Good Jobs for Older People: How to Make Money, Stay Active, and Thrive at Work as a Senior

Seniors at Work: A Growing Trend

Retirement used to mean the end of your working life. But having a job during one’s senior years is now becoming increasingly common. That means more and more older people are figuring out how to make money after retirement. Just take a look at these numbers:

• By 2024, one in four workers will be older than 55, according to Reuters. That’s double what it was in 1994.
• Close to half of the new jobs created in 2018 were filled by 55-and-older workers, making seniors the age group with the biggest job growth that year.
• Almost one in three workers expect to be 67 or older when they retire.

In addition, many employers now actively look to hire seniors. More and more of them are starting to recognize that experienced and mature workers often have strengths that some younger workers lack. For example, many older workers exhibit strengths like:

• Loyalty: A Department of Labor study found that newly hired older workers are more likely to remain in a position over the long term than workers who are hired at younger ages.
• A strong work ethic: When asked to name the advantages of hiring older workers, 70 percent of surveyed HR managers cited this quality, according to an AARP report about the value of experience.
• A good attitude: Out of all age groups, workers over the age of 55 demonstrate the highest levels of positive engagement on the job. That’s according to the AARP report.

31 Good Jobs for Older People

Seniors can get many kinds of jobs. Aside, perhaps, from some extremely physically demanding occupations, almost any job that can be done by a younger person can be done by someone older. It really just depends on the individual, since everyone ages differently.

In other words, the best jobs for older workers vary according to each person’s goals, capabilities, health, and other factors. For example, the criteria used in finding good jobs for women over 50 who still have children at home will naturally be different than the criteria used in finding work for people in their 80s who just want a reason to get out and socialize a few times a week.

Thankfully, there are a wide range of potential jobs for seniors to match all kinds of different motivations and capabilities. The following jobs are arranged by what may be driving you to seek employment. Check out one or more of these categories to see a few practical and inspiring examples:

• You want to stay involved in a prior career
• You want to get out and about in your community
• You want social contact
• You want to help people
• You want to make money and receive good benefits
• You want to work in a job that isn’t physically challenging
• You want to stay active (and you are in good shape physically)
• You want to explore a career related to a favorite hobby or lifelong passion
• You want to become an entrepreneur

Unless otherwise noted, the median hourly wages for each occupation are based on May 2021 estimates from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.

You Want to Stay Involved in a Prior Career

Many seniors want to continue working in their professional fields without having to commit to full-time jobs. By selling their skills and sharing their knowledge on a contract basis, they can keep working while enjoying more freedom and flexibility.

1. Consultant

Has your work history helped you acquire a comprehensive resume of accomplishments and a wealth of knowledge in your field? Chances are, the answer is yes. Your skills are valuable, so why not benefit from sharing your expertise?

Companies typically hire consultants for help with specific issues or for guidance during transitions. The pay can be great—especially if you have the kind of expertise that businesses are looking for. Plus, you generally get some flexibility when it comes to determining your hours and working conditions.

• Median hourly wage: $44.71 for management analysts

2. Writer and subject matter expert

Another way to share your knowledge is by writing about it. In this age of information, many people are looking for authoritative content online or in print. So if you’re an expert on a particular subject, get your name out there! Begin by starting a blog, publishing articles on platforms such as LinkedIn, or approaching publications related to your area of expertise.

• Median hourly wage: $33.42

3. Teacher

Why not teach others about your field? Community colleges and community centers often hire temporary instructors to teach classes for professional development or general interest. So check out your local college, community center, or seniors’ center to see what’s already being offered and inquire about the possibility of creating new classes based on your particular areas of expertise.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to be an academic scholar or professor. Your knowledge and experience could be enough to qualify you to teach self-enrichment classes in a college’s continuing education department. For example, if your former career was in the food industry, you could offer to teach a cooking class.

• Median hourly wage: $20.95 for self-enrichment teachers

You Want to Get Out and About in Your Community

Do you have a good driving record? Driving-related positions often make sense for healthy seniors who want to stay on the go.

4. On-demand driver

Services such as Uber and Lyft need independent drivers to take passengers from place to place. Because you set your own hours, on-demand driving is one of the most flexible part-time jobs for seniors. In fact, according to a survey by Benenson Strategy Group, about 23 percent of Uber’s drivers are over 50. Plus, two-thirds of Uber contractors have no previous job history as drivers. So these services offer suitable jobs for older people with no experience but clean driving records. (If you’re thinking about getting a new vehicle, check out some of the best cars for seniors.)

