The work week used to be defined as nine-to-five, Monday through Friday. However, today, things are quite different. The gig economy has changed the way we view work.
Some people prefer to take on multiple side hustles instead of one full-time job. For these and numerous other reasons, part-time work is more popular than ever. But can you really make enough working part-time to make it worth the effort?
As these 10 jobs prove, yes, working fewer than 40 hours per week can indeed help you get ahead financially. It's all about finding roles like these, all of which pay at least $45 an hour.
Editor's note: All data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) unless otherwise noted.
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Registered nurse
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Median hourly pay: $45
Registered nurses (RNs) are often the critical link between doctors and patients. They administer medications, give advice, and perform many other frontline health care tasks.
And with persistent nationwide nursing shortages, RNs are always in demand. Hospitals and clinics routinely offer RNs flexible part-time schedules to help fill their staffing needs.
Dental hygienist
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Median hourly pay: $45.32
In the world of dentistry, hygienists are among the most essential workers. Not only do they clean teeth and provide critical preventative oral care, but they also assist dentists in procedures.
So important is this role that many dental offices hire hygienists on a part-time basis to help keep their busy schedules covered.
Speech-language pathologist
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Median hourly pay: $45.87
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with patients of all ages who have difficulties with speech or communication. Many schools or health care facilities need more SLPs, and part-time work helps fill the schedule.
If you are patient, compassionate, and have a strong understanding of language, you might enjoy this role, helping others find their voice.
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Management consultant
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Median hourly pay: $48.65
Often referred to as management analysts when employed in a full-time role, management consultants are freelancers who assist organizations in enhancing their efficiency. In this role, you evaluate financials and operational data, then recommend solutions to complex business problems.
While this is certainly a niche role, it also presents an opportunity to utilize your expertise part-time in a contract position.
Occupational therapist
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Median hourly pay: $47.28
Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals with injuries or disabilities live their best lives. They assist with everyday activities, with the ultimate goal of helping patients achieve independence.
While it requires patience, this role can be very rewarding. You can find part-time opportunities to be an OT in schools, hospitals, or even in patients' homes.
Software developer
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Median hourly pay: $63.20
The tech industry is known for its flexibility. This is especially true for software development work, which is often project-based or assigned as needed.
Businesses might hire you on a freelance basis to build a new application or to debug and maintain a critical legacy system. In most cases, you can do this part-time work remotely, making this a particularly flexible role.
Nurse practitioner
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Median hourly pay: $63.48
Nurse practitioners (NPs) have advanced training that allows them to offer important health care services at busy clinics. NPs can perform many of the same functions as a family physician, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, and managing patients' overall care.
From hospitals to private practices, part-time opportunities for NPs are available in a wide range of health care settings.
Physician assistant
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Median hourly pay: $64.07
While the title of MD (Medical Doctor) is attention-grabbing, health care is often practiced as a team effort. Physician assistants (PAs) are vital members of these teams, collaborating with physicians and surgeons to diagnose conditions and develop treatment plans. The need for PAs is so high that many can write their own schedules, including part-time commitments.
Lawyer
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Median hourly pay: $72.67
Businesses that can't afford to keep a law firm on an expensive retainer still need help with contracts and legal advice. If you have a law degree that you want to put to use on a part-time basis, the opportunities are there, especially if you have specialized expertise relevant to the companies that need your help.
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Marketing manager
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Median hourly pay: $76.76
Marketing managers oversee the strategies businesses deploy to generate interest in a product or service. These include running print and online advertising, managing social media, and launching email campaigns, to name a few common examples.
Many small businesses and startups hire part-time or freelance marketing managers to lead these promotional efforts.
Bottom line
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Everywhere you look, there are opportunities to earn a high hourly wage and move beyond living paycheck to paycheck without committing to a full-time schedule. Because of the increased flexibility and high pay, it's easy to see why workers are eager to take these kinds of roles, but why are so many businesses offering them?
Employment experts chalk it up to lessons learned during the pandemic. Over the past few years, the share of part-time postings has remained 10% higher than before, a sign that employers acknowledge it's necessary to offer more flexible work arrangements to meet employee demand.
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