Most people’s idea of retirement is lying on a beach somewhere in the tropics sipping a pina colada; although this might be what some of your retirement will look like, you also might have a lot of downtimes. You may even want to make some extra cash. However, the standard nine-to-five office job may not be sustainable for you anymore, which brings me to the beauty of part-time jobs.
Working a part-time job as a retiree is a great way to pocket some extra cash to get your finances in order or even improve your credit score. Some even like the routine of going to work, but with less intensity. In fact, 40% of workers 55 and older were working or are actively looking for work. We’ve sourced a list of the 30 best part-time jobs where you can pick your own hours, work on your own terms, or even get paid for doing something you already enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for a new venture or you need additional financial resources, these part-time job ideas for retirees may be for you.
Remote Part-time Jobs
Human Resources Coordinator
Every business or organization has a human resources department to support their employees and recruit new ones.
Being a human resources coordinator means that you would help internal employees with paperwork, and federal programs while also recruiting candidates for employment externally. You may also be handling paychecks or anything employee-related for the organization. The average hourly wage for a human resources coordinator is $29.97, and this job is perfect for retirees who want to help a company run smoothly.
Tax Preparer
If you’re good with finances and accounting, this might be the job for you! Taxes are difficult for many individuals which is why outsourcing someone to do your taxes is so popular. The great thing about being a tax preparer is that your busy season is only once a year. All you need to do is make it official with a preparer tax ID number from the IRS.
The average tax preparer makes about $26.69 per hour, and this job is a good fit for folks who are looking for a job where they only work hard one season of the year.
Paralegal
Have experience in law? Then becoming a paralegal or legal assistant might be your best option. This position would require you to help a law firm run its internal operations through legal research, report writing, and of course, keeping client documents organized.
The remote aspect of this position is also great because your communication can be done over the phone or email. The average hourly pay for a paralegal is typically $25.23, and this job is perfect for those looking for a more involved work environment.
Tutor
Put all your knowledge to good use and share it with your students as a tutor! The pandemic caused many students to learn through the online school, which means the tutoring industry is booming.
Tutoring is a great part-time job for retirees who want to share their knowledge and skills with others. Retirees can tutor students of all ages and in a variety of subjects, such as math, science, English, and history. Tutoring can be done in person or online, and retirees can work with students on a one-on-one basis or in small groups. Tutoring can be a rewarding and flexible way for retirees to stay active and engaged while earning extra income.
Lend a helping hand in whatever subject you have expertise in with an average hourly pay of $22! This job is perfect for retirees who have past experience working with students and who love to share their knowledge.
Bookkeeper
Keep track of numbers and books as a bookkeeper! This job primarily entails issuing payments to suppliers, invoicing customers, and helping to maintain the financial records of the given company.
Bookkeeping is a great part-time job for retirees who have a strong understanding of financial management and enjoy working with numbers. As a bookkeeper, retirees would be responsible for maintaining financial records and ensuring that all transactions are accurately recorded and reported.
This includes tasks such as creating invoices, reconciling bank statements, tracking expenses, and preparing financial reports. Bookkeeping can be done in person or remotely, and many businesses and individuals are in need of bookkeepers. It is a great way for retirees to use their skills and stay active while earning extra income.
Bookkeeping can also be done on a freelance basis, which offers more flexibility in terms of schedule and workload. It’s important to note that some states or countries may require bookkeepers to have certifications or licenses.
However, do your research and make sure you have the prior experience or certification for the job you’re applying for. The typical hourly pay for a bookkeeper is $21.83, and this job is great for seniors who prefer to stay on their feet!
Virtual Assistant
If you love to help people with their endeavors, you might be the perfect virtual assistant.
A virtual assistant is a great part-time job for retirees who are comfortable working with computers and have good organizational and communication skills. As virtual assistants, retirees would provide administrative support to clients remotely. This can include tasks such as scheduling appointments, managing email, and social media accounts, data entry, research, and customer service. This is usually an entry-level work-from-home job opportunity; nonetheless, you may need to have specific competencies, such as communication and multitasking skills, in order to complete tasks successfully.
