How Many Hours Is a Part-Time Job?

Key Takeaways

• There is no single legal definition of a part-time job under federal law. Employers generally define part-time as fewer than 30 to 35 hours per week.
• Under the Affordable Care Act, working 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month may classify an employee as full-time for health insurance purposes.
• Part-time schedules vary widely by industry, with retail and hospitality roles often ranging from 15 to 29 hours weekly.
• State laws rarely define part-time hours, but they may impact overtime, benefits, and scheduling policies.
• Remote work, flexible scheduling, and the growth of the gig economy have expanded what part-time employment looks like since 2020.

What Is Considered a Part-Time Job?

A part-time job typically involves working fewer hours per week than a full-time position. In most U.S. workplaces, full-time employees work between 35 and 40 hours per week. By contrast, part-time employees usually work less than 30 to 35 hours weekly.

However, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not define part-time or full-time employment. Instead, it leaves classification largely up to employers. That means the number of hours that qualify as part-time can vary depending on company policy, industry norms, and benefit eligibility rules.

Standard Weekly Hour Ranges

• 0 to 29 hours per week: Commonly considered part-time across most industries.
• 30 to 34 hours per week: May be classified as part-time by some employers but full-time for benefits under federal law.
• 35+ hours per week: Frequently treated as full-time by employers.

Federal Guidelines That Affect Part-Time Status

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

For health insurance compliance, the ACA defines a full-time employee as someone who works at least 30 hours per week or 130 hours per month. Employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees must offer qualifying health coverage to those employees or potentially face penalties.

This means someone working 32 hours per week may technically be considered full-time for health insurance purposes, even if the employer labels the role as part-time internally.

IRS and Tax Classification

The IRS does not define part-time status based on a strict hour threshold for income tax purposes. Instead, tax treatment depends on earnings, not classification. Whether you work 15 hours or 40 hours per week, income tax withholding applies the same way.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The FLSA focuses on minimum wage and overtime rules. Non-exempt employees must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. This applies to both part-time and full-time employees.

Typical Part-Time Hours by Industry

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, approximately 25 to 28 million Americans work part-time hours each year. The distribution varies significantly by industry.

IndustryTypical Weekly Part-Time HoursCommon Schedule PatternRetail15 to 29 hoursEvenings, weekends, rotating shiftsHospitality and Food Service10 to 30 hoursSplit shifts, peak hour schedulingHealthcare Support20 to 32 hours3 to 4 shifts per weekEducation15 to 25 hoursMorning or mid-day blocksRemote and Administrative20 to 30 hoursFlexible weekday schedules

Retail and hospitality account for a large share of part-time positions due to fluctuating consumer demand. Remote administrative roles have grown significantly since 2020, increasing flexible part-time opportunities.

Employer Policies: How Companies Define Part-Time

Because federal law does not set a strict definition, companies create their own classifications. A typical employer policy might look like this:

• Full-time: 35 to 40 hours per week, eligible for full benefits
• Part-time with benefits: 25 to 34 hours per week, limited benefit eligibility
• Part-time without benefits: Fewer than 25 hours per week

Large corporations often align definitions with ACA thresholds. Small businesses may define part-time more loosely based on operational needs.

Sample Part-Time Schedules

• Three 8-hour shifts per week totaling 24 hours
• Five 5-hour shifts totaling 25 hours
• Two 10-hour weekend shifts totaling 20 hours
• Four 6-hour weekday shifts totaling 24 hours

These variations show why the question “How many hours is a part-time job?” rarely has a single answer.

State-Level Considerations

Most states do not legally define part-time employment by a specific number of hours. However, state laws may affect related issues such as:

• Overtime calculation rules
• Mandatory paid sick leave thresholds
• Predictive scheduling regulations
• Unemployment insurance eligibility

For example, certain states require paid sick leave accrual based on hours worked, regardless of part-time or full-time status. Others have predictive scheduling laws that impact part-time retail and food service workers.

