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A work study student typically earns an average salary of $24,582 per year, which translates to about $12 per hour. This financial support is crucial for many students, enabling them to manage tuition and living expenses while gaining work experience. Salaries can differ significantly depending on factors such as location, type of institution, and years of experience.
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher due to the increased cost of living. Students in urban areas may find more opportunities for higher pay compared to rural regions. For example, cities like Los Angeles and New York City generally offer competitive wages for student workers.
Experience plays a vital role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at lower hourly rates, but with experience and demonstrated skills, students can secure higher-paying roles. Additionally, specific fields, such as technology or healthcare, often offer better compensation.
Ultimately, work study programs not only assist with financial burdens but also provide students with practical experience, enhancing their resumes and future career prospects.
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The average work study student salary in Colorado, Connecticut, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average work study student salary states are South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $26,805 | $12.89 |
| 2 | Colorado | $32,236 | $15.50 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $27,198 | $13.08 |
| 4 | Washington | $28,333 | $13.62 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $26,265 | $12.63 |
| 6 | Vermont | $26,851 | $12.91 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $25,289 | $12.16 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $28,837 | $13.86 |
| 9 | Oregon | $26,332 | $12.66 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $29,049 | $13.97 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $25,837 | $12.42 |
| 12 | Iowa | $24,558 | $11.81 |
| 13 | Ohio | $25,677 | $12.34 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $26,579 | $12.78 |
| 15 | Arizona | $26,230 | $12.61 |
| 16 | New York | $25,807 | $12.41 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $24,205 | $11.64 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 19 | Nevada | $25,831 | $12.42 |
| 20 | Indiana | $23,982 | $11.53 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $24,587 | $11.82 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $23,868 | $11.47 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $23,158 | $11.13 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $26,209 | $12.60 |
| 25 | Utah | $23,340 | $11.22 |
| 26 | Maine | $25,008 | $12.02 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $25,672 | $12.34 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $26,124 | $12.56 |
| 29 | Delaware | $22,995 | $11.06 |
| 30 | California | $27,348 | $13.15 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $21,847 | $10.50 |
| 32 | Montana | $23,823 | $11.45 |
| 33 | Illinois | $23,822 | $11.45 |
| 34 | Alaska | $26,542 | $12.76 |
| 35 | Michigan | $23,778 | $11.43 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $22,580 | $10.86 |
| 37 | Maryland | $24,608 | $11.83 |
| 38 | Texas | $23,368 | $11.23 |
| 39 | Missouri | $22,792 | $10.96 |
| 40 | Virginia | $22,463 | $10.80 |
| 41 | Florida | $22,816 | $10.97 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $21,672 | $10.42 |
| 43 | Idaho | $22,084 | $10.62 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $21,572 | $10.37 |
| 45 | Georgia | $22,287 | $10.71 |
| 46 | West Virginia | $21,731 | $10.45 |
| 47 | Alabama | $18,876 | $9.07 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $20,812 | $10.01 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $17,387 | $8.36 |
| 50 | Kansas | $18,269 | $8.78 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $20,103 | $9.66 |
The highest-paying cities for work study students are Denver, CO, Bellevue, NE, and Bridgewater, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| 2 | Bellevue, NE | $26,807 | $12.89 |
| 3 | Bridgewater, MA | $26,535 | $12.76 |
| 4 | Albany, NY | $26,349 | $12.67 |
| 5 | Bend, OR | $26,318 | $12.65 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $26,274 | $12.63 |
| 7 | Rochester, MN | $26,071 | $12.53 |
| 8 | Parma, OH | $25,795 | $12.40 |
| 9 | Greensboro, NC | $24,602 | $11.83 |
| 10 | Des Moines, IA | $24,561 | $11.81 |
| 11 | Bloomington, IN | $23,910 | $11.50 |
| 12 | Elgin, IL | $23,853 | $11.47 |
| 13 | Grand Rapids, MI | $23,813 | $11.45 |
| 14 | Salt Lake City, UT | $23,347 | $11.22 |
