What Is A Part-Time Employee? (Types And Advantages)

Part-time jobs are alternatives to full-time jobs and have fewer working hours per week. Each employer often determines the exact amount of hours, and it can vary between companies. If you are interested in part-time employment, it is important you understand its types and benefits. In this article, we define part-time employees, examine their types, discuss their advantages and provide you with a list of part-time jobs.

Read more: How To Find A Part-Time Job

What Is A Part-Time Employee?

A part-time employee is often a professional who works less than a specified number of hours during a standard workweek. Although most companies define part-time employment as anything under 40 hours, they may require the employees to work for at least 20 hours per week for them to be considered part-time. These employees may not be eligible for some of the benefits that are available to full-time employees, such as health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leaves.

There are certain advantages to part-time employment, like having flexible working hours. In addition, candidates who opt for part-time employment can save money on transportation and residential costs.

Read more: 20 Part-Time Jobs That Pay Well

Potential Reasons For Working Part-Time

Here are two main reasons that may cause employees to choose a part-time job:

Employees who work part-time for economic reasons

At times, employees may choose to work part-time to fulfill certain economic needs. This means that they may be working an additional part-time job along with a full-time job to earn more. Some people may also be working more than one part-time job to fulfil their financial requirements.

Read more: 20 Side Jobs For Generating Additional Income

Employees who work part-time for non-economic reasons

There may also be candidates that work part-time jobs for non-economic reasons. These reasons may include desiring more flexibility or wanting to increase their family time. Such employees may also have some personal responsibilities which prevent them from working a full-time job. So they may choose to work part-time jobs as per the time available to them.

Differences Between Part-Time And Full-Time Employment

There are a few key differences between part-time and full-time employment. Here are some of these differences:

Salaries

Full-time employees typically earn higher salaries as they work for more hours. They also receive their full pay for each month, regardless of how many hours they work in a month. Part-time jobs often require working a specified number of hours per week and usually give less monetary benefits.

Related: What Is A Freelancer? Definition, Skills And Popular Jobs

Taxes

As the salary is higher in full-time employment, so are the taxes. A part-time employee may even be completely exempt from paying any income tax, depending on how much they make. For professionals who work more than one part-time job or a part-time job, in addition to a full-time job, the total taxable income can be higher.

Related: What Is Remote Work?

Promotions

The chances of getting promotions are generally higher in full-time employment. This is because an employer sees full-time employees as more permanent resources and may look to incentivize them so that they stay with the company. Some part-time candidates may also get promotions according to their performance and the company's requirements.

19 Popular Part-Time Jobs

Below are a few popular part-time jobs you may consider:

1. Bartender

National average salary: ₹16,459 per month

Primary duties: Bartenders deliver a high level of customer service and maintain a safe environment in their place of employment. Bartenders converse with clients while making and serving drinks and learn about their drink preferences. They can be responsible for keeping the bar area clean and maintaining an accurate cash drawer.

2. Tour Guide

National average salary: ₹18,710 per month

Primary duties: Tour guides show clients specific focus points outlined by the tour company. They maintain an outstanding customer experience for tourists with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. They answer any questions the tourists may have related to the tour sites.

3. Bank Teller

National average salary: ₹20,799 per month

Primary duties: Bank tellers are responsible for greeting customers when they arrive. They then direct the customers to the appropriate support desk within the bank. They also process deposits, withdrawals, and other banking transactions for a high volume of customers.

4. Phlebotomist

National average salary: ₹14,105 per month

Primary duties: Phlebotomists perform blood draws on patients for various medical tests. They label vials with correct patient information. They also provide a positive experience by selecting the appropriate collection method depending on the patient's needs.

5. Driver

National average salary: ₹14,941 per month

Primary duties: Drivers drive the passengers to and from different locations. They provide excellent customer service to ensure passengers are comfortable. They drive safely, keep a clean vehicle and find the most efficient routes.

6. Nanny

National average salary: ₹16,318 per month

Primary duties: A nanny provides childcare within a designated timeframe. They are responsible for feeding, bathing, and putting children to sleep. They also organize activities, help with homework, oversee playtime, and may drive children to and from school or extracurricular activities.

Related: Babysitter Vs. Nanny: Differences, Duties And Skills

7. School Bus Driver

National average salary: ₹15,294 per month

Primary duties: School bus drivers are responsible for safely transporting students to and from school. They also track traffic and weather conditions to ensure the safety and timely arrival of the students. They are also responsible for creating a safe environment by maintaining rules of conduct and handling emergencies.

8. Bookkeeper

National average salary: ₹18,345 per month

Primary duties: Bookkeepers can work for a company or set their own schedules by maintaining their client base. They are responsible for balancing and maintaining accurate ledgers. In addition, bookkeepers often coordinate bank deposits and report financial results on a regular basis.

9. Mail Carrier

National average salary: ₹27,289 per month

Primary duties: Mail carriers deliver incoming and retrieve outgoing mail and packages. They follow specific mail routes and provide proper notice in case of a failed delivery attempt. They also ensure the collection of proper signatures on certain deliveries.

10. Aesthetician

National average salary: ₹24,896 per month

Primary duties: Aestheticians perform facials and other skin care services requested by the customer. They upsell lotions, creams, and other skincare products. They also provide skincare consultations for customers with troublesome skin or problem areas.

11. Brand Ambassador

National average salary: ₹22,123 per month

Primary duties: Brand ambassadors are responsible for showcasing the personality of a brand as interactive, customer-facing representatives. They may distribute marketing materials like samples, flyers or coupons. They may also answer questions about the brand or product and inform customers about upcoming specials or events.

12. Personal Shopper

National average salary: ₹18,890 per month

Primary duties: Personal shoppers develop a loyal customer base and deliver consistent, high-level shopping experiences. They often support customers with placing orders and making payments. They also make purchase recommendations based on the client's needs.

13. Tutor

National average salary: ₹20,702 per month

Primary duties: Tutors ask students about difficult topics or subject areas to set improvement goals. They review recent homework assignments and tests to work through problems the student did not answer correctly. They also communicate with parents or guardians about problem areas or any other issue that requires attention.

14. Head Server

National average salary: ₹15,195 per month

Primary duties: Head servers at a formal establishment have high earning potential. They are responsible for training waiters, recommending specialty dishes, and handling customer inquiries or complaints. They are also responsible for maintaining and monitoring customer satisfaction.

15. Real Estate Agent

National average salary: ₹21,099 per month

Primary duties: Real estate agents often network to find potential clients. They travel to properties with clients to show homes and help them compare properties based on their needs. Real estate agents guide clients through the process of staging and preparing their homes for sale. They also negotiate contracts, so the terms are as favorable as possible for the client.

16. Massage Therapist

National average salary: ₹22,900 per month

Primary duties: Massage therapists provide 30 to 50-minute massages for clients based on their needs, complaints or problem areas. They guide clients through the service offerings and help them choose the types of messages that would benefit them most. They also listen to clients and adjust techniques to meet their needs.

17. Speech Pathologist

National average salary: ₹28,111 per month

Primary duties: Speech pathologists evaluate, diagnose and treat clients with vocal impairments. They create a treatment plan with various activities and exercises based on patient needs. They perform individual and group therapy sessions. They work with other healthcare professionals to confirm and improve care plans.

18. Occupational Therapist

National average salary: ₹21,335 per month

Primary duties: Occupational therapists conduct patient evaluations to determine physical conditions, limitations, and personal goals. They also communicate with healthcare providers to confirm plans of care. They provide therapy guidance, support, and education during patient sessions. Occupational therapists may also generate reports for patients and their physicians and families.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at the time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate's experience, academic background, and location.