How Many Hours Is Part-Time? [And Best Part Time Jobs] - Arrest Your Debt (2024)

Are you considering working part-time? Curious about the number of hours that make up part-time jobs? Look no further! In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about part-time work, including its benefits, the pros and cons of part-time work, and some of the best part-time jobs that pay well. We’ll also compare part-time hours with full-time hours and other related aspects of working part-time.

Whether you’re a student looking for flexible work, a parent seeking work-life balance, or simply exploring options to supplement your income, understanding the world of part-time jobs is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about part-time employment. From the benefits and drawbacks to the various types of part-time schedules, we’ve got you covered.

Whether you’re seeking a second job, transitioning from full-time to part-time work, or simply exploring new opportunities, this blog post will equip you with the knowledge and insights to navigate the world of part-time employment successfully.

How Many Hours Is Part-Time

Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States, any job requiring less than 35 hours per week is classified as part-time? But here’s the catch: employers have the flexibility to define their standards, which means part-time hours can vary across different companies.

That shows the disparity in the employment sector regarding the number of hours that are regarded as part-time by different employers. For example, the U.S. Department of Labor indicates that most companies consider people working 30 to 40 hours a week full-time and those working less than 30 hours a week part-time.

According to the Affordable Care Act, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) considers people working over 30 hours weekly and over 130 hours monthly as full-time workers.

As noted, the Department of Labor doesn’t provide a legal definition of part-time or full-time employment; it’s the employer’s responsibility to classify their workers accordingly.

In today’s job market, part-time employment has become increasingly popular for those seeking part-time shifts with flexible hours.

What Is A Part-time Job?

A part-time job typically requires fewer hours per week than a full-time job, and the employer determines the employee classification. The number of hours needed for part-time work varies between companies, with some categorizing workers who work less than 30 hours a week as part-time, while others categorize those who work less than 35 or 32 hours.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, any job you can do for less than 35 hours ‌a week is considered a part-time job. However, it does not define precisely what a part-time job means in terms of the number of hours since every employer has different employee classifications of employers based on what they do and the number of hours they work.

Part-time jobs are an excellent option for individuals who require a steady income without a rigid full-time schedule. They offer greater flexibility, allowing you to pursue other interests or invest in your education. However, there are also some cons to consider, such as fewer benefits and less job security.

Pros And Cons Of Part-Time Work Hours

Several benefits come along with working part-time as compared to working full-time. Of course, these benefits affect both employers and employees. However, part-time jobs also have disadvantages for both employees and employers.

Pros Of Working Part-Time Hours

Part-time workers are those employees that have fewer working hours than full-time employees. This comes with benefits that include the following:

Better Work-Life Balance

Employees working part-time will have more time to attend to other life experiences outside the work environment, such as tending to their families and engaging in other activities. This offers them a better work-life balance, and that can alsowork to foster their productivityin the place of work.

Experience

Part-time jobs offer a fantastic opportunity for individuals to gain valuable experience in any field they choose while maintaining flexibility and avoiding full-time commitments. It’s the perfect avenue to explore different industries, develop new skills, and build a diverse resume without the constraints of a full-time position.

Whether you’re a student looking for part-time work with no experience, wanting to balance work and studies, or seeking a more flexible lifestyle, a part-time job opens doors to endless possibilities and valuable learning experiences.

So, embrace the world of part-time employment and unlock your potential today.

Flexibility

There is a sense of flexibility for employees and employers in a part-time arrangement. For example, ‌employees working fewer hours may work on a flexible schedule per the company’s needs or may have shortershifts for the day and the night.

Cost-Effectiveness

A part-time arrangement may work better for the company or employer since it helps cut many costs that come with full-time positions. A full-time employee comes with obligations to the employer. For example, the employer must offer full-time benefits such as salary, retirement programs, sick leave, and other common benefits such as healthinsurance coverage, among other obligations set by ‌labor laws, which do not apply to part-time workers.

Cons Of Working Part-Time Hours

While working part-time has advantages, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks for employees and employers. It’s crucial to weigh the factors when considering part-time work and find the right balance that suits your needs and circ*mstances. Some of the cons of working part-time hours, therefore, include the following:

Workload Stress

Employers may sometimes require part-time employees to handle the same workload as their full-time counterparts, despite working fewer hours per week. This situation can result in part-time workers having similar responsibilities to full-time employees but without access to the same benefits and perks. It’s important for individuals considering part-time employment to be aware of this potential discrepancy and carefully evaluate the employer’s overall compensation package and work-life balance.

Limited Benefits Of Part-Time Work

Part-time workers may not be entitled to the benefits that full-time employees enjoy. These benefits include sick leave days, paid vacation days, access to health insurance, and other benefits.

Poor Work Relationships

In a part-time employee work setup, limited interaction with full-time employees can sometimes create a sense of discomfort and unease between the two groups. This lack of sufficient face time may lead to part-time employees feeling inferior or excluded when working alongside their full-time counterparts, potentially hindering effective teamwork and collaboration.

Employers must foster an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages open communication and equal participation, bridging gaps between part-time and full-time employees to promote a positive work atmosphere for everyone involved.

Part-Time Schedule Stress

Some part-time workers work as per the employer’s arrangement and are sometimes on call. However, this arrangement may not be fixed, and the schedule may vary daily. When this happens, part-time workers may have a challenging outside work life, such as making other living arrangements or traveling.

