Many individuals feel that after you retire, all career prospects vanish and, especially as time career gaps are bigger, you won’t be able to re-enter the workforce.
You may be pleasantly surprised to hear, though, that such an assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
According to the BLS, in 2024, 19.5% of those age 65 and over were participating in the labor force.
Furthermore, many businesses deliberately seek out senior employees due to the experience and wisdom they may offer to the office, attributes that younger employees may lack.
So, if you’re a senior, or you know one who’s looking to supplement their income, stay active, meet new people, or pursue a new line of work, there are plenty of job opportunities available!
This list breaks down the best careers or part-time jobs for seniors, so you can choose the one that suits you best. Whether you want to be up and about with your job or avoid the daily commute and stay at home, there’s something for everybody here!
You can then use our AI resume builder to update your resume or create a new one from scratch. Take full advantage of our selection of modern templates and AI-powered text suggestions to tailor your profile to the job you are applying for.
Skilled Senior Jobs
Below are some job ideas for seniors from different skill backgrounds. These suggestions require some level of skill or experience, making them great options for those looking to re-enter the workforce.
Beyond what we’ve discussed below, other opportunities can be sourced through resources like the board of AARP jobs for seniors – this tool allows you to search for job postings that are aimed at or friendly toward senior applicants.
Retail Sales Associate
This is a popular choice for seniors looking for flexible hours and a steady part-time income. It’s a role that involves working with people, and can sometimes include an employee discount! Great if you want to stay active rather than tied to a desk.
Tutor / Online Instructor
Have you taught, tutored, or do you have strong expertise in a subject like math, science, or English? You might even find online teaching rewarding, with platforms like Zoom, Outschool, or VIPKid that make it easy to teach students from anywhere.
Tutoring is a great way to stay mentally engaged and form relationships with those you might not otherwise have had contact with.
Administrative Assistant
This is a more contemporary version of a “secretary” role that involves organizing schedules, managing emails, arranging meetings, and maintaining records.
You may even find remote or hybrid administrative positions to help cut down on commuting.
Interested? Check out our secretary resume guide with real examples.
HR Assistant / Manager
Human resources roles are a solid option for seniors who have experience in office or corporate settings. You may end up supporting recruitment processes, onboarding, and training employees, as well as handling benefits and workplace issues.
This kind of work might require formal training and a degree, but many employers value decades of real-world people management skills. You can use our free AI skills generator tool to help you with the skills section of your resume for this and other roles.
Mentor / Consultant
As a senior, you have a lifetime of professional experience, and you can offer advice to younger professionals or small businesses.
Consultants work on short-term contracts, often remotely, and are invaluable in terms of their perspective and problem-solving ability. Mentorship, whether through nonprofits or paid programs, can also be a fulfilling way to give back.
Patient Advocate / Healthcare Navigator
If you can help patients understand their healthcare options, schedule appointments, review insurance paperwork, and communicate with providers, this job may be of interest to you.
Seniors with backgrounds in healthcare or caregiving are especially well-suited, but empathy and organizational skills are often the most essential qualifications.
Community Garden or Sustainability Coordinator
With many communities now investing in sustainable projects like farmers’ markets, recycling programs, or local gardens, seniors can use leadership skills to coordinate volunteers, manage events, and promote green living.
It’s also a fantastic way to stay connected with neighbors while staying active.
Flexible Hour Jobs For Seniors
These job ideas allow you to choose when you do and don’t work, making them an excellent option for anyone looking to make some extra money.
They can also be a good option for a part-time job for seniors who don’t want to return to work full-time.
Driver (Uber, Lyft, or Medical Transport)
You can have a lot of flexibility if you drive for rideshare or medical transport services, as you decide your hours, pick your passengers, and get paid quickly. In some cases, you can even use your own vehicle.
This role requires safe driving skills and a valid license as well as excellent time management skills.
Pet Sitter / Dog Walker
Are you an animal lover? If so, pet sitting is a rewarding and (usually) low-stress job. It could involve feeding, administering medications, short daily visits, overnight stays, or dog walking services.
This can be an enjoyable job as it combines light activity with time spent with animals.
Photographer
It may start out as a hobby, but photography can turn into a business. If you have an eye for detail, you can earn money while expressing creativity. You’ll need good people skills and may need to learn how to use specific software for photo editing.
