The Ultimate Guide to Part-Time Jobs for Students in Singapore
Singapore is the second-most expensive city in the world to live in – and the costliest in all of Asia. As a student, living in this vastly cultured and exciting country comes with its perks (like also ranking #1 on the list of world countries with the greatest education system), but it is definitely suggested that if you have the time between studying to pick up a part-time job, you should.
Having a part-time job as a student is very common, in Singapore and around the world. There are many benefits to having this work experience ahead of graduating, not to mention the extra income it brings for young adults looking to balance work and life. Here is our breakdown –– an essential guide –– of the best part time jobs for students in Singapore, how much they pay, where to find them, and why you should consider your own.
The Benefits of Working as A Part-Time Student in Singapore
There are several reasons you might consider looking for a part-time job while in school. Here are some of the most common benefits of taking on some extra work during the semester.
- Earning extra money – simply put, part-time work affords students a paycheck, allowing them to earn additional income which can be used to pay for school, books, or other expenses related to student life.
- Growing your professional network – some students pursue part-time employment during school as a way of establishing networking opportunities that college or university alone cannot provide. Networking can allow students to meet each other, create connections, and develop professional relationships or friendships that could benefit them as they seek career opportunities in the future.
- Building work experience – another important aspect of working while in school is the professional experience you will learn while in pursuit of your degree. Depending on your field of study, work experience can give you insights into how to adhere to a schedule, interact with customers, or act as a pivotal member of a creative or sales team. Best of all, it can help you to put together an impressive resume. Remember, everyone needs a little resume help, don’t hesitate when it comes to making your application stand out.
- Developing transferable skills – Academic students who sign up for work in non-academic industries like service, hospitality, or retail, develop strategies designed to help them learn transferrable work skills that they can put on their resume. Skills like communication, time management, collaboration, and leadership.
Getting Paid For Part-Time Work in Singapore
How Much Can You Earn?
Generally speaking, Singapore does not have a mandatory minimum wage law –– especially for non-full-time labor. Determining rates of pay is typically agreed upon between the employer and employee via collective bargaining agreements or negotiations. However, Singapore does follow the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), which mandates a minimum monthly wage for employees in certain areas of the workforce.
- Minimum wage – There is no minimum wage in Singapore, except for those working within the cleaning and security sectors.
- Pay frequency – Salaries are paid monthly within seven days of the end of the salary period (usually 14 days for overtime payments).
- Payday – Typically the last working day or the last Friday of each month.
Other Regulations
In Singapore, young people are limited in the type of work they can perform within certain fields. Children aged between 13 and 15 years are permitted to work in a non-industrial setting (e.g. construction, transportation, and manufacturing) but may only perform light duties. They cannot work in an industrial setting unless they are doing so for a member of their family.
Young people under the age of 16 also have guidelines for employment. For this age group, certain forms of labor are considered unsuitable if they include:
- Work conditions that may cause injury
- Servicing or attending to moving machinery
- Working near live electrical apparatuses
- Work performed underground
Top 25 Part-Time Jobs For Students in Singapore
Top companies hiring: Prime Supermarket, Bedok, Lifestyle Essentials, Sincere Watch Limited
Salary range: SGD $7 – $10 per hour
Job description: Retail jobs are another kind of work that’s pretty much always available to young people. Stores are in constant need of motivated and energetic people to welcome and assist customers, stock merchandise, clean, and organize. Working as a retail assistant often comes with a staff discount, which is a great perk.
Top companies hiring: Achieve Group, Manpower Singapore, Lalamove, Western Union
Salary range: SGD $9 – $10 per hour
Job description: Some people have a natural gift for connecting with others and know just the right words to say to sway their decision-making. If this sounds like you, a job in a call center could be a good fit. Although it does require a lot of sitting at a desk and talking on the phone, it also has flexible hours and typically paid vacation days. Many companies offer commission rates on sales, which is just another great perk.
