The 2020 census requires a massive, temporary workforce to get every American counted. A job that once involved clipboards and file boxes now utilizes mapping software and smartphones.
All together, the census will employ more than 500,000 temporary and part-time workers. Hiring has already begun. And get this: pay ranges from $13 to $30 an hour.
Pay rates vary by position and location, but you can find the ranges for your state and county via this electronic form on the census site.
If you speak a second language, you’re even more in demand. The census is looking for bilingual workers and those who live in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations so that “our census takers look like the neighborhood we’re counting,” Jeff Behler, regional director of the Census Bureau’s New York Regional Office, said in a story on Census.gov.
If this sounds like the gig for you, fill out the online application.
To be eligible for the jobs, which include census takers, office staff and recruiting assistants, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a U.S. citizen who’s at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid Social Security number and email address.
- Pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting.
- Have the flexibility to work days, evening and weekends.
- If you’re a male born after Dec. 31, 1959, you must be registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption.
- Be able to count to 329,402,583. Just kidding — that’s a little census humor for you.
Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder who covers interesting careers and job benefits. Senior editor Molly Moorhead contributed reporting.