Whether you want to earn extra income to make ends meet or stay engaged with the community, there are plenty of reasons why you may decide to seek out part-time employment after you leave the workforce. And because these jobs don’t require 40 hours a week, you still have plenty of time to enjoy the retirement experience.
10 Part-Time Jobs for Seniors
Maybe your ideal part-time job allows you to work from home. Or perhaps you’re looking for a side hustle that keeps you moving for most of the day. Whatever your needs are, there are plenty of employment options to explore. Here are 10 to consider.
#1: Dog Sitter and Walker
Many people brought dogs home during the pandemic — and many of them need help with their companions while they work or when they go out of town. If you’re an animal lover and understand basic pet first aid, offering your services as a dog sitter and walker allows you to care for man’s best friend while also earning cash to help cover retirement expenses.
• General duties: Main duties generally include feeding, walking, and overseeing the care of the dogs. If you’re pet sitting, you might care for them in your home, stay in the client’s home, or check in on the pooches throughout the day.
• Average pay: A dog walker charges an average of $17 per hour, while a pet sitter charges around $15 per hour. However, rates vary by location and the services offered.
#2: Office Manager
Know how to make the workplace run smoothly? An office manager job may be right up your alley. Note that these jobs can sometimes be competitive, so you may want to contact former employers to see if there are part-time positions available. Or consider expanding your search to include a variety of industries. After all, the skills that the job requires — organization, time management, attention to details, problem-solving, communication — are essential no matter what type of office you’re in.
• General duties: These can vary by location but typically consist of coordinating administrative activities in an efficient and cost-effective way.
• Average pay: A typical office manager makes around $24 an hour.
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#3: Content Writer
If you have the writing chops, you may be able to find opportunities to hone your craft and earn some money. In fact, companies across the country need outstanding writers to create their content, so this could be an excellent choice for introverts looking for remote work.
• General duties: You may write content for companies to help them market themselves to potential customers or decision-makers. If you have technical skills — perhaps knowing about search engine optimization or photo editing — all the better!
• Average pay: A content writer typically charges around $37 per hour, though some prefer to charge a flat rate for each piece of content they create.
#4: Private Tutor
When it comes to retiree-friendly jobs, it’s tough to beat private tutoring. For starters, you have the option to tutor in person or over a video platform. It’s also a chance to help students with a subject you’re passionate or knowledgeable about. Plus, private tutoring can be a low-stress way to earn money.
• General duties: A private tutor provides one-on-one assistance to help one or more students learn and finish school assignments. This can involve studying the student’s textbooks or other materials and answering their questions on the subject matter.
• Average pay: Private tutors generally charge an average of $27 per hour, though that rate can vary by location and expertise.
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#5: Retail Sales Worker
If you enjoy engaging with people and helping them to find what they need, there are numerous retail sales positions to consider. Do you love fashion? Look for jobs where you sell clothing and accessories. Interested in technology? You might be ideal in shops that sell computers, tablets, cell phones, and so forth.
• General duties: You’ll answer customer questions, provide courteous service, and accept payments for transactions. You may also stock shelves and tidy up your area.
• Average pay: On average, retail sales workers earn around $16 per hour.
#6: Receptionist
If your idea of retirement planning involves finding easy part-time jobs for seniors— easy on the feet, that is — and you enjoy talking to people, then a receptionist position could be the ticket. If you don’t mind working weekends, you may want to consider a position in a hospital, nursing home, or similar facility.
• General duties: Receptionists often greet customers or patients and help them register, if necessary. They also answer phones and offer general guidance to people who contact the organization.
• Average pay: Although pay can vary by the type of organization and the state where you live, figure an average of $18 an hour.
#7: Groundskeeper
Many of the part-time jobs for seniors on this list take place indoors. But if you appreciate spending time outdoors, you might enjoy being a groundskeeper. Note that depending on where you live, this could be a seasonal position, so you may need to adjust your budget accordingly.
• General duties: Groundskeepers generally mow lawns, edge, pull weeds, and plant and care for flowers.
• Average pay: The national average is $20 an hour for groundskeeping services.
#8: School Bus Driver
A school bus driver may seem like a surprising job for seniors, but the majority of part-time bus drivers are in fact over the age of 55. To get accepted for this job, you’ll need to have or get a commercial driver’s license, a clean driving record and background, and (probably) plenty of patience.
• General duties: In the mornings, you’ll pick up students from bus stops or homes and drive them to school. Later in the day, you’ll drop them back off. You’ll also need to manage student behavior on the bus.
• Average pay: School bus drivers earn around $20 an hour on average.
#9: Consulting
There are pros and cons of working after retirement, but one benefit is the ability to share your expertise and skills with others. A consulting gig can provide such an opportunity. By the time you reach 65, you’ve likely gained plenty of knowledge that you can impart to business leaders in your field. Plus, as a consultant, you can have a decent amount of control over your when and how much you work.
• General duties: You’ll analyze a situation from an outsider’s perspective, looking for inefficiencies and providing guidance based on your expertise. Typically, consulting is a contract-based position that could continue until a situation has been addressed.
• Average pay: The range for consulting work can largely depend upon your background and expertise. Sometimes, you might charge per project.
#10: Customer Support Representative
Whether your cable conked out or your income tax software hit a glitch, you’ve almost certainly reached out for customer support for help in times of need. If you’re a strong communicator and enjoy helping others, you may want to consider serving as a customer support representative yourself.
• General duties: You’ll receive phone calls or chat messages from a customer in need of a fix. You can help them solve the problems, create tickets for others to address, and offer outstanding customer service to keep people satisfied.
• Average pay: This position typically pays around $23 an hour.
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The Takeaway
After you retire, you might be looking for a low-cost side hustle that can help bring in some income and keep you active. Fortunately, when it comes to part-time jobs for seniors, there’s no shortage of options to explore. As you review potential positions, consider your work experience, skill set, interests, how much time you plan on working, and how much money you could potentially earn.
FAQ
Can seniors still work part time and receive Social Security benefits?
According to the Social Security Administration, once you reach the full retirement age, what you earn will no longer reduce your benefits — no matter the amount. As of 2023, if you’re below the full retirement age, the Social Security Administration will deduct $1 out of every $2 you earn above the amount of $21,240.
What skills and experience are needed for a part-time job as a senior?
Required skills will vary widely based on the position. If you’re applying to be an administrative assistant, for example, it’s important to be organized and capable of managing a variety of tasks in a professional way. Being a nanny, on the other hand, requires strong communication skills with parents and children alike. When you’re looking at job ads, check the requirements listed and see how closely they match your experiences and skills.
How many hours a week should seniors work part time?
There’s no one-size-fits-all number of hours a senior should work each week. They’ll want to consider a number of factors to determine the appropriate workload for them, including how much income they need, how much free time they have, and how much they’re able to earn and still receive Social Security benefits.
Photo credit: iStock/Pranithan Chorruangsak
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