Best Part-Time Jobs for ASU Students in Tempe
A practical guide to the best part-time jobs for ASU students — on-campus positions, Tempe area jobs, and gig work that actually fits a student schedule.
Working During College Is Normal — Here's How to Do It Right
Most ASU students work at some point during their degree. The key is finding something that pays reasonably, doesn't wreck your academic performance, and ideally adds something to your resume beyond "I can make lattes."
Here's the real breakdown of what's available in the Tempe area and what's actually worth your time.
On-Campus Jobs: The Underrated Option
On-campus jobs at ASU are genuinely undervalued. The advantages:
- Schedule flexibility: Campus employers know you're a student. They're built around student schedules in a way that Applebee's is not.
- No commute: You're already here.
- Supervisors who understand finals week: On-campus supervisors are generally more accommodating during high-stress academic periods than off-campus ones.
Where to find them:
- My ASU / Sun Devil CareerLink: The official ASU job board lists on-campus positions across departments
- Dining services: Consistent hours, campus-wide locations, easy to get hours that fit your schedule
- The library system: Hayden Library, Noble Library, Design Library — library jobs involve quieter environments, often allow studying during slow periods, and look solid on a resume
- The MU and recreation facilities: The SDFC hires student workers for front desk, lifeguarding, and fitness instruction
- Research assistant positions: If you're in a STEM or social science program, look for undergraduate research assistant (URA) positions through your department. These pay similarly to other campus jobs but directly build relevant experience.
- Tutoring centers: Peer tutoring through UASP pays and is actually a resume builder if you're going into education or consulting
Off-Campus: What Actually Works Near ASU
Coffee shops: Cartel Coffee, Press Coffee, and other local spots in the area hire regularly. Tipped positions can pay well in aggregate. The hours and environment tend to be more tolerable than chain fast food.
Mill Avenue restaurants and bars: If you're 21+, bartending and serving on Mill can pay very well. Hours are concentrated on weekends, which leaves weekdays for classes. The catch: weekend availability is non-negotiable and the hours can be late.
Four Peaks Brewery: A step up from generic restaurant work and the staff culture tends to be better. Not the easiest to get into but worth applying.
Retail near campus: The Tempe Marketplace and nearby strip malls have standard retail positions. Hours are predictable, tips aren't a factor, and holiday shifts pay well.
Gig Work That Fits Student Life
Delivery: DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart work on your schedule. You can do two hours between classes or a full Saturday shift. Earnings vary but $15–$20 per hour is achievable during peak demand periods in a college town.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft driving works if you have a car. ASU campus on Thursday nights and game days are very high demand.
Freelance based on your major: If you're in graphic design, coding, writing, marketing, or similar fields, freelancing through Upwork or Fiverr can pay much better per hour than most campus jobs. Start with small projects to build reviews and it can grow into meaningful income.
Tutoring: Beyond ASU's official tutoring centers, private tutoring for high school students in the Phoenix metro pays well. Wyzant and similar platforms connect you with families. If you're good in math, science, or standardized test prep, expect $25–$50/hour.
Things to Avoid
- Jobs that require consistent weekend mornings: Those conflict with game days, catch-up studying, and the few times you'll actually sleep in. Protect weekend mornings.
- Commission-only sales roles: The ones that advertise on campus bulletin boards and promise unlimited income. They're usually MLMs or door-to-door sales. Skip.
- Too many hours during your first semester: Figure out the academic load before adding 20+ hours of work per week. Many students burn out trying to do everything at once in their first semester.
The Career Angle
When you have options, prioritize jobs that relate even loosely to your major or interests. A part-time research assistant position in your field of study is worth more on a resume than three years of barista work, even if the pay difference is small.
ASU's career center can help you identify department positions and internships that pay — check in early in each academic year before the good positions get filled.
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