Three great part-time jobs for senior workers

Are you a senior worker looking to stay professionally active without having to work full time? Or maybe you’ve already retired — but you miss the challenge and social connections of work.

Either way, if one of these scenarios resonates with you, you’re not alone. Many senior workers are looking to work well past retirement age. As Mitra Toossi and Elka Torpey report in their article “Older workers: Labor force trends and career options” for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, through 2024, the segment of the labor force with the fastest-growing participation rate is comprised of people aged 55 and older — especially those aged 65 and up. There are several reasons for this. Some seniors simply aren’t ready to retire because they enjoy their jobs too much. Others want to keep working for financial reasons or because, as research from Oregon State University indicates, it can contribute to a longer life.

If you’re looking for a part-time job that offers professional challenges, social connections, and reasonable to good pay, check out these great part-time jobs for seniors:

1. Bookkeeper: As a bookkeeper, you’ll produce and review financial records for businesses, either in an office or onsite. In some cases, you might also handle payroll, make acquisitions, create invoices and manage outstanding accounts. You’ll need to complete coursework in accounting and possess basic math skills. In addition, you’ll need to know how to use spreadsheets and bookkeeping software. On average, you can expect to earn $18.87 per hour.
2. Customer service representative: If you’re a good communicator and possess some computer skills, you might want to become a customer service representative. In this role, you’ll likely complete some in-house training before being placed in a contact center or customer service department, where you’ll handle customer complaints, provide information, and process orders. You can expect an average pay of $15.81 per hour.
3. Administrative assistant: Are you an organized person with good communication skills? Then why not become an administrative assistant? In this role, you’ll support other staff by scheduling appointments, preparing documents, and organizing files. You can work in an administration office in almost any industry, from education to manufacturing. You’ll need at least a high school diploma and some computer experience, but if you work in the legal or medical field, you’ll need additional training to become familiar with industry-specific terminology. As an administrative assistant, you can expect to earn $18.21 per hour.

Of course, there are also many other part-time jobs for senior workers. To find the right role, it’s advisable to contact a professional recruiter who can assess your qualifications and match you to a job you’ll enjoy well into your golden years.

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2017/article/older-workers.htm

https://today.oregonstate.edu/archives/2016/apr/working-longer-may-lead-longer-life-new-osu-research-shows

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm#tab-1

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/customer-service-representatives.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm

https://www.aarp.org/work/working-after-retirement/info-10-2010/5-great-part-time-jobs-for-retirees.html#quest1

https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/second-careers/slideshows/15-in-demand-jobs-for-seniors?onepage

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/the-10-best-part-time-jobs-for-seniors-4172467