The 9 Best Part-Time Jobs for Retirees
About 40-50% of Americans transition from full-time work to a work-free retirement right away, with the majority instead choosing to take on part-time roles.
When someone finds the right opportunity for their schedule, finances, and passions, a part-time job boosts overall health. Plus, part-time work adds meaning and social interactions to a retiree’s weekly routine. If you’re looking for flexible work suited to retirees, consider the best senior part-time jobs outlined below.
Key takeaways
A part-time job can help people ease into retirement financially and emotionally. It provides a consistent paycheck and opportunities to socialize.
The best part-time jobs are often flexible, easy to get to with a retiree’s available transportation options, and build off a retiree’s skills and passions.
Popular industries for part-time work include freelancing, transportation, retail, customer service, and administrative work.
Best part-time job options for retirees
Senior employment ranges from self-employed consulting work to seasonal roles in retail and customer service. To give you a better idea of what a job after retirement looks like, here are the nine most common types of part-time work for those over 65.
Consulting or freelance work
Many retirees use the skills they developed during their careers to launch a freelance business or to consult. A retired graphic designer, for example, could take on freelance work creating logos for companies, while a finance retiree could consult small businesses on increasing their revenue.
Since consultants and freelancers are self-employed, they determine how much work they take on, their working hours, and what type of projects they do. The pay for these roles varies quite a bit, with Upwork reporting freelancers and consultants earn anywhere from $28-$200 per hour.
Retail
Working in retail is a great way to stay active in the community while taking on flexible work shifts since retail locations don’t adhere to a strict 9-5 work schedule. Jobs within the retail range from managing a store to setting up display merchandise in shop windows to working in sales or as a cashier in a retail location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that retail workers earn about $16.70 per hour.
Customer service positions
Over 15% of workers of part-time customer service representatives are over the age of 55. These representatives answer calls and emails from customers, resolve any issues, and process orders and returns.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, customer service representatives make $20.59 per hour. Many customer service jobs are remote, making it a solid option for those who want more location flexibility or don’t have reliable transportation.
Tutoring
Education retirees and others who enjoy teaching may want to explore tutoring jobs. Retirees can tutor any age group, from preschoolers to college kids, and can work independently or through a tutoring company. This job is quite flexible, with many tutors setting their own hours and rates. On average, tutors make about $19.27 an hour.
Caregiving
About 31% of professional caregivers are over the age of 55, meaning they help individuals with daily tasks at home, like medication management and buying groceries, or assist patients in healthcare facilities.
The demand for caregivers, like home health aides and orderlies, employees who assist medical staff at hospitals, is growing at a 21% rate and the average hourly rate is $16.78. Caregiving can be a physically demanding occupation, making it a better choice for more mobile retirees.
Transportation
Transportation is a fast-growing sector with many part-time roles suitable for retirees, such as being a bus driver, a crossing guard, or an Uber driver. The pay and necessary skills to work in transportation roles vary, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports this field has an average hourly rate of $25.78.
Administrative
Administrative roles, like executive assistants and office managers, are another great option, especially for those who want predictable work hours and are familiar with administrative tasks, such as scheduling meetings, coordinating office operations, and basic bookkeeping. Administrative assistants earn $22.82 per hour on average. Office managers, who often have more experience, make around $51.39 per hour.
Pet sitting
Retirees who love furry friends and want a flexible, part-time role may consider pet sitting. To get started, advertise pet-sitting services in local community groups or among friends. You can also use an app that matches pet sitters and owners, like Rover. Pet sitter rates vary depending on location, but Indeed reports an average hourly rate of $21.30.
Non-profit work
Non-profits often offer flexible work for retirees, whether on a volunteer or part-time basis. Roles in non-profit organizations range from coordinating volunteers, bookkeeping, marketing, and event planning.
Determining pay for non-profit work is tricky since it depends on a retiree’s skills and a non-profit’s budget, though the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates non-profit workers command a $25.30 average hourly rate.
Why do retirees choose part-time work?
Retirees choose part-time work for many reasons:
Make additional income
Engage with their local community
Add purpose to their week
Keep their skills sharp
One study interviewed 22 adults aged 56-78 years old and found they reported that work provided them with confidence, curiosity, and a sense of control.
What makes a job retirement-friendly?
