20 Fun Ways to Make Money as a Student in Canada 2024

Being a student often means juggling an exciting yet challenging mix of academic, social, and personal responsibilities.

While education is a top priority, there’s also an undeniable need for financial stability.

So, if you’re aiming to boost your savings, offset your student loans, or learn valuable financial skills, check out our list below on how to make money as a student in Canada.

How Much Can I Earn in Canada as a Student?

Students in Canada can earn roughly $15 to $34 an hour while working part-time. However, the specific amount you can make largely depends on your skills, role, and employer or client.

Many companies are willing to hire students in a freelance capacity at a lower rate to save on costs. That creates a wealth of opportunities for cash-strapped students looking to earn an income.

On-Campus Jobs

As a student in Canada, you have many opportunities to earn extra cash on campus. Here are some options to consider:

1. Student Assistant

One of the most common on-campus jobs is working as a student assistant. Many positions are available year-round, and they are generally based in the student union building or the student services center.

You can find work in customer service, food prep, administration, events, and more. Here’s an example of a job board at the UBC.

2. Food Services

If you like food or customer service, consider working in restaurants, cafés, and eateries on campus. Join the team and earn some extra cash while working part-time. You can also find similar opportunities at other universities across Canada.

3. Teaching Assistant

If you have excelled in a particular course, you may be able to work as a teaching assistant for that course. This job involves helping the professor with grading, leading tutorials, and answering questions from students. It’s a great way to deepen your understanding of the course material and earn some extra money.

4. Co-op or Internship

Many universities in Canada offer co-op or internship programs that allow you to work in your field of study while earning academic credit. These programs can be a great way to gain practical experience and make valuable connections in your industry.

Best Ways To Make Money As A Student In Canada (off-campus)

1. Proofreading

  • Possible Income: $22+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Grammatical excellence is a base requirement for proofreaders. Luckily, there are numerous resources to help you build proofreading as a skill. Enrolling in a dedicated proofreading course speeds your rise to the top.

Proofreaders are eagle-eyed individuals who meticulously review written pieces to ensure

they’re immaculate and error-free. They check grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors to deliver a final copy that the client can use. They’ll also check for formatting errors, repetitions, missing information, and more.

Previously, proofreaders were a staple in the print industry, but they’re now a core part of the online sector. Businesses hire them to give their written communication — blog posts, emails, white papers, and more — a shine.

Proofreaders help clients project a professional image and capable competency through their written content.

2. Content Writing

  • Possible income: $19+ hour
  • How to Get Started: There are no formal qualifications to become a content writer, but you require decent writing skills and language mastery to thrive. There are many free and paid content writing resources to help you build and polish your creation of compelling content.

Content marketing is the backbone of many successful online businesses, making it one of today’s most in-demand skills. Content writers package useful information into blog posts, case studies, web content, white papers, and more.

Business owners put this information to draw traffic to their websites and connect with prospective customers.

With millions of online websites on the internet, there’s an unending demand for content writers across the board. Businesses depend on them to grow their web traffic, build email lists, and generate sales.

3. Virtual Assistant

  • Possible Income: $20+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: There are no formal qualifications to become a content writer, but you require decent writing skills and language mastery to thrive. There are many free and paid content writing resources to help you build and polish your ability to create compelling content.

Virtual assistants wear different hats, and their specific duties depend on what the client needs. Typical virtual assistant duties could range from handling calls, emails, and organizing the client’s calendar.

Other roles are more specialized and could require special skills such as marketing, blogging, graphic design, bookkeeping, and more.

Virtual assistants soak up administrative tasks to allow companies and busy executives to focus on higher-priority tasks. The demand for virtual assistants is rising as startups and small businesses tend towards virtual offices.

Companies hire virtual assistants as a cost-saving measure since independent contractors are cheaper than full-time employees.

Related article: How To Make Money Blogging In Canada

4. Web Design

  • Possible Income: $20+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Web design is a technical subject that requires training and considerable practice. There are many free online and paid courses to help you build this skill. Web design courses provide structured learning to help you learn faster.

