Retirement Jobs
[Many older workers move into a new job before retiring. This position might pay less than they earned at the financial peak of their career, but can be personally fulfilling and provide opportunities to socialize or help others. Landing a new job in your 60s or later can be a challenge, but there are a few industries and occupations that tend to employ older workers. Here are some of the most common occupations for college graduates who are newly hired at age 62 or older, according to an Urban Institute analysis of Health and Retirement Study data.]
Teaching in Retirement
[Retirees looking to take on a new challenge and make a difference in their community often initiate a second career teaching. The occupation is particularly popular among women who launch second careers at age 62 or older (10.3 percent), but 3 percent of older men have also entered the field, the Urban Institute found. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7 to 8 percent increase in teacher jobs by 2026. Pay varies considerably by state, but the national median salary is $59,170 at the high school level and $56,900 at elementary schools.]
College Instructor Jobs
[Baby boomers with advanced degrees and decades of work experience in their field can often find a retirement job as a college instructor at a university, professional school or community college. Some 4.1 percent of men and 1.4 percent of women took on jobs as postsecondary teachers at age 62 or older, the Urban Institute found. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 15 percent increase in postsecondary teacher positions by 2026. The median salary is $76,000 per year.]
Administrative Assistant Roles for Seniors
[Retirees who miss the buzzing activity of an office can work full or part time as an administrative assistant. It’s particularly common for women to take on office roles in retirement, including as secretaries and administrative assistants (5.9 percent), receptionists and information clerks (3.7 percent), office clerks (2.3 percent) and bookkeeping and accounting clerks (1.9 percent). While these positions generally require a commute to the office, you might be able to work from home as a virtual assistant. The pay is a bit better for supervisors of office and administrative workers, a position 1.2 percent of newly hired older women take on.]
Nursing Jobs in Retirement
[Many women find jobs providing care to others as personal care aides (5.2 percent), registered nurses (4.6 percent) and home health aides (2.8 percent). The pay is best for registered nurses, who earn a median of $70,000 per year, and over the next decade, a 15 percent increase in nursing positions is expected. Registered nurses typically need a bachelor’s degree and must be licensed. The demand for home health aides and personal care aides is expected to grow even faster as the elderly population grows, but less education is required and the hourly wage is much lower.]
A Second Career as a Real Estate Agent
[Many retirees launch second careers as real estate brokers and sales agents who help clients buy, sell and rent properties. The median salary of real estate brokers ($56,730) is higher than that for real estate sales agents ($45,990), who are required to work with a real estate broker. Most real estate agents are self-employed, which means they set their own hours, but might be subject to the schedule of clients. Many older women also find roles as property, real estate and community association managers (3.8 percent), which pays a median of $58,670. Some 32,600 new property, real estate and community association manager positions are expected to be created over the next decade.]
Sales Jobs for Retirees
[Retirees looking to get out of the house and chat with customers might be able to find a satisfying position in sales. Over 3 percent of men and women find new positions at 62 or older as retail salespeople and another 2 percent work as supervisors of retail sales workers. The median pay is $23,370 per year, and part-time schedules are common. Many men find jobs as wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, which pays much better at $60,340 per year, with those selling technical and scientific products earning even more. Other common sales occupations for older employees include cashiers and product promoters.]
Driver Jobs for Retirees
[If you know your way around town, you may be able to supplement your retirement income with a driving job. Many men find jobs as drivers at age 62 or older. Driving options include delivery workers, truck drivers, taxi drivers, chauffeurs and bus drivers. Among these occupations, bus drivers earn the most, with a median salary of $33,010, compared to $24,880 for taxi drivers. Driving jobs might require irregular hours, including evening and weekend work, but some people have a regular route with more steady pay.]
Joining the Clergy in Retirement
[Retirees often lose ties with their work community, and this creates an opportunity to get more involved in your spiritual community. Many men (1.7 percent) enter the clergy at age 62 or older, the Urban Institute found. Clergy jobs pay a median wage of $47,100 per year, and are expected to grow by 8 percent over the next decade. Members of the clergy might promote religious education and provide counseling, guidance or services to members of the congregation. A bachelor’s degree is common, but education requirements vary by position.]
Providing Child Care in Retirement
[Child care workers get to witness childhood delights, such as playing with bubbles or learning to talk. But they are also responsible for the daily dressing, bathing and feeding of small children who aren’t always rational. About 3.4 percent of women age 62 and older take positions caring for children. The pay is a low at $22,290 per year, but you do have an opportunity to play a significant role in a child’s life. ]
Taking on a Management Role Before Retirement
[Some people move into roles with more responsibility in the years leading up to retirement. Many men age 62 and older shift into new positions as managers (1.6 percent) or chief executives (1.1 percent), the Urban Institute found. Top executives often earn six-figure salaries and the compensation package might also include stock options and performance bonuses, but pay and perks can vary considerably based on the size of the company. Long hours and travel are often required, and the position can be stressful because managers are often responsible for the performance of a department or entire business.]
Use Your Experience as a Management Consultant
[Management consultants are called upon to analyze a problem and propose ways to make a company more profitable. The median pay is $82,450 per year, and the field is expected to grow by 14 percent over the next eight years. Consultants with experience reducing costs or making organizations more efficient may be particularly sought after, and many consultants earn six-figure salaries and have the potential to earn bonuses. Many analysts work more than 40 hours per week, often under tight deadlines, and must travel to meet with clients or conduct on-site evaluations. Self-employed consultants might be paid by the project or the hour.]
Financial Services Jobs for Seniors
[Financial managers track the financial health of a company and help direct the financial strategy. The median salary is $125,080 per year, and a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience in another financial occupation are often required. Many older workers also find new positions as accountants and auditors, where the median pay is $69,350 per year. Those who want to work seasonally may be able to serve as tax preparers during tax season.]
Become a Writer in Retirement
[Whether it’s sharing what you’ve learned on the job or exploring your creative side, many people take on writing jobs in their 60s or older. A bachelor’s degree is often required for full-time jobs, but there are also opportunities to freelance or work on a project basis. Writers might work independently on a book, take assignments from a newspaper or become an entrepreneur who starts a blog. Writers and authors need to be able to brainstorm ideas and communicate clearly and effectively, sometimes on a tight deadline.]
Engineering Positions for Older Workers
[Electrical and electronic engineers design and test new technologies, such as communications systems and GPS devices. They may also supervise the production of electronic equipment or troubleshoot problems. Engineers generally need at least a bachelor’s degree as well as some practical experience. Excellent math skills and the ability to apply them to new devices is helpful. Many electronic engineers (18 percent) work in the telecommunications industry. The median salary is $97,970 per year. ]
Musician Gigs for Seniors
[Retirement can be a time to rediscover musical talents you set aside while working and raising a family. Some retirees find part-time jobs as musicians and singers. The median hourly wage for musicians and singers is $26.96, but pay varies based on the job. Musicians might perform solo or as a group at weddings, parties or bars. Marketing might be required to get gigs. Some musicians write and record their own music, while others play existing songs. Musicians might also provide music lessons to children or adults.]
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15 In-Demand Jobs for Seniors originally appeared on usnews.com
