As a master's student, can I work part-time in the USA or Canada and how much can I earn?
08 Oct 2026 · Answered by Honnappa Chandrannavar · 1 min read
Quick Answer
verified
Yes, international master's students can work part-time in both the USA and Canada, under different rules. In the USA, on-campus work is limited to 20 hours a week during semesters. In Canada, you can work up to 24 hours a week off-campus during semesters.
Yes, you can work part-time in both countries as an international master's student, but the rules differ. On-campus jobs in the USA indicatively pay USD 12 to 22 (approx INR 1,162 to 2,130) per hour.
USA
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| On-campus work | Up to 20 hours a week in semesters, full-time during official breaks |
| Off-campus work | Allowed after your first academic year, only with authorization such as CPT or OPT |
| Indicative on-campus pay (varies by employer) | 12 to 22 (approx INR 1,162 to 2,130) per hour |
Canada
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Off-campus work | Up to 24 hours a week in semesters, full-time during breaks |
| On-campus work | No strict hour limits |
| Indicative retail wages (vary by employer and province) | 16.91 to 18 (approx INR 1,150 to 1,224) per hour |
| Indicative tutoring wages (vary by employer and province) | 20 to 40 (approx INR 1,360 to 2,719) per hour |
My Advice
Treat part-time income as a supplement to your funds, not a way to pay the main bills. Rules and wages change, so follow your visa conditions closely to protect your status.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Canada?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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