Web designers help businesses and individuals create beautiful and functional websites. They help their clients with the elements that determine a site’s branding and usability. Web designers use a variety of programs to define a website’s colours, fonts, layout, headings, and navigation.

Their job is to make websites attractive but still easy for visitors to find the information they need. Depending on where your interests lie, you might complement your web design skills by learning to code. However, you can still get the job done without writing a single line of code.

5. Graphic Design

  • Possible income: $16+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Web design is a lucrative technical skill that requires mastering various paid tools such as Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDraw. Free alternatives such as Photopea are great if you don’t have the budget. Polishing your skills can help you succeed in this lucrative market.

Graphic designers help their clients mold their marketing messages into attractive images. They use a play of colors, illustrations, and images to grab people’s attention and draw it to a specific product or piece of information.

Clever use of imagery helps companies improve their marketing strategies and connect with customers.

Traditionally, graphic design revolved around the print industry – logos, brochures, posters, banners, and letterheads. Graphic designers can also help with optimizing the user experience on websites and online stores. This can include typography, page layout, and images to help businesses build better websites.

6. Transcription

  • Possible Income: $23+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: There are no formal qualifications to become a generalist transcriber except good typing skills and a good ear. You can become a general transcriber or specialize in providing transcription services to businesses in your area of study. For instance, nursing students can elect to become medical transcriptionists, which may require formal training.

As the name suggests, this role entails transcribing information from audio and video clips. There’s spiking demand for transcriptionists and transcribers in the current work environment.

With most people working from home, Zoom meetings and teleconferencing have become a staple. Most businesses require people to transcribe the contents of such meetings regularly. You can cash in on the growing needs and make good money.

7. Video Editing

  • Possible income: $19+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Video editing has no formal qualifications besides mastering various tools such as Apple Final Cut Pro, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, and more. Free alternatives include Power Director 365, DaVinci Resolve, and Movie Maker. Enrolling in a video editing course can help accelerate learning and polish your skills.

The world is hungry for visual content, and video content is becoming more popular each year. People binge-watch a billion hours of YouTube videos every day, creating an entirely new market dedicated to making videos.

The insatiable need for more video content makes video editing one of the most in-demand skills in the world. Besides regular YouTubers, businesses are jumping on the video marketing bandwagon too. Refining your video editing prowess is a sure way to make money as a student.

Related article: How To Make Money On YouTube In Canada

8. Captioning

  • Possible Income: $17+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: A little patience and decent typing speed are all you need to get started. You can build your skills by captioning a few videos and demonstrating your ability to potential clients.

Captioning caters to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s also beneficial to people viewing the content in their non-native languages or learning to read.

Captioning video makes the content more accessible, memorable and builds comprehension. It’s a core requirement in many online courses that use videos as the primary mode of instruction. There’s a high demand for skilled captioners in the online learning scene.

9. Copywriting

  • Possible Income: $21+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Taking a copywriting course is the fastest way to hit the ground running. It accelerates your ability to sharpen your skills while lowering the learning curve.

Copywriting is the art of helping businesses craft compelling marketing materials with the sole aim of generating more income. Although both online and offline enterprises use copy to generate sales, they have different copywriting needs.

Online stores primarily use web content, sales letters, email campaigns, and landing pages. Brick-and-mortar stores use printed materials such as flyers, catalogues, brochures, and sales letters to reach their customers.

Despite the different delivery modes, the underlying copywriting concept remains the same – to generate more sales.

10. Editing

  • Possible Income: $22+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: A keen eye for details is a core requirement to becoming a successful editor. Numerous online resources, including websites, videos, courses, and books, can help build your editing chops to let you stand out on the market.

Editors take on various roles, and their duties range from reviewing written content for grammatical errors to fact-checking and authenticating claims. They also ensure that the content corresponds to the client’s in-house style guide, tone, and delivery style.

Editors also help to make a piece of content more palatable to the desired target audience. Besides revising content, editors are critical in planning content, managing writers, assigning jobs, and reviewing submissions.

