Finding a job as a retiree can be difficult and tedious. Even though you have the experience and strong work ethic, many companies are looking for more youthful employees. But that does not mean you cannot find an enjoyable position. Instead, check out these 17 interesting part-time jobs for retirees.
Not All Retiree Jobs Are Boring
Do not fret — you do not have to be a typical store greeter or bagger to enjoy part-time work as a retiree. Many job opportunities allow you the freedom to create your own schedule as well as enjoy working while still meeting new people. Below are the top job positions that many retired individuals enjoy:
- Teacher or tutor
- Consultant or freelancer
- Customer service
- Researcher for Universities or Businesses
- Monetize skill and hobbies
- Pet sitter or house sitter
- Translator/interpreter
- Temp worker
- Non-profit worker
- Blogger
- Shop assistant
- Gardener
Teacher or Tutor
If you have a passion for teaching, then you can continue this love by teaching or tutoring. You do not necessarily need to be a full-time teacher to enjoy this position. Instead, you can interview for substitute teaching or tutoring.
As a substitute teacher, you do not have the pressure of creating a lesson plan and grading. Substitutes typically teach the specific lesson for the day or instruct other activities planned by the teacher. When you are a tutor, you are honing down specific sections of a lesson plan.
If you would like to become a substitute teacher or tutor, you have to show at least an Associate’s degree as well as experience with working with young children or students. You can make about $20,000 to $40,000 a year as a part-time teacher or tutor.
Consultant or Freelancer
Boss hopping is all the rage right now. The concept of taking control of your schedule excites people, especially retired individuals. Consultant or freelancing positions can fall under many different industries: advertising, arts, law, medical and more. This is a position where you can let your decades’ worth of experience shine.
Many consultants and freelancers pick the times they work as well as their pay range. Consultants can make $57,000 to $110,000 a year, while freelancers make around $60,000 per year. Many websites can help you secure work like UpWork or Indeed.
Customer Service
Do you like talking to people or have sales/customer service experience? Then, you need to check out a customer service position. You can find many different customer service positions in many different industries, including retail, food service, hospitality, medical and more.
If you like working from home or in an office, customer service is right for you. Since COVID-19 is still affecting our elderly population, we recommend sticking with a customer service job at home. Many people who have this position make about $10 to $20 per hour.
Researcher for Universities or Businesses
Take your passion for reading and researching by becoming a researcher for universities or businesses. Many places are looking for people who have time to help them with their research. These types of places are always looking for people who have opinions and time — luckily, you have that in the bag. Researchers can make about $45,000 per year.
Monetize Skills and Hobbies
People with unique skills or hobbies can monetize the activities they like to do the most. This job is perfect for anyone looking to start their own business or work part-time with another creator or a small company.
If you are creating things, the price can range depending on how much time and money you spent as well as the value and demand of the product. For individuals who want to go down this route, we recommend creating an Etsy shop, visiting festivals or events and advertising on social media.
Pet Sitter or House Sitter
Spend your days watching adorable pets or sitting in a quiet house. This is a great job for anyone who likes animals or maintaining a home. It also helps if you know many people. You can branch out to just your close family and friends to make a good profit off pet or house sitting.
For this type of position, ideally you are comfortable with different pets and also need to remember everything your client instructs you as well. Remember you are in someone else’s house, so you need to be respectful and responsible.
Sitters pay ranges widely, depending on the responsibilities and person who hires you. If you want higher-paying sitting jobs, then you need to target wealthier clients.
Translator/Interpreter
If you are a retiree who speaks multiple languages, then you can make a profit off your speaking ability. Many companies are looking for translators or interpreters to help them out. You can even help translate books, events, movies or television shows as well. Check out a job hiring site for hundreds of translator positions.
A translator or interpreter position is great for retirees who want to experience new things or want to travel. As a translator, you can make $11 to $50 per hour. If you have to travel, you can even write off all your transportation, lodging and food expenses.
Temp Worker
There is a load of temporary jobs that exist for people looking for short-time work. These jobs also fall under many different industries. You can even find seasonal jobs that count as temp work, especially during specific holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.) Temp workers can make between $30,000 to $70,000 per year.
Non-Profit Worker
Many non-profit organizations are looking for people who are eager to make a change in the world. And, you can make a change no matter your age or lifestyle. If you want to work with a non-profit, look for an organization that aligns with your beliefs. This way you are more likely to enjoy your experience.
There is a load of nonprofit organizations you can apply for in many different industries. Popular industries are political, medical and childcare. On average, people make about $50,000 per year as non-profit workers.
Blogger
Now that you have extra time at home, you can finally have a job where you can stay in bed — blogging. Since the start of the internet, blogging has continued to grow. Plus, it is a great way to express yourself and show the world what you enjoy. All you need for this job is the love and ability to write as well as a laptop with internet access.
You do not need a degree or certification to start a blog. Literally anyone can. You will want to sign up for a blogging website like WordPress, Wix.com or Squarespace. Depending on how popular your blog becomes, you can easily make thousands of dollars off each post.
Blogging can also branch off into video blogging (vlogging) or social media modeling (influencer). If you go this route, then you will want to sign up for social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or TikTok and create a YouTube account.
Shop Assistant
Head on over to some of your local mom-and-pop shops and apply for shop assistant jobs. Many of these small businesses are looking for someone who is not only hard-working but is sociable too.
You do not necessarily need extensive experience to land a part-time job as a shop assistant. It does help if you have customer service or management experience. However, if you do not have this experience, explain during your interview how your past duties translate to the current open position.
Gardener
Do you have a green thumb? Monetize off your talent and hobby by becoming a gardener. Plus, it is the perfect job to stay active. You do not even have to travel far from home to start this job. You can pass out flyers around your neighborhood or your family and friends advertising your gardening side gig.
Since this is your business, you create how much you charge your clients. On average, landscapers and gardeners make about $20-$40 per hour. This price range can also increase or decrease depending on the neighborhood.
In conclusion, you do not have to have a boring part-time job after retiring. Hopefully one of the 17 suggestions above will provide inspiration.