There’s more to retirement jobs than being a greeter at Walmart. A growing number of people are unretiring and looking to re-enter the workforce. Sometimes it’s for financial reasons, but it’s also often out of boredom. Or just to stay active and socialize. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of American above age 55 who remain in the labor force (or returned to it) will grow from 35.7 million in 2016 to 42.1 million people by 2026. Regardless of the reasons, there are numerous part-time jobs available for retirees, if they wish. Not only will these jobs provide a bit of extra income, but they can be fun too! Here are seven good choices for part-time work after retirement.
Golf Course Marshal
Let’s start with one of the more obvious jobs available to seniors. Being a golf course marshal is a common retirement job. As an added perk, you’ll likely get free golf! The fact that you can work outdoors, earn money, and play the odd round at a big discount is icing on the cake for diehard golfers. So what exactly does a golf course marshal do?
The Marshal travels around in a golf cart and ensure the pace of play. Marshals might ask some golfers to speed up, slow down, or let others play through. Marshals also answer questions and enforce course rules, such as replacing divots and ensuring golf carts stay in designated areas. In extreme cases, marshals will mediate disputes between golfers or groups of golfers.
This a great job if you enjoy the outdoors, want to stay active, and like to socialize. The pay can be decent too, depending on the course you work at. According to website SimplyHired, course marshals at exclusive private courses earn an average of $70,000 a year. At local public courses, the role of course marshal is often staffed by volunteers who tend to be compensated with free golf. At the very least, you can probably make minimum wage. Regardless of the pay, this is a great retirement job if you love golf and have time on their hands. There are worse ways to spend a summer.
Sessional Lecturer
Are you knowledgeable on a particular subject? Have a passion or area of expertise? If yes, then you may want to look into translating that knowledge and expertise into a job as a sessional lecturer at a local community college or university. Many college courses are taught by session lecturers, who only teach one or two courses in an area they are well versed in. It could be a particular area of history, wood working, or automotive class. Really, anything you’re already an expert on!
Many retired accountants teach courses on how to file your own taxes or perform basic accounting. Auto mechanics teach the basics of car maintenance and repair. Former journalists teach classes in media studies, and so on. Make an inquiry with a local college or university. You might be surprised at how many are looking for sessional lecturers or part-time instructors.
These jobs can be a great way to stay active and engaged during the long winter months. Of course, they also provide some extra income too. Pay for sessional lecturers ranges from as low as $1,500 a course to as much as $7,500 per course, depending on the subject and school. Most part-time lecturers are paid around $5,000 per course. The best part is that these jobs come with no long-term commitment. Once you’re done teaching a course, you can stop if you choose. If you really enjoyed it, you can ask to return next semester to do it again.
Dog Walker
You’d be surprised how many people pay to have their dog walked. Those who have demanding careers often been to be at the office for eight, ten, or twelves hours a day. Their furry friends can’t wait that long. So dog walking has become a reliable money maker for many retirees. If you can arrange to walk several dogs in a group every day, you could both make money and get plenty of exercise.
If you’re looking for a good way to stay active, consider becoming a paid dog-walker in your neighbourhood. This job is ideal for retirees. It requires availability during the day, a love of the outdoors, a good deal of free time, and patience. Of course, this is not a job for anyone. If you have allergies or aren’t generally fond of animals, maybe skip this one.
According to Indeed.com, dog walkers in the U.S. charge an average of $15 an hour, per dog. Get three dogs to walk at the same time, and you could earn $45 an hour for taking a walk that you would likely take anyway. Some dog walkers charge between $25 and $30 an hour per animal, depending on their experience and the distance they walk. Keep in mind that cleaning up after those dogs is part of the job description.
Becoming a dog walker can be as easy as canvassing your local neighborhood. Once you get a reputation for being a reliable dog walker, it won’t take long for you to establish a clientele of multiple pampered pooches.
Gig Economy Worker
Entering the so-called “gig economy” may sound like jobs more tailored to the millennial generation. The reality is, though, that there are plenty of jobs available that retirees can do on a part-time, freelance basis. These include everything from driving for Uber, delivering for Skip the Dishes, or renting out your home on Airbnb. There’s also freelance writing or blogging, working as a mystery shopper, or filling out online surveys for cash.
Many of these freelance jobs can be done from the comfort of your own home (or vehicle). They don’t need to take up all of your time, either. If you have a reliable computer and internet connection, then you can search for any number of freelance job opportunities. These jobs might not pay well. In fact, some pay less than minimum wage. However, if you’re looking for something to do with all your free time, a little bit of extra cash is better than no extra cash. Writing blog posts or shuttling passengers around in your car could be the right type of flexible job for you in retirement.
Cruise Ship Lecturer
Do you love to travel? Enjoy meeting new people? Want to be in warmer weather during the winter? If yes, then you should consider becoming a lecturer on a cruise ship. Many of the top-rated cruise lines employ older and experienced experts to provide lectures on a wide range of subjects. It might be about the history of a particular destination, food and wine, photography, marine life, or even lighthouses.
These seminars are meant to educate and entertain people aboard cruise ships. If there’s a subject you’re an expert on, you may be able to parlay that expertise into a job that pays fairly well. It also offers free accommodations and travel. Many cruise lines also hire older people to teach dance classes, work in gift shops, or take photographs. Most jobs aboard a cruise ship pay between $1,200 and $1,500 a month, plus free room, board and travel. Most cruise workers also get generous tips. It’s easy to bank most of the money earned while traveling at sea.
Baseball Park Attendant
A fun job for retired sports fans is working as a baseball park attendant. Most baseball stadiums across the U.S. hire hundreds of seasonal workers during the spring and summer months — many of them seniors. From directing traffic in the parking lot, taking tickets, showing people to their seats, and handing out programs, there are plenty of jobs at the diamond.
While this is seasonal work and most positions only pay minimum wage, they are great jobs if you enjoy being active and social. Or if you just want to be at the ballpark as your team chases a pennant. Some baseball teams even hire older people just to engage with fans and children during the games. When spring rolls around, check the website of the baseball team in your city — even a minor league team. Chances are they’ll be hiring for hundreds of positions.
Wine Taster
Here’s a job for those who enjoy the finer things in life. If you’re someone who appreciates wine and actually knows a lot about it, then you should consider becoming a professional wine taster in retirement. Also known as “sommeliers,” professional wine tasters are in demand by restaurants, bars, wineries, and some liquor stores.
The role involves everything from tasting different wines, suggesting pairings food pairings, developing wine lists, and training restaurant staff about the many subtleties of wine. Some sommeliers also give lectures and seminars about wine to the public. Becoming a professional wine taster does require some training, though.
There are several schools in the U.S., such as the Napa Valley Wine Academy and the Wine School of Philadelphia. There are also many other certification bodies around the world. Becoming a certified wine taster can take as long as two years. However, that investment can pay off. According to the Guild of Sommeliers in California, salaries can range from $75,000 to $150,000 depending on your level of certification and where you work.
The Bottom Line
There is no shortage of jobs for seniors and retirees. Anyone who wants to work part-time after retirement (regardless of the reasons) should be able to find something that suits them. Other interesting jobs you may want to consider include park ranger, tutor, school bus driver, museum guide, and amusement-park attendant. Being retired doesn’t mean you have to stay out of the workforce completely. When it comes to working in retirement, you’re only limited by your imagination.
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