Retired but Need Extra Cash? Try These 9 Easy Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well

asiseeit / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

While working might not be your vision of a dream retirement, everyone can use a little extra cash for their budget, especially during inflationary times. If you can earn that extra money without having to exert much effort, then all the better.

You might think that you’ll have to work long, hard hours to earn any type of real money during retirement, but that’s not necessarily the case. Of course, each person’s definition of an “easy job” is different, and some jobs that seem simple to some might be excruciating for others. However, depending on the type of job you’re looking for, you can likely find one that’s easy for you but still pays a relatively high wage.

Based on wage information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are several options that might fit the bill.

Librarian

• Median hourly pay: $30.95

If the idea of peace and quiet appeals to you in retirement, consider being a part-time librarian.

Full-time librarians, particularly in research institutions, need advanced degrees and have numerous responsibilities. However, if you just want to work part-time at your local library, manning the circulation desk and keeping the books in order, it can be very low-stress.

Executive Assistant

• Mean hourly wage: $35.42

While some executive assistants work 60-hour weeks and have to be in an office at all times, many other assistant positions can be done remotely and on a part-time basis. Thanks to the power of the internet, all you might need is a cheerful attitude, a knack for organization and a headset to be a high-earning, part-time assistant.

If you want to try this side hustle in your free time, but would prefer remote work to exercise your organizational special skills, you could also look for positions as a virtual assistant.

Online Tutor or Instructor

• Mean hourly wage: $23.36

Hourly pay for online tutors or instructors can range from $20 on average to more than $33 per hour. If you have teaching experience, or even if you simply acquired specialized knowledge during your career, then you could earn some decent money from the comfort of your own home.

If you venture into making educational videos and posting them on YouTube, you could earn a lot more over time, although you won’t make much at all until you build up a substantial following. At that point, though, you could then also make some passive income through affiliate marketing.

Nutritionist

• Mean hourly wage: $34.27

Nutritionists don’t need the advanced degrees that dieticians generally have, so it’s possible you could work with clients based on your own experience and knowledge. However, if you work in a clinical setting, you’ll likely need to be licensed as a registered dietician nutritionist.

Translator

• Median hourly wage: $27.45

If you are fluent in multiple languages, you can translate that into big bucks after you retire. You can usually work as a translator from the comfort of your own home as well, whether you’re working on documents or handling live, real-time translation from your computer screen.

Freelance Writer or Editor

• Median hourly pay: $35.43

The market for skilled writers and editors is booming, and you can find clients through varying platforms or word of mouth.

While some feared that artificial intelligence could actually reduce the demand for human writers and editors, the exact opposite is true. Talented writers and editors provide the human touch that AI still lacks, while online consumption of content continues to skyrocket.

Remote Data Entry Clerk

• Median hourly pay: $20

If your idea of an easy job is sitting on your computer for a few hours entering data into programs and spreadsheets, you’re in luck. The average hourly wage for a remote data entry clerk can range, but is higher in some states like California.

With a computer, an eye for detail and a few hours to kill, you could earn over $1,000 per month fairly easily in this position. It’s not exactly your own small business, but it is a great low-effort income stream.

Tour Guide

• Mean hourly wage: $19.37

Interested in getting outdoors and keeping fit for a few hours per week while earning some money? Have specialized knowledge about your local area? Then picking up a few hours of work per week as a tour guide might be a great way to pull down some easy money.

Though the average pay is just under $20 an hour, with tips that could easily rise to $30, $40 or even more.

Cruise Ship Worker

• Median hourly wage: $31.22

Not all retirees will be interested in working on a cruise ship. For starters, a cruise ship job is definitely a full-time job, as you’ll have to live on board. Also, cruise ship workers are not paid terribly well on average.

However, entertainers, officers, accountants and certain other cruise ship workers can earn $4,000 or more per month, and you won’t have any additional expenses for food, lodging or transportation while on board. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to travel to exotic ports during your retirement. For the average retiree, this might be a hard job, but others might find it easy and exciting.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Share This Article: