Believe it or not, there are loads of great jobs available for older people. Today’s senior citizens are redefining retirement by continuing to work and their discovered alternatives for making money are diverse.
Retirement is not always what it seems to be. Once you retire, there is no guarantee that you will be lying on a bed of roses. Or maybe you can, but with roses full of thorns. While retirement is often believed to be the end of working life, having a job during senior years is gradually becoming common. Elderlies are cracking codes on how to make money after retiring.
If you did not prepare wisely for your retirement, your retirement might not go well as you thought it would be. Chances are, retirement income won’t be sufficient to support even your basic needs. Or possibly, you have enough but still wanted to earn extra pennies. Regardless of the reason, there are still opportunities even for retirees and seniors to earn.
Here are some feasible jobs for seniors and retirees:
Freelancer / Consultant
Experiences teach people something books cannot, so the experiences you earned from decades of work are so valuable. If you’ve built up a wealth of knowledge and your work history shows a comprehensive resume of accomplishment in your field, you will greatly fit as a consultant.
Earn money by sharing your expertise in the freelancing space. Several companies hire freelance consultants for help with issues or for supervision during transitions. Consulting fees can be high, particularly if you possess the expertise they are looking for. Plus, you could enjoy the flexibility of your working hours.
Freelancers get paid an average of $32 per hour.
Craftpreneur
Craftpreneur is someone who earns a living by selling their own craft. Just like being a marketing consultant or a freelance writer, being a craftpreneur entangles a wide variety of businesses. From crocheters to soaps and woodworks, people around the world surely found a way to make money from their passion.
This type of job is perfectly suited for retirees as it gives them the flexibility they desire during their retirement. You don’t have to work for other people, and you don’t have to manage some workers. You serve as the business, and the fruit of your labor is the product you created.
While working as a craftpreneur may seem like a cakewalk, customer competition can be fierce because there are too many people who desire to make cash from their passion. Furthermore, your earning will be limited by your ability to produce.
Gardener
Gardening isn’t just a good hobby, but a good business to start after retirement. Every autumn, local groceries, and farmer market shelves are getting filled with the fruits of the gardening harvest. Indeed, a colorful reminder of fresh produce.
Through gardening, you could reduce your grocery expenses by having your own place to get ingredients. Moreover, you can also sell gardening produce to the market. You could grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and sell them in a package, or craft lavender pillows that could be sold alternatively.
Senior Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
If you are an animal lover, this job is definitely a good venture for you. Getting started as a dog walker or pet sitter can be as simple as reaching out to a family, friend, or neighbor who may need help when they are away on a trip or at work. Working for a company that offers animal care or starting your own pet sitting business could also be a good option.
Signing up as a volunteer in your local animal shelter won’t earn you money, but if you are into animal welfare, it’s a great way to help out. Pets require maximum care, so you need to be physically and mentally fit.
Senior dog walkers or pet sitters make an average wage of $11.97 per hour.
Retail Industry
The retail industry is always recruiting people, particularly during holidays. If you don’t want to commit to a long-term position, look for seasonal retail jobs. There are companies that allow you to map out a schedule based on your availability. Retailers also offer perks and discounts to other workers.
Workers in the retail industry receive an average payment of $14.12 per hour.
High School Student Advisor (Teacher Aide)
Consider working as a substitute teacher if you find working with children enjoyable. Plenty of school districts don’t require an education degree for aspirants. Candidates are filtered based on their therapy and teaching.
Teacher aides can arrange assignments based on their availability. Aside from the teaching position, there are other school job alternatives including administrative works, food service, cafeteria worker, or bus driver.
Teacher aides receive an annual salary of $28,000 per year.
Concierge Services
A concierge job at a hotel is a great job to consider when you live in a city or town you know really well. A hotel concierge acts as a point of reference for guests who ask for assistance or information. They understand customers’ needs and give them personalized solutions by suggesting facilities and activities rendered by the hotel.
If you know the best places to go, and fun things to do, considering concierge as a career is a good choice. You will be helping hotel guests by choosing tours, restaurants, activities, and events.
If you’re lucky enough to land a job at a large corporate hotel chain, expect perks like discounted or free stay at the hotel and their partners, free meals at restaurants you recommend, and strong employee benefits.
The hours you have to work are flexible but there might be a need to work on weekends.
Nonprofit Organization Jobs
To find non-profit organization jobs, engage and participate with local activities of charities and non-profit organizations by volunteering. Grow your network and look for possible vacancies within the organization.
Although working for nonprofit organizations won’t give you a premium like private companies, the rewards you will reap can be more than the worth of a penny.
Winery or Wine Bar Jobs
Most commonly seen retirees who work in this field are men. Wine bar jobs are laid-back work where you get to talk to strangers all day. You don’t necessarily need to be a wine connoisseur or sommelier to fit. You only need a passion for wines, and you must be willing to settle for a small wage.
This job is not perfectly suited for someone looking for a part-time or seasonal job. It goes well for people who are looking for a regular schedule. As a fringe benefit of your field of work, you’ll get to have discounts on wine sold at your establishment.
Resort Jobs
For retirees who don’t want to get stuck in a 9-5 office routine, working at a resort may be a good idea. If you live close to the beach or mountain, give some thought to resort jobs.
There are various positions to choose from. You could use the skills you procured during your career or start on a completely different path. Several beach and ski resorts are open all year round, so you can earn pretty decently either as a full-time, part-time, or seasonal worker.
Resort workers get paid an average of $29,050 per year.
