Part-time doesn’t have to mean low pay. Plenty of skilled roles let you set a flexible schedule, pick up shifts, or stack clients while clearing $30 an hour or more. Health care leads the way, but solid options also pop up in writing, media, real estate, and the trades. Below are 18 roles where part-time work is common and the median hourly pay meets or beats the $30 mark.
1. Dental hygienist
Hygienists handle cleanings, periodontal maintenance, X-rays, and patient education often in appointment blocks that make part-time scheduling easy. Many offices hire hygienists for set days (like two or three per week), school-day hours, or early-evening slots. The work is hands-on but predictable, with strong infection-control standards and modern tools that speed up charting and imaging. Most states require an associate degree in dental hygiene and a license. Because revenue is tied to booked patients, dentists commonly staff multiple part-time hygienists to cover demand and cancellations without overloading full-timers.
Dental hygienist median hourly rate: $45.32.
2. Registered nurse
RNs can mix hospital, clinic, school, and home-health shifts, and per-diem schedules are common. The role includes patient assessments, medication administration, care coordination, and education. Many nurses piece together part-time weekday clinics with occasional weekend or night shifts for higher differentials. Licensure is required (associate or bachelor’s degree), and experience opens more flexible options like telehealth triage or ambulatory surgery centers. Because coverage needs change by census, managers often welcome reliable part-timers who can lock in a few regular days.
Registered nurse median hourly rate: $45.00.
3. Nurse practitioner
NPs diagnose, prescribe, and manage treatment, often in family practice, urgent care, or specialty clinics. Many clinics use part-time NPs to cover peak hours or run evening/weekend access. The role suits contract or per-diem work because visits are scheduled, and panel sizes can be scaled. You’ll need a graduate degree and national certification in your population focus. With strong demand across primary care and telehealth, NPs have leverage to negotiate short shifts or fixed days without losing pay.
Nurse practitioner median hourly rate: $62.12.
4. Physician assistant
PAs examine patients, order tests, perform procedures, and write prescriptions under a physician’s supervision. Part-time roles show up in urgent care, orthopedics, dermatology, and occupational health, where practices pace care in booked blocks. The job requires a master’s degree and state licensure. Clinics value PAs who can cover specific days or half-day sessions to smooth patient flow, and many offer per-diem rates for short-notice coverage.
Physician assistant median hourly rate: $64.07.
5. Physical therapist
PTs evaluate movement, create treatment plans, and guide patients through rehab. Outpatient clinics, home health, and sports medicine settings regularly hire part-timers for fixed caseloads or after-school/evening hours. The day is structured around 30–60 minute appointments, which makes scaling up or down straightforward. You’ll need a DPT and state licensure. Weekend coverage and short weekday blocks are common, especially in orthopedic clinics that see demand spikes after work hours.
Physical therapist median hourly rate: $48.57.
6. Occupational therapist
OTs help patients rebuild daily skills after injury, illness, or disability. Schools, hospitals, skilled-nursing facilities, and home health often bring in OTs part-time to cover IEP seasons, discharges, or caseload peaks. The work blends assessments with hands-on therapy and adaptive strategies. A master’s degree (or higher) and licensure are required. Because needs vary by unit and season, managers commonly staff OTs on flexible, recurring schedules.
Occupational therapist median hourly rate: $47.28.
7. Speech-language pathologist
SLPs assess and treat speech, language, voice, and swallowing disorders. School districts, outpatient clinics, home health, and telepractice all offer part-time caseloads that can be set by day or by number of sessions. You’ll typically need a master’s degree, state licensure, and a CCC-SLP credential. The mix of evaluation blocks and recurring therapy sessions makes the schedule predictable, even when split across sites.
Speech-language pathologist median hourly rate: $45.87.
8. Pharmacist
Pharmacists dispense medications, verify orders, educate patients, and advise care teams. Part-time work is common in retail, hospital, and specialty pharmacy, where managers schedule by shift blocks. Weekend and evening coverage can come with differentials, and immunization clinics create seasonal needs. You’ll need a PharmD and state licensure. Because pharmacies run long hours, it’s straightforward to hold a set two-to-three day schedule without losing income potential.
