The 10 Best Senior Citizens Jobs (And How To Get Them)

Despite popular belief these days, working-age doesn’t cut off at any specific number. There are a wide variety of seniors employed in the workforce in many different jobs and careers.

According to AARP, over half of the population between 60-64 worked at least part-time in 2017, and almost a third of the population between 65-69 worked as well.

This number comes as no surprise from a still-active generation who may be looking for more than just extra money. Seniors might be working beyond retirement to help others meet new people, find a purpose, or explore a career they may have always dreamt of having.

Staying employed at an older age keeps seniors active and can provide a number of benefits for both physical and mental health.

Today’s seniors are redefining what retirement means. Many are choosing to continue to be active members of the workforce, allowing for more opportunities for seniors.

Older individuals can choose from a variety of different jobs, many of which do not require a full-time commitment.

But what are the best jobs for seniors? It will, of course, depend on your preferences, skills, and abilities. Luckily, with the wide variety of employment opportunities out on the market right now, seniors will be able to pick and choose the job that suits them best.

1. Tutor Jobs (Overview)

2. Nanny Jobs (Overview)

3. Administrative Assistant Jobs (Overview)

4. Substitute Teacher Jobs (Overview)

5. School Bus Driver Jobs (Overview)

6. Blogger Jobs (Overview)

7. Travel Agent Jobs (Overview)

8. Dog Walker-Pet Sitter Jobs (Overview)

9. Cashier Jobs (Overview)

10. Library Assistant Jobs (Overview)

10 Part-Time Jobs for Seniors

Below we’ve collected some of the best part-time jobs for seniors. These are typically jobs where you can clock in and out and leave the stress of work behind you, allowing for plenty of time to enjoy retirement.

Before applying, ask yourself the question, “What do you want to do when you retire?”

1. Tutor
   Average Annual Salary: $33,000

   This is the perfect part-time opportunity for those who have retired from positions in education. Bringing your educational background and experience to assist clients is both rewarding and enjoyable.

   Tutors are a common need for students of all backgrounds and ages. Whether it be helping a student study for a standardized test, working with young students to learn math, or helping a high-school student bring up their grades, becoming a tutor is a great option for those who have a background in teaching.

   You can set your own hours, hand-pick your own clients, and love what you do.

   Find Tutor jobs near me

2. Nanny
   Average Annual Salary: $25,000

   For those who enjoy being with children, being a nanny might be a wonderful career to explore. You can explore different options here, depending on how much you want to work.

   You’ll have the opportunity to shape a child’s childhood while remembering how to be a kid again yourself. This may be ideal for those who worked in daycares, as educators, or stay-at-home moms.

   Find Nanny jobs near me

3. Administrative Assistant
   Average Annual Salary: $33,000

   An administrative assistant is responsible for keeping an office or ensuring an office’s efficient operation runs smoothly.

   The pay is usually very reasonable for this type of job, and it doesn’t require any physical labor aside from stocking office supplies. It’s a relatively stress-free job that you can leave behind when you clock out for the day.

   Typical responsibilities for an administrative assistant can be anything from calendar management, event scheduling, ordering supplies for the office, fielding phone calls, and managing email inboxes.

   Find Administrative Assistant jobs near me

4. Substitute Teacher
   Average Annual Salary: $33,000

   Applying as a substitute teacher is a great way to get out of your comfort zone and interact with the youth of today. It requires minimal teaching skills, and many districts offer about $100 per day for this role.

   Similar to other part-time jobs, you can manage how much or how little you’d like to work. Plus, you’re doing a service to the full-time teachers by allowing them to take a sick or personal day off when necessary.

   Find Substitute Teacher jobs near me

5. School Bus Driver
   Average Annual Salary: $34,000

   Working as a school bus driver can be a very rewarding and fun experience. You’ll be required to work mornings and afternoons, but you’ll have plenty of free time in between to tend to your hobbies.

   Being an interactive bus driver with the kids is a fun way to enjoy what you’re doing. If you have a CDL license, this job may be right for you.

   Find School Bus Driver jobs near me

6. Blogger
   Average Annual Salary: $41,048

   If you enjoy writing, considering a job as a blogger is a great avenue to explore. With the right grammar skills and passion, you can blog about almost anything.

