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Hobo Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chatham

Hydrologic and Ecologic Technician

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Utilizing HOBO-Onset software to download data All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not ...

Home Oil Company, Inc.

Retail Manager

Brundidge, AL · On-site

We've proudly served our communities for decades through our Hobo Pantry convenience stores, and we continue to grow with the same values we started with: faith, family, team, and community . If you ...

Chatham

Hydrologic and Ecologic Technician

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Utilizing HOBO-Onset software to download data All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not ...

Home Oil Company, Inc.

Food Service Associate

Ariton, AL · On-site

$13.50 - $17.50/hr

What You'll Do: As a Food Service Associate at Hobo Pantry, you'll play a key role in delivering a fast, friendly, and high-quality experience for every customer. This position blends food ...

Home Oil Company, Inc.

Food Service Associate

Troy, AL

$13 - $17/hr

What You'll Do: As a Food Service Associate at Hobo Pantry, you'll play a key role in delivering a fast, friendly, and high-quality experience for every customer. This position blends food ...

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Hobo information

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How much do hobo jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for hobo in the United States is $18.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hobo, and why are they important?

The term 'Hobo' historically refers to itinerant workers who traveled in search of temporary employment, often relying on resourcefulness, adaptability, and manual labor skills. While not a formal occupation today, thriving in such a lifestyle would require knowledge of safe travel methods, survival skills, and sometimes the use of basic tools. Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and the ability to quickly build trust with strangers would stand out in this context. These abilities were crucial for navigating uncertain environments, finding work, and ensuring personal safety.

What are hobos?

Hobos are individuals who travel from place to place, often by hopping freight trains, in search of temporary work. The term originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, and hobos were known for their migratory lifestyle and willingness to work odd jobs to support themselves. Unlike tramps, who typically avoid work, and bums, who do not travel, hobos pride themselves on their resourcefulness and adaptability. The culture of hobos includes unique slang, symbols, and traditions that developed during the Great Depression and earlier. Today, the traditional hobo lifestyle is rare, but the concept remains a part of American folklore and history.

What is the difference between Hobo vs Day Laborer?

AspectHoboDay Laborer
CredentialsNo formal credentials requiredNo formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentTraveling, informal work settingsConstruction sites, manual labor jobs
Industry UsageHistorically associated with transient, informal workFormal employment in construction, landscaping, etc.
Search IntentHistorical, lifestyle, informal workTemporary, daily work opportunities

Hobos are historically known for traveling and seeking informal, often unregulated work, whereas day laborers typically work in specific industries like construction or landscaping on a daily basis. While both roles involve manual labor, hobos are more associated with transient lifestyles, and day laborers work in more structured environments.

What does the slang hobo mean?

In the context of the job title, a hobo is a person who travels, often by freight train or on foot, seeking temporary or seasonal work, typically in manual labor or low-wage jobs. Historically, hobos were known for their itinerant lifestyle during the early 20th century, often living outdoors and relying on transient employment opportunities.

Is hobo the same as homeless?

A hobo is a person who travels, often by freight train, seeking work or better living conditions, whereas homeless refers to individuals without stable housing. Not all homeless people are hobos, and not all hobos are necessarily homeless, but both groups face housing insecurity. The term 'hobo' specifically relates to a lifestyle of mobility and work-seeking, not just lack of shelter.
More about Hobo jobs
What job categories do people searching Hobo jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hobo jobs are:
Hobo jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hobo job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, 40% Part Time, and 40% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,707 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Hydrologic and Ecologic Technician

Chatham

Pittsburgh, PA • On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Part-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

We value our students! If you see an open position that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Our ecologic and hydrologic research team at Eden Hall requires three student employees to assist in invasive plant removal, data collection and management, and equipment maintenance during the Fall 2026 semester. This project, Hydrologic Impacts of Plant Invasions (HIPI) is funded by a National Science Foundation grant.

Your tasks:

  • Removing invasive shrub plants from the research plots located in the Eden Hall forests

  • Downloading data from soil moisture sensors, photosynthetically active radiation sensors, and rain gauges. Uploading that data to the shared folder.

  • Maintaining equipment - checking batteries, checking for damage, etc.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Learning to use forestry equipment (chainsaws, wood chippers, etc.)

  • Native and invasive plant identification

  • Data management

  • Utilizing HOBO-Onset software to download data

All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not work more than 20 hours per week (combined between all campus jobs) during the academic year. Students may not exceed 980 work hours per calendar year.

Student jobs do not automatically roll over to the next academic year or summer.

Chatham University strives to promote a campus environment that understands and embraces multiculturalism while increasing individuals' intercultural competence. We actively work to build and sustain a diverse and culturally vibrant campus, which promotes employee and student success and retention.

Chatham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Chatham University does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital or family status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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