PhD programs are known for their intensive and demanding nature, and it can be challenging to balance the academic workload with other responsibilities such as work or family. Many PhD students find themselves in need of additional income to support themselves while pursuing their studies. Fortunately, plenty of part-time jobs are perfect for PhD scholars. This article, ilovephd explores 50 Part-Time Jobs for PhD Scholars this would help PhDs and PostDocs to earn extra money during their research program in 2025.
35 Best and Simple PhD Income Websites for PhD Scholars to Find Extra Income Opportunities in 2025
50 Best Income Opportunities for PhD Scholars (2025)
Academic Opportunities
Teaching and Tutoring
- Online Course Creation
- Platforms: Coursera, Udemy, edX
- Create specialized courses in your field
- Potential income: $1,000-5,000/course with recurring revenue
- Private Tutoring
- One-on-one tutoring for undergraduate students
- Platforms: Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, Chegg
- Average rate: $50-150/hour depending on subject
- Test Prep Teaching
- GRE, GMAT, MCAT preparation
- Companies: Kaplan, Princeton Review
- Pay range: $30-100/hour
- Academic Writing Support
- Thesis editing and consultation
- Research paper review
- Rate: $40-80/hour
- Online Teaching
- Virtual adjunct positions
- Remote teaching for international universities
- Pay: $2,000-4,000/course
Research and Writing
- Freelance Academic Writing
- Technical writing for journals
- Literature review services
- Rate: $0.20-0.50/word
- Grant Writing
- Support for research proposals
- Non-profit grant applications
- Project-based: $1,000-5,000/grant
- Research Consultation
- Statistical analysis
- Research design
- Hourly rate: $75-150
- Academic Translation
- Technical document translation
- Research paper translation
- Rate: $0.15-0.25/word
- Peer Review
- Journal article reviewing
- Conference paper evaluation
- Pay: $100-300/review
Digital and Online Opportunities
Content Creation
- Academic Blogging
- Scientific writing for websites
- Expert content creation
- Rate: $100-500/article
- YouTube Education
- Educational content creation
- Subject matter expertise videos
- Income varies based on views
- Podcast Production
- Academic podcast hosting
- Expert guest appearances
- Potential sponsorships
- Online Workshop Creation
- Specialized training sessions
- Professional development courses
- Rate: $500-2,000/workshop
- Educational Resource Development
- Creating study materials
- Developing teaching resources
- Project-based: $30-50/hour
Technical Services
- Data Analysis
- Statistical consulting
- Research data processing
- Rate: $50-150/hour
- Programming
- Research software development
- Algorithm implementation
- Pay: $60-120/hour
- Website Development
- Academic website creation
- Research lab sites
- Project-based: $1,000-5,000
- Database Management
- Research database design
- Data organization
- Rate: $40-80/hour
- Technical Documentation
- Software documentation
- Research protocols
- Pay: $40-70/hour
Consulting Opportunities
Industry Consulting
- Research Consulting
- Industry research projects
- Data analysis consulting
- Rate: $100-300/hour
- Technical Advisory
- Expert opinion services
- Industry guidance
- Project-based: $2,000-10,000
- Patent Consulting
- Patent writing assistance
- Technical review
- Rate: $150-300/hour
- Market Research
- Industry analysis
- Competitive research
- Project-based: $1,000-5,000
- Product Development
- Scientific product testing
- Research-based feedback
- Rate: $75-200/hour
Academic Consulting
- Curriculum Development
- Course design
- Program development
- Project-based: $2,000-8,000
- Department Evaluation
- Program assessment
- Academic review
- Daily rate: $500-1,000
- Research Program Design
- Lab setup consultation
- Research initiative planning
- Project-based: $3,000-10,000
- Academic Publishing
- Editorial services
- Publishing consultation
- Rate: $60-120/hour
- Educational Technology
- EdTech implementation
- Digital learning consulting
- Rate: $75-150/hour
Specialized Services
Laboratory and Technical
- Lab Equipment Training
- Technical training sessions
- Equipment certification
- Rate: $200-500/session
- Specialized Software Training
- Research software instruction
- Data analysis tools
- Rate: $75-150/hour
- Protocol Development
- Laboratory procedures
- Research methodologies
- Project-based: $1,000-3,000
- Quality Control
- Research Validation
- Method verification
- Rate: $50-100/hour
- Technical Writing
- Manual development
- Procedure documentation
- Rate: $0.30-0.75/word
Professional Development
