How many hours per week can I work part-time as an international master's student in the USA during term time, and what is the typical hourly pay?

The rule that trips up most F-1 students is not the hour limit, it is the assumption that any part-time job qualifies. Unlike students in the UK or Germany, F-1 status generally restricts you to on-campus employment by default, and taking an off-campus retail or delivery job without separate authorization such as CPT can jeopardize your status entirely.

On-Campus Work Is the Default, Off-Campus Needs Separate Authorization

During the semester you can generally work up to 20 hours a week, rising to as much as 40 hours during official school breaks, but this applies specifically to on-campus roles: library, dining hall, department assistant, research or teaching assistant positions. Off-campus work requires specific authorization such as CPT or OPT, and you cannot simply take a job at a nearby restaurant or through a gig platform.

What Graduate Assistant and Research Roles Actually Pay

General student hourly work tends to sit around 17 to 25 dollars an hour depending on the university and state, while graduate assistant, research assistant and teaching assistant roles often pay more, commonly 20 to 35 dollars an hour, and specialised technical research positions can reach 30 to 40 dollars an hour or higher at some institutions. At the standard 20-hour cap and 20 dollars an hour, that works out to roughly 1,730 dollars a month before tax.

Why Your Designated School Official Has the Final Say

Your university's international student office, through your Designated School Official, ultimately determines whether a specific job fits within your F-1 work authorization, so confirm with them before accepting any offer rather than assuming a job is permitted just because an employer is willing to hire you.

This Information Is Also Available On

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, practical training and on-campus employment guidance.

My Advice

In my experience, students chase off-campus jobs for the pay difference without realising how serious an unauthorized employment violation can be for their visa status. Prioritise on-campus research or teaching assistant roles early in your first semester, both for the steadier pay and because they build directly relevant experience for your resume after graduation.