universities employ multiple student workers per library unit. That is why vacancies are open for this role in each term. Typical student wages for library assistant sit around $13–$18/hour. In big cities the wage is higher. Plus, you get daily exposure to research tools. Below are the key details for students wanting to work as a Library assistant in the USA:

• What you’ll do: Circulation desk help, check-in/out, shelving, basic catalog/database searches, study-room bookings, and printing help.
• Skills that help: Customer service, attention to detail, basic MS Office/Google Workspace, comfort with library systems, clear spoken English.
• Hours & visa fit: 10–20 hrs/week on campus (F-1 compliant during term); more hours often available in breaks (subject to university policy).
• Pay range (typical): $13–$18/hour; busy urban campuses and late-evening shifts sometimes pay higher.
• Why it’s popular: Low physical strain, predictable shifts, quiet environment for study between tasks (when allowed), proximity to academic resources and faculty.
• Peak hiring windows: 3–8 weeks before Fall and Spring start; watch the Student Employment portal and library HR pages.
• Shift variety: Early-morning shelving, mid-day circulation, evening/weekend coverage during exam periods; easy to fit around labs/lectures.

Research Assistant (RA)

RA roles are among the highest-value on-campus jobs in USA for Indian students. It is especially popular among STEM, data science, business analytics, and social sciences field. Departments with external grants typically hire multiple RAs each semester and pay above general campus averages. Typical on-campus RA wage can be around $15–$25/hour. But if the project is data-heavy, it can reach $20–$28/hour in larger metros. Beyond pay, RAs gain publishable experience and access to faculty networks. Following are the key details for students wanted to be a research assistant:

• What you’ll do: Data collection/cleaning, literature reviews, survey/interview setup, IRB paperwork support, lab prep & inventory, coding, produce figures/tables, help with poster/manuscript drafts.
• Skills that help: Academic writing & citations, statistics, Excel/SQL, scripting, lab safety/GLP, version control, and data viz.
• Hours & visa fit: 10–20 hrs/week during term (F-1 compliant on campus); departments may offer additional hours in breaks (subject to university policy).
• Pay range (typical): $15–$25/hour; $20–$28/hour for advanced coding, machine learning, or specialized lab techniques; some grad RAs receive stipends/tuition support.
• Why it’s popular: You get easy access to conference posters/papers, strong faculty recommendations, and directly relevant bullets for internships (analytics, consulting, biotech, policy).
• Timing: Best windows are 4–8 weeks pre-semester and mid-term when projects get new funding. 
• Interview prep: Expect a quick technical screen (read a plot, interpret coefficients, basic lab safety scenario) + availability questions.

Customer Service Representative

Customer Service Representative jobs are one of the most flexible and in-demand part-time jobs in the USA for international students. You can work on campus in areas like housing offices, dining halls, gyms, or IT help desks. Or you can also go off campus to retail stores, cafés, or call centers. These roles help improve your English, build confidence, and develop practical skills that are valuable for internships and future jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for CSRs is around $19/hour, with entry-level positions starting at about $15/hour. In major cities like New York, San Francisco, or Boston, rates can go higher due to cost of living and demand. Below are the important details for students wanting to do part time job as a CSR:

• What you’ll do: Assist customers via phone, chat, or email; process orders and refunds; troubleshoot basic service issues; use POS systems and CRM tools like Salesforce or Zendesk; document customer interactions; support in-store tasks like billing, bagging, and restocking.
• Skills that help: Clear spoken English, active listening, empathy, patience, typing speed (35–50 WPM), multitasking, and familiarity with Google Sheets, Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar tools.
• Hours & visa fit: Up to 20 hours/week during academic terms for F-1 visa students; evening, weekend, or early morning shifts often available; on-campus jobs don’t require extra visa steps, but off-campus roles need CPT or OPT approval.
• Pay range (typical): $15–$18/hour for on-campus CSR jobs; $16–$22/hour for retail or call center roles (with authorization); median U.S. wage: $19/hour (BLS, 2023).
• Why it’s popular: Flexible schedules, no specialized degree required, builds communication and conflict-resolution skills, and sometimes includes bonuses or commissions for meeting performance targets.

