Seasonal Side Jobs: The real effects of inflation on the average American are becoming clear as the holidays come up. This year, 33% more people are looking for seasonal holiday jobs on Indeed than they did last year, according to research from Indeed. Unfortunately, stores are expecting a slower holiday season, so there are 8.2% fewer seasonal jobs available. The number of job postings that say they need help right away has dropped from 10% to 6%.
But even though more people are looking for less holiday work, there is still plenty of $15-an-hour work to be had in the winter. If you want to make a little extra money to help you get through the holidays and start the new year in good financial shape, the following jobs are looking for people to fill open positions.
5 seasonal side jobs that pay at least $15 per hour
1. Seasonal Sales Associate at a Store
Hourly pay is about $15.
According to the website Indeed, the average holiday retail sales job in the United States pays $15 an hour. Other top job sites give averages that are a little higher or lower, but $15 is definitely out there for the taking.
Target said it will hire 100,000 seasonal workers at a minimum wage of $15-$24 an hour, which was just raised across the company. In fact, says that Nordstrom is $17 on average. Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, Costco, and CVS are just some of the big retail stores that recently raised their starting wage to between $15 and $18.50. It’s not clear if this also applies to seasonal workers in all cases.
You know what it takes to do the job. Sales associates are the people behind the registers or in the aisles who are stocking shelves and ready to answer your questions as you do your Christmas shopping.
2. Decorator of Holiday
Hourly pay is estimated to be $16
Decorating for the holidays is either something you have to do or something you really enjoy doing. ZipRecruiter says that if you are in the second group, putting your passion to work can earn you an average of $16 an hour.
Doing a search on Google Jobs shows how many different places need skilled and creative holiday decorators to help them decorate. To get their stores in the holiday spirit, stores hire decorators. They are hired by hospitals, airports, businesses, and people who are having parties but don’t have the time or desire to decorate themselves. In other cases, interior design companies hire holiday decorators for the season.
3. All the Amazon Stuff
Hourly pay estimate: $16 and up
Amazon said in September that its minimum wage would go up to between $16 and $26 an hour, depending on location and job. The average hourly wage for jobs in transportation and customer service went up from $18 to more than $19.
Sortation center warehouse associate jobs with pay between $18.25 and $21.50 are listed on the company’s seasonal job board. Warehouse workers at a fulfillment center make more than $16, and warehouse workers at a delivery station can make up to $19.25.
There are many other seasonal jobs that pay $16, $17, or more per hour that are open right now.
4. Gift Wrapper
Hourly pay is estimated to be $17
If you’re good at using tape, scissors, wrapping paper, ribbons, and bows to make things look like perfect gifts, there’s a high-paying side job waiting for you.
ZipRecruiter says that the average hourly wage for holiday gift wrappers is $17. There are many different kinds of jobs listed on Google Jobs. In-store gift wrappers are needed at stores like Bloomingdale’s and Williams Sonoma. There are also openings at small businesses, local wine shops, automotive groups, hospitals, malls, and warehouses.
5. Driver for Personal Vehicle Delivery
Estimated pay per hour: $18–$25
If you don’t want to move boxes around in a big company van or truck, you can deliver packages full-time in your own car. UPS personal vehicle drivers wear the famous brown uniform and make an average of $21 an hour, paid weekly, plus mileage reimbursement and, in some places, a phone stipend.
If you choose Amazon Flex, you can still deliver packages in your own car, but you’ll be an independent contractor. The average driver can expect to make between $18 and $25 an hour.