- Career Coaching
- Academic career guidance
- Industry transition support
- Rate: $100-200/hour
- Professional Workshop Leading
- Skill development sessions
- Professional training
- Day rate: $500-1,500
- Conference Organization
- Event planning
- Program coordination
- Project-based: $2,000-5,000
- Leadership Training
- Research team management
- Academic leadership
- Rate: $150-300/hour
- Mentorship Programs
- Structured mentoring
- Career development
- Monthly rate: $500-1,000
Remote Opportunities
Virtual Services
- Online Research Management
- Project coordination
- Team leadership
- Rate: $40-80/hour
- Virtual Lab Coordination
- Remote lab management
- Team supervision
- Monthly rate: $1,000-3,000
- Remote Data Analysis
- Statistical processing
- Results interpretation
- Project-based: $500-2,000
- Online Collaboration Tools
- Platform management
- Team coordination
- Rate: $35-70/hour
- Virtual Conference Support
- Technical coordination
- Event management
- Daily rate: $300-600
Digital Products
- Educational Materials
- Study guides
- Research templates
- Price varies by product
- Research Tools
- Analysis templates
- Research frameworks
- Subscription-based
- Online Courses
- Self-paced learning
- Specialized training
- Course price: $100-500
- Digital Resources
- Research databases
- Academic tools
- Subscription model
- Educational Apps
- Learning applications
- Research tools
- Revenue sharing
Tips for Success
- Time Management: Balance these opportunities with your PhD work
- Legal Considerations: Check your university’s policies on outside work
- Tax Planning: Keep records for tax purposes
- Professional Boundaries: Maintain academic integrity
- Quality Control: Ensure high standards across all services
Getting Started
- Assess your skills and expertise
- Choose opportunities that align with your schedule
- Start with 1-2 income streams
- Build your professional network
- Maintain consistent quality
- Gradually expand your services
Remember to prioritize your PhD research while pursuing these opportunities. Start with those that best match your expertise and schedule, then expand as you become more comfortable managing multiple income streams.
Looking for ways to make extra money while pursuing your PhD? Check out our list of 50 part-time jobs perfect for PhD students! From tutoring and freelance writing to social media management and event planning, these jobs are flexible, convenient, and can help you balance your academic workload with other responsibilities. Start earning extra income today!
40 Part-Time job Websites for PhD Scholars – PhD Income Websites
Here are 40 part-time job websites that can be helpful for PhD scholars:
- Upwork: www.upwork.com
- Freelancer: https://www.freelancer.com
- Fiverr:
- PeoplePerHour: https://www.peopleperhour.com
- Guru: https://www.guru.com
- SimplyHired: https://www.simplyhired.co.in/
- Indeed: https://in.indeed.com/
- Monster: https://www.monster.com
- Glassdoor:
- ZipRecruiter: https://www.ziprecruiter.com
- FlexJobs: https://www.flexjobs.com
- Remote.co: https://remote.co
- Working Nomads: https://www.workingnomads.co
- We Work Remotely: https://weworkremotely.com
- Virtual Vocations: https://www.virtualvocations.com
- Freelance Writing Jobs: https://www.freelancewriting.com/jobs
- Journalism Jobs: https://www.journalismjobs.com
- MediaBistro: https://www.mediabistro.com
- ProBlogger Job Board: https://problogger.com/jobs
- Tutor.com: https://www.tutor.com
- Chegg: https://www.chegg.com/
- Course Hero coursehero.com/become-a-tutor
- Wyzant: https://www.wyzant.com/
- VIPKid: https://www.vipkid.com
- Cambly: cambly.com/en/tutors?lang=en
- Verbling: https://www.verbling.com
- Preply: https://preply.com/en
- Data Entry Jobs: indeed.com/q-Data-Entry-jobs.html
- Clickworker: https://www.clickworker.com
- Lionbridge: https://www.lionbridge.com
- TranscribeMe: https://www.transcribeme.com
- Rev: rev.com/freelancers/transcription
- Speechpad: https://www.speechpad.com
- Amazon Mechanical Turk: https://www.mturk.com
- Instacart: https://shoppers.instacart.com
- Postmates: https://postmates.com/
- TaskRabbit:https://www.taskrabbit.com/
- Handy: https://www.handy.com
- Rover: https://www.rover.com/
- Care.com: https://www.care.com
These websites offer a variety of part-time job opportunities, from freelance work and virtual assistant positions to tutoring and data entry jobs. PhD scholars can find opportunities to fit their expertise, schedule, and financial needs. These jobs can help you balance your academic workload with other responsibilities. Start earning extra income today! Happy Researching!
