Career Data

    High-Paying Part-Time Jobs in 2026

    Occupations where physical presence is not required — the foundation for flexible and part-time arrangements — with median salaries above $60,000.

    How we define it: We identify part-time potential using O*NET work context data: occupations where workers report that physical presence is not required. This is a more reliable signal than job posting language. BLS salaries reflect full-time equivalents — actual part-time earnings scale with hours.

    Filtered to occupations where O*NET work context data indicates physical presence is not required, with BLS national median salary ≥ $60,000. Salaries reflect full-time BLS estimates; actual part-time earnings vary by hours worked. Salary: BLS OEWS 2024.

    27 occupationsdefault: sorted by median salary — click column headers to re-sort
    Sort:
    #1
    Cardiologists

    Diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent diseases or conditions of the cardiovascular system.

    $239,200/yrmedian
    +4.1%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 68
    #2
    Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

    Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.

    $239,200/yrmedian
    +4.1%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 69
    #3
    Pediatric Surgeons

    Diagnose and perform surgery to treat fetal abnormalities and birth defects, diseases, and injuries in fetuses, prema…

    $239,200/yrmedian
    +1.5%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 68
    #4
    Petroleum Engineers

    Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs.

    $141,280/yrmedian
    +1.3%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 64
    #5
    Compensation and Benefits Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

    $140,360/yrmedian
    +0.2%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #6
    Purchasing Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing…

    $139,510/yrmedian
    +3.1%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 59
    #7
    Political Scientists

    Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.

    $139,380/yrmedian
    -3.1%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #8
    Public Relations Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awarene…

    $138,520/yrmedian
    +5.0%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 65
    #9
    Mathematicians

    Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and …

    $121,680/yrmedian
    -0.7%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #10
    Sales Engineers

    Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate d…

    $121,520/yrmedian
    +5.5%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 58

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    #11
    Economists

    Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and dist…

    $115,440/yrmedian
    +1.2%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 71
    #12
    Data Scientists

    Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information…

    $112,590/yrmedian
    +33.5%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 83
    #13
    Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of mac…

    $106,120/yrmedian
    +8.1%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 61
    #14
    Financial Risk Specialists

    Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of…

    $106,000/yrmedian
    +6.5%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 81
    #15
    Personal Financial Advisors

    Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension pl…

    $102,140/yrmedian
    +9.6%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #16
    Financial and Investment Analysts

    Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private ins…

    $101,350/yrmedian
    +5.7%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 78
    #17
    Project Management Specialists

    Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per pro…

    $100,750/yrmedian
    +5.6%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 69
    #18
    Web and Digital Interface Designers

    Design digital user interfaces or websites.

    $98,090/yrmedian
    +7.0%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 60
    #19
    Operations Research Analysts

    Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assi…

    $91,290/yrmedian
    +21.5%growth
    AI: High
    AI: 71
    #20
    History Teachers, Postsecondary

    Teach courses in human history and historiography.

    $81,500/yrmedian
    -0.2%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #21
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

    Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets.

    $76,950/yrmedian
    +6.7%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 62
    #22
    Historians

    Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional record…

    $74,050/yrmedian
    +2.2%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 62
    #23
    Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

    Apply knowledge of healthcare and information systems to assist in the design, development, and continued modificatio…

    $67,310/yrmedian
    +14.7%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 63
    #24
    $66,260/yrmedian
    +3.1%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 56
    #25
    Calibration Technologists and Technicians

    Execute or adapt procedures and techniques for calibrating measurement devices, by applying knowledge of measurement …

    $65,040/yrmedian
    +4.7%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 58
    #26
    Survey Researchers

    Plan, develop, or conduct surveys.

    $63,380/yrmedian
    -5.2%growth
    AI: Med
    AI: 62
    #27
    Lighting Technicians

    Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and …

    $60,560/yrmedian
    -4.6%growth
    AI: Low
    AI: 23

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How is "part-time potential" identified here?

    We use O*NET work context data to identify occupations where physical presence is not required — meaning the work can be done remotely or on flexible schedules. BLS salary figures represent full-time equivalents. Part-time hours typically scale the salary proportionally, though some roles (consulting, contract work) can command higher hourly rates than salaried positions.

    Can I really earn $60K+ working part-time?

    The $60K figures are full-time medians. Part-time work in these occupations can reach $60K+ annually if you work close to full-time hours or operate in high-demand consulting/contract arrangements. Many roles in this list (financial analysis, software development, technical writing) support 20–30 hour arrangements at premium rates for experienced practitioners.

    What types of work appear in this list?

    Primarily analytical, technical, and creative occupations: finance and accounting roles, software and data work, healthcare informatics, writing and communications, and certain management functions. These are fields where output is measurable independent of hours in a seat.

    Are these jobs at risk from AI?

    Some are. Many of the office-based, analytical roles in this list have moderate-to-high AI exposure scores. The AI column shows PathScorer's estimate based on O*NET skill dimensions. Click the AI Risk link for any occupation to see a detailed breakdown of which specific skills face the most displacement risk.

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    PathScorer scores your profile against 1,000+ occupations using the same O*NET + BLS data that powers this list. Find your best matches in two minutes — free.

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