Check out our Photographer resume for inspiration.
Jobs For Seniors Working From Home
You may be apprehensive about searching for a job if you’re a senior with a disability or are otherwise limited by circumstances beyond your control.
However, in today’s employment landscape, these sorts of obstacles do not have to prevent you from working.
In fact, many offices have taken to the practice of working from home, so most people don’t even have to move beyond their sofa while working their full-time jobs!
Blogger
Coming up with ideas for topics, doing research, writing articles, editing, and dealing with other writers and editors are some of the key responsibilities of a blogger.
A blogger must also be familiar with content management systems, so you’ll need some basic IT skills and possess excellent writing abilities.
Content Writer or Editor
Is there a specific subject or topic in which you are particularly knowledgeable?
You may either write for an organization that needs a writer with your abilities and experience, or you can work as a freelancer.
Editors review articles, reports, or marketing materials before they’re published. It’s work that can be done entirely from home, making it ideal for seniors with mobility challenges.
Online Customer Support Representative (Chat/Email)
Many companies now rely on chat and email-based customer service rather than traditional call centers. This is an excellent development as it means reduced stress and no extended hours on the phone.
You’ll need patience and good communication skills to answer customer questions or resolve issues.
It’s also perfectly suitable for you if you’re a retiree with a disability because this job is done from behind a screen and a phone.
Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants are remote administration support workers.
They manage calendars, emails, and data entry. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs rely on VAs, and seniors with strong organizational skills can thrive in this role.
AI Content Reviewer / Data Labeler
Artificial intelligence is a growing sector that we are surprised has taken this long for us to mention in this list! Companies need human reviewers to ensure the quality and accuracy of AI content.
Seniors can be employed to check AI outputs for errors, label data for training, or review online content. These jobs are often remote, flexible, and pay competitively.
Online Course Creator
Anyone with a good training idea can design and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Teachable.
Seniors with professional expertise or specialized hobbies can create training modules, videos, and workbooks. This is a way to earn passive income while sharing decades of experience through excellent written communication skills.
Age-Friendly Employers & Programs
Seniors don’t need to search blindly for jobs. In fact, there are programs that specifically support older workers:
- AARP Employer Pledge Program: Over 1,000 companies have signed a pledge to promote equal opportunity for workers 50 and older.
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): A U.S. Department of Labor program that offers paid community service and job training for job seekers aged 55 and over.
- CareerOneStop (Department of Labor): A one-stop portal with job boards, training programs, and career planning tools.
These resources can help you find employers that recognize the value of experience.
Key Takeaways
- Even if you’re a senior or retired, don’t rule out the possibility of finding work again; there are many excellent options available.
- Working as a photographer, retail sales associate, driver, or pet sitter, among other recommendations, are all excellent options if you simply want to work part-time and choose your own hours.
- You can work as a content writer, editor, blogger, AI content reviewer, virtual assistant, or phone surveyor if you have a physical disability or simply prefer to work from home.
- You can work as a human resource assistant or human resource manager, tutor, instructor, or management consultant if you would like a more professional or challenging job.
- Use the resources available through the government websites and NGOs to find an employer and role suited to you.
We hope our guide helped you find a job that suits you and made you believe that there are still plenty of opportunities available for seniors out there who are looking for jobs.
Now is the time to update your resume and have a look at the many options available to you!
If you’re looking to draft the perfect application to land one of these jobs, remember you can use our AI cover letter generator along with our resume builder to help fit your experience and skills to the job description.
FAQs
Yes, but if you’re under your full retirement age, earning above a set threshold may temporarily reduce your benefits. However, once you reach full retirement age, your benefits will no longer be reduced, no matter how much you earn.
Remote jobs like virtual assistant, content editing, customer support, or online teaching are excellent choices. Many of these can be done entirely from home with just a computer and an internet connection.
Yes. Programs like SCSEP (Department of Labor), the AARP Job Board, and state workforce agencies provide job training, resume help, and job placement assistance specifically for older adults.
Major employers such as Home Depot, CVS, and Macy’s are known for hiring older workers. Additionally, any company that is part of AARP’s Employer Pledge Program demonstrates a commitment to senior hiring.
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