Seasonal Side Jobs: The approaching holidays will reveal the true impact of inflation on the average American. According to Indeed economic research, 33% more people are looking for seasonal holiday jobs on Indeed this year than last. Unfortunately, retailers are anticipating a slower holiday season, so seasonal employee demand is down 8.2%. The proportion of job postings indicating an urgent need for assistance has decreased from 10% to 6%.
Even with fewer people looking for holiday side jobs, there is still plenty of wintertime work available that pays at least $15 per hour. The following jobs have open positions that need to be filled if you’re looking for some extra cash to get you through the holidays and into the new year in good financial shape.
5 Seasonal Side Jobs Paying at Least $15 per Hour
1. Seasonal Retail Sales Representative
Hourly wage estimate: $15
According to Indeed, the national average holiday retail sales job pays $15 per hour. Other top job sites list averages that are slightly higher or lower, but $15 is definitely available.
Target announced that it will hire 100,000 seasonal workers beginning at the company’s newly increased minimum wage range of $15-$24 per hour. According to Nordstrom, the average price is $17. Several retail giants, including Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, Costco, and CVS, recently increased their starting wage to $15-$18.50, though it’s unclear whether this will apply to all seasonal workers.
You are aware of the nature of the work. Sales associates are the people on the other side of the registers or in the aisles stocking shelves and waiting to answer your questions when you go Christmas shopping.
2. Decorator for the Holidays
Hourly wage estimate: $16
Holiday decorating is either something you have to do or something you enjoy doing. If you fall into the second category, ZipRecruiter reports that putting your passion to work can earn you an average of $16 per hour.
A Google Jobs search reveals the many different types of places that are looking for skilled and creative holiday decorators to help them deck the halls. Retailers hire decorators to help them get into the holiday spirit in their stores. They are employed by hospitals and airports, as well as by businesses and individuals who are hosting parties or do not have the time or inclination to decorate themselves. In other cases, interior design firms will hire seasonal holiday decorators.
3. Everything Amazon
Hourly wage range: $16 and up
Amazon announced in September that it would raise its minimum wage to between $16 and $26 an hour, depending on location and position. The average hourly wage for transportation and customer service jobs increased from $18 to more than $19 per hour.
The company’s seasonal job board currently has openings for sortation center warehouse associates with pay ranges ranging from $18.25 to $21.50. Fulfillment center warehouse associates earn more than $16, and delivery station warehouse associates earn up to $19.25.
There are many other seasonal jobs available right now that pay $16, $17, or more per hour.
4. Wrapper of Gifts
Hourly wage estimate: $17
If you have a talent for using tape, scissors, wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows to transform merchandise into perfectly packaged gifts, there’s a high-paying side hustle waiting for you.
Seasonal gift wrappers earn an average of $17 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Google Jobs listings display a diverse range of possible work environments. In-store gift wrappers are being hired by retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Williams Sonoma, but there are also openings at small businesses, local wine shops, automotive groups, hospitals, malls, and warehouses.
5. Driver of a Personal Vehicle
Hourly wage range: $18-$25
If transporting boxes in a large company truck or van does not appeal to you, you can deliver packages full-time in your own vehicle. UPS personal vehicle drivers wear the iconic brown uniform and earn an hourly wage of $21 plus mileage reimbursement and, in some locations, a phone stipend.
If you choose Amazon Flex, you’ll still be able to deliver in your own vehicle, but you’ll be an independent contractor, earning $18-$25 per hour on average.