• Average hourly wage: Varies by location and time of day. For example, one study by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) found that Uber drivers collect $24.77 an hour, on average. Just keep in mind that you’ll be an independent contractor. That means you’re responsible for the cost of vehicle maintenance, insurance, gas, and Social Security and Medicare taxes. You’ll also probably have to pay a booking fee and commission. So by the time these costs are factored in, the take-home pay for Uber drivers works out to an average of $9.21 an hour, according to the EPI study.However, you can claim fuel expenses on your tax returns. People who drive their vehicles for work can choose to take deductions by mileage or by deducting car maintenance expenses. (If you choose to deduct maintenance expenses, you can write off a percentage of car payments for leased vehicles as well as a percentage of repair costs.) But it’s often a better deal to choose mileage deductions. (According to the IRS, the mileage rate for 2022 is 58.5 cents per mile for business travel.) The IRS can be very picky about vehicle-related deductions, so keep good records.

5. Courier

Deliver food, packages, or other goods from restaurants, stores, or warehouses to the local people who ordered them. (The increased use of services like Amazon Flex and GrubHub is leading to more opportunities.) You need to be efficient in these jobs, since workers are often held to time-frame standards for delivery.

Medical courier work is also becoming more common. A medical courier transports and delivers test results, lab specimens, images (such as x-rays), medications, and other medically necessary items.

• Median hourly wage: $15.89(Wages can vary based on the type of service you work for and whether you are an independent contractor or permanent employee. As an example, Amazon couriers are independent contractors and can set the hours they are available to work. Delivering for Amazon, an independent courier makes a minimum of $18 an hour, according to Ridester. As with driving-on-demand work, Amazon couriers are responsible for paying gas and vehicle maintenance costs.)

You Want Social Contact

Having regular social contact is an important part of a healthy retirement. In fact, a lower risk of dementia and depression are two possible health benefits for working seniors. (Jobs that involve a lot of personal interaction can help seniors stay engaged and boost day-to-day happiness levels.)

6. ESL teacher

Helping others master the English language is one of the best jobs for meeting new people and learning about foreign countries. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification improves your chances of finding a job, but it isn’t always necessary. You can teach overseas and combine work with travel. Or you can stick close to home and meet people from other cultures while helping them acquire English language proficiency.

• Median hourly wage: $28.71

7. Customer service representative

Do you enjoy talking on the phone? Why not help people by answering questions and solving problems? You need patience and good communication skills for this work. Basic computer knowledge is also necessary. But work-at-home jobs are available. And the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) says that some positions in this field are part-time, which can make customer service a good option for seniors.

• Median hourly wage: $17.75

8. Tour guide

Share your love of local attractions and inspire others with your knowledge of history and geography. Depending on the venue, you could meet people from around the world. Public-speaking skills and a good memory are essential.

• Median hourly wage: $14.32

9. Retail salesperson

This is one of the most popular jobs for seniors. And it’s easy to see why: Retail positions often have flexible schedules, opportunities for friendly contact with customers, and even healthcare benefits if you work for a larger company. (For example, Costco, Whole Foods, and REI provide health insurance benefits to part-time workers as long as they work a certain number of hours per week.)

Plus, salespeople are often eligible for a store discount. And you could work at a store that aligns with your personal interests—for example, a bookstore if you like to read, a clothing store if you follow fashion, or a sports store if you’re athletically inclined.

• Median hourly wage: $14.00

10. Casino worker

Working in a casino is a great option for seniors who enjoy being surrounded by people in an exciting, fast-paced environment. You could deal cards, run the roulette wheel, do surveillance, and more. Casinos often train new employees on the job, but you can also attend a gaming school to learn how the industry works. Casino workers must be licensed by the state they work in.

• Median hourly wage: $13.94 for gambling services workers

11. Event usher or attendant

Do you enjoy attending concerts, plays, and sporting events? Consider helping out—and earning some money—as an usher or event attendant. You could help people find their seats, take tickets, and provide general assistance. These jobs generally don’t require much training, and they typically involve part-time work hours. Evening and weekend shifts are common.

• Median hourly wage: $11.75

12. Greeter

Are you a real people person? Greeters welcome visitors with a friendly hello as they enter stores or other facilities. Generally, they also answer questions, assist people with packages, keep an eye out for shoplifters, and do basic cleaning. You should be comfortable standing for long periods of time.

• Median hourly wage: $14.03 for retail sales workers

You Want to Help People

Have you reached a point in your life where you want to give back? As a senior, careers in the service sector may offer fulfilling ways to help others by drawing upon your years of valuable life experience.

13. Tutor

Do you have a strong background in an academic area? You could help others successfully learn that subject. Plus, tutoring is usually a flexible job since you can often set your own hours and choose your clients.

Your clients could include anyone from elementary students to adult learners. Tutors who know how to help students prepare for college-entrance tests such as the SAT are also in demand. You can work independently by finding your own clients, or you can work for an established tutoring company.