27+ Facts and Statistics about Part-Time Jobs [2025]

What drives millions to take part-time jobs?

Major incentives are flexibility and extra money, especially for groups like women, parents, and students.

Interestingly, some roles like part-time developers earn six figures yearly.

The trend of voluntary part-time work is growing significantly, with nearly 6 people choosing part-time for every 1 person working full-time.

Explore more trends and statistics for further insights into part-time employment.

Top Part-Time Job Statistics: Editor’s Pick

1. According to Statista, over 26 million people work part-time in the U.S. [1]
2. There are 14 million women over the age of 20 who hold part-time jobs. [2]
3. 35% of the Netherlands workforce is part-time. [3]
4. 42% of working moms with low education are part-time. [3]
5. Part-time retail employees account for 29% of the overall retail workforce. [4]
6. While the food industry is 32.8% part-time workers. [5]
7. The education and health services industry has 5.9 million part-time workers. [6]
8. Part-time developers earn $109,905 annually. [7]

General Statistics about Part-Time Jobs

Curious how many are working part-time lately?

In the US, the number reached 26.8 million this year.

But global trends vary widely.

For example, across Europe women’s parenthood status greatly impacts rates – exceeding 20 percentage point gaps in countries.

These statistics reveal shifting workforce norms as part-time arrangements see growing adoption worldwide. 

Check out more details about this.

Part-time workers rose to 4% in the U.S. this year

In a survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the population of those who work part-time increased from 26.1 million to 27.2 million this October. [2]

Many European women work part-time [3]

In 23 out of 27 EU countries, there’s a higher percentage of part-time employment among women aged 25-54 who have children compared to women without children.

This gap is notably significant, exceeding 20 percentage points, especially in Austria (+34.0 pp.), Germany (+33.5 pp.), and the Netherlands (+25.8 pp.).

Netherlands tops the part-time employment rate

Among over 40 countries surveyed, the Netherlands had the highest percentage of part-time workers at 35%, followed by Australia at 25.5%, Switzerland at 25.2%, and Japan at 25.1%. [3]

Who’s Likely to Work Part-Time?

We examined various factors such as age, gender, race, and education to identify who is more inclined to engage in part-time work.

From each category, we’ve identified the top-ranked group.

Here’s what we discovered:

Women aged over 20 make up most of the part-time jobs

Recent statistics indicate that women over 20 hold nearly twice as many part-time jobs (14 million) compared to men over 20 (8 million), highlighting a major trend in workforce participation. [2]

Younger people aged 15-24 are more likely to work part-time

This age group is further broken down by participation in education to distinguish students working part-time from non-students. [3]

• 54% of employed students 15-24 work part-time (60% of women vs 48% of men)
• 16.7% of non-students 15-24 work part-time (23.8% of women vs 11.7% of men)

Less educated moms are most likely in part-time work

41.6% of employed women with low education and children worked part-time, followed by 35.2% of medium-educated mothers.

In contrast, just 14.8% of highly educated women without children worked part-time. [3]

7% more white men than women work part-time out of need

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 991,000 white men over the age of 16 were working part-time for economic reasons.

This number is actually higher compared to the 924,000 white women over 16 that were working part-time for economic reasons. [2]

96% of older part-time workers prefer part-time roles

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) surveyed 1,000 part-time workers.

Of those surveyed, 85% expressed a preference for part-time work, with a substantial number of respondents coming from the Baby Boomer and Traditionalist demographics. [8]

Which Industry Has a Lot of Part-Timers?

Just how vital are part-time workers across industries?

From retail to construction, part-timers constitute a significant employee segment supporting operations.

For example, in retail, part-time staff make up 29% of the workforce.

And that figure rises to an estimated 32.8% within the food/restaurant industry.

This data demonstrates the heavy reliance key sectors have on part-time labor, often to meet fluctuating on-demand needs.

We break down more statistics that quantify this workforce’s crucial day-to-day impact.