Top companies hiring: Saffrons, Morganfield’s Restaurant, Sum Dim Sum, The Organic Winery
Salary range: SGD $10 – $20 per hour
Job description: Food service is one of the most popular part-time jobs for students in Singapore, and it’s easy to understand why. Most serving jobs don’t require experience and, if it’s a reputable place, they will provide you with foundational training. Plus, you often get to enjoy a free meal on your shift. These jobs are typically fast-paced, but the communication skills (and tips) you’ll develop make it a worthwhile option.
Top companies hiring: Adecco, Kaeden, Giant Singapore, Neptune Enterprises
Salary range: SGD $10 – $20 per hour
Job description: The foundational role of just about any sales company is the cashier. They are the ones who execute the transaction and handle payment. This makes it the perfect part-time job for students interested in learning how to manage finance while brushing up on their mathematics and calculation skills.
Top companies hiring: Deliveroo, GrabFood, Grain, Foodpanda, Pickupp
Salary range: SGD $12 – $25 per hour
Job description: With popular brands like Foodpanda and Deliveroo on the rise, students can also look into taking on the job of delivering food to homes and businesses. The average pay varies from provider to provider, plus there is your mode of transportation to factor in, not to mention the distance traveled. But these highly in-demand roles offer great flexibility and communication skills.
Top companies hiring: Secca, Dyson, AYS Solutions, Ascentia Consulting
Salary range: SGD $9 – $12 per hour
Job description: Personal assistant jobs are great for teaching part-time students many of the skills they’ll need when entering the workforce full-time. From scheduling appointments, organizing meetings, arranging travel, and managing email accounts –– many of these tasks can be achieved between classes, making this a great opportunity for those with only part-time availability.
Top companies hiring: Prime Supermarket, Kai Soon Supermarket, Le Petit Depot
Salary range: SGD $7 – $8 per hour
Job description: If you enjoy an active job that keeps you on your feet for most of the day, part-time work as a supermarket helper could be right for you. Duties typically include stocking and arranging shelves, preparing tastings, bagging groceries, and assisting shoppers. Some of the benefits of this type of job are the customer service skills you’ll develop, plus teamwork and retail experience.
Top companies hiring: Sambill Park Singapore, People & Props Ltd., Ace Management Services
Salary range: SGD $10 – $12 per hour
Job description: There are always events happening throughout Singapore so it’s quite common to find work as an event crew member. Depending on your schedule, these types of gigs tend to be one-offs, which makes them a flexible option for students who aren’t ready to commit to long-term opportunities. Aside from the decent hourly rate, event crew work is often a great opportunity for young people since it teaches you how to promote products, connect with potential customers, make sales pitches, and close deals.
Top companies hiring: Shell, Obayashi Corporation, Wells Fargo, CitiGroup
Salary range: SGD $10 – $12 per hour
Job description: Working as an Administrative Assistant provides a wonderful introduction to working on a team since these workers are typically considered the heartbeat of any organization. They perform the numerous essential tasks that keep an office environment running smoothly, from keeping filing systems neat and organized to answering phones to making photocopies.
Top companies hiring: Upwork, PeopleShare, Vitamin M, Toward Jobs Online
Salary range: SGD $8 – $12 per hour
Job description: For part-time students who are more introverted and enjoy detail-oriented tasks over consumer-facing communication, you might want to consider data entry work. All you need to get started is the ability to type and work independently. The work is challenging, so remember to take plenty of breaks to stretch your legs and rest your eyes throughout the day.
Top companies hiring: Mann & Co., Amazon, UPS, Federal Express
Salary range: SGD $10 – $25 per hour
Job description: With the successful rise of online retailers like Amazon and Alibaba, package delivery skyrocketed during the COVID-19 lockdowns due to the temporary halting of in-store shopping. The trend has not slowed down in Singapore, making this one of the most in-demand jobs for part-time students with flexible schedules.
