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 maintaining a flexible schedule.
With 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 for retirees that often pay more than $20 per hour.
These part-time retirement jobs pay well:
— Nurse practitioner.
— Speech-language pathologist.
— Psychologist.
— Occupational therapist.
— Registered nurse.
— Laboratory technologist.
— Dental hygienist.
— Diagnostic medical sonographer.
— Management analyst.
— Respiratory therapist.
— Physical therapist assistant.
— Dietitian and nutritionist.
— Radiologic technologist.
— Librarian.
— Adult literacy teacher.
— Licensed practical nurse.
— Social worker.
— Insurance sales agent.
— Executive administrative assistant.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners can conduct physical exams, prescribe medications, order medical tests and diagnose health problems. They typically work in physicians’ offices or hospitals and often provide care within a specialty, such as women’s health or pediatrics. In some instances, nurse practitioners can even provide primary care to patients. Most nurse practitioners have a master’s degree, although some earn a doctor of nursing practice. These advanced-practice registered nurses can command a high median salary of $59.51 per hour. The BLS projects a 40% increase in nurse practitioner positions by 2031. A growing number of nurse practitioners are expected to be needed to help care for baby boomers who develop chronic and acute conditions as they age.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathologists often work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to help children and adults with medical disorders or developmental delays speak and communicate more clearly. Speech therapists earn a median of $38.01 per hour, and the field is expected to grow by 21% over the next decade. A master’s degree is generally required to become a speech-language pathologist, and most states have licensure requirements. Speech-language pathologists might specialize in working with older patients who have developed speech or language impairments as a result of health conditions such as strokes or dementia. They might also help younger children who are coping with speech and language disorders, such as stuttering, or those with autism who are aiming to improve their ability to communicate.
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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. Psychologists earn a median of $38.96 per hour. The BLS projects the occupation will grow by 6% by 2031. School psychologists will be increasingly needed as students struggle with their mental health, and industrial-organizational psychologists can help employers to boost workplace morale. Many individuals also turn to clinical and counseling psychologists for help with their problems.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists help injured or disabled patients recover skills they need for everyday life and employment. Occupational therapy is an important treatment for those diagnosed with cerebral palsy or Alzheimer’s disease and can help those coping with the loss of a limb. Occupational therapists can also provide strategies for older adults to safely live independently and maintain daily activities. 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 14% growth in the field between 2021 and 2031. The median pay for occupational therapists is $41.14 per hour.
Registered Nurse
There were more than 3.1 million registered nurses in the U.S. in 2021, and the BLS projects that the country will need about 195,000 more by 2031. High demand for registered nurses to help care for an aging population has kept wages high. Nurses earn a median of $37.31 per hour. A bachelor’s degree and specialized training may be required for some positions. While many nurses work in hospitals, physician’s offices or nursing care facilities, others might provide home health care services or work in schools or outpatient clinics. Nurses who are willing to provide residential care may be particularly in demand among older people who prefer to be treated at home.
Laboratory Technologist
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists analyze fluid and tissue samples to diagnose medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer. Technologists might specialize in prenatal testing for genetic conditions or diagnosing specific conditions including cancer and diabetes. They work in hospitals, doctors’ offices or laboratories. A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a medical laboratory scientist. Some states may require technologists and technicians to be licensed. The pay for employees is a median of $27.79 per hour. The field is expected to grow by 7% 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 degree in dental hygiene is generally required to enter the field. Many dental hygienists work part-time, and they earn a median of $37.41 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 9% 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 including blood clots and heart disease. An associate 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. Some states require diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed. The field is expected to grow by 10% over the next decade as the population ages and uses more medical diagnostic services. The median pay for diagnostic medical sonographers is $36.24 per hour.
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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 median pay for management analysts is $44.71 per hour, and frequent travel may be required to visit client offices. The BLS projects an 11% increase in demand for management analysts by 2031, particularly for analysts who specialize in information technology consulting and can help businesses with cybersecurity. Companies and government agencies may also hire management analysts to improve efficiency.
Respiratory Therapist
Respiratory therapists assist patients who are having difficulty breathing, perhaps due to asthma, undeveloped lungs or disease. They generally need an associate degree, but those with a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy may have an edge in getting hired. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, perhaps as part of a critical care unit or neonatal intensive care unit. The median hourly pay for respiratory therapists is $29.73. The BLS projects that a 14% increase in respiratory therapists will be needed to help older patients cope with pneumonia, respiratory emergencies and respiratory problems due to smoking and air pollution.
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists provide care to patients, often by assisting with exercise, massage or stretching. Physical therapist assistants often help patients regain movement or reduce pain after an illness or injury. They are responsible for preparing for each patient’s therapy and recording the progress of treatments. The median pay is $23.64 per hour, and an associate degree is typically required for this position. The BLS projects a 24% increase in physical therapist assistant jobs by 2031 to help the aging baby-boom generation recover from health conditions including heart attacks, strokes and mobility-related injuries.
Dietitian and Nutritionist
Dietitians and nutritionists advise people or organizations about food and lifestyle choices that promote health or prevent disease. Nutritionists are often a part of preventive care and help patients maintain wellness. They can also provide education about the role of diet in controlling diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. Nutritionists typically work at hospitals, nursing homes or for the government, and a bachelor’s degree and internship are typically required. The BLS projects 7% job growth over the next decade as dietitians and nutritionists are called upon to help manage an increasingly obese population. The median pay for dietitians and nutritionists is $29.64 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 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 median pay for radiologic technologists is $29.80 per hour. The number of radiologic technologist jobs is expected to increase by 6% by 2031, largely due to an increased need for imaging exams to diagnose and treat various conditions.
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. Most librarians work full-time, but it may be possible to negotiate a part-time or flexible schedule. Librarians earn an average of $29.42 per hour, and the occupation is expected to grow by 6% over the coming decade. Librarians help patrons locate books and find information. While many library services are moving online, librarians are being increasingly called upon to host literary events and activities that draw people to the library.
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 earn a high school-equivalent diploma. Part-time schedules are common, and classes may be held in the mornings or evenings to accommodate work or caregiving schedules. Adult literacy teachers earn a median of $28.71 per hour. However, enrollment in adult education programs is declining, which could result in a reduced need for ESL teachers.
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 significantly less than registered nurses but still bring in a median of $23.11 per hour. 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, but there is increasing demand for licensed practical nurses who work in outpatient care centers or provide home health care services.
Social Worker
Mental health and substance abuse social workers help people cope with 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 are needed to become a clinical social worker. The pay is a median of $24.23 per hour. Employment is expected to grow by 9% by 2031 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 is $23.96 per hour. The BLS expects employment to increase by 6% in the next decade, with those selling health insurance having the most opportunities.
Executive Administrative Assistant
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants earn around $19 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. There is expected to be increased demand for medical secretaries who help with administrative tasks related to health insurance and Medicare billing and claims.
Reviewed on Aug. 1, 2023: This article was previously published at an earlier date.
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19 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well originally appeared on usnews.com
