How much can I earn working part-time on-campus in the USA while studying, and what are typical job roles?

Not every on-campus job pays the same, and the gap between a basic role and a research or teaching assistantship is large enough that it is worth targeting deliberately rather than taking whichever job opens up first.

Which Jobs Pay More Than the Campus Average

• Library, cafeteria and bookstore roles: among the easiest to find, averaging around USD 15.68 an hour based on August 2026 job market data.
• Research assistant positions: pay considerably more, averaging around USD 20.90 an hour, though availability depends heavily on your department and faculty relationships.
• Teaching and graduate assistantships: particularly relevant for master's students, sometimes combining wages with a stipend or tuition benefit rather than a simple hourly paycheck.

Off-Campus Work Needs a Separate Authorization

On-campus employment is a distinct category from Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training. You cannot simply take an off-campus part-time job on the same basis as an on-campus one, both CPT and OPT require prior authorization tied to your field of study, and CPT in particular usually requires you to have completed one full academic year first.

This Information Is Also Available On

US Department of Homeland Security, Study in the States, F-1 practical training and employment guidance.

My Advice

Think of on-campus income as covering living expenses, not tuition. At USD 15 an hour and 20 hours a week you would gross about USD 15,600 a year if you actually worked every week, which is meaningful for food and personal costs but will not meaningfully dent a US tuition bill. Many advisors also suggest starting with fewer hours, closer to 10 to 12 a week, in your first semester until you have found a sustainable study rhythm, then increasing hours once you are settled.