Top companies hiring: Prysmian Group, Baker Hughes, Kruger Engineering
Salary range: SGD $8 – $11 per hour
Job description: While working in a warehouse is a relatively routine and repetitive job, it’s also an active one, so it’s great for students who like to build with their hands while staying on their feet. A typical warehouse assistant job involves packing orders and checking items for quality, handling incoming and outgoing deliveries, and organizing stock and inventory.
Top companies hiring: Upwork, Privyr, SethLui, Sleek
Salary range: SGD $8 – $30 per hour
Job description: Writing effective copy is essential in this digital age and it’s a job that can easily and conveniently be done from anywhere –– even between classes and studying. If you can manage to devote the time to writing content for companies, you can access countless online platforms that need freelance writers. The amount of money you can earn via freelance copywriting depends on a few factors. But typically, when starting, $0.10 per word is the expectation. Once you’ve developed stronger writing skills, you can begin charging more for your services.
Top companies hiring: Propnex, JAC Singapore, 99 Group, Breakthrough Resources
Salary range: SGD $9 – $21 per hour
Job description: Companies across Singapore need telemarketers to help grow their sales figures. These jobs are perfect for part-time students working between classes because of the flexibility and limited training and experience required. If you can sell over the phone, you can expect to find work easily.
Top companies hiring: Coco Tutors, Smile Tutor Tuition Agency, Nanyang Tuition
Salary range: SGD $20 – $90 per hour
Job description: Tutoring is a great avenue for students looking for part-time work in Singapore. Many take on this position once they’ve completed exams and are confident enough to teach juniors in their preferred subject. Pay rates vary by many factors, with higher rates of up to $35/hour can be charged for Junior College students versus $20/hour for secondary school students.
Top companies hiring: Drivewise Autoparts Singapore, Vox Media, Betsie Pte, Lemon 3
Salary range: SGD $8 – $15 per hour
Job description: Flyer distributor is another popular part-time job for students in Singapore. It can be an exhausting venture as it often requires standing for long periods while disseminating various types of marketing materials, but it offers great networking opportunities and plenty of exercise and fresh air.
Top companies hiring: M&S Solutions, Page Group Singapore, Wells Fargo
Salary range: SGD $16 – $24 per hour
Job description: Receptionist jobs are common part-time positions for students in Singapore, due mostly to the fact that so much of the role is comprised of answering telephones and using organizational tools like Microsoft Office –– skills with which almost every student is already familiar. It does, however, provide good pay and build interpersonal relationships.
Top companies hiring: Grand Hyatt, Verve Restaurant Group, Singapore Swimming Club
Salary range: SGD $16 – $27 per hour
Job description: One of the most popular part-time jobs for young people in Singapore (and everywhere else, really), bartenders carry with them a very cool reputation among restaurant workers –– if you are of legal age and know how to craft cocktails and sling suds than this is an exciting venture wherein you will likely meet all kinds of interesting people.
Top companies hiring: Poh Heng Jewelry, Mystic, Catalyst Marketing Solutions
Salary range: SGD $12 – $26 per hour
Job description: Part-time Brand Ambassador jobs have become very popular with students in Singapore, as there is no real requirement that you be a popular influencer (but it doesn’t hurt). Students typically attend promotional events and network with others –– socializing is a big component.
Top companies hiring: Catalyst Talent Strategy, CitiGroup, Talentful, Propseller
Salary range: SGD $13 – $28 per hour
Job description: Having a part-time job working for the Human Resources department of a company is not only advantageous for finding future full-time employment, but it’s also a great platform for applying college-level organizational skills while helping others find their dream jobs. Recruiters help to review resumes, filter ideal job candidates, execute background checks, participate in interviews and perform onboarding responsibilities with new employees.
Top companies hiring: Randstad, Nanyang Technological University, GovTech Singapore
Salary range: SGD $15 – $34 per hour
Job description: If you are a part-time student in Singapore who speaks more than one language, you’ve already got a leg up over many other part-time students looking for work. Being able to translate Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, or Cantonese into English, French and German is a highly valuable skill for which many companies will pay. Don’t be surprised if your boss tries to hire you as a full-time employee once you’ve graduated.
