When you think about your retirement years, you might envision leisurely days on a beach or sinking a putt at the golf course.
Yet an increasing number of older adults are embracing a second act by working in retirement—whether part-time in their fields, consulting within their industries, or helping out where needed in their communities.
The benefits of “semi-retirement” go beyond extra money and financial security, providing a way to keep your brain active, strengthen social connections, and contribute valuable skills and insights in the workplace or your community.
You might even embark on the path of a new career.
For those looking for work or curious about where to start, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best jobs for retirees based on national trends for people ages 55 and older.
We analyzed data in the most recent occupation survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), considering such factors as the number of mature workers in each field, job growth projections, transferable skills, and the potential for part-time or flexible work arrangements.
To round out our list, we’ve included 13 side gigs popular with older adults interested in earning a little extra cash.
Ultimately, the best job for you will depend on your individual circumstances, including your expertise and education, physical capabilities, and personal interests.
10 Best Jobs for Retirees
1. Real Estate Agent
If you’re a people person with a passion for property, the world of real estate opens up a rewarding second career.
Nearly 400,000 real estate agents are 55 and older, with the field offering a median age of 50—one of the highest among the more than 300 occupations covered by the BLS survey.
To work as an agent, you’ll need to get licensed in your state—a process that can take up to six months and cost between $650 and $1,100.
While this role typically requires high availability for clients, schedules are flexible around house showings and meetings with homebuyers, and earnings can be significant, depending on your local housing market and personal motivation.
2. Personal Financial Advisor
If you have a background or education in finance and are willing to study and get licensed, becoming a personal financial advisor could be an ideal way to supplement your retirement and work with people in your community.
Financial advice or coaching allows you to use your life experience and financial knowledge to guide others in making important decisions about their investments, insurance, and retirement planning.
More than 137,000 workers over the age of 55 are employed in this field, with a median age of 44.4 years.
Median annual wages for a personal financial advisor were $99,580 a year, or more than $47 an hour, in 2023, and the field is projected to grow by 13% over the next decade, offering a wealth of opportunity in the long term.
3. Administrative Assistant
If you’re looking for in-person or remote work with flexible hours, any of the abundant roles in administrative work could fit your lifestyle.
These roles focus on applying your organizational skills and professional experience across various industries, helping to manage the day-to-day operations of local businesses and national companies by scheduling meetings, booking travel, fielding requests, and more, often virtually or online.
More than 627,000 older Americans work as secretaries or administrative assistants—not including legal, medical, and executive assistants—with a median age of 48.5 years and a median annual wage of $46,010, or more than $21 an hour, in 2023.
4. Management Consultant
If you’ve accumulated years of business and problem-solving experience, consider making the most of your career and industry skills as a management consultant.
Independent consultants help organizations improve their efficiency and profitability by analyzing current business practices, identifying problems, and developing solutions.
Nearly 300,000 workers ages 55 and older are employed in this field, which paid out a median annual wage of $99,410 in 2023—more than $47 an hour.
With a projected job growth of 10% over the next decade, management consulting offers financial rewards and intellectual stimulation in one package.
And many consultants work part-time or by project within their existing networks of colleagues, clients, and contacts for a more flexible retirement.
5. Bookkeeper
If you have an aptitude for math and strong organizational skills, bookkeeping could be a good fit for your retirement years.
Some 475,000 bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are ages 55 and older, with a median age of 49.2 years.
Bookkeeping and related professions call for attention to detail and financial acumen to help small businesses audit and maintain accurate financial, employment, and banking records, with those in the field earning a median annual wage of $47,440, or around $23 an hour, in 2023.
This job often comes with flexible schedules that suit retiree lifestyles, with opportunities for both part-time and remote work.
6. Teacher or Substitute Teacher
If you enjoy educating others, you could join the more than 2 million workers ages 55 and older who are employed in education, training, and library occupations—jobs that include elementary and middle school teachers, preschool and kindergarten teachers, special education teachers, librarians, GED tutors, adjunct professors, and more.
While full-time teaching positions typically require specific certifications, many states support programs that offer a shorter route to teaching for retirees.
Substitute teaching offers more flexible requirements and can provide the right balance of free time and meaningful work in shaping the minds of the next generations.
Median annual wages can reach up to $60,000 a year, or $29 an hour, with pay for substitute teachers varying widely depending on where you live and the hours you’re willing to work.
7. Personal Care Aide
If you spent your career in the medical field, are compassionate by nature, or simply enjoy helping others, joining the more than half a million older Americans working as personal caregivers could be a satisfying second career.
Most personal care aide roles won’t require advanced education, though some agencies, hospitals, or clinics require that you complete a training program and pass an exam.
If you have certification from your working life, it can provide a leading edge for more specialized roles in medication management or hospice care.
Personal care aides earned an average of $33,530 annually last year, and the field is projected to grow by a whopping 22% over the next decade as Americans age, offering many ways to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives with flexible hours and the opportunity to provide one-on-one care and support.
8. Hospitality Worker
Do you enjoy creating positive experiences for guests, customers, or newcomers across different personalities and backgrounds?
The hospitality industry includes a significant number of mature workers contributing their experience and wisdom across tourism, events planning, travel, catering, and more, including management roles and support.
Hospitality offers flexible schedules and part-time hours, making it ideal for retirees looking to stay active and engaged.
The wide range of opportunities allows you to leverage your interpersonal skills and customer experience to enhance guests’ satisfaction across hotels, resorts, cruise lines, restaurants, and other hospitality settings—potentially as a consultant.
9. Tax Preparer
If you have a knack for numbers or a previous career in accounting, finance, or tax law, seasonal work as a tax preparer could be a rewarding option.
Many retirees choose this role for its flexibility, with most of the work taking place early in the year—kicking off in winter and spanning the busy spring tax season, leaving summers free to enjoy with family.
Of the 116,000 tax preparers in the workforce, some 41,000 are over the age of 55—that’s about one in three.
With a median annual wage of $49,010 in 2023, it’s a potentially lucrative job for retirees seeking supplemental income.
To work in tax preparation, you’ll need a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) from the IRS, with many states offering local tax and continuing education courses to get you on track.
10. Leisure Industry Professional
If you’re looking for a career that allows you to help others enjoy their free time—and make the most of your own—the leisure industry offers multiple ways for older Americans to exercise their minds and bodies by bringing people together.
This wide-ranging category includes tour and travel guides, exercise and group fitness trainers, sports coaches, dieticians, yoga teachers, and more.
Many positions in the leisure industry offer flexible or part-time schedules, making them ideal if you’re looking to stay active in your community.
If a particular role requires certification, you can often get qualified while training.
11. Side Gigs for Retirees
1. Rideshare or Delivery Driver
Becoming a rideshare or delivery driver offers retirees flexible hours, physical activity, and social interaction.
Employers include rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft, food and grocery delivery services like Instacart or FreshDirect, and package delivery services like Amazon.
These roles require physical strength and heavy use of technology, so they’re not ideal if you have issues with mobility or aren’t comfortable with smartphone tools and apps.
2. Freelance Writer or Editor
For those with a way with words, freelance writing or editing can be a fulfilling pursuit in your golden years, offering an ideal blend of intellectual stimulation and flexible work arrangements, with many remote gigs and projects available.
You can work for one or multiple clients focused on specialty content or copy across a range of fields, depending on how comfortable you are with managing online relationships and balancing deadlines.
3. Airbnb or Vacation Rental Host
If you own your own home or a second property, renting out a spare room or vacation stay can be a way to generate significant passive income in your retirement years—the typical host earns up to $14,000 in supplemental income, according to Airbnb.