Best Jobs for Students in Canada: Part-Time, Summer and Campus Options

A job while you study can help you pay for school, gain experience for your resume and build references for the future. The best student jobs are the ones that fit around your classes. This guide covers the most common options for students in Canada, what they usually involve, what the official sources say about pay, and the rules to check before you start.

Part-Time Jobs During the School Year

• Retail – cashier, stocker or sales associate. Large retailers hire part-time staff for evenings and weekends. Walmart Canada, for example, states a minimum hourly rate in each posting; in October 2026 its store postings ranged from $15.85 in Saskatchewan to $19.05 in Quebec, depending on the province and the role.
• Restaurants and cafés – team member, cashier or kitchen staff. Hours are often flexible, with early-morning, evening and weekend shifts. Tim Hortons says that eligible team members can apply to the Tim Hortons Scholarship Program.
• Grocery stores – clerks in departments such as bakery, deli or produce, often with weekend shifts.
• Tutoring – helping younger students in subjects you are strong in, either independently or through a tutoring company.

Jobs on Campus

Universities and colleges hire students for roles such as library assistant, research assistant, residence assistant, food service and student services. Campus jobs are usually designed around class schedules and are close to where you already are. Check your school’s career centre or student job board, which also often offers free help with resumes and interviews.

Summer Jobs

• Canada Summer Jobs – a Government of Canada program that helps employers create summer jobs for young people aged 15 to 30. Positions are posted on Job Bank.
• Summer camps and recreation – camp counsellor, recreation leader or lifeguard. Lifeguard jobs require specific certifications.
• Tourism and hospitality – hotels, attractions and restaurants in tourist areas hire extra staff for the summer.
• Landscaping and outdoor work – physical work that is often busiest from spring to early fall.

Seasonal and Holiday Work

Retailers and warehouses often hire extra staff before the winter holidays, which can suit students during their winter break. Warehouse work tends to pay more than many entry-level jobs: Amazon, for example, announced in September 2026 that the average hourly base wage for its Canadian operations employees would be $26.27. That is an average, not a starting rate, and each posting shows its own pay.

Rules to Check Before You Start

• Minimum age – each province and territory sets its own rules on the minimum age for work and on the types of work young people can do.
• Minimum wage – it is also set by each province or territory, and some provinces have specific rules for students or young workers. Check the current rate where you live.
• Social Insurance Number – you need a SIN to work in Canada. You can apply through Service Canada.
• International students – you can work off campus only if your study permit allows it, and there are limits on how many hours you can work during school terms. Check the current rules for your situation on the Government of Canada website before accepting a job.

How to Balance Work and School

• Tell employers your real availability from the start, including exam periods.
• Look for jobs close to home or campus to save travel time.
• Start with fewer hours and increase them once you know your study load.
• Ask for your schedule in advance and plan your study time around it.

Tips for Your First Application

• Even without work experience, include school projects, volunteering, sports and clubs on your resume.
• Teachers, coaches and volunteer supervisors can be good references.
• Get useful certificates early, such as first aid or a food handler certificate.
• File an income tax return every year: you may get back some of the tax deducted from your pay.