   Better yet, set your own schedule and pick and choose the clients you enjoy working with to discuss topics you’re interested in writing about.

   Find Blogger jobs near me

7. Travel Agent
   Average Annual Salary: $34,000

   If you are a seasoned traveler who enjoys planning vacations, being a travel agent is a job you should consider looking into.

   There are all kinds of travel jobs out there, from those who want every detail of their trip planned to those who just need help finding the cheapest flight.

   Find Travel Agent jobs near me

8. Dog walker/Pet sitter
   Average Annual Salary: $20,000

   If you’re an animal lover, consider a part-time gig as a dog walker or pet sitter. People who work full-time often need help caring for their pets during the day or while they travel.

   The job pays decently, and what better way to spend more time with the furry four-legged friends you love?

   Find Dog walker or pet sitte jobs near me

9. Cashier
   Average Annual Salary: $24,000

   If you’re looking for a job in retail that isn’t high stress or piled with responsibilities, consider becoming a cashier.

   Many companies such as Costco or Trader Joes not only pay their cashiers very well but provide many benefits to choose from. This is a great way to meet new people and keep yourself stimulated after retirement.

   Find Cashier jobs near me

10. Library Assistant
    Average Annual Salary: $25,000

    If you love the world of books, considering a position in a library is a great idea. Library assistants help librarians with a variety of tasks. You’ll be able to engage with book lovers of all ages and keep things neat and tidy throughout the library.

    Find Library Assistant jobs near me

The Benefits of Working After Retirement

Thinking about picking up a job after retirement, but not sure if it’s the right move? First, it’s important to ask yourself what you really want to do once you’re retired. For many, it could be traveling or finding time to enjoy hobbies.

For others, exploring a new career or job could be a sweet spot. It’s important to remember that it can be a struggle to keep busy during retirement. Many individuals enjoy the camaraderie and motivation that being employed can bring.

Additionally, life expectancy is longer than it has ever been before. This means that traditional retirement funds require a savings account that might need to last you for over twenty years. For many, this path may not be sustainable or achievable.

Regardless of your situation, working after retirement can be both financially and personally rewarding. Here are some benefits of working after retirement:

• Financial stability. As mentioned above, retirement is no longer as sustainable or achievable as it’s been in previous generations. Relying solely on a retirement plan can be stressful. You’ll want to consider many things, including inflation, medical care, leisure, housing, and general necessities and bills to pay.

  By picking up a job in retirement, you can ensure you keep your existing savings and continue to rack up interest.

• Better Social Security benefits. If you choose to keep working into your retirement age, you can delay the start of your Social Security benefits. You can delay this until age 70, which provides you with a heftier Social Security check each month.

  Once you begin to earn your Social Security checks, you can continue to work for as long as you’d like, as there are no earning limitations once you reach your full retirement age.

  However, consider consulting your accountant to be sure you’re not running into any tax hurdles.

• Health insurance. After retirement, the cost of medical care can be a shock to even the most financially secure. Those above the age of 65 are eligible for Medicare, but the coverage often doesn’t cover things such as prescription drugs or care from your preferred physicians.

  If you acquire additional health insurance through employment, you can ensure you’re avoiding the gaps that might be prevalent in the Medicare plan. Having health insurance through an employer can save you thousands of dollars each year.

• Social and mental health benefits. When you think of retirement, you may have a vision of relaxing, fishing, or vacationing. However, you can’t fill your time with these things forever.

  Being employed may encourage many seniors to stay mentally and physically fit, as well as engaged in society. Those who work after retirement are often more active and connected to other people who can improve both mental and physical health.

• Explore a passion. Retirement doesn’t have to be the end of learning. Instead, look at it as a new opportunity to explore a passion or career you may have always been interested in. Many seniors thrive in their second careers.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty more jobs and part-time careers out there to choose from. Remember to take inventory of your existing skills and experience and consider how they may be applicable for a new career path or job opportunity.

Many companies are interested in hiring seniors for various reasons, including consistency, having a wide array of experience, connections, and commitment.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.