Health insurance in the U.S. is out of control. And with the rise of the gig economy (folks making money as Uber drivers and Airbnb hosts, for example), more and more individuals are having to find and pay for health insurance on their own.
This is NOT cheap.
So, what are you going to do?
If you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur or contractor, you can buy health insurance on the open market but premiums might cost you between $500-$1000 a month!
There are companies who still offer benefits to part-time employees. Chipotle, UPS, Starbucks, and Walmart all offer a full benefits package, including health insurance, to their part-time workers.
Best Part Time Jobs With Benefits
1. Aerotek
This national temp agency offers generous medical benefits to its contracted workers who put in at least 20 hours per week.
Medical benefits include dental and vision coverage, and spouses and dependent children are also eligible for the insurance.
For a part-timer who needs health coverage for other family members, this would be an excellent employer to join.
Check out Aerotek.
2. Chipotle
Not only does Chipotle produce tasty food, but they also treat part-time employees well.
Part-time workers can enjoy benefits like medical, dental, and vision coverage.
On top of that, any worker can receive up to $5,250 in tuition assistance annually for college.
See Chipotle’s benefits page for more information.
3. Cost Plus World Market
This specialty retail store specializes in furniture, décor, wine, craft beer, and international food products.
Part-timers who work in the fun and eclectic stores are eligible for a limited benefits plan geared toward preventive care and wellness.
See Cost Plus World Market’s benefits page for more information.
4. Costco
Coming to work at one of the Costco Warehouse stores can be a great move, benefits-wise.
Part-time employees who average 20 hours per week are eligible for the health benefit plan, as well as a basic dental care plan after 180 days of employment.
In addition, most Costco stores have both pharmacies and vision centers, which means employees can use their vision care and drug benefits right at work—and copays on generic drugs can be as low as $5.
5. Home Depot
Part-time employees working at this home improvement giant are eligible for, dental, and, short term disability insurance and life insurance, vision insurance, as well as short-term disability and life insurance.
Learn more about Home Depot’s benefits.
6. JP Morgan Chase
This enormous multinational bank is remarkably generous with its part-time employees, starting with the easy-to-meet eligibility requirements: part-time employees for JP Morgan Chase only need to work between 20 and 40 hours per week in order to qualify for benefits, and those benefits are available starting 90 days after the date of hire.
The benefits include medical, dental, and vision, use of flexible spending accounts, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k).
And after one year of service, all employees may take part in the JP Morgan Chase retirement plan, becoming 100% vested after three years of service. This is truly a bank that wants to take care of its employees.
Update: The benefits page of JP Morgan Chase’s website states that benefits are available to part-time employees who work more than 20 hours a week.
But the site does hedge that promise somewhat by stating “Benefits are subject to on-going review and considerations.”
7. Lowe’s
The home improvement giant gives its part-time employees access to health, vision, dental, disability and life insurance plans.
The health plan is a limited care plan, so it may not cover all the medical needs you may have. However, Lowe’s also provides vacation accrual for part-timers, as well as 401(k).
See their benefits page (download PDF).
8. Macy’s
Macy’s employs many part-time employees, especially around the holidays. Eligible part-time employees at Macy’s can receive health and retirement benefits.
Macy’s also offers in-store discounts for all employees. And one of the most unique benefits to a part-time job is the possibility of being in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
That’s an amazing opportunity you don’t find with most jobs.
Check out Macy’s job page for more information.
9. REI
A truly worker-friendly company, the outdoor gear retailer provides benefits for employees who work less than 20 hours a week.
These benefits include a part-time health plan, as well as dental, life and disability plans, in addition to incentive pay and a retirement and profit sharing plan. Being a weekend warrior at this store can really pay off.
See their benefits page (download PDF).
10. Staples
The office supply store really does try to make things easy, even for its part-time employees.
After 90 days of service, all part-time associates are eligible for a fixed benefit health insurance plan. According to the Staples benefits page, the employee contribution is a very reasonable $20.96 per paycheck.
That said, they make clear that the fixed-benefit plan offered to part-time employees is not considered creditable coverage for the purposes of Obamacare.
Check out Staples’ benefits page.
11. Starbucks
Becoming a part-time barista at one of the over 16,000 Starbucks locations in the world will not only score you a free pound of coffee per week, but it will also provide you with medical, dental, life and disability insurance.
