Your complete guide to flexible, student-friendly jobs around UM — updated for 2025.
College life at the University of Miami is exciting, fast-paced, and (let’s be honest) a little expensive. Whether you’re a freshman living in a dorm or a junior renting near campus, picking up a part-time job is one of the best ways to ease financial stress while gaining real-world experience.
This guide gives you exactly what students and parents search for:
- Where UM students get hired most often
- Which businesses are closest to campus
- Typical pay ranges
- Job types that fit class schedules
Why Working Near UM Matters
Miami traffic is real. UM students absolutely prefer jobs that are:
- Under 15 minutes away
- Flexible with class schedules
- Used to hiring college students
- Ontrainable with zero experience
The following employers fit all of that — and most are within walking or biking distance from campus.
Top Areas Around UM for Student Jobs
There are four hiring hot-zones students should focus on:
1. Sunset Place (5 minutes from campus)
Packed with retail, restaurants, and entertainment.
2. South Dixie Highway Corridor
Fast food, local restaurants, banks, and fitness studios.
3. Coral Gables Downtown
Coffee shops, boutiques, office assistant jobs.
4. On-Campus & UM-Partnered Employers
Campus jobs, tutoring, rec center, dining halls, research labs.
These zones are where most UM part-timers work — and where you should look first.
30 Closest Businesses That Actively Hire UM Students (2025 List)
Distance shown is from the center of UM’s Coral Gables campus.
Pay ranges reflect typical student wages in Miami.
Restaurants & Cafés (Flexible Hours)
1. Starbucks – South Dixie Hwy (0.2 miles)
Pay: $13–$16/hr
Flexible, student-friendly, constant hiring.
2. Chick-fil-A – South Miami (0.4 miles)
Pay: $13–$15/hr
Fast-paced but reliable scheduling.
3. Shake Shack – Sunset Place (0.5 miles)
Pay: $13–$16/hr
Trendy, high student hiring.
4. Panera Bread – Sunset Place (0.5 miles)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Good for early mornings.
5. Chipotle – South Miami (0.6 miles)
Pay: $13–$15/hr
Tuition assistance programs available.
6. Dunkin’ – South Dixie Hwy (0.7 miles)
Pay: $12–$14/hr
Very close, flexible shifts.
7. Yard House – South Miami (0.5 miles)
Pay: $12–$14/hr + tips
Popular with college students.
8. The Salty Donut – South Miami (0.7 miles)
Pay: $14–$18/hr
Trendy + great vibes.
Retail Jobs (Steady Hours + Discounts)
9. Publix Super Market – Sunset Place (0.5 miles)
Pay: $12–$16/hr
Very popular student employer.
10. Target – South Miami (0.8 miles)
Pay: $14–$16/hr
Flexible + corporate retail experience.
11. Whole Foods – Coral Gables (1.0 mile)
Pay: $15–$17/hr
Good employee perks.
12. CVS Pharmacy – South Dixie Hwy (0.7 miles)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Consistent hours.
13. Walgreens – South Miami (0.8 miles)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Great for pharmacy/health majors.
14. Lululemon – Merrick Park (1.2 miles)
Pay: $16–$21/hr
Higher pay + great resume booster.
15. Nordstrom Rack – Merrick Park (1.2 miles)
Pay: $14–$17/hr
Retail experience with a national brand.
Fitness, Sports, & Recreation Jobs
16. Orangetheory Fitness – South Miami (0.6 miles)
Pay: $14–$17/hr + class perks
Front desk & coaching assistant roles.
17. UFC Gym – South Miami (0.9 miles)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Front desk + sales roles.
18. LA Fitness – South Miami (0.7 miles)
Pay: $12–$14/hr
Easy to juggle with classes.
19. UM Wellness Center (On Campus)
Pay: $12–$17/hr
Front desk, fitness floor, lifeguard, events.
Office, Tutor, & Academic Roles
20. UM Learning Commons (On Campus)
Pay: $12–$18/hr
Writing, math, science, and foreign language tutors.
21. Undergraduate Research Labs (On Campus)
Pay: $15–$20/hr
Great for STEM majors — flexible with professors.
22. UM Libraries – Richter, Music, Business (On Campus)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Quiet, low-stress, highly desired.
23. Coral Gables City Hall (1.3 miles)
Pay: $15–$20/hr
Clerical and part-time student assistant openings.
Media, Tech, & Creative Jobs
24. UM Athletic Department – Marketing & Media (On Campus)
Pay: $12–$16/hr
Game-day operations, camera work, social media.
25. WVUM 90.5 (On Campus)
Pay: Volunteer / stipend
Radio, DJ, promotions — great portfolio builder.
26. Student Center Operations (On Campus)
Pay: $12–$15/hr
Events, building staff, information desk.
27. Apple Store – Dadeland Mall (3.0 miles)
Pay: $18–$22/hr
A bit farther but amazing experience.
Delivery & Gig Work (Very Flexible)
28. Uber Eats (Campus Zone)
Pay: $15–$25/hr
Bike-friendly around Coral Gables.
29. DoorDash (Coral Gables Zone)
Pay: $12–$20/hr
Works well around South Miami & Grove.
30. Instacart (Publix + Whole Foods nearby)
Pay: $15–$30/hr
Perfect for students with cars.
Tips to Get Hired Faster
✔ Apply early in the semester
Late August + late January = peak hiring.
✔ Visit in person
South Miami and Sunset Place stores love walk-ins.
✔ Have a simple 1-page resume
I can make you a UM-themed template if you want.
✔ Target brands that hire students every semester
Publix, Starbucks, Target, UM Libraries, Wellness Center.
Final Thoughts
Working part-time near UM is more than a paycheck — it’s experience, friends, confidence, and a head start on your career.
This 2025 hiring list gives new UM students a clear path to find jobs that fit their schedule, lifestyle, and goals.