In the printing sector, editors are primarily tasked with reviewing manuscripts for errors, readability, flow, and gaps.

11. Customer Service Assistant

  • Possible Income: $16 per hour
  • How to Get Started: Basic computer competency is all you need to get started in this role. However, the lower entry barrier breeds a lot of competition. Padding your resume with customer service-oriented certifications can even the odds.

Customer service is critical to business success because it allows them to retain their customers while maximizing their value. They often hire an army of customer service executives to help them achieve this feat. Customer service assistants handle many tasks, all geared towards improving their customers’ experience.

Duties could include answering phones, answering emails, handling complaints, data entry, and more. Depending on the client, you may be responsible for making sales or processing orders.

Most companies are increasingly adding Live Chat features to their websites, increasing the demand for customer service executives.

12. Affiliate Marketing

  • Possible Income: $0 to unlimited
  • How to Get Started: While the entry barrier is low, affiliate marketing calls for a combination of skills. Writing skills and search optimization (SEO) are some of the core skills you need to thrive if using a website. Luckily, there are many free and paid resources on the internet to help get started.

Affiliate marketers are simply online sales reps who use their websites or social media platforms to help businesses generate online leads. The concept is relatively easy. You create a website that helps buyers make informed buying decisions and then directs them to purchase products from specific websites.

You earn a commission every time a customer signs up or buys an item through your affiliate links. Amazon has the largest affiliate marketing program in the world and supports affiliate marketers from across the globe.

13. Digital Marketing

  • Possible Income: $16+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: Digital marketing has a higher bar to entry than most jobs on this list, but the market is brimming with opportunities. Luckily, there are numerous free and paid resources to help you leap over most barriers. Google offers free AdWords courses and certification. Check out HubSpot for a free digital marketing course.

Digital marketing is a suite of strategies that companies use to promote their products and services through the internet. It’s a highly efficient way to connect with potential customers as it encompasses all web-based advertising.

Companies often retain savvy digital marketers to help them overcome the stiff competition and grow their brand presence. Digital marketers employ various marketing channels, including social media, email, paid adverts, and web content, to help their clients succeed.

14. Software Developer

  • Possible Income: $34+ per hour
  • How to Get Started: You can learn how to code in as little as three months and become a decent software engineer in six months. There are numerous online resources to help self-learners become world-class software engineers. Free Code Camp offers a free software engineering course and issues successful candidates with certifications.

If you love coding, you can thrive as a software engineer. Software engineers write the programs that power the digital world. They code the ‘guts’ of popular websites and applications.

Engineers use various coding languages – JavaScript, Python, Java, and more to solve problems and create digital solutions. As the world thirsts for more innovations, the demand for software developers is at an all-time high. The demand for software engineers is projected to grow well into the future.

Part-Time and Seasonal Jobs

As a student in Canada, finding a part-time job can be a great way to earn extra cash while gaining valuable work experience.

If you’re looking for a part-time job off-campus, retail and restaurant positions are often available and can provide valuable customer service experience. Many of these positions offer flexible schedules that can accommodate your class schedule.

You could also consider becoming a barista, which can be a fun and social job that allows you to learn new skills.

During the summer months, seasonal jobs are plentiful in Canada. Many tourist destinations, such as national parks or resorts, hire seasonal workers to help with the influx of visitors. These jobs can range from customer service positions to pet or babysitting jobs.

When searching for a part-time or seasonal job, it’s important to consider the hours and pay rate. Some jobs may offer a higher hourly wage but require more hours or a longer commute.

It’s also important to consider the type of experience you want to gain. A job in retail or customer service may provide valuable skills that can be used in future careers.

