How many hours is a part-time job?

This is the most common question, but the answer isn't a single number. There is no official federal legal definition for the number of hours in a part-time vs. a full-time job.

Instead, the definition depends on the context:

  • For Statistical Purposes (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics): The BLS, which tracks employment data, considers anyone working 1 to 34 hours per week to be a part-time worker. This is the most common general benchmark.
  • For Employer Policies: Most companies set their own internal policies. A company's employee handbook explains which roles are considered part-time, usually defined as working fewer than 35 or 40 hours a week. This distinction matters because it usually influences eligibility for benefits like health insurance, paid time off (PTO), and retirement plans.
  • For the Affordable Care Act (ACA): This is a key legal distinction. For the purposes of the ACA's employer mandate, a "full-time employee" is someone who works, on average, 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month. Therefore, under the ACA, an employee working fewer than 30 hours per week is considered part-time and does not need to be offered health coverage by the employer.

In short, while "under 35 hours" is a common rule of thumb, the most practical definition for an employee is the one set by their employer, which is often guided by the ACA's 30-hour threshold for benefits.

How to Define Part-Time Employees?

A part-time employee is an individual who works fewer hours than what their employer defines as a full-time schedule. The definition combines government guidelines and employer policies. Key ways part-time employees are defined:

  1. By Hours Worked:Depending on the company, they work fewer hours than full-time staff, usually under 35, 32, or 30 hours
  2. By Benefits Eligibility:Access to benefits is a major legal and practical distinction. Employers define part-time status largely to determine who is eligible for:
    • Health, dental, and vision insurance
    • Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
    • Retirement plans (like a 401(k))
    • Life insurance and disability coverage
  1. By Employment Law:While there's no universal definition, some laws use hour-based thresholds to grant protections. For example, some state or city laws on paid sick leave may apply to part-time employees once they work a certain number of hours.

 

How many Americans work part-time?

About 27.4 million Americans work part-time (June 2025), making up 17% of the employed population. This includes voluntary and involuntary part-time workers.

 

What is a part-time job?

A part-time job is a position that requires an employee to work fewer hours than a full-time job, typically less than 35-40 hours per week. Part-time jobs are in various industries, including retail, food service, healthcare, and education. Part-time employees may work a set schedule, such as 20 hours per week, or may have variable schedules that change weekly.

 

How many hours a week is part-time?

The number of hours that defines part-time employment can vary depending on the employer, industry, or country. However, here are some general guidelines:

  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA) defines part-time employees as those who work fewer than 30 hours per week.
  • The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not provide a specific definition of part-time employment, but many employers consider part-time employees to be those who work fewer than 35-40 hours per week.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines part-time employees as those who work 1-34 hours per week.

Part-time employment is often considered to be any schedule that is less than full-time, which is typically defined as 35-40 hours per week. However, the specific number of hours that defines part-time employment can vary depending on the context and the employer.

 

Are part-time employees entitled to vacation, sick, or holiday pay?

It depends on the employer, local laws, and company policies.

  • No Federal Requirement: The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not mandate paid vacation, sick leave, or holiday pay for any employees (full-time or part-time).
  • State/Local Laws: Some states (e.g., California, New York) and cities require employers to provide paid sick leave, even for part-time workers, once they meet a minimum hours threshold (e.g., 30 hours/week or 90 days of employment).
  • Employer Policies: Many companies offer pro-rated benefits (e.g., paid time off scaled to hours worked) to part-time employees, but this is voluntary. Check your employee handbook or contract.
  • Holiday Pay: Part-time workers are rarely paid for holidays unless their employer explicitly offers it (e.g., retail workers on Thanksgiving).

 

Do part-time employees get overtime pay?

Yes, part-time employees are eligible for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if they meet the following criteria:

  1. The employee is non-exempt (most part-time workers are non-exempt unless they hold a managerial or professional role).
  2. They work over 40 hours in a single workweek.

Overtime pay is calculated at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Note that some states have additional overtime rules (e.g., daily overtime or lower thresholds).

What jobs are best suited for part-time employees?

Part-time roles are quite popular in industries where staffing needs can vary. Here are some examples you might find interesting:

  1. Retail: Cashiers, sales associates, stock clerks.
  2. Hospitality: Waitstaff, bartenders, hotel front desk staff.
  3. Food Service: Servers, baristas, kitchen staff.
  4. Customer Service: Call center representatives, support staff.
  5. Healthcare: Nursing assistants, home health aides, medical receptionists.
  6. Education: Tutors, substitute teachers, teaching assistants.
  7. Administrative: Receptionists, data entry clerks, virtual assistants.
  8. Creative/Freelance: Writers, graphic designers, social media managers.
  9. Seasonal Work: Event staff, holiday retail workers, tax preparers.

 

Why do people work part-time?

People choose part-time work for various reasons, including:

  1. Education: Students balancing work with school commitments.
  2. Family Responsibilities: Parents or caregivers needing flexible schedules.
  3. Retirement: Retirees seeking supplemental income without full-time commitments.
  4. Health Reasons: Individuals with physical or mental health limitations.
  5. Pursuing Passions: Freelancers or entrepreneurs working part-time while building their own ventures.
  6. Work-Life Balance: Those prioritizing personal time, hobbies, or travel.
  7. Economic Necessity: Unable to find full-time work, leading to involuntary part-time employment.
  8. Skill Development: Gaining experience in a new field without committing full-time.

 

 

Key Notes:

  • Full-time averages 38–42 hours/week in the U.S.
  • Part-time is usually <35 hours/week.
  • State laws may influence this (e.g., California’s overtime rules start at >8 hours/day).
  • Always check employer policies and local labor laws.

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