Pharmacist median hourly rate: $66.10.
9. Psychologist (clinical or counseling)
Licensed psychologists conduct assessments, therapy, and care planning in clinics, schools, group practices, and private practice. Many set part-time clinic hours or hold limited-paneled private practices. Common specialties include CBT, couples therapy, and health psychology. Doctoral training and state licensure are required. Practices often bring on part-time clinicians to offer evening/weekend slots and reduce waitlists, so it’s a good fit if you want predictable blocks without full-time hours.
Psychologist (clinical/counseling) median hourly rate: $46.07.
10. Diagnostic medical sonographer
Sonographers use ultrasound to capture images for OB/GYN, vascular, cardiac, and general imaging exams. Because imaging runs on scheduled appointments and on-call windows, part-time roles are common in hospitals, outpatient centers, and mobile services. Certification through ARDMS or similar is typical, and employers value strong scanning technique and patient communication. Split schedules like two long days plus one Saturday a month are widely used.
Diagnostic medical sonographer median hourly rate: $42.95.
11. MRI technologist
MRI techs operate magnetic resonance scanners, position patients, and ensure image quality and safety. Outpatient imaging centers and hospitals often hire part-time techs for evenings or weekends when scanners run extended hours. Training pathways include accredited MRI programs or cross-training from radiography. Strong safety checks and communication skills are key, especially for patients with anxiety or implants.
MRI technologist median hourly rate: $42.40.
12. Radiation therapist
Radiation therapists deliver targeted radiation treatments, confirm patient positioning, and coordinate closely with oncology teams. Clinics set treatments by appointment, so part-time coverage works well for predictable daily volumes. The role calls for an accredited program and state licensure in most states. Because safety protocols are strict and sessions are booked, teams commonly schedule therapists in defined blocks that can be scaled to two or three days a week.
Radiation therapist median hourly rate: $49.03.
13. Court reporter
Court reporters and captioners create verbatim transcripts for trials, hearings, depositions, and live events. Freelance and agency arrangements make part-time schedules practical, from a few weekly depositions to short court calendars. Strong typing speed, steno machine or voice-writing skills, and accuracy are essential. Certification varies by state and employer, and remote captioning adds extra flexibility.
Court reporter/captioner median hourly rate: $32.36.
14. Property appraiser and assessor (real estate)
Appraisers estimate property values for sales, mortgages, estates, and tax assessments. Many handle assignments on a project basis, which fits part-time hours. Work blends field inspections with research and report writing, and state licensure/certification is required for most roles. Residential appraisers, in particular, can scale volume up or down while keeping turnaround times tight.
Property appraiser/assessor median hourly rate: $31.45.
15. Plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter
Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems in homes and commercial buildings. Demand swings with construction and emergency calls, so contractors often welcome part-time help for scheduled installs or on-call windows. Apprenticeships are the common entry path, and licensed journeymen can choose project-based gigs that fit a few days a week. Safety, code knowledge, and solid troubleshooting matter more than clocked hours.
Plumber/pipefitter/steamfitter median hourly rate: $30.27.
16. Technical writer
Technical writers turn complex topics software, medical devices, engineering into clear docs, help centers, and training guides. Part-time contracts are standard, from feature-based sprints to ongoing maintenance. Strong research, version control, and stakeholder interview skills are key. Many writers balance a couple of clients with a fixed weekly word or page target, making hours predictable without a full-time seat.
Technical writer median hourly rate: $44.07.
17. Editor
Editors shape articles, books, marketing copy, and scripts assigning, line-editing, and fact-checking on deadline. Publications and content teams use part-time editors to handle peak cycles or specific beats. The rhythm suits contract work: define deliverables, edit in batches, and invoice by retainer or per-piece rates. Familiarity with style guides and CMS tools helps you switch among clients smoothly.
Editor median hourly rate: $36.18.
18. Art director
Art directors set the look and feel for magazines, campaigns, films, and product launches. Part-time roles come as project-based stints for photoshoots, brand refreshes, or seasonal campaigns. The work mixes creative direction with hands-on reviews of layouts, motion, and type. Many art directors block a couple of days per client during key phases, then step back once guidelines are set.
Art director median hourly rate: $53.38.
