5 Part-Time Summer Jobs With Surprisingly High Hourly Pay: 2026 Edition
Summer is starting with CNBC reporting that inflation is rising faster than it has in three years and the Iran conflict — and all its related economic fallout — is now beyond the 100-day mark. In short, it’s going to be an expensive season.
Whether you’re a teen or college student looking to make a few extra bucks when school is out or an adult seeking to plug some budgetary gaps, the summer jobs profiled here are in peak-season demand, can be done part time and pay more than $15 an hour.
Check Out: 5 Oddball Ways To Make Extra Cash in 2026
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Caddie
Average pay: $21.53 per hour
National Club Golfer estimates caddie Ted Scott earned $2.7 million in 2025. While it’s unlikely you’ll pull down seven figures looping at your local golf club over the summer like the bag-carrier for PGA’s No. 1-ranked Scottie Scheffler, you stand to earn a pretty penny working as a caddie.
Country clubs and mini courses pay caddies per “loop” or 18-hole round and the good ones earn tips on top of their base pay.
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for caddies is $21.53 per hour.
Tutor
Average pay: $20.22 per hour
High-performing high schoolers and college students or anyone of any age with academic expertise can put their smarts to work as a tutor over the summer, one of several high-demand periods of the year. It’s easy to market your services on platforms like Tutor.com and Varsity Tutors to earn cash through test-prep, back-to-school refreshers, language lessons or nearly any other academic niche.
ZipRecruiter estimated the national average is $20.22 per hour and it’s a flexible hustle that lets you pick your schedule, work remotely, set your own fees and take or leave the jobs you’re offered.
Lifeguard
Average pay: $17.20 an hour
Strong swimmers willing to take on the hefty responsibility of lifeguarding can earn more than $17.20 an hour, on average, according to ZipRecruiter, doing part-time work at community pools, swim clubs, lakes, waterparks, fitness clubs, hotels and, of course, beaches.
You’ll need Red Cross certification, which isn’t cheap. The American Lifeguard Association is currently offering a discounted rate of $285 — about $100 less than the typical price. At the average wage, the class would pay for itself after less than 17 hours of work. However, many aquatics organizations provide free training to those who commit to working there for a set period and some nonprofits, such as American Aquatics and Safety Training, offer courses free of charge.
Referee/Umpire
Average pay: $26.75 an hour
You probably won’t make a half-million bucks a year like Sports Illustrated reports the top NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB refs and umpires with the most experience and best assignments earn, but like caddying, it’s a summertime skill you can scale down to the local level.
The season bursts with demand from recreational, youth, intramural and summer leagues, so opportunities are plentiful.
Like caddying and lifeguarding, the job requires stamina and good communication and decision-making skills. Those who qualify earn an average of $26.75 an hour, according to Indeed.com, although many are paid an average per-game wage of roughly $50 — more for travel or tournament play.
Camp Counselor
Average pay: $400 to $600 per week
This classic summer gig is still among the most popular and despite the large blocks of time it requires you to commit to, camp counselors can work part time, as they can choose to do it for only part of the summer.
American Summer Camps (ASC), which can distribute your application to partner programs nationwide, offers the following breakdown for typical summer pay:
Per week: $400 to $600
Standard four-week session: $2,000
Standard seven- to eight-week session: $2,800 to $4,000
Additionally, ASC highlights the job’s many benefits beyond earning potential, including the following.
Room and board
Free meals
Paid days off
Leadership experience
Networking opportunities with a large and diverse staff and alumni groups
Summer spending adds up fast. Enter MoneyLion's Summer Break Giveaway for a chance to win $500 — and give your budget a break. (No pur. nec. Ends 7/4/26. See official rules at mlion.info/summerbreakofficialrules)
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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