Also Read: Industry vs Academic Research
30 FAQs about Part-Time Jobs for PhD Scholars in 2025
Can I get a part-time job as a PhD student?
Answer: Yes, most universities allow PhD students to work up to 20 hours per week outside their research/teaching duties.
Can you work and be a PhD student?
Answer: Yes, though it requires careful time management. Many students balance part-time work with their studies.
Can you work part-time as a grad student?
Answer: Yes, most graduate programs allow part-time work, typically up to 20 hours weekly.
Can a postdoc work part-time?
Answer: Yes, though less common, part-time postdoc positions exist, especially in academia.
Can you work while getting a PhD in psychology?
Answer: Yes, many psychology PhD students work part-time, often as research assistants or clinicians in training.
How many hours a week is a part-time PhD?
Answer: Typically 20-30 hours per week, compared to 40+ hours for full-time programs.
Are PhD students full-time students?
Answer: Most traditional programs are full-time, but part-time options are increasingly available.
Is part-time PhD stressful?
Answer: It can be challenging balancing work, research, and personal life, but many find it manageable with good time management.
How do PhD students make money?
Answer: Through stipends, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, part-time work, and grants.
How much is the PhD stipend in the US?
Answer: Typically ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 annually, varying by university and location.
What is the PhD salary?
Answer: Entry-level salaries vary by field – STEM: $70,000-120,000, Social Sciences: $60,000-90,000, Humanities: $50,000-80,000.
What is the highest paying PhD?
Answer: Engineering, Computer Science, and Pharmaceutical Sciences typically offer highest salaries, often $100,000+ to start.
How much does MIT pay PhD students?
Answer: MIT typically offers $38,000-45,000 annually plus benefits.
How much is the Harvard PhD stipend?
Answer: Harvard typically offers $42,000-45,000 annually plus benefits.
How much does a PhD increase your salary?
Answer: On average, 20-30% higher than master’s degree holders over career lifetime.
Do PhD programs pay for housing?
Answer: Some offer housing allowances or subsidized housing, but it’s not universal.
How do PhD students get funding?
Answer: Through university fellowships, research grants, teaching assistantships, external scholarships, and government funding.
Can online PhD be funded?
Answer: Yes, some online programs offer funding, though less common than traditional programs.
Is it hard to get a fully funded PhD?
Answer: Competition is high for fully funded positions, especially at top universities.
How much does it cost to sponsor a PhD?
Answer: Universities typically invest $200,000-400,000 per PhD student over the program duration.
What are the odds of getting a job after a PhD?
Answer: Generally high (90%+) though academic positions are more competitive.
Can PhD students get unemployment?
Answer: Yes, if they had paid positions like teaching/research assistantships.
How long after a PhD interview do you hear back?
Answer: Typically 2-8 weeks, varying by institution and position.
Does having a PhD make you a doctor?
Answer: Yes, you earn the title “Doctor” though not a medical doctor (unless it’s an MD-PhD).
Is a PhD lucrative?
Answer: While initial salaries might be moderate, long-term earning potential is typically higher than with lower degrees.
How much do PhD professors get paid?
Answer: Starting salaries typically range from $60,000-100,000+, depending on field and institution.
How much money do you give for a PhD graduation?
Answer: Gift amounts typically range from $50-500, depending on relationship and local customs.
Do part-time PhD programs exist?
Answer: Yes, many universities offer part-time PhD programs designed for working professionals.
Is it possible to earn a PhD while working full-time?
Answer: Yes, through part-time programs, though it typically takes longer (5-8 years).
How do PhD students survive financially?
Answer: Through combinations of stipends, assistantships, part-time work, and careful budgeting.
