Summer jobs can be a rite of passage; a first step into the labor force for the young. But summer jobs also offer opportunities for some extra income to professionals with downtime as the days grow longer.
Certain fields are staples of summer hiring. Increased travel historically fuels a jump in hospitality jobs, as well as industries tied to travel like food and beverage.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the past 10 years shows that traditionally, the hospitality sector sees its most substantial hiring gains from April to July. In 2015, the industry gained approximately 105,000 new hires in those months.
Entry-level hotel jobs, like clerks, offer opportunities for part-time summer gigs. As for hospitality’s satellite industries, more travelers enjoying long nights means demand for bartenders. Bartending is an ideal summer job for someone seeking extra income, thanks to the job’s typical off-hours scheduling.
Meanwhile, during the day, parents still working their 9-to-5 need childcare for their young ones with most schools out for the summer. Organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and local entities such as camps staff up to meet the growing demand at summertime.
Referencing the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) ahead of the summer of 2016, jobs in wholesale and goods manufacturing look to be some of this year’s big summertime winners.
In the June JOLTS, there were 65,000 new wholesale trade jobs, 58,000 new positions in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, and 46,000 new vacancies in durable goods manufacturing. Each of those three sectors tie into commerce.
The growing number of vacancies in commerce jobs translates to opportunities in delivery, workhouse positions and retail.
Another indicator pointing to summer hiring trends: late-spring jumps in home sales. The National Association of Realtors reported a nearly 17% increase in existing-home sales in April 2016.
With home sales on the rise, positions tied to the industry have favorable outlooks. Prospective sellers need to invest in upkeep, both on the interior and exterior of their homes. That means jobs for landscapers, as well as painters, construction and maintenance laborers.
Because most of these jobs are seasonal and/or part-time, and often need employees to get up to speed quickly, most do not require formal education. Thus, the median wages per hour are comparatively lower.
For first jobs or supplementary income at a time when demand is high, however, all eight offer abundant opportunities.