How To Get a Summer Job: 30 Summer Job Ideas

From barbecues to baseball games, many people look to take advantage of the nice weather and extra free time during summer months. Not only that, but it’s also the perfect time to pick up a summer job.

Summer jobs can be beneficial for just about anyone. Whether it’s your first job or you’re looking to make some supplemental income, spending your summer working is a great way to beef up your resume and earn some extra cash.

Of course, you may be asking yourself, “How do I get a summer job?” and “Where do I find one?” We have the answers, as we’ve rounded up helpful tips to teach you how to get a summer job and 30 summer job ideas to inspire you on your search, including:

• 1. Tutor
• 2. Camp Counselor
• 3. Personal Trainer
• 4. Sports Coach
• 5. Babysitter
• 6. Lifeguard
• 7. Grocery Store Employee
• 8. Internship
• 9. Customer Host
• 10. Retail Sales Associate
• 11. Dishwasher
• 12. Landscaper
• 13. Handyperson
• 14. Housekeeper
• 15. Pet Caregiver
• 16. Receptionist
• 17. Swimming Pool Servicer
• 18. Rideshare Driver
• 19. Food Delivery Driver
• 20. Mover
• 21. Restaurant Cook
• 22. Barista
• 23. Bartender
• 24. Restaurant Server
• 25. Freelancer
• 26. Library Page
• 27. Car Wash Attendant
• 28. Photographer
• 29. Valet Attendant
• 30. Window Cleaner

Now, let’s get to work.

How To Find Summer Jobs

At first, looking for a summer job may seem like a long process. But no need to sweat. Follow these helpful tips to hit the ground running on your summer job search.

Start Your Search a Few Months Prior

To ensure you’re considered for as many job opportunities as possible, starting your search a few months before your available start date is essential. Many employers begin hiring weeks or months before the position’s start date. Therefore, looking for jobs a few months before you plan on working is a great way to boost your chances of getting hired.

Reach Out to Recruiters

As you look for summer work, recruiters and hiring agencies are a great resource. In addition to getting connected with employers, recruiters can help you find positions that they feel you may be a good fit for. To help build a solid relationship with your recruiter, provide them with a current resume and talk to them about jobs you might be interested in.

Ask Your School About Available Opportunities

If you’re in school, reaching out to a teacher or advisor can help you increase your chances of getting a job out of college. In addition, many companies looking for help during the summer may reach out to local schools to find interested students. Contacting your school is especially helpful if you’re looking for a summer internship.

Look at Job Listing Websites

The internet is another excellent resource for finding summer jobs. To discover available summer positions, check out job listing websites such as:

• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Monster
• ZipRecruiter
• Snagajob

These sites will allow you to easily browse summer job openings based on industry, type of position, and more.

Check for Openings on Company Websites

While job listing sites are a helpful place to find job postings, you can also search for available positions directly on company websites. This is an especially good idea if there is a specific company you’d like to work for, as not all businesses use job listing sites. Be sure to also follow businesses on social media, as they may use their accounts to advertise open positions.

Network With Others

“It’s not what you know, but who you know” is a common phrase for a reason. Reaching out to family and friends is a great way to learn about different opportunities. By networking with others, you may discover available summer jobs before they are even advertised to the public.

Prepare a Solid Resume

Now that you know where to look for summer jobs, it’s important to prepare by creating a resume. No matter what type of summer job you’re looking for, having an organized and up-to-date resume is crucial. When preparing your resume, be sure to include your:

• Contact information
• Professional history
• Education
• Relevant skills

Employers often receive hundreds of resumes at a time, so delivering a clean and professional resume can help set you apart when turning in an application for summer jobs.

Narrow Your Search to Summer Jobs

When scouring through what could be hundreds of job openings, narrowing your search specifically to seasonal positions may help you quickly find jobs that are a better fit. Doing this can also help you avoid jobs that are looking to hire a full-time position rather than just for the summer.

30 Best Summer Job Ideas 

Now that you know how to find a summer job, it’s time to figure out what types of jobs you’d like to apply for. To help you pick from our best summer jobs list, we included average hourly wages from Mint’s salary tool. Please note that these wages may vary based on where you live and the number of hours you work. 

