Work-From-Home Jobs for Retirees

There are several different jobs for retirees that can be carried out from the comfort of your own home. Many work-at-home jobs for retirees come with flexible hours and provide the chance to earn a little extra cash each month. If you no longer want to head to the office every day, but need to pick up some extra income, look into remote jobs for retirees.

These jobs for seniors can be done at home:

— Online teaching.

— Graphic design.

— Bookkeeping.

— Virtual assistant.

— Consultant.

— Coach.

— Sewing and artwork.

— Dietitian.

— Customer service representative.

— Appliance repair.

— Proofreading.

— Writer.

— Transcriptionist.

Online Teaching

If you worked as a teacher or have a degree in education, helping students virtually may be a natural fit. “For retirees, some of the best options are teaching and tutoring platforms,” says Kathy Kristof, editor, founder and CEO at SideHusl, a site that reviews and rates side hustles. The typical hourly rate varies by area of expertise, and you could earn considerably more by tutoring in specialized areas such as STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and math — or professional test prep.

[See: 15 In-Demand Jobs for Seniors.]

Graphic Design

If you’re familiar with computer programs to create images, you might love designing graphics, layouts and infographics for websites and blogs. If you need training, you can look online for certification first. You may also need to show potential clients a portfolio of your work. The median pay for graphic designers is $26 an hour.

Bookkeeping

Bookkeepers help businesses manage accounts and payroll. Bookkeeping can usually be done on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on the company’s needs. “Bookkeepers are excellent with organized and detailed work and math and computer programs like Excel, QuickBooks and other accounting software,” says Brie Reynolds, a career development manager and coach at FlexJobs, a site that helps job seekers find remote opportunities. Previous experience with payroll, account reconciliation, auditing, record keeping and related work is usually required. The typical pay is a median of $20 an hour.

Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants carry out administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, making phone calls, arranging travel plans and managing email accounts. This job works best for strong communicators who thrive on organization. While the median hourly pay for this type of work is $20 an hour, you could earn more if you have certain specialties. “Some virtual assistants who are uniquely skilled with social media or WordPress charge considerably more, such as $50 or $75 an hour,” Kristof says.

Consultant

You can use your background and experience to help companies or groups of employees overcome obstacles, set goals and lay a path for the future. “If you have deep knowledge in most any sector, there’s likely a consulting group that would pay you for that expertise,” says Larry Rubin, managing partner of Talent Partners, a member of Sanford Rose Associates, based in Hartford, Connecticut. You may even be able to do consulting work for your former employer. The average salary for a consultant is about $42 an hour.

[See: 19 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well.]

Coach

If you have a background in nutrition or fitness, you might enjoy helping others work toward achieving wellness goals. Other types of experience, such as financial or counseling backgrounds, can be applied to coaching as well. You can build your own website to market your coaching services or join a company that offers online coaching. The average hourly wage varies based on the expertise of the coach.

Sewing and Artwork

If you love stitching and crafting, you could put your goods for sale online at shops like Etsy. Other sites such as Facebook Marketplace, Amazon Handmade and eBay might provide opportunities to sell homemade goods. If painting and drawing are your passions and you want to sell from your collection, Fine Art America and Society6 serve as artwork marketplaces. The amount you’ll make will depend on what and how much you sell.

Dietitian

With the right degree and license, you can meet with clients via video conference to create nutrition plans, make diet recommendations and track their progress. “Dietitians provide diet and food education in either a one-on-one setting or in schools, hospitals and clinics,” Reynolds says. The average wage for a dietitian is $30 an hour.

Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives can expect to answer the phone and respond to customer emails. You’ll help customers solve problems and answer questions about products or services. “Hiring managers usually like to see some evidence of previous work with the public, such as past employment in sales or service,” Reynolds says. The median wage for a customer service representative is $17 per hour.

Appliance Repair

Experience in repair work could provide a solid foundation for fixing and then selling appliances such as washers and dryers. You may find free or inexpensive machines through Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Once you bring them home, you can make the corrections needed to help them run smoothly again and then resell them. The amount you earn will depend on the purchasing and selling price of the appliances.

Proofreading

If you love to read and have a careful eye for detail, you may be able to proofread documents to spot any grammar errors or spelling mistakes. Look on job boards or check with proofreading companies to learn of available jobs. The average wage for a professional editor is $30 an hour.

[READ: The Most Enjoyable Jobs for Older Workers.]

Writer

If you worked as a journalist or in the publishing industry, you might be able to construct articles, blog entries or white papers for companies. Other industries may have technical writing needs. If you had a career in nursing, for instance, you might be able to use your health insight to produce journals or contribute to medical publications. The pay range varies a lot based on expertise, but is a median of $32 an hour.

Transcriptionist

Those with excellent typing skills may be able to earn some extra income by transcribing recorded messages. This job can be an especially good fit if you have a background in an industry that frequently requires transcription services. “We have many legal and law enforcement transcriptionists that work for us as retirees,” says Ben Walker, CEO and founder of Transcription Outsourcing in Denver, Colorado. “They already know the lingo and jargon and can type like our seasoned transcriptionists.” The pay scale for this type of work depends on the industry. Medical transcriptionists, for example, typically make $17 hour.

More from U.S. News

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Work-From-Home Jobs for Retirees originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 07/21/21: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

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