Top companies hiring: WE Communications, Wallex, Shangri-La Hotels
Salary range: SGD $20 – $40 per hour
Job description: Social media proficiency is a rapidly growing skill for many young people in Singapore and across the globe, making it the perfect part-time job for earning money while attending school. Establish an audience of followers online, keep them engaged, and the more content you post, the more likely you are to connect with agencies looking for influential leaders to sell their products.
Salary range: SGD $8 – $15 per hour
Job description: Although not necessarily a career, babysitting (not to be confused with childcare specialist, which requires actual training) is a great opportunity for part-time students looking to help out parents in their community while having some downtime for studying.
Top companies hiring: Epiq Singapore, Appen, Caption Cube, Globbio, Covoco
Salary range: SGD $10 – $40 per hour
Job description: Part-time students who excel at typing can find transcription work online and throughout Singapore. Transcribing does not require much creativity; instead, students simply type out audio or video recordings into presentable, written documents –– making this line of work flexible enough to take on as many projects in a day or week as desired. Typical postings advertise transcription article fees from $10 to $50 per job, depending on skill and experience.
Top companies hiring: eGlobal Creative Publishing, Shanghai Game Trans, Elite Asia
Salary range: SGD $10 – $23 per hour
Job description: Depending on your field of study at school, and if you’re the kind of student who is always writing essays and reports for class, chances are you’ve already got proficiency in reading comprehension, language skills, and an editorial eye. These skills are the most important for a proofreader –– and there are plenty of online platforms looking to hire part-time students.
How To Find A Part-time Job In Singapore?
Online Job Boards
Using an online job board is one of the most effective tools students have for sourcing a part-time job in Singapore. And there are plenty of options available for those looking to grow their career –– or start from the very beginning.
Some great online job boards in Singapore include: Grabjobs, hrtech.sg, JobsDB, Indeed, Jobscentral
Recruitment Agencies
Sometimes, you need a bit of help getting your foot in the door when looking for part-time work. Recruitment agencies in Singapore are readily available to assist job candidates while providing benefits like:
- Faster hiring. Recruitment agencies find candidates to match with available positions much faster than most people can do on their own.
- High-quality candidates. What’s more, the quality of the jobs that agencies source is typically higher than those found via word of mouth or by open calls. Jobseekers are pre-screened and interviewed by recruiters so that everyone’s time is treated valuably.
- Specialist recruitment knowledge. Recruitment agencies employ staff who are extremely knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the local job markets. They also have keen insights that are useful in matching the right candidate with the right role.
Some of the top recruitment agencies in Singapore include:
Networking Events
Networking is a vital component of advancing your career. One single connection can potentially lead to a new, exciting position with a much higher salary. It’s all about who you know. Some of the benefits of attending networking events include:
- You can define your expectations. Attending networking events allows you to meet many like-minded people at one time. If you’ve never participated in an event before, they are a great place for introducing yourself and sharing your professional goals and ambitions in an honest and open environment.
- You get to make a great first impression. Grab as many business cards and shake as many hands as you can during a networking event so that when it comes time to reach out to new contacts, you’ll have made a great first impression and you’re that much likelier to land a job interview.
- They encourage you to get out of the house. Job searching involves a lot of rejection –– and it’s easy to feel defeated from behind a computer screen. Network events force you out of your comfort zone. And in doing so, people get to see the real you.
Apply For The Top 25 Part-time Jobs For Students In Singapore
There you have it! The benefits of working part-time as a student in Singapore –– plus, 25 job titles worth considering to hone pre-career skills while earning some extra hourly cash. Now that you have a solid understanding of what to expect before applying for your next part-time gig, and how much each gig pays on average, you can start planning. Know where to search for part-time student jobs –– check out GrabJobs for opportunities in your country.
