15 Great Part-Time Jobs for Spring and Summer

Seasonal jobs that offer flexibility and extra income

Linda Childers,

AARP

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Published March 27, 2026

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Key takeaways

Seasonal hiring is rising in 2026 due to the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th celebrations, creating opportunities across hospitality, events and retail.
Many part-time roles, including child care, pet care, recreation, catering and tutoring, offer flexible hours and require little experience.
Outdoor and travel‑friendly jobs at campgrounds, camps, hotels and parks appeal to people seeking engagement and income.

If you’re looking for part-time work to boost your income or add new activities to your schedule, two unprecedented events could boost your options this summer. Eleven cities in the United States are hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first time 48 teams will compete in the tournament (an increase of 16 teams). And, on July 4th, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday.

Both the World Cup and the celebrations leading into the Fourth of July are leading some businesses, such as arenas, hotels and stores, to add part-time workers to meet demand. The jobs join roles in catering, tutoring and summer sports leagues as ways to earn income, stay engaged and, in some cases, even travel.

If you’re looking to earn extra money this spring or summer, consider the following 15 employment opportunities, which are listed alphabetically. All wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unless otherwise noted. AARP and Indeed have teamed up to help older job seekers, if you want additional assistance as you look for employment.

Amusement and recreation attendants

Average wage: $14.54 per hour

Theme parks across the country, including Disney, Six Flags and water parks, are looking to ramp up their summer staff. Whether you’re thrilling guests as a roller-coaster-ride operator, assisting in retail or serving up delicious treats in food and beverages, there’s a spot for you. Although prior amusement park experience isn’t required, in general, an upbeat attitude and a willingness to learn are essential.

Arena concessions worker

Average wage: $14.54 per hour

Experience your favorite sport from an entirely new angle by working at a local stadium. From Major League Baseball parks to venues hosting the World Cup, stadiums come alive with thousands of jobs, including event staff, concessions, ushers and more.

With soccer matches from the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place between June and July 2026, stadiums across host cities will be hiring in large numbers to prepare for the world’s biggest sporting event. Hotels and restaurants in these cities are also expected to hire additional staff ahead of the tournament.

Babysitter/nanny

Average wage: $15.41 per hour

When school ends for the summer, many families look for babysitters and nannies to help provide part-time care during the break. Whether it’s one child or a handful, your days could be filled with everything from preparing meals and driving kids to camp to sparking learning through age-appropriate activities. These positions typically require some hands-on experience caring for children, a reliable vehicle and CPR/first aid certification preferred. Sites like Care.com, Sittercity and urbansitter.com also offer numerous listings for babysitters and nannies.

Campgrounds guest services worker

Average wage: $18.25 per hour

If you love camping and the recreational vehicle lifestyle, working in guest services at a campground can be a good way to use your expertise to help others. Employers that are hiring now include Kampgrounds of America, with more than 500 sites across the country. Other options are Coolworks, the National Park Service and state park agencies.

Camp counselor

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Average wage: $17.01 per hour

Love working with kids and being outdoors? A job as a summer camp counselor allows you to dive into the fun of daily camp activities and programs. When applying, highlight your experience working with children, whether professionally or as a volunteer, along with any basic first aid and CPR certifications you have.

As a camp counselor, you’ll supervise campers, oversee activities, mentor kids and likely spend much of your day outdoors. Camps may run for a few weeks over the summer or operate as day camps through other seasons. Some camps offer optional on-site housing and meals for staff.

Catering staff

Average wage: $16.32 per hour

With the arrival of spring and summer comes wedding season and graduation parties. Many wedding planners and hotels are seeking seasonal catering staff and banquet servers for events large and small.

From setting the scene before guests arrive to serving plated meals and keeping tables tidy throughout the event, these jobs play a key role in making parties, receptions and other events memorable. Many caterers also do corporate events throughout the year, so starting in a seasonal role could open opportunities for additional work.

These positions typically require teamwork skills, attention to detail and flexibility. Because weddings and other events don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule, shifts can include weekend, holiday and evening work.