Virtual Assistants have the advantage of working from home, which makes it a great option for retirees who want to avoid the commute and have a flexible schedule. Many businesses, entrepreneurs, and busy professionals are in need of virtual assistance and are willing to pay for the service.
Being a virtual assistant can also be a great way for retirees to continue using their skills and stay active in the workforce while earning extra income.
Like a personal assistant, you would help the person who hired you with their responsibilities, help with scheduling and answering photo calls as well as conducting interviews – all from the comfort of your own home. Virtual assistants typically make $19.5 per hour, and if you like having a clear list of tasks and to-dos, this job is perfect for you.
People-oriented Jobs
People-facing jobs allow you to socialize and help others in a part-time work environment. If you’re a people person, this section is for you.
Adjunct College Instructor
Many colleges and trade schools are looking for adjunct instructors to spread their knowledge and teach the younger generations about a variety of subjects. Although some schools require either teaching certifications or even a master’s degree, many schools will take you on as an adjunct instructor as long as you have experience.
The average pay for this position is $27 per hour and is a good fit for retirees with a lot of knowledge and passion for teaching.
Translator
Put your language skills to good use in a part-time job as a translator. This position would allow you to work in a wide range of places: whether it be translating documents for clients or translating on behalf of a company, this role really makes cross-cultural communication possible. Many translators will make $25.92 per hour on average, and this job is a great fit for bilingual seniors.
Park Ranger
National parks are always looking for folks who love the outdoors and can preserve and protect natural wildlife. Park rangers get to spend loads of time outside and breaking in the fresh air. You would help park visitors find the best sights and landmarks and with some emergency training, you could easily become a park ranger in the near future.
They will make about $20 an hour, and this job is for lovers of the outdoors.
Repairperson
Every neighborhood needs a repairperson, so if you like to fix and repair things, look no further. Keep your skills sharp and work with your hands by repairing items from bikes to toasters. Freelance your skills as a repairperson-for-hire and name your price.
Repairperson is an excellent part-time job for retirees who have experience with home repairs and enjoy working with their hands. As a repairperson, retirees would be responsible for fixing and maintaining various household items and appliances.
This can include tasks such as repairing leaks, fixing electrical and plumbing issues, painting, and installing fixtures. This job is perfect for retirees who are handy and have a good understanding of how things work. Many homeowners are in need of repair services, and retirees can offer their services on a freelance basis or through a company.
It’s also a great way for retirees to stay active, use their skills and earn extra income. It’s important to note that some states or countries may require repair persons to have certifications or licenses.
Take your skills to the next level by earning certification from a local trade school. The average hourly wage for a repairperson is about $17 and this job is optimal for seniors who are good with their hands while also understanding how things work.
Receptionist
If you love to greet people and answer their questions, you might want to consider becoming a receptionist! They have the unique responsibility of being the first face of a business while also creating a welcoming environment as a greeter. Your other duties may include managing a lobby of an office, greeting customers, and answering the phones.
You also have the duties of an office manager so that you have plenty of tasks to do during the day. It’s important to note that some companies may require a word-per-minute typing score or previous receptionist experience. Receptionists typically make $15.45 per hour and they typically are comfortable with being on their feet and good with people.
Usher, Ticket Taker, or Guide
Get paid to work in a theater or museum as an usher! Also known as ticket takers or guides, these positions help customers get where they need to be and answer their questions with a helpful and friendly attitude. This role is great for retirees who want to share their passion for art or movies and they typically make $12 an hour.
Creative Part-Time Jobs
Use your retirement as an opportunity to explore your creative interests and generate a source of income.
