How Much Does a Part-Time Job Pay in 2026?

[VanEvelyn]

Well, part-time job pay varies widely depending on where you live, the industry you're in, and the specific skills you bring to the table. As of 2026, the federal minimum wage in the United States remains at $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have set their own higher minimums. For example, in California, the minimum wage for some employers is already $16 per hour, while in states like Georgia, it still aligns with the federal rate. This creates a huge range of potential earnings.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a breakdown of average hourly rates for common part-time roles in major English-speaking countries:

Role/Industry	United States (USD)	United Kingdom (GBP)	Australia (AUD)	Canada (CAD)
Retail/Cashier	$12 - $16	£10 - £12	$24 - $28	$15 - $18
Food Service/Server	$11 - $15 (plus tips)	£10 - £13 (plus tips)	$22 - $27 (plus tips)	$14 - $17 (plus tips)
Administrative Assistant	$16 - $22	£12 - £16	$28 - $35	$18 - $24
Tutoring	$20 - $40	£15 - £30	$30 - $50	$20 - $35
Delivery Driver	$15 - $20 (plus tips)	£12 - £16 (plus tips)	$25 - $32 (plus tips)	$16 - $22 (plus tips)
Freelance/Graphic Design	$25 - $50	£20 - £40	$40 - $70	$30 - $55

The key takeaway is that your actual pay depends heavily on local cost of living and labor shortages. In tight labor markets, even entry-level part-time roles are offering higher wages and signing bonuses to attract workers. For instance, a part-time warehouse worker in a major US city might earn $20 per hour, while the same role in a rural area could pay $13. The best strategy is to check job listings on platforms like Indeed or Glassdoor for your specific zip code and industry to see the real-time going rate.

[OGabriella]

In my experience, a part-time job pays anywhere from minimum wage to over $30 an hour. The big difference comes down to specialized skills. For example, my neighbor’s kid makes $15 an hour at a local coffee shop, but I’m a freelance bookkeeper and I charge $45 an hour for my part-time work. If you’re just looking for extra cash, retail or food service is fine. But if you want a meaningful part-time income, learn a trade like coding, graphic design, or even a skilled trade like plumbing. The more you can do, the more you’ll get paid.

[VanJustin]

Honestly, it depends on what you’re willing to do. I’ve seen many part-time roles that pay $10 to $12 an hour, which is barely enough to cover groceries. But if you’re willing to work nights or weekends, the pay often jumps. For instance, overnight stockers at a grocery store near me start at $17 an hour. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a solid way to make money without a degree. The schedule flexibility is the real trade-off for the lower pay compared to a full-time job, but for students or retirees, it works perfectly.

[HarperRose]

I’ve been in the workforce for over 30 years, and I see part-time pay as a reflection of the local economy. In my small town, most part-time jobs are in hospitality or retail, paying $11 to $14 an hour. But I know for a fact that the same job in a big city like London or New York pays much more, though the cost of living eats it up. Don’t just look at the hourly rate. Factor in commute costs, uniform expenses, and whether you get any benefits like a meal discount. A $15 job that’s a 30-minute drive might be worse than a $12 job you can walk to.

[DiTeagan]

The best way to find out the real pay is to look at current job postings in your area. I’ve seen a huge increase in pay for part-time roles this year compared to pre-2020. Especially in logistics and healthcare, where companies are desperate for help. For example, I saw a part-time medical assistant posting for $22 an hour, and a delivery driver for $18 plus tips. The bottom line is you can’t rely on old averages. Check the data yourself. And remember, negotiation is possible. Even for part-time jobs, if you have experience, ask for a dollar or two more. You might be surprised.