How Many Hours is Part Time in 2026? A Simple Explanation

If you are also stuck on the question about how many hours is part time, the answer is that any employment scheduled to 35 hours is classified as part time.

However, these part time work hours per week depend on certain factors such as the employer’s needs, the industry, the specific role, and the employee’s availability. 

Without any further ado, let’s learn all about ‘how many hours a week is a part time job?’.

What is Considered Part Time?

By connotation, a part time job entails a reduced work schedule compared to full time employment, making it an adaptable option ideal for students, parents, or anyone seeking supplemental income. 

For Instance: 

• A college student working 4 hours per day for a side income.
• A remote content writer or a freelancer working 25 hours per week.
• A retailer working 120  to 140 hours per month.

Key Features of Part Time Jobs:

• Fewer Hours: 30  to 35 Hours per week (In general)
• Flexibility: Ideal for balancing life, school, and parenting.
• Career Exploration: Acts as a stepping stone for starting a career. 

Continue reading for details about how many hours is part time work.

How Many Hours is Part Time in a Week?

Part time hours are usually around 30 to 35 hours a week. Nevertheless, there’s no versatile threshold; it completely varies among employers, countries, and roles. 

The standard used to determine whether a job qualifies as a part time is less than 40 hours per week. The ILO has defined and classified part time work into certain forms. These are:

• Substantial Part Time: That is generally 21 to 34 hours per week
• Short Part Time: Generally, less than 20 hours per week.
• Marginal Part Time: Work that is less than 15 hours per week.

What is Part Time as per the Different Countries?

The definition of hours towards part time jobs varies with distinct national laws. The general part time hours per week are 30 to 35 hours. 

Nonetheless, here’s an extended list of country-specific illustrations of part time hours:

• India: 
  • No specific legal minimum hours (mutual agreement). It generally varies within companies. 
  • The general, however, can be 4 to 6 hours per day. 

• USA: 
  • General: Under 30 to 35 hours; 
  • Students: Around 20 hours (during term). 

• UK: 
  • Students: Around 20 hours per week (term)

• Australia: 
  • Students: Up to 48 hours per fortnight (semester) or unlimited (break).

• Canada: 
  • Students: 20 hours per week (term).

• Germany: 
  • Students: 20 hours/week during semesters.

Difference Between Part Time and Full Time Employment

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines part time workers as those who “usually work less than 35 hours per week.”  

Whereas, it  defines full time employment as “usually working 35 or more hours per week.”

To find the point difference, refer to the table below:

Features	Part Time	Full Time
Hours	Around 30  to 35 hours per week.	Generally, 30  to 40+ hours per week.
Salary	Falls around $7.25 to $15+ per hour, depending on the state.	May range from $28 to $30 per hour.
Schedule	Flexible schedule (may work according to their will, good for students/secondary income)	Fixed schedule (often has regular shifts, night shifts, and weekend shifts)
Perks or Benefits	May not be entitled to the same benefits as full time staff (like health insurance), but can sometimes obtain pro rata or selected benefits.	Access to health insurance, paid vacation, sick days, holiday pay, and retirement plans.
Career Growth	Fewer opportunities for advancement or training.	Better opportunities for career advancement, training, and professional development.
Work Life Balance	Significantly improves work-life balance by offering flexible schedules and reduced stress, while providing freedom and less burnout.	With a rigid schedule, it can risk burnout if not managed well.
Job Security	Part time jobs are often the first cut during downturns, making them less stable, as employers may view part timers as less invested or easier to replace, leading to less job security.	Employers invest more in full time employees through training, benefits, and consistent hours, making them harder to replace. Hence, strengthening their job security.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Part Time Job

Part time employment offers flexibility, better work-life balance, and a chance to accumulate experience. However, it also comes with lower pay, less job security, and restricted career growth. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of part time job hours.

Advantages	Disadvantages
More Control Over Your Schedule: Part time employment generally offers a more flexible and balanced approach to work, enabling students to more easily manage their studies and helping women better balance the demands of both a career and family life.	Less Overall Income: Reduced working hours result in lower total earnings, which in turn affect potential bonuses and retirement savings.
Learning Valuable Skills: These jobs are excellent for skill building, developing crucial soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management, apart from the niche-specific skills.	Fewer Benefits: It generally excludes any type of benefits, including health benefits, paid sick leave, and many more.
Gaining Job Experience: It builds valuable skills, expands your network, and clarifies career goals by providing real-world tasks, industry insights, and connections, which will distinguish your professional profile.	Less Job Security: Faces a higher risk of workforce compactions or dismissals. In downturns, companies often cut part time staff first as they represent less investment and commitment.
Earn Extra Income: Diversifying income streams with online tasks (freelancing) and local services (tutoring) offers a valuable financial advantage.	Limited Growth: Lower pay, fewer benefits, job insecurity, and fewer chances for promotion or significant skill development compared to full time jobs.
Reduced Stress: Fewer hours at work potentially translates to reduced job-related stress and enhanced vitality.

What Jobs Are Suitable for Part Time Roles?

Suitable part time jobs span many sectors. These include retail (sales or cashier), food (delivery services), education (tutors or teaching assistants), tech (data entry, freelance content writers), and many more. 

The following provides a detailed overview:

• Hospitability:
  • Sales Associate
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Waiter or Cashier
  • Delivery Driver

• Education:
  • Home Tutor or Online Tutor
  • Teaching Associate

• Tech:
  • Data Entry or Typist
  • Content Writer (Freelancer)
  • Entry-level Coders

• Administrative:
  • HR Recruiter
  • Business Development Executive

Conclusion

The above written must have settled your confusion about “How many hours a week is part time employment?” Though there is no universal legal answer to how many hours is part time, it is generally considered to be anything under 30 to 35 hours per week; anything above 35 hours a week is considered a full time job.

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