by For those individuals whose schedules do not accommodate a full work day, a part-time employment is the best solution. With the millions of adults who are full-time students, the flexible hours offer the means to earn supplemental income.
But how many hours is a part-time job?
That’s a rather tricky question because not only does it depend on one’s line of work and industry, but also on local labor laws. In this article, we will study what factors go into determining how flexible part-time jobs are.
What is a part time job?
It refers to a form of employment in which a person works less hours than a full-time employee does.
Part-time jobs have flexible schedule, and the individual would work a set number of hours that fits around other responsibilities such as school, family, or a second job.
Flexible job types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Freelance | Individuals are hired for tasks or projects, often on a short-term or contract basis. Flexible hours, paid per project. |
| Shift | Employees work set shifts that are typically shorter than full-time (e.g., retail, hospitality). Schedules may vary. |
| Seasonal | Jobs available only during specific times of the year. Part-time and temporary. |
| Job Sharing | Two or more employees share the duties of one position, each working part-time hours. |
| On-Call | People work as needed, filling in for full-time staff. Hours may be irregular (e.g., substitute teachers). |
| Gig | Short-term, task-based work found through online platforms (e.g., rideshare drivers, food delivery). Hours are flexible. |
| Remote | Part-time work done from home, with a flexible schedule (e.g., virtual assistants, online tutors). |
| Internships | Part-time roles for students or recent graduates, for experience or academic credit, with limited hours. |
| Evening/Weekend | Jobs that require workers to be available outside standard business hours, often in hospitality or retail. |
How many hours is a part-time job?
There is no one definition of such employment. Typical part-time hours depend on the following:
1. Hour ranges
The common definition of part-time job is for someone working fewer than 30-35 hours a week. For example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) considers anyone working less than 35 hours a week part-time.
Standard Hours:
- 10 to 30 Hours per Week. Most part-time jobs are somewhere in this range. Positions involving fewer than this are often seen as "casual".
- 20 to 25 Hours. This is often the amount contractually guaranteed to many part-time positions, especially those in retail and hospitality.
2. Industry variations
Different industries may have varying definitions and practices regarding part-time work:
Industry Typical Part-Time Job Hours Flexibility Retail 10 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; hours can vary based on shifts and peak times. Hospitality 15 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; often requires evenings and weekends. Food Service 10 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; can vary based on business needs and peak hours. Healthcare 20 to 30 hours per week. Moderate to Low; hours may be fixed to ensure patient care. Education 10 to 20 hours per week. High; often flexible scheduling based on student needs. Administrative Support 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; can vary based on office needs, but may offer some flexibility. Customer Service 15 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; often requires shifts during peak hours. Sales 20 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; may involve set hours but some flexibility in scheduling. Freelance/Contract Work Highly variable (5 to 30+ hours per week). Very High; complete control over hours and projects. Gig Economy (Rideshare, Delivery) 10 to 40+ hours per week. Very High; complete flexibility to choose hours. Real Estate 10 to 20 hours per week. Moderate; flexible, but depends on client availability. Library Services 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; set hours based on library operations. Fitness Trainers 10 to 30 hours per week. High; flexible hours based on client scheduling. Childcare (Nanny, Babysitter) 10 to 25 hours per week. Moderate to High; hours can vary based on family needs. Pet Care (Dog Walker, Pet Sitter) 5 to 20 hours per week. Very High; flexible based on owner needs and schedules. Event Planning/Staffing 10 to 30 hours per week. Moderate to Low; hours can be irregular based on events. Research Assistant 10 to 20 hours per week. Moderate; some flexibility, but may depend on project timelines. Technical Support 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; may have fixed hours for support coverage. Marketing/Social Media 10 to 20 hours per week. High; often flexible, depending on project timelines. Construction/Labor 15 to 30 hours per week. Low to Moderate; hours are often dictated by project schedules. Insurance 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; may have extra hours based on client needs. Legal (Paralegal, Assistant) 15 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; may require specific hours to meet deadlines. Arts and Entertainment 10 to 30 hours per week. High; often flexible based on performance schedules. Writing/Editing 10 to 25 hours per week. Very High; flexibility to choose hours and projects. Nonprofit Organizations 10 to 20 hours per week. Moderate; may require set hours for programs. Manufacturing 20 to 30 hours per week. Low; typically set hours based on production needs. Telemarketing 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; often requires set shifts based on call times. Transportation and Warehousing 15 to 30 hours per week. Low to Moderate; hours often determined by operational needs. IT Support/Services 15 to 25 hours per week. Moderate; may have fixed hours to cover support needs. Counseling and Social Work 10 to 20 hours per week. Moderate; hours may be set based on client schedules. Beauty and Personal Care 15 to 30 hours per week. High; flexible hours based on client appointments. Travel and Tourism 10 to 30 hours per week. Moderate; may involve set hours based on client needs and bookings.