Using Marketplaces and Apps

As a student in Canada, you can use various marketplaces and apps to make some extra cash. Here are some popular options:

  • Facebook Marketplace: This is a great platform to sell items you no longer need. You can list items for free and reach a large audience. Make sure to take clear photos and write detailed descriptions to attract buyers.
  • Amazon: If you’re looking to sell products online, Amazon is a great option. You can create an account and start selling your products to a global audience. Keep in mind that there are fees associated with selling on Amazon.
  • Kijiji: This is a popular classifieds website in Canada. You can list items for sale, find jobs, and even rent out your property. Kijiji is free to use, but you may need to pay for certain features like highlighting your ad.
  • Mint: This app can help you manage your finances and save money. You can link your bank accounts, credit cards, and investments to get a clear picture of your finances. Mint also offers personalized money-saving tips.
  • Craigslist: This is another popular classifieds website where you can buy and sell items. You can post ads for free, but be cautious of scams and frauds.
  • Uber Eats and DoorDash: If you have a car or bike, you can sign up to be a delivery driver for these apps. You can earn money by delivering food to customers in your area.

Earning for International Students

One option is to look for online jobs that allow you to work from home or anywhere with an internet connection. These jobs may include data entry, virtual assistance, or content creation. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can help you find these types of jobs.

Another option is to look for part-time jobs on campus. Many Canadian universities and colleges offer part-time jobs to their students, including international students. These jobs may include working in the library, cafeteria, or bookstore.

If you’re looking for a job off-campus, consider working in the service industry. Restaurants, cafes, and retail stores often hire part-time employees, and these jobs can provide you with valuable customer service experience.

It’s important to note that as an international student, you may have restrictions on the number of hours you can work per week. Make sure to check with your school’s international student office to understand the rules and regulations around working as an international student in Canada.

In addition to part-time jobs, you may also be eligible for scholarships, bursaries, and grants. These financial aid options can help you pay for your education and living expenses while studying in Canada. Make sure to check with your school’s financial aid office to see what options are available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Students Work in Canada for Cash?

Yes, students can work for cash in Canada. Just be mindful that some employers try to offer this as an option to avoid paying taxes or by lowballing your hourly rate, such as jobs that work for tips. Be sure to claim the appropriate amount on your taxes, and you’ll be fine.

How can I make money as a student with no experience?

If you have no experience, don’t worry. There are still many ways you can make money as a student in Canada. Consider doing odd jobs for people in your community, such as lawn care or snow shovelling. You can also try selling items you no longer need online or offer your services as a tutor or pet sitter.

What are some ways to make money as a broke college student in Canada?

Being a broke college student is tough, but there are still ways to make money. You can consider getting a part-time job or working on campus. Another option is to participate in paid research studies or surveys. You can also try selling your handmade crafts or baked goods online or in local markets.

What are some freelance writing opportunities for students in Canada?

If you have a passion for writing, there are many freelance writing opportunities available for students in Canada. You can try writing for online blogs or publications or offer your services as a copywriter or editor. You can also try creating content for social media platforms or starting your own blog.

How can international students make money while studying in Canada?

International students in Canada can make money by getting a part-time job on-campus or off-campus. You can also participate in paid research studies or surveys or offer your services as a tutor or language exchange partner. Another option is to sell your handmade crafts or baked goods online or in local markets.

What are some e-learning platforms that offer paid opportunities for students in Canada?

There are many e-learning platforms that offer paid opportunities for students in Canada. Some examples include VIPKid, Teachable, and Udemy. You can create and sell your own online courses or work as an online tutor or language exchange partner.

The Bottom Line

 Make Money As A Student In Canada

Thanks to the internet, every student in Canada has an opportunity to make money while continuing with their education. Most of these opportunities call for specialized skills that are easy to learn and master with free or paid online learning resources.

The time spent learning these skills is well worth it since the jobs command a decent hourly rate. Better yet, these skills have real-world applications and can help jump-start your career.

Looking for other ways to make money? Here’s a list of 11 extra ways to make money in Canada.

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Author Bio - Christopher Liew is a CFA Charterholder with 11 years of finance experience and the creator of Wealthawesome.com. Read about how he quit his 6-figure salary career to travel the world here.

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2 thoughts on “20 Fun Ways to Make Money as a Student in Canada 2024”

  1. Thanks for the helpful information. The digital world has given students earn while studying opportunities in various sectors of information technology.

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