Student Jobs
A job with University Housing is fun and a great way to meet friends, become an important part of the UW community, and work close to where you live! You’ll gain valuable life skills that will help you succeed in your career and life!
Also, as a UW–Madison student working on campus, you may not have to pay for Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (FICA) taxes (1.45%). This could save you hundreds each year!
Interested? Check out our employment opportunities below. Wages start at $15.00/hr or higher!
If you have any questions about the hiring process, please email hr@housing.wisc.edu
The Division of University Housing is excited to announce a new Student Employment Hiring and Retention Bonus Initiative starting for Academic Year 2026-2027:
Earn And Return (EAR)
Key highlights:
EARN – Hiring Bonus
**One-Time Hiring Bonus for 1st University Housing Student Employee Position – Earn Up to $300!**
- Who’s Eligible:
- First-time hires to University Housing within an *eligible Housing position employed during the current Academic Year (Fall 2026-Spring 2027)
- * Dining & Culinary Services – Cashier, Culinary Assistant, Dishwasher, Shake Smart Team Member, Retail and Cafe Team Member, Student Stocker
- *University Housing Facilities – Custodian
- First-time hires to University Housing within an *eligible Housing position employed during the current Academic Year (Fall 2026-Spring 2027)
- Must meet employment milestones to receive full bonus:
- $100 paid out after 10 weeks worked
- $200 paid out after the 2nd week of the second semester worked
Eligible positions are posted now on our Housing Dashboard. Dining & Culinary Services and University Housing Facilities will also be having an additional week-long recruitment effort on July 20-27 for all eligible positions! More info to come!
RETURN – Retention Bonus
**One-Time Retention Bonus for Returning University Housing Student Employees – Earn $300!**
- Who’s Eligible:
- University Housing Student Employee entering their 3rd semester (or more) of continuous employment (starting Fall 2026) in a *eligible department of which they were initially hired into that department in an *eligible Housing position
- * Dining & Culinary Services – Cashier, Culinary Assistant, Dishwasher, Dining Room Attendant, Shake Smart Team Member, Retail and Cafe Team Member, Student Stocker
- * University Housing Facilities – Custodian
- University Housing Student Employee entering their 3rd semester (or more) of continuous employment (starting Fall 2026) in a *eligible department of which they were initially hired into that department in an *eligible Housing position
University Housing will be providing more details on the EAR initiative in the very near future!
Work with University Housing!
Whether you’re looking to earn some extra spending money or jump-start your career, University Housing has a wide selection of student positions for you! From Dishwasher to Culinary Assistant or Student Stocker, employees can benefit from opportunities to work in a variety of different departments and become eligible for promotional opportunities, all while we work around your class schedule!
Benefits of Working with Housing:
- All of our student jobs have a starting wage of $15/hour or more, with opportunities to earn raises or promotions
- Employees receive a discount on food and drinks in our dining halls
- Total schedule flexibility
- Ability to work in a variety of different departments
- Our positions are work-study eligible
- Meet a fun, social network of other student employees
- No prior job experience is necessary for many of our positions!
☀️ Now Hiring For Summer ☀️
Check back in Spring 2027 for more information.
EAR – Student Employee Hiring and Retention Initiative FAQs
Hiring Bonus FAQs
Student employees are eligible for a Hiring Bonus for their FIRST Housing job if they are hired into one of the eligible titles for Fall 2026.
No, this initiative starts for employees hired for Fall 2026 (first hires) and thereafter. Employees who started before Fall 2026 are not eligible for the hiring bonus. However, they may be eligible for the retention bonus if all program qualifications are met.
Eligible Housing position employed during the current Academic Year (Fall 2026-Spring 2027)
- Dining & Culinary Services – Cashier, Culinary Assistant, Dishwasher, Shake Smart Team Member, Retail and Cafe Team Member, Student Stocker
- University Housing Facilities – Custodian
During the recruitment campaign between July 20 and July 27, Recruitment for eligible titles is posted in a general department location. Employees will be transferred to their specific work location shortly after the campaign has concluded.
During the academic year, recruitments for eligible titles are usually posted in a general department location. Employees will be transferred to their specific work location after offer acceptance.
Fall 2026: Jobs in eligible titles start Thursday, Aug 27, 2026
However, hiring for these positions will occur throughout the year.
Fall 2026: Move-in for eligible titles is August 26, 2026. Employees are in mandatory training a few days before opening.
No! Many do enjoy living in and being close to where they work, but it is not a requirement for these positions.
If you accepted a job but are no longer interested in working, you can withdraw from the job by visiting the Job Dashboard before your start date. Please note that student employees who withdraw from their first Housing job in an eligible position before their start date will not receive a hiring bonus for that position. They may be eligible for a hiring bonus in the future if they reapply for an eligible position and begin employment in what becomes their first Housing job.
Fall 2026: If withdrawing from a position before the August 27th start date, anyone living in University Housing will have their August 26 move-in date changed to one of the later move-in days for Housing residents. Arriving early was to accommodate training needed for the position the student employee was hired.
If you started working the job and leave the job before meeting the employment date requirements for the Hiring and Retention bonus, you will not be eligible for the bonus payouts.
We encourage all the students to give working with University Housing a chance. Many of our seniors tell us that their job was one of the most valuable experiences they had while in college, and they can transfer so many skills they have gained into their future careers.
Student employees can earn up to $300 if they meet employment date requirements:
- $100 paid out after 10 weeks worked
- $200 paid out after the 2nd week of the second semester worked
Note: Employee needs to start the job in an eligible title by Sep 30, 2026, for Fall to be counted as their first semester. Employees starting after Sep 30, 2026, will receive the second part of their hiring bonus ($200) in Fall 2027, as Spring 2027 will be counted as their first semester.
- Payouts are processed in the pay period after employees meet employment eligibility requirements
- Employees need to be actively employed during the payout to be eligible for the hiring bonus payout.
Retention Bonus FAQs
University Housing Student Employee entering their 3rd semester (or more) of continuous employment (starting Fall 2026) in an *eligible department of which they were initially hired into that department in an *eligible Housing position. Semesters are defined as work during fall and spring; summer work is not included.
It is a one-time retention bonus for returning University Housing student employees.
Employees active during the second week of their 3rd semester (or more) of continuous employment in the eligible titles of an eligible department will receive a retention bonus. Bonus payouts will be processed in the pay period following the second week of the 3rd semester.
University Housing Student Employees can receive both a hiring and a retention bonus once they meet employment date and program requirements for each. Student employees could potentially earn up to $600 with the Hiring and Retention bonus!
Hiring bonus is a one-time incentive for student housing employees for their first Housing position started and will be paid once during the tenure of their employment with University Housing.
Retention bonus is a one-time incentive for returning student housing employees and will be paid once during the tenure of their employment with University Housing.
It’s easy! You can apply for a University Housing student job by creating an online application at our Student Housing Job Dashboard.
Student Employment with University Housing offers:
- Student Employee Hiring and Retention Bonus when student employee meets employment program requirements– can potentially earn up to $600 with Hiring and Retention Bonus!
- Flexible scheduling around your classes and exams.
- A great way to meet people, make friends, and stay connected with campus and student life.
- Convenient locations close to (or in the same building!) where you live.
- Promotional opportunities that will provide valuable leadership experience!
- University Housing student employees receive discount pricing on all prepared food purchased in any University Housing dining market. For locations and hours, visit our dining pages.
Related Pages
Why Should I Work for Housing?