29% of part-timers belong to the retail industry

Retail heavily utilizes part-time staff, making up 29% of employees, to meet shopper needs during peak times.

Part-timers provide scheduling flexibility, with many staff being students, parents, or semi-retired individuals looking for supplemental income. [4]

The food industry is comprised of 32.8% part-time workers

This high percentage demonstrates the prevalence of part-time work in the restaurant industry, where many employees cannot rely on full-time employment alone.

As such, this key statistic contextualizes the struggles restaurant workers face in making ends meet. [5]

The construction industry has 968,000 part-time workers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 968,000 part-time employees in the construction industry.

This mix includes both voluntary part-time staff as well as those working part-time due to involuntary reasons. [6]

The education & health services industries have the highest number of part-timers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there are 5.9 million part-time employees in the education and health services industry.

This figure represents an increase of approximately 172% compared to the 2.1 million individuals working full-time in the same industry. [6]

What are the Highest-Paying Part-Time Jobs?

Did you know the average hourly wage for U.S. part-time roles is $41.04?

That’s $85,369 per year!

However, part-time pay varies based on factors like skill level, location, and experience.

But according to ZipRecruiter data, the highest salaries go to part-time developers.

Check out more details below.

Part-time developers earn 28.7% higher than average U.S part-time salary 

According to ZipRecruiter, part-time developers earn $109,905 annually – 28.7% higher than the $85,369 average U.S. part-time salary.

Qualified part-time developers can earn a $24,000+ premium versus average part-time roles. [7]

Why Do People Choose Part-Time Jobs?

In the survey of over 1,000 voluntary part-time workers conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM):

• 72% value schedule flexibility
• 55% said they work part-time to avoid stress
• 50% want time to focus on interests/hobbies
• 46% need time to focus on family needs
• 27% explore careers part-time
• 17% for financial need
• 39% want to access health benefits

FAQs about Part-Time Jobs

How many people work part-time?

In the United States, over 26.85 million people held part-time jobs in 2023.

Which country has the most part-time workers?

The Netherlands has the highest percentage of part-timers globally at 35% of the workforce. Other top countries are Australia (25.5%), Switzerland (25.2%), and Japan (25.1%).

What industries employ the most part-time workers?

Education and health services lead with 5.9 million part-time employees, while the food and restaurant industry depends heavily on part-timers at 32.8% or 4.3 million workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Who is most likely to work part-time?

Younger people aged 15-24, especially students, show high part-time rates of 54%.

Why do people choose part-time work?

72% cited schedule flexibility as the top reason. 55% want less job stress, while 17% work part-time out of financial necessity.

Summary

The increase in people choosing voluntary part-time work, driven by flexibility and financial benefits, reflects a significant shift in modern employment.

Women, parents, and students are spearheading this trend, indicating a global move towards adaptable work setups.

Industries’ reliance on part-time staff highlights their vital role across sectors.

The high earnings of part-time developers challenge traditional job perceptions.

Surveys consistently stress the importance of balancing work and personal life.

As millions embrace part-time roles, it signifies a dynamic change in the global workforce.

For further intriguing statistics, facts and trends, we invite you to explore our website.

Sources

1. Statista. Monthly number of part-time employees in the United States from October 2021 to October 2023
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey
3. European Commission. Part-time and full-time employment – statistics
4. National Retail Federation. Retail supports 1 in 4 American jobs
5. Gitnux. Must-Know Fast Food Employee Statistics [Current Data] 
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Persons at work in nonagricultural industries by class of worker and usual full- or part-time status
7. ZipRecruiter. How Much Do Part Time Jobs Pay per Hour?
8. SHRM. Understanding Part-Time Employment
9. Time. Why Americans Want Part-Time Jobs Again

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Rachelle Ann Conchada

Rachelle is a digital marketer with experience in project management and marketing. She crafts content supported by data, advocating innovative solutions for job-seekers and professionals involved in hiring.

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