3. Labor laws
The rules around part-time employment are all over the map, because each country seems to define it on its own terms. If you are thinking about flexible work, it’s best to consult a labor rights organization about your responsibilities.
| Country. | Max Hours for Part-Time. | Minimum Hours for Part-Time. | Regulating Law. | Considerations. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Generally under 30-35 hours/week. | Typically 10-15 hours/week. | Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) | Employers define part-time; laws vary by state. |
| Canada | Typically 30 hours/week. | Generally 10-15 hours/week. | Canada Labor Code | Provincial laws vary; employment standards differ. |
| United Kingdom | Generally under 35 hours/week. | Typically 8-10 hours/week. | Employment Rights Act 1996 | Equal treatment for part-time workers; flexible working requests supported. |
| Australia | Generally 38 hours/week. | Typically 10 hours/week. | Fair Work Act 2009 | Part-time workers have rights equivalent to full-timers on a pro-rata basis. |
| Germany | Generally under 30 hours/week. | Typically 10 hours/week. | Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act | Same rights as full-time employees; strong protections exist. |
| France | Typically 35 hours/week. | Generally 15 hours/week. | Labor Code | Strong protections for part-time workers; equal rights. |
| Japan | Commonly under 30 hours/week. | Generally 10 hours/week. | Labor Standards Act | Growing recognition and rights for part-time workers. |
| India | Varies; often under 30 hours/week. | Typically 10-15 hours/week. | Varies by state and industry | Labor laws vary significantly between states. |
| South Africa | Generally under 27 hours/week. | Typically 10 hours/week. | Basic Conditions of Employment Act | Specific rights exist under national legislation. |
| Brazil | Generally 30 hours/week. | Typically 20 hours/week. | Consolidation of Labor Laws | Employees have specific rights; benefits vary. |
| China | Varies widely; often under 30 hours/week. | Typically 15 hours/week. | Labor Contract Law | Labor contracts govern terms; rights vary by region. |
| Mexico | Typically under 48 hours/week. | Generally 15 hours/week. | Federal Labor Law | Rights and benefits vary by sector; less protection for part-time employees. |
| Italy | Generally under 30 hours/week. | Typically 10-15 hours/week. | Legislative Decree No. 81/2015 | Protections exist; equal treatment mandated. |
| Netherlands | Generally under 36 hours/week. | Typically 10-15 hours/week. | Labor Law | Flexible working arrangements supported by law; same rights as full-time. |
| New Zealand | Generally under 30 hours/week. | Typically 10 hours/week. | Employment Relations Act | Employees can request flexible hours; protections for part-time workers. |
FAQ
- How many days a week is part-time?
- In general, it usually refers to individuals who perform their work from 2 to 4 days per week. However, the number of days can increase or decrease due to the job specification required, the company’s schedule, and the employee’s availability.
- How does part-time work affect taxes?
- They need to report their income just like anyone who works full-time. But of course, the amount of withholding may vary depending on earnings.
Conclusion
For both workers and employers, it is important to know how many hours make up a part-time schedule.
Generally, working less than 35 hours a week can be considered part-time, but the specific number of hours might differ based on the industry and local laws.
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