Teaching assistant

Teaching Assistant roles are among the most well-paying on-campus jobs in the USA for international students. They are common in STEM, Business, and Computer Science departments. It will allow you to work closely with professors while improving your subject knowledge. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), TA positions typically pay between $14–$25/hour. And TAs often receive stipends or tuition waivers which is a major financial advantage. These roles help you build academic credibility, gain teaching experience, and create strong faculty connections. Below are the key details of working as a part-time teaching assistant in the US:

• What you’ll do: Lead lab or discussion sessions; grade assignments, quizzes, and exams; hold office hours to assist students; proctor midterms and finals; manage and update the LMS (Canvas, Blackboard); prepare slides, handouts, or practice questions; and assist with course-related events.
• Skills that help: Strong subject knowledge (often requires an A grade in the course); clear communication skills; time management; patience; and familiarity with EdTech tools like Zoom, Google Workspace, Canvas, Blackboard, or clicker systems.
• Hours & visa fit: Up to 20 hours/week during the semester for F-1 students; hours often align with your own class timetable, making it easier to manage both work and studies. Graduate TAs may work under semester contracts instead of hourly pay.
• Pay range (typical): $14–$20/hour for undergraduate TAs; $18–$25/hour for graduate TAs (plus possible stipend or tuition waiver). Technical and STEM courses often pay at the higher end.
• Why it’s popular: Competitive pay compared to most other campus jobs, opportunity to strengthen leadership and presentation skills, close interaction with faculty, and a strong resume boost for careers in education, research, consulting, or corporate training.

Tutor

If you’re strong in subjects like math, programming, accounting, chemistry, or English as a Second Language (ESL), you can turn that knowledge into a steady income. Many universities hire peer tutors through their learning centers. While others allow students to work with academic departments directly. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, tutors in the U.S. earn an average of $25/hour, with STEM tutors often making $30–$35/hour.

The flexibility to schedule sessions around your classes makes this role perfect for balancing work and studies. It’s also a resume booster, showing employers that you can explain complex concepts clearly. Plus, it is an essential skill for consulting, finance, teaching, and data-driven careers. Below are the key details of working as a part-time tutor:

• What you’ll do: Conduct 1:1 or small-group sessions; help with homework and problem sets; prepare students for quizzes, tests, or standardized exams; review lab concepts; teach study strategies; and provide feedback on assignments.
• Skills that help: Strong command of your subject area; patience and empathy; ability to simplify difficult topics; effective communication; and comfort with tools like Google Docs, Jamboard, Zoom whiteboards, or other online teaching platforms.
• Hours & visa fit: Flexible 8–20 hours/week, depending on demand and your availability. Sessions are often booked around your schedule, making it easy to manage alongside classes. As long as the role is on campus, it’s fully F-1 compliant.
• Pay range (typical): $18–$25/hour for general subjects; $25–$35/hour for advanced or high-demand areas like engineering, coding, or finance. Certified tutors or those with prior teaching experience may earn even more.
• Why it’s popular: High hourly pay compared to most on-campus jobs; builds teaching, leadership, and analytical skills; great preparation for roles in data analysis, consulting, finance, education, or grad school research; and offers the satisfaction of helping peers succeed.

Campus Ambassador

Campus Ambassador roles are one of the most exciting and creative part-time jobs in USA for F-1 students. They combine marketing, social media, public relations, and event management into a single role. These jobs are often offered by startups, tech companies, lifestyle brands, and even university departments. According to Glassdoor, the average campus ambassador pay in the USA ranges from $12–$20/hour.

There are many roles in this that also offer bonuses, networking opportunities, and performance-based incentives. They’re perfect for students aiming for careers in marketing, product management, brand strategy, or community growth. They allow you to build a real portfolio of campaigns and measurable results while still studying. Following are the key details of campus ambassador:

• What you’ll do: Promote campaigns and events on campus; host and staff information tables; create and manage engaging content for Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn; gather sign-ups for events or trials; coordinate giveaways; report campaign results such as reach, engagement, and conversions; and act as the brand’s on-campus point of contact.
• Skills that help: Public speaking and presentation skills; content creation with tools like Canva or Adobe Express; social media marketing know-how (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts); basic CRM/spreadsheet management; strong networking and relationship-building skills; and creativity for campaign ideas.
• Hours & visa fit: Flexible 5–15 hours/week, often during evenings or weekends to match campus events. For F-1 visa compliance during semesters, the role must be on-campus or university-affiliated.
• Pay & perks (typical): $12–$20/hour; free merchandise or product samples; event budgets; performance incentives; opportunities to attend exclusive brand or networking events; and in some cases, letters of recommendation from marketing managers.
• Why it’s popular: It gives hands-on marketing experience, builds leadership skills, and leaves you with real results (e.g., “Increased sign-ups by 40% in one semester”) that you can showcase in internship or job applications.

Conclusion

Part-time jobs in the USA are more than just a way to make money. They’re a chance to learn new skills, connect with people, and prepare for your future career. Whether you’re helping students as a Library Assistant, doing research as an RA or solving customer issues as a CSR.

To land one of these jobs, start looking early, build a resume that shows your strengths, and use your university’s career services. Pick a job that matches your skills and interests so you can enjoy the work and gain experience that will help you long after graduation.

And if you’re also looking for safe, verified student accommodation in the USA, University Living can help you find the perfect place. It will be close to your campus and within your budget. Start your search today and make your U.S. study journey smoother and stress-free!

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