And employees only need to work 240 hours quarterly (just about 20 hours per week) to be eligible.
See more about Starbucks benefits.
12. Trader Joe’s
Grocery store chain Trader Joe’s offers several benefits to its part-time employees or “Crew Members.”
And part-time workers are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage at a reasonable monthly cost.
After meeting eligibility requirements, Trader Joe’s contributes 10% of an employee’s annual salary to a pre-tax retirement account for all employees.
Find out more about Trader Joe’s benefits here.
13. U-Haul
This self-service moving company hires plenty of part-time and seasonal help. And U-Haul offers some benefits for part-time employees, including limited medical and dental coverage.
To be eligible, employees must work 20 hours a week. Also, employees cover the full cost of premiums. Supplemental insurance may be necessary for part-time employees.
U-Haul does offer direct stock purchases and 401(k) plans to employees over 20 hours a week, but details of their program are not published online.
For more information about U-Haul, check out their benefits and career pages.
14. UPS
In many ways, the United Parcel Service is the ultimate part-time opportunity.
Not only does the company regularly hire for seasonal and part-time work, but it also offers full benefits to those employees, which in addition to medical and dental coverage also includes tuition assistance. This could be an ideal job for a college student.
See the UPS benefits page.
15. USPS
Taking a part-time job with the Post Office means that you are fully eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Plus, since most of the cost of this program is paid by the USPS, your paychecks will go much farther.
See the USPS benefits page.
16. Walmart
The retail giant, Walmart, is another employer with benefits available to part-time employees. For qualified part-time employees, medical plans start around $26 per pay period.
Dental and vision plans are available too.
And retirement help is available from Walmart too. Walmart employees can contribute to a 401(k) account. After one year of employment, Walmart will match contributions up to 6%.
Learn more about working at Walmart here.
17. Wegmans
This grocery store cares about all its employees. That’s why they offer healthcare coverage to both full-time and part-time employees.
Wegmans has two health plans available: A traditional PPO plan and a Health Savings Plan. Pre-tax spending accounts are also an option for all of Wegmans employees.
Dental coverage, unfortunately, is limited to full-time employees.
See more about what Wegmans offer employees here.
18. American Red Cross
Working for a mission-focused organization like the American Red Cross can bring a lot of personal satisfaction in its own right.
But you may be surprised to know that the American Red Cross offers a generous employee medical package as well.
Any employees that work over 20 hours per work are eligible for part-time medical benefits. And all employees who work at least 30 hours per work qualify for full-time benefits.
See more about what the American Red Cross offers workers here.
19. Nike
The shoe and apparel giant offers its employees a generous benefits package, including various health and life insurance packages and 401(k) plans.
Some locations also adopt “summer hours,” which allows employee to go home early on summer Fridays to enjoy a long weekend.
Employees who work at least 20 hours per work are eligible for some benefits, while employees who work at least 30 hours per week qualify for Nike’s full benefits package.
Check out Nike’s benefits page.
20. Kaplan
Kaplan is an education-focused website that helps people prepare for school-entrance exams or business license exams.
They say they believe that a robust benefit package is an important part of an employee’s compensation. That’s why they allow their part-time employees to work with a third party company to enroll in a wide range of health insurance products.
Part-time employees and their kids are also eligible for discounts on Kaplan’s courses.
See the Kaplan benefits page.
21. Allegis Group
Allegis Group is a talent solutions company that specializes in recruiting quality staff members and managing a company’s workforce.
They also takes good care of their own employees. Available employee benefits include: health insurance plans, HSA accounts, hospital cost protection plans, dental and vision coverage, and more.
And the best part is that all employees who work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for Kaplan’s benefits.
22. Lands’ End
For many years, Land’s End has relied upon part-time and seasonal employees to help them fulfill orders during holidays and other seasons of peak production.
And to encourage high-quality seasonal employees to keep coming back, Land’s End throws in a lot of free perks.
Every part-time employee gets free access to Land’s End’s impressive Comer fitness center and wellness complex.
Plus, part-time and seasonal workers get discounts on Land’s End merchandise.
Learn more about the benefits of part-time work with Lands’ End.
23. Lexington Health Network
Lexington Health Network is a large, privately-owned company that owns over 500 retirement centers and 150 assisted-living facilities.
