7 Jobs That Will Hire Retirees Quickly and They Pay Well Too

Retirement isn’t a full stop; it’s like a new chapter. Too many retirees discover that they’re simply not ready to slow down. The trend of retirees returning to work, often called “unretiring,” has increased in recent years.

A 2017 Cambridge University study found that one in four UK retirees return to work. In the United States, the proportion of retired workers who returned to work increased from 2.1 percent in June 2020 to 3.2 percent in March 2022, according to an analysis by Indeed. This trend is expected to continue since over 21% of seniors nationwide still work, amounting to over 11.8 million people.

Many retirees are heading back to work, some for an extra income, some because they like to stay active, and some because it feels good to use all those years of experience for good. The best part? Retirees’ unique skills and expertise are in high demand by employers, and many jobs they need are well-paid.

Your expertise is worth so much in your field after decades. Businesses looking to crack a problem, think strategically or do things better go to consultants for targeted advice.

Pay is flexible and is based on experience, varying from $40 to $56 an hour. For instance, a retired marketing executive could counsel startups on branding strategies to enable them to find a niche in a very competitive market.

If you want to do well as a real estate agent, leverage your local knowledge, people skills, and network. It’s a rewarding and lucrative role that carries an average commission of $5K – $15K per sale. It also lets you work at your own pace and explore lovely properties in your local community.

If numbers and spreadsheets are your thing, then accounting/bookkeeping services may be for you. Many small businesses are looking for people who are experienced in professional accounting. You can charge $25 to $50 hourly, based on your experience, and the amount of clients you wish to work with is entirely up to you.

Retired legal professionals, especially retired lawyers, make good mediators. They help resolve disputes outside of the courtroom and do so on a less adversarial and reduced-cost basis. It’s meaningful and flexible work that pays between $31 and $60 an hour.

Do you have a passion for teaching? Tutors are always in demand. They help kids with math and prepare students for college entrance exams. Depending upon the subject and level of proficiency, retired educators can earn $20 to $100 an hour. Wyzant, as well as other networks, makes it easier than ever to connect with students online.

For former teachers who are looking for flexibility, there’s the option of working as a substitute teacher. This is a good role for retirees since it gives them time to teach young minds and shape them without being committed to a full-time job. Depending on the district, substitute teachers make between $100 and $200 a day.

Retired persons with advanced degrees can take up part-time roles as college instructors teaching in areas of their expertise. The average pay for this role is $35 per hour, and it offers a chance at intellectual engagement and inspiring the next generation.

If you like being around kids, becoming a nanny might be a nice career choice. You get paid between $16 and $30 per hour depending on the family, and this can be seriously rewarding, helping young families that really need the company and care.

Population aging is leading to increasing demand for home healthcare aides. Physically fit retirees who would like to help others can offer necessary in-home care to someone in need. This is a $15 – $20 per hour position that makes you feel good about the impact you have on another person’s life.

Caregiver/Companion

Seniors who need an extra hand with daily tasks or with companionship are assisted by caregivers. Retirees with empathy and patience will love this role, which pays between $12 and $25 an hour.

Massage Therapist

With the right certification, retirees can make for massage therapists and provide some relaxation and wellness services. On average, massage therapists earn $19 per hour and often have the opportunity to craft their own schedule and work at home or from a spa!

Customer Service Representative

Customer service work suits retirees who like engagement with people and who would like to work remotely. On average, representatives earn $14 to $20 per hour and may answer customer inquiries by phone, email, or live chat.

Retail positions offer flexible schedules and a chance to interact with a different person each day. Whole Foods and Costco are some of the companies that offer additional perks, including healthcare and employee discounts. Typically, retail workers earn $11 to $15 per hour.

Do you speak several languages? Demand for document translation and live interpretation is always high. Retired but still have language skills? Certification through the likes of the American Translators Association could earn you an average of $29 an hour.

If you enjoy local history and culture, you can earn a living by passing your knowledge on to visitors while still being active. For this rewarding role, you might also get tips on top of an hourly wage, earning around $20 per hour.

Are you great with tools and fixing things? If you’re retired with repair skills, you can make $20 an hour just by helping others with home maintenance tasks like plumbing, painting, or putting together furniture. It’s a fulfilling, flexible role that keeps you active.

If you are a retiree with a financial background, you can become a financial manager who can help businesses achieve financial goals and optimize budgets and investments. These jobs pay handsomely, even six-figure salaries annually, so if you have a gift for fiscal strategy, it’s an appealing way to go.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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