Between June and September the city hires more people than in the entire rest of the year. These are temporary jobs, almost always on your feet and outdoors, but they pay better than people assume and several turn permanent in October.
Who is hiring
Hospitality and outdoor dining
The fastest-growing sector in summer, because every restaurant opens its outdoor seating.
- Kitchen help: $17–$21/hour
- Server with tips: $11–$14/hour plus tips, which at a good place brings the total to $28
- Bar back: $16–$19/hour plus a share of tips
Construction and light renovation
- General helper: $20–$26/hour
- With OSHA 30 certification: $28–$34/hour
The OSHA 30 course costs $150 to $250, takes a few days, and is the best return per hour invested on this list. On city job sites it is mandatory.
Moving and delivery
- Moving crews: $22–$28/hour, with peak season June through August because of lease turnover
- Bike delivery: highly variable; under the delivery worker minimum pay rule it lands around $20/hour before expenses
Parks, pools and camps
The city hires lifeguards, counselors and maintenance staff every summer. Pay is lower —$16–$22 per hour— but the schedule is stable, there is a formal contract, and training is sometimes included free.
Your rights, papers or not
This is the most ignored part and the one that costs the most money:
New York’s wage and hour laws protect every worker, regardless of immigration status. An employer who does not pay you cannot hide behind the fact that you lack work authorization.
Specifically:
- Minimum wage. In New York City it is above $16 an hour and rises every year. Paying less is illegal.
- Overtime. Beyond 40 hours a week the rate is 1.5 times your normal pay. There is no such thing as an “agreement” to pay it straight.
- Pay stub. You are entitled to a written breakdown of hours and rate with every payment.
- Wage theft. You report it to the state Department of Labor, and the process does not ask about your status.
- Paid sick leave. The city requires it above a certain number of hours worked.
How to look
- Walk the neighborhood. Many restaurants put a sign in the window and never post online.
- Worker centers. Several in Brooklyn and Queens act as intermediaries and also advise on rights.
- Apply on Tuesdays. That is when turnover peaks after the weekend.
- Have a phone number you actually answer. It sounds obvious; it is the number one reason people lose a spot.
Signs of a bad employer
- They will not state the hourly rate until after your first week.
- They pay cash with no receipt and “we’ll sort out taxes later.”
- They ask you for money for the job, the uniform or “training.” That is not legal.
- Twelve-hour shifts with no meal break.