Their workforce currently includes over 2,500 full-time and part-time employees. All part-time employees get full access to their Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Plus, they get other perks like discounts on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, and more through Lexington Health Network’s partnership with BenefitHUB.
See Lexington Health Network’s full benefit guide.
Do you have a part-time job? If so, do you get benefits from your employer?
Read this next: 9 Part-Time Jobs That Pay Well | Better Pay in Less Time?
About Emily Guy Birken
Thank you for the information
Despite what this article says about benefits for part-time UPS “seasonal” employees, such seasonal and temporary UPS employees are not eligible for any benefits whatsoever. You must be a permanent employee (full or part-time) for a period of one year before you’re eligible for benefits. I’ve been a full-time seasonal UPS employee for the last three holiday seasons hoping for a permanent position but it hasn’t happened yet. College students, such as the article mentions, won’t get benefits unless they’re lucky enough to land a permanent position and then wait a year.
I just checked the Home Depot website and medical benefits are only available to FULL time employees
NOTE: HOME DEPOT DOES NOT OFFER INSURANCE BENEFITS TO PT WORKERS! I work for HD and I checked. This single bit of misinformation, which appears to be shared by several websites listing companies that offer benefits to PT workers, makes me wonder how reliable the rest of your information is. You should recheck all.
Thank you for sharing these tips. Indeed useful for everyone here!
Very interesting because FORBES seems to report differently. Target, Trader Joes and Home Depot are doing away with health ins. benefits for pt and Lowes doesn’t offer health ins, they offer a LIMITED Health Plan. Just maybe a bit more research might have been needed for this article.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/01/22/target-joins-home-depot-walmart-others-in-dropping-health-care-for-part-timers-citing-obamacare/
I remember reading an Article that a few places on this list including Target is dropping health insurance for employees working under 30 hours
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-21/target-to-drop-health-insurance-for-part-time-workers.html
sorry but Staples LLC. is a terrible place to work, they hire you for the back to school season and then fire everyone that wasn’t there through out the year. Thats how it is in indiana. They didnt even let me finish my training.
Part time jobs are great but the truth of the matter is they are not enough, the money is to try and start your own business and share your knowledge in an effort to get paid. I think there is more stability in that space versus trying to work part time for someone else, I am not knocking it because I actually did it, but is always better to create your own opportunity first.
Phil, I owe you a great deal of thanks for posting a list of 10 great places to work at back in August 2011. I browsed the list and was pleased to see that Target was amongst the ten named. Even though I was already working part-time elsewhere, I wasn’t getting the hours nor the benefits. Not being given enough responsibility was also a big player for me to apply at Target.
I was hired almost immediately, and after working at Target for six months, I qualified for health insurance and 401k. I eventually quit my other job since extra work shifts were readily available at Target. I really enjoy working there; it’s very labor intense, but I am so busy there is no time for boredom. My co-workers are wonderful as well. The only drawback is that it’s a long drive (45 minutes on back roads).
So, thanks to you I am gainfully employed, contributing towards my retirement with a great match from the company and also have decent health insurance. Keep up the great work here!
*fist bump*
@GaelicWench Wow. Thanks so much for sharing this. I’m so happy for you and I’m honored we were able to put something together that’s so helpful in a real way to people.
For Kroger’s in Houston, part-timers are eligible for insurance with the catch being you have to be there at least 9 months before enrolling. So far, I’m in my 3rd month and the insurance isn’t bad. The pay leaves something to be desired (A LOT to be desired, lol), but it’s very flexible with school.
At Costco, part -time workers get the same benefit as full time worker. As part time worker, they are required to give an employee at least 20 hours a week. However, they can give you more than 20 hours. And if you call before the day start, and ask to add more hours, there is a chance you’ll get it. There are also limited part-timers who work less than 20 hours or those students that work during school days off, and they too get some benefits. They also keep the hours they have accrued even though they are not coming to work regularly, and when they reach the numbers of hours required they get their raises.
I work for Uhaul and this artical states the truth about Uhaul. One of the best companys to work for in my life. They take care oth their employees and listen to concerns, questions, and requests. You are a VALUABLE part!
I too was surprised to see how many companies offer part time benefits-another great company is Home Depot for benefits, once you are hired as permanent not seasonal you get med dental vis 401k and they are good benefits for myself and my children at anywhere from as little as 12 hours covers my cost
I love Whole Foods Market is fan, besides you get your lunches free, right?
