7 Jobs for Retirees That Don’t Require Much Experience
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Multiple studies show that staying active when you’re older can improve your longevity and quality of life. In fact, many people who work past the age of 65, even in a post-retirement job or second career, are typically more likely to report being in good health and experience fewer chronic health problems.
Finding a side gig in your golden years doesn’t mean you have to go through a whole new training regimen. Having “no experience” doesn’t mean you don’t bring anything to the table. It means you may not be familiar with a given field, but can still have the soft skills needed and willingness to learn.
Seniors with decades of job experience behind them — including management, communications and leadership skills — might just be a perfect fit. Whether you are working to earn money to increase your retirement income or simply to keep busy and stay healthy, today’s job market offers plenty of opportunities for seniors. These seven roles make for great part-time gigs, with little to no experience necessary and even opportunities to work from home.
Administrative or Virtual Assistant
- Estimated median pay: $22 per hour
If organizational skills have always been your forte, consider working as an administrative or virtual assistant. An admin assistant works in an office setting, typically handling tasks such as scheduling meetings and calls, writing, booking travel, etc. If you’d rather work remotely, consider becoming a virtual assistant. You might perform similar tasks, but from the comfort of your home office.
Customer Service Representative
- Estimated median pay: $19 per hour
If you have great people skills (and a bit of patience), working as a customer service representative could be a good choice. You can work from an office or at home, fielding customer inquiries about order status and complaints about orders. You may have to do some troubleshooting or answer general questions.
Data Entry Keyer
- Estimated media pay: $18 per hour
If you’re looking for a job you can do from home with minimal involvement with other people, data entry might fit the bill. In addition to entering data, you might verify information or prepare materials for printing.
Sales Representative
- Estimated media pay: $31 per hour
If you’re looking for a job with virtually limitless profit potential, consider a new position in sales. The exact pay varies greatly depending on factors like industry and commission structure. If these fields don’t interest you right off the bat, think about companies and products you enjoy and see if they use a network of sales representatives.
Rideshare Driver
- Estimated median pay: $17 per hour
If you’re craving human companionship after leaving the workforce and you’re looking to get out of the house, it might make sense to work a few shifts a week as a rideshare driver for a company like Uber or Lyft. Pay can vary significantly based on factors like where you live or when you drive, and your net profit depends on factors like your car’s fuel efficiency.
Pet Sitter/Dog Walker/House Sitter
- Estimated median pay: $15-20 per hour
Active seniors who love animals can make extra cash walking dogs or caring for pets while the owners are on vacation or at work. You can also couple this lucrative side gig with house sitting, where you stay in someone’s home, care for their pets, and watch over their belongings and property while they are away.
Pay varies substantially based on factors like your location and the situation. In general, though, average pay is roughly estimated to be about $15 to $20 per hour.
Real Estate Agent
- Estimated median pay: $27 per hour
Are you looking for a second career in retirement that could, ultimately, become quite lucrative? Once you pass the local licensing exam, you can become a real estate agent.
Real estate agents can work full- or part-time, and your income will be based on commissions from sales. That means the more you work and more effective you are at sales, the more you can earn — there’s essentially no limit to how much successful agents can make.
Final Take To GO: Your Earning Potential in Retirement
Whether you’re looking for a part-time gig to keep busy or you’re ready to embark on a second career after retirement, you’ll find plenty of options. What you bring to the table as a retired adult with a lifetime of experience can set you apart in a crowded sea of candidates once you understand how to present your skills to showcase yourself as an asset to any company.
Dawn Allcot contributed to the reporting for this article.
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