Part-time jobs for students

A part-time job can give you spending money, savings for school, and your first work reference. It can also teach you skills that help in class, like time management and talking with people. The key is to find a balance, so work doesn't push school aside.

We checked the facts in this guide on October 12, 2026. Rules and rates change, so follow the links to the official pages for the latest details.

Jobs that often fit around school

Many students start in jobs with evening and weekend shifts:

Cashier in grocery stores, drugstores, and big-box stores. See Cashier jobs.
Retail associate in clothing, shoe, and other stores. See Retail store associate jobs.
Food service and barista jobs in restaurants and cafés. See Food service and barista jobs.

If you are in school during the day, look for employers that are busy in the evening and on weekends. Those are the shifts you can work.

How many hours?

There is no perfect number. A few tips:

Start small. Try two or three shifts a week, and see how your schoolwork goes.
Plan around exams. Tell your manager about exam dates early, and ask for fewer shifts during those weeks.
Be honest about your availability. Only offer the times you can really work. Our interview guide explains how to talk about it.
Watch for warning signs. If you are always tired, behind on homework, or missing classes, talk to your manager about cutting back.

Age and hours rules

BC. From age 16, the regular employment standards apply. At 14 or 15, you can do "light work," such as cashier or food service, with written permission from a parent or guardian. If you are under 15, you can't be required to work during school hours, and you can't work more than (Hiring young people):

4 hours on a school day
7 hours on a non-school day
20 hours in a week with 5 school days
35 hours a week when school is not in session

From age 15, the standard hours of work rules apply.

Ontario. The minimum age is 14 for stores, offices, and restaurant serving areas, and 15 for restaurant kitchens and warehouses. Employers can't employ anyone under 16 during school hours (Ontario minimum age).

Pay for students

BC: The minimum wage is $18.25 an hour, since June 1, 2026. BC has no separate student rate, so students get the same minimum as everyone else.
Ontario: The general minimum wage is $17.95 an hour, since October 1, 2026. Ontario also has a student minimum wage of $16.90 an hour. It applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less while school is in session, or who work during a school break or summer holidays. If you are 18 or older, or you work more than 28 hours a week during the school year, the general rate applies.

Learn about pay, breaks, and overtime in our rights guides for BC and Ontario.

International students

If you are in Canada on a study permit, you must follow strict limits. According to IRCC:

During academic sessions, you can work up to 24 hours per week off campus. This total includes all your jobs.
During scheduled breaks, such as summer or winter break, you can work unlimited hours.
You must meet every condition. For example, you must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution, be in a post-secondary program, have started your program, and have a study permit that allows off-campus work. You also need a Social Insurance Number.

Working more than 24 hours a week during an academic session breaks the conditions of your permit. IRCC says you could lose your student status, be refused future permits, and have to leave Canada. You are responsible for tracking your hours.

Read Your first job in Canada as a newcomer for more on permits and your SIN.

Summer job programs

Canada Summer Jobs. This federal program funds summer jobs for people aged 15 to 30. You must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or someone given refugee protection in Canada, and have a valid SIN when the job starts. International students can't take part. Search for these jobs in the youth section of Job Bank (canada.ca).

Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). The federal government hires students through this program. You must be a full-time student at a secondary or post-secondary school, meet the minimum working age in your province, and be returning to full-time studies in the next term. The main student inventory is open all year. Preference is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents (Public Service Commission).

Read Seasonal and holiday jobs for more summer and holiday work ideas.

Getting tax back

Your employer may take income tax off your pay. Filing a tax return is how you can get back any tax you overpaid.

Your T4 slip. Employers must give you your T4 slip by the last day of February for the year before (CRA).
File even if you earned little. The CRA says that even if you don't owe tax, you could be eligible for a refund. Filing every year is also required to keep getting benefit and credit payments you are entitled to (Students and the CRA).
The deadline. For most people, it is April 30 each year (Students and the CRA).
Tuition. If you are in college or university, you may be able to claim or transfer eligible tuition fees (CRA: deductions and credits for students).
Free help. If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, volunteers at a free tax clinic may do your taxes for free.

Learn to check your pay and deductions in How to read your pay stub.

Next steps

Cashier jobs in Metro Vancouver and the GTA
Retail jobs in Metro Vancouver and the GTA
Food service jobs in Metro Vancouver and the GTA
Write your first resume: Writing your first resume with no work experience
Under 18? Read Working at 15, 16 or 17 in BC and Ontario