What Is The Difference Between A Full-Time Job And A Part-Time Job?

The difference between a full-time job and a part-time job is the number of hours worked weekly. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a part-time job is one that you can do for less than 30 hours ‌a week, while a full-time job is one that you can do for more than 30 hours, that is, between 30 and 40 hours per week.

Do Part-Time Employees Get Benefits?

In many companies, part-time employees may receive certain company benefits. Still, they often miss out on crucial perks such as comprehensive healthcare coverage, retirement benefits, and other types of employee insurance typically reserved for full-time employees. While part-time workers may still enjoy some benefits, it’s important to acknowledge that full benefits primarily cater to those in full-time positions.

This disparity in benefits poses a challenge for part-time employees seeking greater financial security and long-term stability, highlighting the importance of understanding the specific benefits package offered by each employer when considering part-time employment.

Common Types Of Part-Time Work Schedules

Part-time work schedules vary from one employer to another. Some have flexible schedules, others have fixed schedules throughout the week, and some have only ‘on-call’ schedules. Some of the common types of part-time schedules include the following:

• Fixed schedule
• Rotating shifts
• Alternate schedule
• On-call schedule
• Irregular shift
• Split shift schedule

What Are Some Of The Best Part-Time Jobs?

A wide range of high-paying part-time jobs are available that don’t necessarily require a university degree. You can secure rewarding part-time positions in various fields with a college diploma or high school certificate. Some of these jobs include, but are not limited to:

Customer Service Representative

If you want to work as a customer service representative, you need to have some people skills and primary education. It may not require a degree, but you are good to go with a high school diploma. It is a job that also earns about$17.91 per hour. Therefore, your earnings will depend on how many hours you have worked per week.

Many companies now hire home-based people for remote customer service representative roles. If you are wondering what some of the best online part-time jobs are, this could be for you.

Delivery Driver

This is another fantastic part-time job that you can do with few requirements. You only have to have a valid driver’s license and perhaps a high school diploma. This job pays well, and you can make about$18.65 per hour. If you need a part-time job that you can do on your own schedule, you can become a delivery driver to make money quickly.

You can work as a delivery driver on the weekends or evenings during weekdays to make a decent part-time income, delivering goods to your client’s door in your local area. Various delivery driver services (apps and websites) like Amazon Flex, Instacart, DoorDash, Postmates, and Ubereats hire part-time delivery driver jobs.

With Amazon Flex, you can make $18 – $25 an hour delivering holiday packages and other items in your local area.

Rideshare Driver

Are you looking for a flexible part-time job? Then you can consider working as a rideshare driver if you are over 21 years of age, have your own car, a driver’s license, and a clean background. Rideshare apps or companies like Uber or Lyft let you make money as a rideshare driver.

To get started, you must install the rideshare app of your choice on your smartphone and then sign up as a rideshare driver. When people request a ride through the app on their phone, you can then accept the ride request through the app on your phone.

It is a very flexible job you can do part-time because you can determine when you want to work, meaning you can earn money on your terms. You can also keep 100% of the tips.

Security Officer

Being a security officer is a job that pays well, and you can do it part-time. The role of a security officer, of course, is to guard a business premise, home, or any other place ‌assigned from unauthorized access. According tostatisticsfrom different career companies, this job earns about $16.27 per hour.

Tutor

There are so many institutions that are looking for part-time tutors. This is where you instruct an individual or a small group of students about subject areas you are strong in. For example, you can tutor students on accounting and auditing topics if you are an accountant or an auditor. According to most job boards’ statistics, this can earn an excellent hourly wage of about$27 per hour.

If you have a knack for teaching and want to make money online with a part-time job, consider becoming an online tutor. There are plenty of online tutoring agencies or sites that hire part-time online tutors to tutor their students across the world.

Of course, there are so many other lucrative part-time jobs that you can do. These include being areal estateagent, freelancer, virtual assistant (VA), personal shopper, pet walker, occupational therapist, and many other related jobs.

When Does A Part-Time Worker Become Full-Time?

A part-time employee who has consistently rendered the services as a part-time employee but on a full-time basis is eligible to be considered a full-time employee by the company. In addition, federal and employment labor laws define and protect part-time workers from exploitation by companies.

When that is the case, an employee can seek advice from an employment lawyer to help where the company is reluctant to re-evaluate and classify them as full-time workers who work for additional hours than those required for part-time workers.

Therefore, a part-time employee who has worked consistently for full-time hours is eligible to become a full-time employee when the company re-evaluates the workers’ classifications.

Are Part-Time Workers Entitled To Vacation?

Some employers give their employees time off from work or offer vacation time, whether they are working part-time or full-time. In Ontario, for instance, all employees, regardless of their classification or employment status, are entitled to at least two weeks’ vacation.

However, most states have no federal laws that oblige employers to provide vacation time for their employees.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some questions that many people ask about part-time and full-time jobs:

Final Thoughts

The definition of part-time job hours can vary from one employer to another, with no fixed number of hours universally considered part-time. While some employers may consider less than 35 hours per week as part-time, others may have a maximum threshold of 30 or 32 hours. Additionally, the minimum number of part-time hours can also vary depending on the employer’s policies. It’s important to understand each employer’s specific requirements and expectations when seeking part-time employment.