8 High-Paying Seasonal Jobs for Any Skillset

A seasonal job can be a great way to earn some extra cash for a short period of time.

You don’t have to take on the extra stress of another long-term position to have an additional income stream.

What Is a Seasonal Job?

A seasonal job doesn’t last for a prolonged period of time. It’s intended to only last for part of the year. Depending on the position, it can be either full-time or part-time.

Most often, people associate the holiday season—between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day—with seasonal jobs. But seasonal jobs exist at many other times of the year when certain industries have their peak seasons. For example, many vacation locales have seasonal jobs available in the summer months when travel is most common.

Many seasonal jobs pay well, allowing you to bring in a good amount of money in a short period of time. They also give you the opportunity to build your resume.

Like any job, some seasonal jobs require specialized skillsets. For example, accounting and finance firms often hire seasonal help to assist during tax season, their busiest time of year.

But many seasonal jobs don’t require specific skillsets. We’ve outlined 8 high-paying seasonal jobs for any skillset here.

8 Seasonal Jobs for Any Skillset That Pay Well

1. Retail sales associate: The holiday season means more customers browsing stores, and retail stores need more sales associates during this busy season. Most retail stores offer a training workshop so seasonal employees can quickly learn how to scan merchandise, operate the cash register, and open and close the store.
   
   While traditional holiday months of November and December are often busiest, some stores feature different peak times. For example, a Halloween store will staff seasonal employees in September and October, and gift shops may staff up around certain holidays like Mother’s Day.
   
   Pay for this position will vary depending on the store, but the average in the United States is $14 per hour. Some retail stores offer commission on top of hourly pay, so you’ll earn more if you sell more to customers.
   
   
2. Delivery driver: This is another job where demand spikes during the traditional holiday season, as people scramble to get their gifts in time for Hanukkah and Christmas. For these positions, you need a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. While you’ll spend a lot of time driving, it’s a fairly physical job since you’ll be walking the packages to doorsteps and building lobbies.
   
   The average starting wage for delivery drivers in the U.S. is about $18 per hour. The pay rate will vary according to geographic area and your experience. Some companies pay up to $40 per hour for this role.
   
   
3. Personal assistant: Many people feel swamped during the holiday season. They have parties to plan, gifts to buy, and other duties on top of their standard work and social schedule. A personal assistant, sometimes called a holiday helper if it’s a seasonal position, can take over some of these tasks for stressed individuals.
   
   You may be tasked with shopping, organizing, gift-wrapping, or other miscellaneous responsibilities. A specific skillset isn’t required, but it helps to be organized and detail-oriented.
   
   The average hourly pay for this job is $19.
   
   
4. Call center rep: Companies generally staff their phone lines more during peak season since they get more inquiries from customers during this time. Depending on the industry, peak season will vary.
   
   Most often, you’ll be following a script for the most part, so you don’t have to worry if you aren’t sure what to say, but it is helpful to have good communication abilities.
   
   In the United States, the average hourly rate for call center reps is about $18.
   
   
5. Warehouse associate: Many stores need additional help in their warehouses and stock rooms during peak seasons. Higher sales mean they need more stock on hand. This is usually tied to the traditional holiday season.
   
   This job pays more if you have some experience, but starting wages average $18 per hour. Some companies pay up to $25 per hour.
   
   
6. Camp counselor: Summer is the busiest time for camp counselors but this position is also in demand during shorter school breaks, like winter and spring break. Most camps will require counselors to participate in a short training course, usually a few hours, to cover safety training.
   
   This seasonal job can be a lot of fun as you enjoy the outdoors. Some camps pay between $20 and $28 per hour.
   
   
7. Hospitality jobs: Many hotels staff up during the summer months, but the specific timeframe of these positions will vary by location. For example, hotels in popular ski areas experience their busiest months in winter and early spring.
   
   Pay rates for these jobs depend on the specific position. Hotel receptionists make an average of $15 per hour. Busboys make an average hourly rate of $10, but they supplement this wage with tips from guests.
   
   
8. Festival jobs: If you live in an area that often hosts festivals, there are plenty of seasonal positions that come up. These jobs are most abundant in the summer months when the weather is warm enough for outdoor festivals. Duties include selling tickets, checking IDs, serving food or beverages, and ensuring rules are followed.
   
   On average, these jobs pay about $12 to $15 per hour, depending on the specifics of the role
   
   

If you are looking to get out of debt or saving for a big purchase, some seasonal work can make a big difference. Place some of the money you earn from your seasonal job into a Savings Pod with Current. You can earn up to 4.00% APY (Annual Percentage Yield) on funds in your Savings Pods, allowing it to build even more over time.

References

Hourly Wage for Retail Sales Staff Salary in the United States. (April 2022). Salary.com.

Delivery Driver Salary in United States. (April 2022). Indeed.

How Much Do Personal Assistant Jobs Pay Per Hour? (April 2022). ZipRecruiter.

Warehouse Worker Salary in California. (April 2022). Indeed.

Camp Counselor Salary in United States. (April 2022). Indeed.

Hotel Receptionist Salary in United States. (April 2022). Indeed.

Hourly Wage for Busboy Salary in the United States. (April 2022). Salary.com.

Average Hourly Rate for Festival Foods Employees. (April 2022). Payscale.