10 Good Jobs for Retirees Who Want to Go Back to Work

Modern mature woman using laptop and smart phone at home, portrait.
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When retirement isn’t all you thought it would be or your retirement income isn’t cutting it, consider going back to work. Today’s workplace is trending toward flexible work options, and there are many opportunities available for retirees who want to stay active and earn a paycheck. You don’t have to commit to full-time employment to get hired.

There are many jobs available that you can do on a freelance, temporary, short-term, part-time, or seasonal basis.

Work isn’t all about money, especially when you have spent a lot of your life doing it already. Keep an open mind and think about what you could do, rather than what you did in the past. Also, think about jobs you might enjoy doing, especially part-time.

One of the easiest ways to keep working after retirement is to keep your old job or another job with the company on a part-time schedule. If you’re interested in staying on, check with your boss about what options are available.

If that’s not feasible, consider these jobs that work well for retirees. Look at jobs that fit your lifestyle, personality, and interests. All the jobs on the list have a flexible schedule you can tailor to fit your work preferences.

Review these good jobs for retirees to find an option that works for you.

01
of 10

Consultant/Freelancer

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Working for yourself is a great way to earn extra money on your schedule. There are freelance jobs available for just about any skillset, so keep an open mind.

Freelancing gives you a way to do what you want, as well as to boost your earnings.

Pay: Varies considerably by area of expertise. However, ZipRecruiter reports that freelancers make an average wage of $32 per hour.

02
of 10

Driver

Worker inspecting delivery paperwork with truck driver
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Do you like to drive? If you have your own car and know your way around town, you can turn driving into a flexible side job. You could work for yourself for companies like Uber, Lyft, or Amazon, or get on the payroll and drive limos, school buses, or transport vans.

Pay: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), delivery drivers earn a median wage of $15.39 per hour.

Companies that hire drivers:

03
of 10

Tax Preparer

senior tax preparer

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You don’t need to be an accountant to prepare taxes. Work on a short-term, seasonal basis as a tax preparer. H&R Block, for example, hires for seasonal tax and administrative positions at more than 10,000 offices in the U.S.

The company also offers a tax preparation course (for a fee) you can take to get the skills you need to get hired. Other tax preparation companies have similar programs and job opportunities.

Pay: Per PayScale, tax preparers earn an average wage of $13.56 per hour.

04
of 10

Pet Sitter

senior dog walker

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If you’re an animal lover, you can get started as a pet sitter in a variety of different ways. Family, friends, and neighbors may need someone to help out when they are at work or away on vacation or business.

You could start your own pet sitting business, or you could work for a company that provides animal care. You can sign up to be a dog walker or pet sitter on Rover or Wag. If you have extra time, consider volunteering for your local animal shelter. Even though you won’t get paid, it’s a great way to help out, and shelters do occasionally hire paid employees.

Pay: According to Indeed, pet sitters earn an average wage of $11.97 per hour.

05
of 10

Retail

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Retail is always hiring, especially around the holidays. If you’re not looking to commit to a long-term position, consider a holiday season retail job. You may be able to schedule your hours based on your availability, and many retailers offer discounts and other perks to employees.

For holiday season work, also consider package delivery services. For example, UPS and FedEx hire thousands of holiday helpers.

Pay: The BLS reports that retail salespersons earn an average wage of $14.12 per hour.

06
of 10

Substitute Teacher or Aide

high school student counselor

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When you’re interested in working with children and want to work on your schedule, consider a job as a substitute teacher or aide. At many school districts, you don’t need a degree in education to get hired.

Once you’re hired, you’ll be able to choose to accept an assignment based on your availability. In addition to teacher positions, there are many other school job options which include food service and cafeteria positions, bus drivers and monitors, and administrative jobs.

Pay: According to Glassdoor, substitute teachers earn an average annual salary of $28,003.

07
of 10

Caretaker/House Sitter

lake house

Kim Sayer / Getty Images / OJO Images

Caretaking and house sitting are great ways to travel without all the expenses. If you’re part of a couple, you may both be able to get hired. Many caretaker jobs offer positions for both. You can find short term or long-term options, and, if you’re very flexible, you could use work as a house sitter as a way to see the world. Search Google using terms like “house sitter” or “caretaker” to find sources of job openings.

Pay: PayScale reports that caretakers earn an average wage of $12.05 per hour.

08
of 10

Hotel Concierge

hotel concierge

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When you live in a town or city you know well, consider a concierge job at a hotel. The hours are flexible though you may need to work weekends. You’ll be helping guests choose restaurants, tours, events, and activities.

If you know all the best things to do and places to go, consider a second career as a concierge.

Pay: According to Glassdoor, hotel concierges earn an average annual salary of $29,357.

09
of 10

Event Staff

Hispanic Businesswoman Mature Adult Conducting Business in Corporate Office Space in Western Colorado
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When you’re a fan of music, theater, and the arts, you can get paid to help out at events at performing arts centers, concert venues, and theaters. As an event staffer, you’ll be able to watch the show while you work, and you’ll get perks like free or discounted tickets to other events.

Depending on your location, you may be able to get hired to work at conferences, professional association meetings, seminars, and other business events.

Pay: Indeed reports that event staff earn an average wage of $12.40 per hour and receive tips of $60 per day.

10
of 10

Work at a Resort

Bora Bora Lagoon Resort

Getty Images / Luis Davilla

Resorts are wonderful places for retirees who want to get away from the 9-to-5 office routine. If you’re near the beach or the mountains, consider a resort job. Many ski and beach resorts are open year-round, so you’re not limited to just seasonal work.

There are part-time and full-time positions available. You’ll be able to use the skills you acquired during your career or do something completely different. If you’ve got the flexibility, a resort job offers a lot of great benefits and perks.

Pay: Glassdoor reports that resort workers earn an average annual salary of $29,050.

How to Get Hired for a Retiree Job

Once you’ve decided what you want to do there are a variety of ways to find a job.

  • Try job search sites like com and Monster.com, using keywords that match the job type and location.
  • Use com to look for seasonal and resort jobs. You’ll find a lot of listings at resorts around the country. You can search all jobs, or browse jobs listed by season, state, category, and national park.
  • Check Craigslist for freelance, part-time, flexible, and short-term jobs. Visit the site for your location and check the “Gigs” and “Part-Time” sections as well as the jobs section.

Word of mouth works, too. Tell everyone you know that you’re interested in going back to work, even if it’s on a limited part-time basis. You may be able to get some good leads that pan out into a job.