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10 Part-Time Jobs to Beat Inflation

Some positions offer valuable employee discounts along with a paycheck

spinner image at cashier smiles at a customer
Cashiers earn valuable employee discounts while helping customers.
FG Trade/Getty Images

With the sudden rise in prices in recent months, you may be thinking about getting a part-time job to earn some additional income. One thing to keep in mind during your job search is that some jobs can also help you save money.

Many retailers and other businesses offer employee discounts that can be very valuable, especially if it’s a store your family shops at frequently. A typical discount is 10 percent off items purchased in the store or online, although some companies give employees discounts of 25 percent or more. So in addition to earning a paycheck, you could save money on groceries, clothing, pet care and even hotels.

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The following 10 jobs offer a glimpse of the types of positions that could earn you an employee discount. Clicking on the employer’s name will take you to a list of current job openings for that role, either on the AARP Job Board or the employer’s career site. Average wages are provided by Glassdoor and Indeed.

Human resources expert

Employer: Target

Average wage: $16 per hour

Employee discount: 10 percent discount at Target and on Target.com, plus an additional 20 percent off on fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables

With so many people switching jobs during the so-called Great Resignation, the demand is high for human resources experts who can help with hiring. While openings will vary based on the needs of the stores in your region, Target is currently looking for HR professionals for both part-time and full-time roles.

The Target employee discount can be particularly valuable if the stores near you sell groceries. As a wellness benefit, employees get 30 percent off fruits and vegetables.

Online order-filling and delivery associate

Employer: Walmart

Average starting wage: $12 per hour

Employee discount: 10 percent on regularly priced products, with other discounts on gasoline, cellphones, travel and other services

Like many people, you probably have ordered items online for pickup or delivery from a nearby retailer over the past two years. As an order-filling associate, you can see the other side of that process while earning money and a discount. Depending on how large a region your Walmart store serves, these jobs can be demanding. But for short-term additional income, order-filling and delivery can be worthwhile. 

In March, Walmart announced that as a new benefit, its employees would receive free enrollment in Walmart+. That’s a big deal, because in addition to saving on the $98 annual fee, employees can now get discounted prices (up to 10 cents a gallon) at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart, Murphy and Sam’s Club gas stations.

Administrative support team associate

Employer: Macy’s

Average wage: $13 per hour

Employee discount: 20 percent on clothing, accessories, furniture and cosmetics; 10 percent on electronics

While many of the jobs with retailers involve helping customers find what they are looking for, there are also many positions that are similar to jobs in a typical business office. And employees who work in these administrative and executive roles also qualify for discounts in the stores.

This job involves duties similar to what an executive assistant would do in a large business office. The responsibilities include helping to maintain employees’ schedules, acting as a liaison for human resources, and otherwise helping to keep the store’s management office organized.

Guest experience specialist

Employer: Petco

Average wage: $13.78 per hour

Employee discount: 20 percent on food, merchandise, grooming, training and veterinary services; some food brands are discounted at 40 percent

​The joy your pet brings you is priceless, even if it does take a bite out of your budget. According to the American Pet Products Association, dog owners spend an average of $1,480 on their best friend each year. For cats, that average annual expense is $902.

The employee discount at Petco is particularly notable because it applies to veterinary expenses, for both mobile vets and full-service hospitals. Most of the part-time jobs available at the company’s 1,500 locations involve sales and cashier duties. But if you have a knack for training or grooming pets, there are frequently openings for those positions.

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Customer service representative

Employer: CVS

Average wage: $17 per hour

Employee discount: 20 percent discount on CVS-brand items, 10 percent discount on other items

Perhaps the biggest selling point of working as a customer service representative is that most of these jobs can be done entirely from home. Flexible hours are another bonus.

CVS’ 10 percent employee discount on most merchandise is typical for the retail industry, but 20 percent off its store-brand merchandise could increase your savings.

In-store shopper

Employer: Whole Foods

Average wage: $16.43 per hour

Employee discount: 20 percent to start, possibly increased to 30 percent after six months

If you’re a fan of Whole Foods organic products but less enthusiastic about those prices, an employee discount could be the savory secret you’re looking for. To earn the 30 percent discount after six months, you do have to maintain some wellness requirements for cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI, and be a nonsmoker.

The job itself could help you meet those requirements, since you will be on your feet for much of your shift, grabbing items from shelves and preparing orders for pickup or delivery.

Accounting clerk

Employer: Marriott

Average wage: $44.79 per hour

Employee discount: 50 percent or more on room rates

With travel restrictions easing for both domestic and international trips, many people are packing their bags for long-delayed vacations. Many are also experiencing sticker shock as they look at expensive airfares and hotel rates.

Working for a hotel chain is one way to lower those costs. And part-time jobs in accounting are popular among older people who have experience in finance.

Beauty consultant

Employer: Walgreens

Average wage: $18 per hour

Employee discount: 25 percent off store-brand items, 15 percent off all other brands

If you enjoy giving your friends makeovers and testing out the latest cosmetics, this job could be a glamorous way to earn additional income. These consultants help customers decide which products best fit their skin-care and beauty needs, focusing on the customer’s overall look.

Store driver

Employer: Advance Auto Parts

Average wage: $13 per hour

Employee discount: 20 percent

While a discount on automobile parts may not produce a lot of savings for your household, these positions could still be worth a look. Jobs as drivers tend to be popular with older adults because of the flexible hours. Store drivers for Advance Auto Parts don’t just deliver customer orders; they also pick up supplies for the store, which means you should be comfortable occasionally lifting some heavier packages.

Retail cashier

Employer: Bed Bath & Beyond

Average wage: $11 per hour

Employee discount: Up to 30 percent in stores and online

Cashier is perhaps the most common and visible job in all stores, which means you will need good people skills. The few minutes customers spend in your checkout lane could shape what they think of the store and whether they come back. You should also be comfortable standing for lengthy periods.

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