Event or festival ticket taker

Average wage: $14.54 per hour

Concerts, fairs and music festivals need seasonal workers to help with ticket sales, concessions and guest services. Apply as an usher at your favorite outdoor music venue or scan tickets at admission gates and tasting festivals at your local county fair. Previous customer service experience can help you land one of these jobs.

Garden/nursery associate

Average wage: $18.49 per hour (according to ZipRecruiter)

If you have a green thumb and a passion for plants, many garden centers are seeking part-time, seasonal team members to help with everything from plant care to assisting customers. Most positions require a high school diploma, good customer service skills and either a basic knowledge of plants or a willingness to learn. Seasonal staff may also help with stocking inventory, maintaining displays and watering and pruning plants.

Hotel or lodge clerk

Average wage: $15.66 per hour

Summer marks peak vacation season, and hotels often expand their staff to welcome travelers. Beyond hotel positions in major cities, many lodges within national parks offer opportunities to earn extra income while working in breathtaking natural surroundings. Some lodges even offer affordable shared dormitory housing for staff who live outside the area.

Previous experience in customer service is preferred, along with strong communication skills.

Pet sitter

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Average wage:

$16.28 per hour

Many pet owners are looking for a caring, reliable person to look after their pets while they’re away on vacation. In this role, you might spend time cat-sitting, walking dogs, administering medications when needed, feeding pets, refreshing their water and making sure they feel safe and loved.

Applicants should have a reliable car and previous pet care experience, whether as a pet owner, volunteer, kennel worker or professional pet sitter. In some cases, there may even be limited travel opportunities, as pet-sitting and house-sitting jobs often overlap. If you enjoy spending time with animals, this can be a rewarding job.

Retail clerk

Average wage: $16.70 per hour

Many big cities and sun-soaked resort towns need seasonal retail clerks to help sales run smoothly. From bustling sporting goods stores to boutiques packed with swimsuits and breezy summer apparel, these stores rely on extra hands to help eager tourists gear up for their adventures. It can be fast-paced work that requires good customer service skills and offers flexibility in terms of working days, nights or weekends. You might also be expected to stand for extended periods or do some light lifting.

Rideshare/delivery driver

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Average wage: $21.12 per hour

If you enjoy being behind the wheel and connecting with people, a gig role as a rideshare or delivery driver could be right up your alley. It’s a flexible way to earn income while spending time on the road, perfect for those who aren’t able — or interested — to commit to specific schedules and enjoy the opportunity to meet new people.

The role requires a reliable vehicle, a valid driver’s license, a smartphone and auto insurance. Companies typically conduct a background check on your driving history and whether you have a criminal record.

Short-term-rental host

Average income: Varies by property type and size, location and season.

If you have space in your home or are planning a summer getaway, consider becoming a short-term-rental host through Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo or other similar services. You can rent out your home while you’re away or welcome guests a few nights a month if you have a spare room. It’s usually free to create a listing, and the company typically collects a service fee from the reservation subtotal once you’re paid.

If you live in or near one of the 11 American cities that are hosting World Cup matches this summer, now might be an advantageous time to become a host. Those cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City metro area, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.

Tutor

Average wage: $19.27 per hour

School may be out for the summer, but many students use the break to strengthen their skills before the new academic year begins. National learning centers like Mathnasium and Kumon hire part-time tutors in subjects including math and English to work with students in grades K-12. Other places to find tutor jobs include VarsityTutors and Tutor.com. These jobs require strong proficiency in high school math or English, excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for helping students succeed. Though these roles can be good part-time jobs for teachers, previous formal teaching experience is not generally required.

Umpire

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Average wage: $22.88 per hour or paid on a per-game basis.

Many youth leagues and city recreation programs are seeking seasonal umpires to officiate softball and baseball games. Responsibilities include enforcing game rules, managing on-field play, and effectively communicating with players and coaches to resolve and de-escalate conflicts. A strong knowledge of baseball rules and prior umpiring experience is preferred.

The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

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Linda Childers is a contributing writer for AARP. She has written for regional and national publications, including Allure, National Geographic Kids, O, Reader’s Digest, Redbook, U.S. News and World Report, The Washington Post and Woman’s Day.