Flexible hours
Taking on a part-time retirement job doesn’t have to mean low pay and uninteresting work. Many older workers perform important and essential jobs, while also maintaining a flexible schedule. At age 65 and older over a third (35 percent) of employees work in part-time positions of less than 35 hours a week, typically because they don’t want to work full-time, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. If you have the right education and credentials, you might be able to transition into a lucrative and rewarding part-time position. Here are some part-time jobs that pay an average of over $20 per hour.
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners can conduct physical exams, prescribe medications, order medical tests and diagnose health problems. They typically work in physician offices or hospitals. Most nurse practitioners have a master’s degree, although some earn a doctor of nursing practice or Ph.D. These advanced practice registered nurses can command a high average part-time salary of $47.71 per hour. The BLS projects a 35 percent increase in nurse practitioner positions by 2024.
Speech-language pathologist
Speech-language pathologists often work in schools or hospitals to help children and adults with medical disorders or developmental delays to speak and communicate more clearly. Speech therapists earn an average of $41.11 per hour for part-time work, and the field is expected to grow by 21 percent over the next decade. A master’s degree is generally required to become a speech-language pathologist, and most states have licensure requirements.
Psychologist
Clinical, counseling and school psychologists study human emotions and behavior and recommend interventions to improve outcomes. Some psychologists work with patients, doctors and social workers in a health care setting, while others collaborate with students, teachers and parents at schools or set up a private practice. Part-time psychologists earn an average of $39.50 per hour. The BLS projects the occupation will grow by 20 percent by 2024.
Occupational therapist
Occupational therapists help injured or disabled patients recover skills they need for everyday life and employment. They often work at hospitals, physicians’ offices or schools. Occupational therapists must earn a master’s degree and meet licensing and continuing education requirements. The BLS expects 27 percent growth in the field between 2014 and 2024. The average pay for part-time occupational therapists is $38.61 per hour.
Registered nurse
There were more than 2.7 million registered nurses in the U.S. in 2014, and the BLS projects that the country will need more than 3 million by 2024. High demand for registered nurses to help care for an aging population has kept wages high. Part-time nurses earn an average of $36.94 per hour. A bachelor’s degree and specialized training may be required for some positions.
Laboratory technologist
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists analyze fluid and tissue samples to diagnose medical conditions, such as diabetes or cancer. They typically work in hospitals, doctors’ offices or laboratories. A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a medical laboratory scientist. The pay for part-time employees averages $34.84 per hour. The field is expected to grow by 14 percent as the U.S. population ages and requires more diagnostic medical services.
Dental hygienist
Dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices to clean teeth, take X-rays and educate patients about maintaining good oral health. An associate’s degree in dental hygiene is generally required to enter the field. About half of dental hygienists worked part-time in 2016, and they earn an average of $33.19 per hour. The BLS projects that those in the aging baby boom population, who have kept more of their original teeth than previous generations, will increase demand for dental cleaning services by 19 percent over the coming decade.
Diagnostic medical sonographer
Diagnostic imaging workers operate specialized equipment to conduct tests for doctors that are used to diagnose medical conditions. An associate’s degree or a hospital or college certificate program is often required to learn how to use the imaging technology, and ongoing education might be required to keep up with new innovations. The field is expected to grow by 26 percent over the next decade as the population ages and uses more medical diagnostic services. The average pay is $31.73 per hour for part-time employees.
Management analyst
Management consultants analyze how a business works and propose strategies to make the company more efficient, usually by increasing income or cutting costs. A bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience are typically required to become a management analyst. The average pay for part-time management analysts is $29.71 per hour, and frequent travel may be required to visit client offices. The BLS projects a 14 percent increase in demand for management analysts by 2024, particularly for analysts who specialize in health care and information technology consulting.
Respiratory therapist
Respiratory therapists assist patients who are having difficulty breathing, perhaps due to asthma, undeveloped lungs or disease. They generally need an associate’s degree, but those with a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy may have an edge in getting hired. The average hourly pay for part-time respiratory therapists is $29.35. The BLS projects that a 12 percent increase in respiratory therapists will be needed to help older patients cope with pneumonia, respiratory problems due to smoking and air pollution and respiratory emergencies.
Physical therapist assistant
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists provide care to patients, often by assisting with exercise, massage or stretching. They are often responsible for preparing for each patient’s therapy and recording the progress of treatments. The average pay for part-time workers is $26.75 per hour, and an associate’s degree is typically required for this position. The BLS projects that physical therapist assistants will be the third fastest-growing occupation in the U.S. over the decade from 2014 to 2024.
Dietitian and nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists advise people or organizations about food and lifestyle choices that promote health or prevent disease. They often work at hospitals, nursing homes or for the government, and a bachelor’s degree and an internship are typically required. The BLS projects 16 percent job growth over the next decade as dietitians and nutritionists are called upon to help manage an increasingly obese population. The average pay for part-time dietitians and nutritionists is $26.56 per hour.
Radiologic technologist
Radiologic technologists take diagnostic images for doctors, such as X-rays or MRI scans, which can be used to help detect conditions including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. An associate’s degree is required to become a radiographer, and some people go on to specialize in certain types of imaging. Ongoing training might be required to keep up with innovations in imaging technology. The average pay for part-time radiologic technologists is $25.65 per hour.
Librarian
Librarians work at public libraries, schools and colleges to help people find and analyze information. They typically need a master’s degree in library science. There are many opportunities for part-time work, and about a quarter of librarians work part-time. Part-time librarians earn an average of $23.26 per hour.
Adult literacy teacher
Adult literacy and high school equivalency diploma teachers provide assistance with essential skills, such as reading, writing and speaking in English. They typically work at community colleges and public schools, and may help adults to earn a high school equivalent diploma. Part-time schedules are common, and they may work in the mornings or evenings to accommodate work or caregiving schedules. Part-time adult literacy teachers earn an average of $23.01 per hour.
Licensed practical nurse
Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses perform basic nursing tasks, such as changing bandages and checking blood pressure, under the direction of a registered nurse or doctor. They earn less than registered nurses, but still bring in an average of $22.60 per hour for part-time work. Typically, a one-year educational program culminating in a licensure examination will allow you to transition into the field. Most licensed nurses work in nursing homes or hospitals.
Social worker
Mental health and substance abuse social workers help people cope with their mental, behavioral and emotional issues and other life challenges. Travel and evening work might be necessary to visit clients. A bachelor’s degree is required to become a social worker, and a master’s degree and two years of supervised experience is needed to become a clinical social worker. The pay averages $22.37 per hour for part-time employees. Employment is expected to grow by 19 percent by 2024 as people increasingly seek treatment for mental illness and substance abuse and more drug offenders are sent to treatment programs
Insurance sales agent
Insurance sales agents market and explain various insurance policies to potential customers. They typically need to be familiar with multiple types of insurance, including property, life, health and long-term care insurance, but may specialize in a specific type of insurance. Employers generally require insurance sales agents to have a high school diploma, but a bachelor’s degree can be helpful. The median pay for part-time employees is $20.96 per hour. The BLS expects employment to increase by 9 percent in the next decade, with those selling health insurance having the most opportunities.
Executive administrative assistant
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earn an average of $20.15 per hour for part-time work. They generally perform clerical and administrative duties, such as preparing documents and scheduling appointments, and only a high school diploma is required for most positions. However, the employment of executive administrative assistants is declining due to one assistant now supporting multiple managers and executives increasingly scheduling their own travel and meetings.
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19 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well originally appeared on usnews.com
