Part-Time Jobs in Canada for Students 2026: Roles and Typical Pay

Finding a part-time job while you study in Canada is about more than the paycheque. The right job fits around your classes, stays within the legal weekly limit, and gives you work experience you can use later. This guide covers the most common part-time jobs for students, what 24 hours a week pays at minimum wage in each province, and how to build a schedule that works.

This is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules can change, so confirm your situation with your school’s international student office and the official IRCC website.

Quick facts

• Weekly limit: eligible international students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus while classes are in session. The limit is per week and cannot be averaged, and hours at all jobs add together.
• During scheduled breaks: there is no weekly cap for eligible students. See our guide to winter break jobs in Canada.
• What you need: a study permit that allows off-campus work, and generally a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
• Common jobs: retail, food service, grocery, warehouse and delivery, tutoring and campus jobs.

What does 24 hours a week pay?

Pay varies by job, and many roles pay above minimum wage. These are the general minimum wages in several provinces, with the figures for Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan reflecting increases on 1 October 2026. Amounts are before tax and deductions.

Some provinces have different rates for certain jobs or younger workers, so check your provincial government’s website for the figure that applies to you.

Part-time jobs students commonly take

1. Retail

Shops need people on the floor, at the tills and in stockrooms, often in evenings and on weekends, which suits a class schedule. Employee discounts are sometimes available, depending on the employer.

2. Food service and cafes

Restaurants, cafes and fast-food outlets hire servers, baristas, cooks and kitchen helpers. Shifts are often short and flexible, and tips can add to your income at some venues.

3. Grocery and supermarkets

Cashiers, shelf stockers and online-order pickers are common roles. Early-morning and evening shifts are frequent, so check the times against your timetable.

4. Warehouse and logistics

Picking, packing and loading roles are physical and often shift-based. Check start times and how you will get to the site.

5. Delivery

Delivery work offers flexible hours, but check the costs you carry yourself, such as fuel, insurance and vehicle wear, so you know what you actually earn per hour.

6. Tutoring and academic support

If you are strong in a subject, tutoring can pay well per hour. Hours still count toward your weekly limit when the work is off campus and done in Canada.

7. Campus jobs

On-campus work, such as library, administration or student services roles, is treated separately from off-campus work under the study permit rules. Check your permit conditions and ask your campus career centre what is open.

A sample weekly schedule under the limit

Say you study full-time and want steady income without risking your permit. A schedule that leaves a safety margin might look like this:

• Tuesday and Thursday evenings: 4 hours each (8 hours)
• Saturday: 8 hours
• Sunday: 4 hours

That is 20 hours, leaving 4 hours of buffer for a late finish or an extra shift request. At Ontario’s general minimum wage, 20 hours comes to $359.00 before tax.

How to find part-time jobs

• Campus career centre: often the best first stop, since it knows local employers that hire students.
• Job Bank: the Government of Canada’s official job board lists jobs by location.
• Employer career pages: large retailers, restaurant groups and logistics companies post openings on their own sites.
• In person: for shops and cafes, a short CV handed over at a quiet time can make an impression.

Tips to get hired

• List your availability clearly, including exact days and hours.
• Keep your CV to one page and highlight teamwork, reliability and any volunteering.
• Apply close to home or campus to save travel time and cost.
• Tell employers your weekly limit in writing, for example “during term I can work up to 20 hours a week”.

Mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the second job. Hours at all jobs add up to the same 24 hours.
• Counting gig work as extra. Delivery and other gig shifts count as hours worked.
• Saying yes to extra shifts. The limit is your legal responsibility, not your employer’s.
• Taking unreported cash-in-hand work. It leaves you without workplace protections and can cause problems later.
• Not keeping records. Save your schedules and pay stubs in case you are ever asked for proof.

Watch out for fake job offers

• Never pay a fee to get a job, including for “training” or “registration”.
• Do not share bank details or identity documents before a verified offer.
• Be wary of jobs that are very well paid for easy tasks, or that move you to a private chat app.
• Check the employer on its official website and contact the company directly if you are unsure.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours can international students work in Canada?
Eligible students can work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, and without a weekly cap during scheduled breaks.

Do on-campus hours count toward the 24 hours?
On-campus work is treated separately, but check the conditions on your study permit.

Can I work two part-time jobs?
Yes, but the combined off-campus hours must stay within the weekly limit.

Do I need a SIN?
Yes, you generally need a Social Insurance Number to work in Canada.

What happens if I go over the limit?
Working more than the allowed hours during term can breach your study permit conditions. Speak to your school’s international office or a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer if you are concerned.

Related: Winter Break Jobs in Canada 2026. Confirm all rules with IRCC and your school before you start work.