| 15 | Galveston, TX | $23,279 | $11.19 |
| 16 | Gainesville, FL | $22,856 | $10.99 |
| 17 | Kansas City, MO | $22,836 | $10.98 |
| 18 | Lynchburg, VA | $22,433 | $10.79 |
| 19 | Alpharetta, GA | $22,360 | $10.75 |
| 20 | Dodge City, KS | $18,335 | $8.81 |
A work study student's salary ranges from $16,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| Average | $24,582 | $2,049 | $12 |
| 25th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
| 10th Percentile | $16,000 | $1,333 | $8 |
The highest paying types of work study students are office worker, office administrator, and internship.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Clerk | $32,327 | $2,694 | $15.54 | 137,639 |
| General Office Clerk | $30,034 | $2,503 | $14.44 | 160,597 |
| Office Administrator | $37,423 | $3,119 | $17.99 | 118,096 |
| Office Receptionist | $33,554 | $2,796 | $16.13 | 80,143 |
| Office Clerk | $30,927 | $2,577 | $14.87 | 106,497 |
| Internship | $35,254 | $2,938 | $16.95 | 51,064 |
Work study student salaries at University of California and Metropolitan Community College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average work study student salary at companies like Oregon Health & Science University and Denver Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California | $32,193 | $15.48 |
| 2 | Metropolitan Community College | $31,863 | $15.32 |
| 3 | Oregon Health & Science University | $31,117 | $14.96 |
| 4 | Denver Public Schools | $30,814 | $14.81 |
| 5 | Southwest Key Programs | $30,512 | $14.67 |
| 6 | Trinity Health | $30,361 | $14.60 |
| 7 | Mayo Clinic | $30,015 | $14.43 |
| 8 | Bridgewater State University | $29,756 | $14.31 |
| 9 | Bryant & Stratton College | $28,855 | $13.87 |
| 10 | Raritan Valley Community College | $28,355 | $13.63 |
| 11 | Monroe Community College | $28,141 | $13.53 |
| 12 | UnityPoint Health | $27,658 | $13.30 |
| 13 | Dodge City Community College | $27,532 | $13.24 |
| 14 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $27,175 | $13.06 |
| 15 | Central Oregon Community College | $26,959 | $12.96 |
| 16 | Phoenix Union High School District | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| 17 | Stratasys | $25,923 | $12.46 |
| 18 | St. Charles Community College | $25,776 | $12.39 |
| 19 | Shaw University | $25,770 | $12.39 |
| 20 | UCLA | $25,747 | $12.38 |
The average work study student salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $26,294 | $12.64 |
| 2 | Government | $25,694 | $12.35 |
| 3 | Automotive | $24,869 | $11.96 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $24,842 | $11.94 |
The average work study student salary has risen by $5,664 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average work study student earned $18,918 annually, but today, they earn $24,582 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for work study students over the last decade.
Compare work study student salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare work study student salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $24,600 | $11.82 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $23,700 | $11.39 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $22,800 | $10.95 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $21,900 | $10.54 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $21,300 | $10.23 | +3.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush University Medical Center | Work Study Student Community Partner Site | Chicago, IL | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Health Education & Behavior | Federal Work Study-Student Receptionist (Health Education & Behavior) | Gainesville, FL | 06/27/2025 | $31,827 |
| Columbus State University | Work-Study Student-After School Tutor | Columbus, GA | 06/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| State of Georgia | Federal Work Study Student-Stay On Track Tutor | Thomasville, GA | 06/23/2025 | $31,305 |
| Carle Health | Federal Work Study-Student Tutor-Mcol College Admin | Peoria, IL | 06/17/2025 | $31,305 |
| Sauk Valley Community College | Workstudy-Student Services Center | Dixon, IL | 06/13/2025 | $31,305 |
| Texas A&M International University | Federal College Work Study-Student (FPA) | Laredo, TX | 06/12/2025 | $16,696 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Federal Work Study Student | Evansville, IN | 05/31/2025 | $31,305 |
| Archdiocese of Chicago, Office of Catholic Schools | Work Study Student | Chicago, IL | 05/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| College of Southern Nevada | College Work Study Student-Switchboard Staff-Summer 2025 | Las Vegas, NV | 05/24/2025 | $29,218 |
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