Whether this is your first summer job or you’re looking to start a new career, check out these 30 ideas for summer jobs to help get your gears turning.

See Average U.S. Salaries

1. Tutor

Is there a specific subject or class you’re proficient in? If so, consider becoming a tutor. Many students look for extra help during the summer to improve their academic performance before the next school year starts.

• Starting hourly wage: $11.54 per hour

2. Camp Counselor

Are you looking for a fun summer job with lots of outdoor time? Becoming a camp counselor is a great way to get paid for doing fun activities outside. On top of that, you will oversee campers and provide them with a memorable experience.

• Starting hourly wage: $9.62 per hour

3. Personal Trainer

For another fun summer job idea, channel your inner gym rat and work as a personal trainer. Not only will you be earning money, but you’ll also help positively impact others’ lives.

• Starting hourly wage: $13.94 per hour

4. Sports Coach

If you played sports growing up, you probably know how deeply coaches can impact your life. By spending a summer as a sports coach, you too can make an impact on others. To get summer work as a coach, try contacting schools or summer sports leagues in your area.

• Starting hourly wage: $18.27 per hour

5. Babysitter

If taking care of children is a strong suit of yours, try spending your summer as a babysitter. Working as a babysitter is a great way to make some extra money while giving parents a well-deserved break. To find parents in need of a sitter, consider reaching out to family and friends.

• Starting hourly wage: $9.86 per hour

6. Lifeguard

When you think of great summer jobs, working as a lifeguard is likely one of the first ideas to pop into your mind. If you like spending time outdoors and are a good swimmer, becoming a lifeguard at a beach or pool may be a great summer job for you.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.10 per hour

7. Grocery Store Employee

Working as a grocery store employee might not be as exciting as lifeguarding, but it could still be an excellent fit for a fun summer job. As a cashier or stock person, you can make money and grow your customer service skills.

• Starting hourly wage: $11.78 per hour

8. Internship

If you’re a student or recent graduate, summer internships are an excellent way to gain hands-on experience and develop skills for your resume. Plus, it could lead to a full-time job once you graduate from college. If there are no internships in your area, try looking for a virtual internship.

• Starting hourly wage: Varies by Industry

9. Customer Host

Working as a customer host is a great job in the food service industry. A host is the first person a customer sees when entering a restaurant. As a host, you will manage reservations, seat guests, and answer customer questions.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.82 per hour

10. Retail Sales Associate

Taking a job as a retail sales associate is a great way to sharpen your customer service skills. Whether you’re answering the phone, helping customers, or managing the cash register, you’ll stay busy keeping everyone’s shopping experience running smoothly.

• Starting hourly wage: $11.06 per hour

11. Dishwasher

As a dishwasher, your role will be vital to the success of any bar or restaurant. Working as a dishwasher for the summer is an excellent opportunity to practice valuable work skills, including teamwork, communication, and attention to detail.

• Starting hourly wage: $9.62 per hour

12. Landscaper

If you enjoy mowing your lawn and keeping your outdoor space tidy, becoming a landscaper might be the perfect summer job for you. To find work for the summer, reach out and see if any landscaping companies are hiring or begin searching for clients yourself.

• Starting hourly wage: $12.98 per hour

13. Handyperson

When something breaks in your home, do you call for help or roll up your sleeves and do it yourself? If you choose the latter, you might thrive spending your summer as a handyperson. From fixing drywall to painting, spending your summer as a handyperson is a great way to sharpen your DIY skills.

• Starting hourly wage: $14.66 per hour

14. Housekeeper

If you like keeping things clean, becoming a housekeeper can make a great summer job. To find homes to clean, consider contacting housekeeping companies or family and friends. You can also advertise your services yourself.

• Starting hourly wage: $11.06 per hour

15. Pet Caregiver

If hanging out with animals sounds like the perfect summer day to you, then taking a summer job in pet care may be just what you’re looking for. From taking dogs on walks to keeping up with routine vet appointments, you’ll get to spend plenty of time with your new furry friends.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.10 per hour

16. Receptionist

By taking a summer job as a receptionist, you can quickly boost your customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills. Plus, working as a receptionist is a great way to learn more about a specific company or industry you’re interested in. 