JP Morgan Chase would be a good call for many who want to progress their career or studying money, insurance or finance related matters. The other jobs could help with managing time in stressful workspace!
Starbucks is great. They really treat their employees well.
I had no clue that these companies offered part time benefits. As a matter of fact, in today’s economy I never thought part time benefits would be offered anywhere. Thanks for the article. Great info and I enjoyed reading it.
This is a great list I thought that you had to work full time to get insurance beside at UPS. A lot of people only work so that they can have insurance.
This is a great list I thought that you had to work full time to get insurance beside at UPS. A lot of people only work so that they can have insurance.
Many colleges and universities offer benefits to part-timers. I work for the City University of New York, and if you work a certain number of hours, you get health benefits, paid vacation time, sick days, etc.
Publix has great benefits for part-time workers.
http://www.publix.com/careers/whypublix/OurBenefits.do
Publix has great benefits for part-time workers.
http://www.publix.com/careers/whypublix/OurBenefits.do
I used to work at Chase Bank a few years ago. This was a fantastic place to work for just for the benefits alone! I sadly had to resign due to being pregnant. Also, I’m from the Midwest and I’m fairly certain that our larger grocery store chain Meijer offers benefits for part-timers.
I used to work at Chase Bank a few years ago. This was a fantastic place to work for just for the benefits alone! I sadly had to resign due to being pregnant. Also, I’m from the Midwest and I’m fairly certain that our larger grocery store chain Meijer offers benefits for part-timers.
I worked PT at Macy’s (sometimes up to 30-35 hours a week) and was never given the option for any benefits aside from 20% off merchandise in *select* departments.
Don’t forget the federal government!
Don’t forget the federal government!
Thanks, Deirdre Kiely
Having worked with many Nordstrom employees, this is a tough organization to just work at for benefits. There is a strong culture that many can’t handle, but that others thrive in. Their strong culture I believe is the key in their excellent customer service record.
REI is my favorite out of the list. I’ll have to see if I can get a job at the store.
I like Target and Trader Joe’s too, but up to 40 hours/week doesn’t sound good.
Thanks.
I enjoyed working part-time at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service during tax season a few years ago. I learned a lot about taxes, tax laws, tax forms & how people are willing to give up huge chunks of their refund to get their money faster (Refund Anticipation Loans). Also- they gave pretty good bonuses for productivity (at least where I worked).
It’s nice to see so many companies offering even part-timers some great benefits! I’m considering adding some part time work to supplement my income, and it would be great to have medical and dental coverage as a perk!
Barnes & Noble will be ending their p/t health benefit in 2013.
I have a friend who works at Barnes. He confirmed that part-time benefits will be phased out for ALL p/t workers, even those currently “Grandfathered” in for p/t/ benefits, by 2014 (at the latest.) Pay is quite awful too, esp after taxes. Unless you adore books, it’s just not worth working there.
@chickadee33 Thanks for the comment. Our research shows that medical, dental are going away (see the strike-through above), but some other benefits are staying at BnN.
I know someone who works at Barnes & Nobles right now. He confirmed that B&N is phasing out part-time benefits. Some long-time workers are still “grandfathered” in but ALL part-time health benefits will be phased out completely by 2014 (at the latest) – even for those “grandfathered” in. Plus, the pay is quite mediocre. Unless you adore books – it’s just not working there.
I’ve heard that Starbucks is a great place to work – and free coffee, you can’t beat that! Part time jobs are great – they allow you to diversify your income and ensure that if you lose one job, you have another one to back you up. Thanks for the great article. 🙂
Thanks for letting us know, Sue C. Sorry to hear about the future loss of insurance. I hope you can find something new this year.
Thanks for letting us know, Sue C. Sorry to hear about the future loss of insurance. I hope you can find something new this year.
Hello, The fast and convenient online store offering your favorite British Food right here in the USA.http://www.britishfooddepot.com/
Robert W Baird offers just about every benefit you could want as a full or part time employee!
Does anyone know what insurance carriers or employment services these companies use? I would love to look into offering health insurance to my part tome employees, but my current employment services company does not offer this.
