As an international master's student in the USA on an F-1 visa, how many hours can I work on-campus during the academic year and how much can I earn per month?

F-1 rules set a clear ceiling on hours, not on pay, which surprises a lot of incoming students who assume there is a fixed monthly cap. What you actually earn depends entirely on the hourly wage your specific campus job offers.

The Hours Rule

• During the academic year: Up to 20 hours a week while your school is in session.
• During official breaks: Full time work is generally allowed if you are eligible and intend to enrol for the next term.
• Scope: The job must be on campus or qualify as on-campus employment under F-1 rules; ordinary authorized on-campus jobs do not require a separate work permit, but confirm the specific role with your school's Designated School Official before starting.

What You Can Realistically Earn

There is no federal salary cap for on-campus F-1 employment. Using the maximum 20 hours a week, a 12 dollar hourly wage works out to roughly 1,040 dollars a month, while an 18 dollar wage works out to roughly 1,560 dollars a month, and a 25 dollar wage to roughly 2,167 dollars a month. Because universities often calculate pay on a weekly or biweekly basis and you may not work every single week, a realistic planning range is 1,200 to 1,800 dollars a month before taxes for a typical library, research, teaching assistant or dining role paying 14 to 21 dollars an hour.

Common Campus Jobs

Library assistant, research or teaching assistant positions, administrative support roles and dining hall staff are the most common on-campus jobs for international masters students, and research or teaching assistantships often pay above the lower end of the hourly range because they are tied to a specific department budget.

On-Campus Work Is Not Off-Campus Authorization

On-campus employment is a separate category from Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. You cannot take an off-campus part time job simply because you are allowed 20 hours a week on campus; off-campus work generally requires separate authorization under CPT or OPT rules.

My Advice

Do not plan your budget assuming on-campus work will cover a meaningful share of your tuition; it realistically covers part of your living costs at best. Apply for research or teaching assistant roles early in your program since they pay better than dining or retail jobs and often lead to stronger recommendation letters for OPT applications later.