So you want a seasonal job! A summer job or a winter season job, or ranch work. The first question people ask is typically the same: how long is it?
Most Jobs Are Seasonal for 2-6 Months
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A few weeks up to 2 months is considered a short season
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A standard season is between 3-6 months
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A long season can be up to a year
If you search for seasonal jobs on VagaJobs, you can see most jobs are in fact for 3-6 months. That's why this number in particular is most likely what you will find as a seasonal job length in most industries, since there is a peak for seasonal jobs of 3 months, and average is around 3-4 months depending on the season and job position.
Why Is A Seasonal Job Shorter Or Longer?
Seasonal jobs are a term that covers a wide range of types of work, but most of them have one thing in common: they are dependent on a busy season for that specific business. That's why the length of a seasonal job is dependent on that same factor. Let's discuss what affects a seasonal job length.
Retail Seasonal Jobs
Retail seasonal jobs are usually the shortest, they can vary from a few weeks to 2-3 months at most. This is because stores typically need seasonal workers for the holiday season, October/November-early January, and most stores close around the end of January. Retail seasonal jobs in the US average around 4-6 months, according to the National Retail Federation, but individual seasonal retail jobs can be as short as 6-8 weeks.
Winter Seasonal Jobs at Ski Resorts
Winter seasonal jobs at ski resorts are also usually between 4-5 months, starting November/December and ending March/April.
Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work At Camps Or National Parks
Summer jobs, seasonal work at camps, or national parks can vary significantly. There are summer jobs that only last the second half of the summer and are around 6-10 weeks, but most longer term seasonal jobs are between 5-6 months, with a peak in July-August. A long summer season usually means around 5 or more months, and can start as early as mid-May and end mid-late September, with the possibility of ending even later, depending on the region and type of work. There are also national park seasonal jobs that can last almost a year, if the region does not experience significant weather changes.
Ranches, Farming Or Agricultural Jobs
Ranches, farming, or agricultural jobs typically last as long as the guest season at resorts, or plant/crop harvesting season, whichever applies. They are usually shorter, no more than 6 months, with the exception of year-round ranches.
Government Jobs At National Parks, Seasonal Employment
There are some government jobs that last either short or long season, with a clear distinction between the two. Short season jobs are under 3 months, while long season jobs are over 3 months.
What Affects A Seasonal Job Length?
Most factors that affect how long is a seasonal job are similar to the things that affect a seasonal career path. A seasonal worker's contract, and therefore length of work, is usually affected by the following factors:
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What industry are they in? Jobs in the tourism/independent hospitality industries tend to be longer.
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What location are they in? Some locations offer longer seasons at resorts or other worksites. A seasonal store employee would not have that opportunity.
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What are the employer's needs? Some employers need help for only 8 weeks, while some need people for the entire season and more. This is also the biggest factor in whether a seasonal worker's job turns into a permanent one.
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What are the weather conditions? Both ski season jobs and summer resort jobs are limited by weather conditions.
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Does the employer provide housing? Jobs that provide housing tend to require a longer commitment to the worksite, as employers invest more into their employees, and in turn, expect more in return.
Keep in mind that you can always ask about the length of a seasonal job, you wouldn't be blamed for asking the question at the point of application. In fact, this is normal, as most people want to know how long is a seasonal job.
Seasonal Job Length In Hours
Make sure to not confuse job length with the number of weekly hours, as seasonal jobs can vary significantly in terms of that metric. Seasonal jobs can be both as short as 3 hours per week, and 30+ hours weekly, depending on the employer and their needs. A 4 month long ranch job can have a worker put in 40 hours per week, while a 2 month retail seasonal job can have an employee work only 15 hours per week, until the holidays.
Can A Seasonal Job Become Permanent?
There are always exceptions, and there is no guarantee, but if an employer likes your work and has a vacancy, it's possible for a seasonal job to turn into a permanent one. In fact, some people find their permanent jobs this way. In some cases, it's also possible to switch from a seasonal job to a year round one depending on the employer's needs. That's why it's worth asking about such opportunities with your seasonal employer if you're interested.
How To Know How Long A Seasonal Job Is Before Applying?
In most cases, you can always use a general idea about how long is a seasonal job based on the job category, but it's always best to inquire directly. When applying to seasonal jobs on VagaJobs, you can typically see either the season length or specific start/end dates in the job post itself, and if not, you can inquire for that information before signing a contract, as any legitimate employer would give you a straight answer.
If you want to know more about how to find seasonal jobs, you can learn more in our guide on how to find seasonal jobs. It will tell you everything you need to know about finding seasonal employment, from when to apply for seasonal jobs to job opportunities in every season.
FAQs
How Long Is A Seasonal Job?
Most seasonal jobs are between 2-6 months, although this can vary significantly depending on the region, industry, and other factors. Retail and holiday jobs are usually the shortest and can be as short as 6-8 weeks, while resort, summer camps, parks, or hospitality jobs tend to be longest and can be as long as 6-12 months.
Is A Seasonal Job Full-Time Or Part-Time?
It can be both, depending on the employer. Seasonal simply refers to the length of employment, rather than the time of work, a seasonal job can be both full-time and part-time.
Can I Have More Than One Seasonal Job?
Yes, in fact, you can. There's no restriction preventing a person from having multiple seasonal jobs, although it's recommended to only take these on if you have enough time to manage them all. Most people who work in seasonal jobs tend to take 2: one for the winter season and one for the summer season. It is even possible to work as a seasonal employee for more than 1 employer in the same season. You can see the list of seasonal jobs, and the seasonal jobs with housing options if you need a place to stay.
Do Seasonal Jobs Come With Housing?
It depends on the job. Some jobs tend to offer housing more often than others, like jobs located in resort towns, national parks, ranches, or other remote areas. If housing is a priority for you, make sure to specify this when applying, or filter the job search to only look at jobs that offer housing.
When Should I Apply For A Seasonal Job?
You should apply for seasonal jobs much earlier than you think. When applying to seasonal summer jobs, try to apply no later than early spring or mid-late winter at the latest, and when applying to seasonal winter jobs, apply no later than fall. Some of the most desired seasonal jobs have very competitive applications, and can fill up quickly, so it's important to apply early if you want to have a good chance at getting the job.