Part time jobs are most important for student. It develop our skills and make us perfect for future life.It also important for mother.Because they need to spend time in their kids .So if they do full time work that means they have not spend enough time of their children.In this if they do part time jobs ,they earn some handsome money for her familly and also most importantly they spend few time of her kids.
I worked for Chase Bank. Most banks offer benefits (at a reduced cost) to part time employees who work 20 hours or more.
Coldstone Creamery!
PT is a no brainer.
At UPS part time employees get health, life, dental, and vision that covers their entire immediate family , and a generous defined benefit pension plan ALL 100% company paid. The current health insurance is $10 office visit, then pays 100% with no deductible in network. Part time employees can retire after 25 years.
how do I get in UPS? I work part time in a hair salon and I like itbut I need another part time job with benefits….or even full time I would be willing to leave the salon..
I thought Home Depot and Nordstroms offer them, too.
You forgot to add COSTCO Wholesale. Medical, dental, vision ($150 credit towards eye wear each year), 401k, stock options, and Care Network ( smoking cessation, family and personal counseling, and discounted babysitting) are available for part timers. I have been with this company for almost 3 years and have loved every minute of it.
I would also like to find out more about working at this company (Cleveland based?) to work part time for the benefits. What do you suggest?
Thanks Emily! In a past few months I haven’t find any blog with this theme. This blogs work like an accelerator for those who are job less and need to pay their debts. As well as those who wants to earn extra money. You have listed some well known groups here. Great Job!
Keep it up…
@20 and Engaged–I worked for Barnes & Noble for 4 years off and on after college. Based on my experience, they are always looking for closers. If you have some kind of English/book/library background, that will really help with getting your application noticed. Also, once I had worked there once, they were ALWAYS happy to hire me back, even at different locations. It really is a good place to work, but do be careful of the book discount! There were some months where my take home seemed to entirely be books I couldn’t live without. 🙂 @Jessica–I know exactly what you mean! Compiling this list really made me want to get out into the paid workforce, particularly for REI. It would feel great to be a part of a company that takes its social responsibilities seriously. Perhaps once my peanut is old enough for school, I’ll look more seriously into supplementing my writing with work for one of these companies.
McLean Hospital, part of the Partners Healthcare system in the Boston Area, is a private psychiatric hospital that offers health insurance and paid time off from 16 hours to 40 hours. If you want to work part-time in the mental health field, it is great experience for college students or graduate students interested in learning about counseling and pyschiatry. Not for the faint of heart though!
Besides getting a free pound of coffee, Starbucks baristas get an “employee beverage” for free. Even part-time baristas can buy pastries and merchandise at a discounted price.
@20 and Engaged–I worked for Barnes & Noble for 4 years off and on after college. Based on my experience, they are always looking for closers. If you have some kind of English/book/library background, that will really help with getting your application noticed. Also, once I had worked there once, they were ALWAYS happy to hire me back, even at different locations. It really is a good place to work, but do be careful of the book discount! There were some months where my take home seemed to entirely be books I couldn’t live without. 🙂
@Jessica–I know exactly what you mean! Compiling this list really made me want to get out into the paid workforce, particularly for REI. It would feel great to be a part of a company that takes its social responsibilities seriously. Perhaps once my peanut is old enough for school, I’ll look more seriously into supplementing my writing with work for one of these companies.
You had me at Starbucks! This is such great information. These employers are going to be swamped with applications. This would be the perfect way for a blogger to get the benefits they want while still enjoying a good chunk of the freedom lifestyle them have come to enjoy. Many of these employers are already sought after for their work atmospheres, regardless of benefits. Might be tough to get in!
Great additions! Fedex, Whole Foods, and the YMCA are some of my favorite organizations.
I would love to work part time at Barnes & Noble. There’s one across the street from my job; I wonder if they’re hiring for nights. That could be extra money towards my debt, but more time away from the mister :-
The Y also offers benefits to part-time employees who work 24 hours a week or more. At least where I live in Canada they do…
I think at any retail shop you get a discount on clothes. When I was a lifeguard in high school, we got a free pool membership, which was really nice.
One free pound of coffee a week?!? I have a Starbucks down the block. I might need to slow down my blogging…
I think Whole Foods offers a good program and discounts on food you buy.
I love Trader Joe’s! Glad to hear they offer part-time workers a package.
Great list. FedEx can also be added to this!