How Many Hours Will You Work in a Part-Time Job? (2024)

FAQs

How Many Hours Will You Work in a Part-Time Job? ›

Part-time work usually requires fewer than 30-35 hours a week but can vary widely depending on the company, position, and agreement between the employer and the worker. Because of this wide range, searching for a part-time job that meets your schedule needs can be a bit confusing.

However, labeling an employee as part-time does not change the application of FLSA requirements. The IRS, meanwhile, considers a part-time employee to be someone who works less than 30 hours per week or less than 130 hours per month.

It is not necessary to get into the details unless your interviewer asks for additional information. Tell them if certain days or hours don't work for you. Then explain that you are open and ready to work any other time they may need you. Doing so, you demonstrate your will to prioritize your work.

Many part-time jobs consist of 20-30 hours per week. But some jobs offer fewer hours, 10-15 hours per week or less.

If you want to achieve the perfect blend of productivity, happiness, and time affluence, a more realistic goal is to work slightly below 40 hours per week. The research shows that even shaving an hour or two off of the standard 40-hour workweek can have huge benefits, both at work and at home.

What is a part-time job? As the name suggests, part-time workers have fewer hours than a full-time employee. Part-time jobs typically require no more than 35 hours per week, and may be as few as 5-10 hours. Unlike full-time employees, part-time employees are not guaranteed the same number of hours or shifts each week.

A part-time job is sometimes only 20 hours per week or fewer. Part-time jobs generally involve up to 30 hours per week. For jobs between 30 and 35 hours, there is less of a consensus. Some employers consider those to be full-time positions and others consider them part-time.

The average full-time U.S. employee works five days a week for eight hours a day, totaling 40 hours a week. There are 52 weeks in a calendar year. On average, there are 2,080 working hours a year. Only some years have the same number of working days because of the way weekends fall.

Give an honest answer

If you can commit to absolute flexibility or on-call work, tell them. Avoid telling a potential employer that you're always available if you think the position's hours might interfere with prior commitments or home life. Moreover, hiring managers usually understand scheduling conflicts issues.

Is 15 hours enough for part time? ›

Some employers consider anything less than 30 hours per week as part-time employment, while others might define it as 15 or 20 hours a week. While federal labor laws don't impact these definitions, they're important to understand.

You get to decide the best way for you to navigate any given situation—including deciding when it's time to move on from a job. Conventional guidance suggests that you should stay at a job for at least two years.

“Research indicates that five hours is about the maximum that most of us can concentrate hard on something,” says Alex Pang, founder of Silicon Valley consultancy Strategy and Rest and author of several books examining the links between shorter working hours and productivity.

So, how many hours should you work per week? Most research says a little more than 40 hours per week is the sweet spot. But if you can get by with less and still make enough and put out great work, you absolutely should. If it takes a bit longer to produce work that makes you proud, that's alright too.

The average employee works around 8 hours per weekday, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you multiply a week's worth of work by the 52 weeks in a year, you get 2,080 hours. That number doesn't include holidays or paid time off, however.

Generally, full-time employees work 40 hours per week (8 hours per day), while part-time employees usually work 25 hours per week but can work less and more than that. As a general rule, anyone who works more than 34 hours per week should be considered a full-time employee.

There is no state employment law in California that defines part-time work as being less than a certain number of hours.

Some employers consider anything less than 30 hours per week as part-time employment, while others might define it as 15 or 20 hours a week. While federal labor laws don't impact these definitions, they're important to understand.

What is the minimum number of hours for a part-time employee? There's no standard minimum for part-time employees in most states. Part-time employees can work anywhere from one to 29 hours a week. However, it is common to work around 20 hours a week.