Benefits and Eligibility Implications

Part-time status significantly influences benefit access. Eligibility varies by employer and state, but here are common patterns:

• Health insurance: Usually available only to employees working 30+ hours per week in large companies.
• Retirement plans: Some employers allow part-time workers to participate after meeting annual hour thresholds.
• Paid time off: Often prorated based on hours worked.
• Unemployment benefits: Determined by earnings and work history rather than part-time classification alone.

Employees working close to 30 hours per week should carefully review their company’s benefits handbook to understand eligibility thresholds.

Post-2020 Trends in Part-Time Work

The nature of part-time employment shifted significantly after 2020. Remote work adoption expanded flexible scheduling options across industries such as customer service, technology support, marketing, and bookkeeping.

Key trends include:

• Growth in remote, project-based roles
• Increased demand for flexible scheduling
• Hybrid roles combining part-time hours with freelance contracts
• More professionals choosing part-time work for work-life balance

According to national labor surveys, voluntary part-time employment has risen, meaning more workers are choosing reduced hours rather than accepting them due to economic constraints.

Part-Time vs. Gig and Contract Work

It is important not to confuse part-time employment with independent contracting or gig work.

• Part-time employees are on payroll, receive W-2 forms, and are covered by wage and hour laws.
• Independent contractors receive 1099 forms and are not classified by hours but by service agreements.

You can work 10 hours per week as an employee and still be part-time. You can also work 50 hours per week as a contractor and not be considered full-time. Classification depends on employment relationship, not just hours worked.

Can You Work Two Part-Time Jobs?

Yes. Many workers combine two part-time roles to reach full-time income levels. For example:

• Job A: 20 hours per week
• Job B: 18 hours per week
• Total: 38 combined hours

Each employer may still classify the worker as part-time. Benefit eligibility and overtime rules apply separately unless both jobs are with the same employer.

Is 32 Hours a Week Part-Time?

It depends on the employer and context:

• Under the ACA: Likely considered full-time for health insurance purposes.
• Under many corporate policies: May be considered full-time.
• Under some small businesses: Could still be considered part-time.

This gray area is one reason employees should always confirm classification in writing.

How to Determine Your Classification

If you want a definitive answer about your job status:

1. Check your offer letter or employment agreement.
2. Review your company’s employee handbook.
3. Confirm benefit eligibility thresholds with HR.
4. Track your average weekly and monthly hours.

Understanding your average hours over time is especially important if your schedule fluctuates. Employers often calculate classification based on measurement periods.

Ultimately, a part-time job usually involves working fewer than 30 to 35 hours per week, but legal definitions and employer policies can change how that classification applies in practice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Part-Time Hours

How many hours is a part-time job?

You are usually considered part-time if you work fewer than 30 to 35 hours per week. Many employers treat 0 to 29 hours as part-time, but the exact cutoff depends on company policy.

Is 30 or 32 hours a week part-time or full-time?

Under the Affordable Care Act, if you work 30 or more hours per week or 130 hours per month, you may count as full-time for health insurance. Your employer, however, might still label 30–32 hours as part-time in its internal policy.

Does federal law define part-time vs. full-time work?

Federal law does not set a single legal definition of part-time. The Fair Labor Standards Act covers minimum wage and overtime but does not define part-time or full-time. Employers set their own hour ranges, while the ACA uses 30 hours per week only for health coverage rules.

Do part-time employees get benefits?

You may get some benefits as a part-time employee, but it depends on your hours and employer rules. Health insurance often starts around 30 hours per week. Retirement plans and paid time off are sometimes offered on a prorated basis once you meet yearly hour or service thresholds.

Are gig workers and contractors considered part-time employees?

No. If you are an independent contractor or gig worker, you are not an employee, even if you work few hours. Part-time employees are on payroll and get a W-2 form. Contractors are paid under a contract and usually receive a 1099 form instead.

Can you work two part-time jobs at the same time?

Yes, you can hold two part-time jobs, such as 20 hours per week at one employer and 18 hours at another. Each employer still treats you based on the hours you work for them, so benefits and overtime are calculated separately for each job.