Landscaper
Although maintaining topiaries and hedges may seem far from art, it is a creative profession at its core. You have the responsibility of creating beautiful landscaping and maintaining the property of those who hired you. If this sounds like something that would interest you, consider contract landscaping where you would mow lawns, pick the ideal vegetation for any given yard and maintain outdoor spaces.
However, you may need certification or licensing in certain states. Landscapers are characterized by their eye for outdoor design and the skills to do so, and they make an average of $33.85 per hour.
Author or Freelance Writer
If you have a knack for writing, this may be the perfect time to write that book you’ve always wanted to. Regardless of whether it’s a memoir, novel, or nonfiction, retirement gives you ample time to develop your thoughts and ideas.
Conversely, if you want a faster source of income, you can explore writing freelance articles and essays that are much shorter. Authors and writers alike can make an average of $30.39 per hour, and retirees who enjoy writing for pleasure will exceed as authors.
Editor
If you know AP or Chicago Style like the back of your hand, consider being a part-time copy editor or proofreader. You can work independently and freelance or with a firm editing every type of copy under the sun, whether it be written, web, short- or long-form content. If you have an English or Journalism degree, this might be the job for you. Editors make about $29.50 per hour, and this job is perfect for retirees with a critical eye who loves to polish written work.
Blogger
Blogging is a great part-time job for retirees who enjoy writing and have a passion for a particular subject or topic. As a blogger, retirees would create and publish content on a regular basis, typically in the form of written articles, videos, or podcasts. They would also be responsible for promoting their content through social media and other online channels to attract readers and build an audience.
Blogging can be a great way for retirees to share their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on a wide range of subjects, from personal finance and travel to health and wellness. It can also be a great way for retirees to earn extra income through advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
Blogging has a niche for every subject or hobby imaginable, whether it be food, bird-watching, or pets. It may take some time and effort to make a substantial income from your blog, you can start by writing on Medium or WordPress and eventually sell advertisement space on your blog.
This is a great opportunity to put your writing skills and internet savviness to the test. If you want a faster start financially, you can blog for a company or be a ghostwriter for another blogger for profit. Overall, the average hourly pay for a blogger is $19 per hour.
Blogging can be done from anywhere with internet access, and it allows retirees to have a flexible schedule and to be creative.
Florist
Put together beautiful bouquets of flowers as a florist! This is the perfect job for botanists and garden growers with a green thumb.
Working for a florist allows you to create preselected bouquets for special occasions like weddings or baby showers as well as put your creativity on display. Florists make an average of about $13.48 hourly. Having a strong knowledge of the different types of flowers will be extremely beneficial in this role.
Contract Job Opportunities
Becoming a contractor means that you get the flexibility of a freelancer while still being tied to a company where you’re hired on a client-to-client basis as opposed to working set hours. Below are a few part-time job opportunities for retirees who want to still be involved in work without too much commitment.
House sitter
Arguably one of the easiest, low-stress jobs out there, house sitting is a great option for making some extra cash as a retiree. House sitting just means you’re taking care of someone else’s home while they’re away, like taking care of their pets or plants. It’s an extremely flexible position and pays an average of $34 per hour.
Personal Chef
Cooking can be more than a hobby, it can be a part-time job! Whether you work at a catering company or you’re a contractor hired on a client-by-client basis, you get to accommodate different tastes, allergies, and cuisines. You typically don’t need certifications for this position, but experience and the ability to cook quickly are very helpful. Personal chefs can make up to $24 an hour through their passion for cooking.
Resume Writer
If you have a knack for refining resumes, you may want to consider being a resume writer! In this position, you would be tailoring resumes to fit the qualifications outlined in specific positions. You can work at a firm or work independently while charging for your time and skills. The average pay for a resume writer is $22 per hour and this job is great for retirees who want to help others find their dream job.
Getting back into the workforce can be intimidating at first, but easing yourself into a part-time job is an excellent way to begin. You can supplement your retirement funds and make extra income with any of the 20 part-time jobs for retirees listed above. All you need is an updated resume and an open mind.