• Starting hourly wage: $12.74 per hour

17. Swimming Pool Servicer

If you live in an area with a lot of pools, finding a summer job as a swimming pool servicer can be a great option, especially for those who enjoy being outdoors. If you don’t have the proper equipment to clean pools on your own, try applying for a job at a local pool cleaning business.

• Starting hourly wage: $14.18 per hour

18. Rideshare Driver

Becoming a rideshare driver is the perfect way to meet new people and explore the city you live in. Plus, if you use an app like Uber or Lyft, you can set your own schedule and work when it’s most convenient for you.

• Starting hourly wage: $18.99 per hour

19. Food Delivery Driver

If you’d rather not have people in your car, working as a food delivery driver may be a better summer job. With all that time spent driving, you’ll have plenty of time to listen to music or catch up on your favorite podcast. If you want more control over your schedule, consider using side hustle apps such as DoorDash or Uber Eats.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.34 per hour

20. Mover

If you don’t mind breaking a sweat on the job, you might enjoy working as a mover. As a mover, you’ll help people move their belongings in and out of their homes. On top of helping others, working as a mover will also require you to stay active, a great way to invest in yourself.

• Starting hourly wage: $12.98 per hour

21. Restaurant Cook

Are you a natural in the kitchen? If so, you can put those skills to good use as a restaurant cook. Even if you aren’t a super experienced cook, working at a restaurant is a surefire way to learn more about cooking and food preparation. Plus, it’s currently one of the fastest growing jobs of the next decade.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.58 per hour

22. Barista

Is the best part of your day the first sip of your morning coffee? If excellent customer service skills accompany your love for coffee, you may make a superb barista! Working as a barista is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about coffee while also learning valuable skills such as communication and customer service.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.34 per hour

23. Bartender

If you enjoy talking to people and working in a fast-paced environment, spending your summer as a bartender may be the perfect summer job. From taking drink orders to mixing cocktails, you’ll never have a dull moment.

• Starting hourly wage: $12.98 per hour

24. Restaurant Server

Working as a restaurant server is an excellent way to build essential work skills, including customer service, teamwork, and communication. Many servers also get tips on top of their hourly wage, making this a desirable job for those looking to make some extra cash.

• Starting hourly wage: $11.54 per hour

25. Freelancer

Did you know that one of your hobbies could become your summer job? Whether you have talents in writing, graphic design, photography, or video editing, chances are you can monetize your services as a freelancer. Like many successful freelancers, you can find clients using online services like Fiverr or Upwork. 

• Starting hourly wage: Varies by Industry

26. Library Page

Working as a library page is a quieter option when it comes to jobs for the summer. As a library page, you’ll be responsible for sorting and organizing books, magazines, movies, and more.

• Starting hourly wage: $9.13 per hour

27. Car Wash Attendant

Spending your summer as a car wash attendant is a great summer job for those looking to work outside. On top of that, you’ll earn some tips that’ll help keep your car spotless all year round.

• Starting hourly wage: $9.86 per hour

28. Photographer

If you love taking pictures, working as a photographer for the summer might be the perfect fit. With the opportunity to work independently, working as a photographer is one of the best jobs for introverts. You can find clients by reaching out to local event venues or advertising your services on social media.

• Starting hourly wage: $14.66 per hour

29. Valet Attendant

Picking up a valet attendant job for the summer is a fantastic idea for those with adequate driving experience. In addition to your hourly wage, many valet attendants also receive tips, making this an easy summer job to earn some extra cash.

• Starting hourly wage: $10.82 per hour

30. Window Cleaner

With the proper supplies and some willing customers, you can spend your summer working as a window cleaner. Be sure to reach out to businesses, family, and friends to help grow your client base.

• Starting hourly wage: $13.22 per hour

Now that you looked through our summer job ideas and their benefits, it’s time to put your knowledge of how to get a summer job to the test and start applying. By choosing a summer job that best fits your needs and interests, you can be well on your way to achieving your long-term financial goals.

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FAQs about finding summer jobs

Before diving into your job search, read through answers to these common summer job questions.