Many workplaces offer flexible roles and seasonal work, which often work well for older adults. AARP also lists employers who have pledged to value experienced workers, which may be a good resource when job hunting.
Many companies also let current employees slowly take on fewer and fewer hours. Some individuals do a similar phase out of their career via the self-employment route. A full-time plumber who is self-employed, for example, could take on fewer clients each year as they ease into a work-free retirement.
Comparing different types of part-time retirement jobs
Along with industry, you also want to consider what type of part-time job would suit your lifestyle. Key factors to consider are the job’s location if it’s seasonal or year-round, and what skills you already have.
Remote work vs. in-person positions
Remote positions are ones where you can work from home or anywhere else, such as a coffee shop or library, while in-person roles require an employee to complete work in a company’s office or storefront. In-person roles often offer more social connection, while remote roles provide flexibility and no commute.
Seasonal vs. year-round employment
Many businesses, especially in the retail sector, hire additional workers for busy seasons. This could be a great way to get an influx of cash around the holidays or summer, while year-round employment is better for a sustainable income source and work routine.
Skill-based vs. entry-level positions
Skill-based roles build off previously acquired skills, while entry-level positions don’t require skills in a specific sector.
How to find and apply for part-time retirement jobs
To find a part-time retirement job, start by asking those you know if they have heard of any roles, explore job posting sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, and check out community job boards.
Once you have a few leads, brush up on your resume and follow all job application instructions. The National Council on Aging has a great guide on writing a resume after age 50 and a tool to help older Americans find a job they love.
Bottom line
For many retirees, part-time jobs offer financial stability, community, and purpose. The best jobs for seniors often include ones with flexible hours and meaningful but not too labor-intensive work.
If interested in part-time retirement jobs, start by reflecting on which areas listed above you’re interested in and what your ideal role would provide. Once this is clear, it’s easier to confidently apply and interview for jobs.
FAQs
What are the best part-time jobs for retirees with no experience?
The best part-time jobs for retirees are those that provide flexible hours, purpose, and build off an individual’s professional background and values. Many retirees find fulfillment in self-employment, flexible roles, and seasonal work.
How much can retirees earn from part-time work without affecting Social Security?
If you are at full retirement age (calculated based on when you were born), how much you work won’t impact Social Security payments. If you haven’t reached full retirement age, it will. For those in the latter category, $1 is subtracted from monthly social security payments for every $2 earned, up to $23,400 in 2025. Individuals who aren’t at full retirement age and make over $23,400 aren’t eligible for Social Security.
What companies are most likely to hire older workers?
Many companies, from nonprofits to small businesses, are likely to hire older workers. Some bigger brands have also taken the AARP experienced worker pledge, meaning they are committed to employing experienced workers.
Sources
AARP. (n.d.). Employee pledge program. https://www.aarp.org/work/employer-pledge-companies/
AARP (2023). Top 25 Part-time jobs for retirees. https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/part-time-jobs-for-retirees/
Baumann, I., Cabib, I., Eyjólfsdóttir, H. S., & Agahi, N. (2022). Part-time work and health in late careers: Evidence from a longitudinal and cross-national study. SSM Population Health, 18, 101091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101091
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Administrative services and facilities managers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Customer service representations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Home health and personal care aides. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home-health-aides-and-personal-care-aides.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2016). Nonprofit pay and benefits: estimates from the National Compensation Survey. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2016/article/nonprofit-pay-and-benefits.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Retail sales workers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Secretaries and administrative assistants. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Transportation and material moving occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Tutors. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/tutors.htm
Indeed. (2025). Pet sitting salaries in the United States. https://www.indeed.com/career/pet-sitter/salaries
Luke, J., McIlveen, P., & Perera, H. N. (2016). A thematic analysis of career adaptability in retirees who return to work. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 193. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00193
National Council on Aging. (2022). Writing your resume after age 50: A guide for older adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/writing-your-resume-after-age-50-a-guide-for-older-adults/
Stanford. (n.d.). Rebound retirees. https://longevity.stanford.edu/rebound-retirees/
Upwork. (2025). How much can freelancers make in 2025? https://www.upwork.com/resources/how-much-do-freelancers-make
U.S. Department of Labor. (2016). Older Americans labor force transition from work to retirement. https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OASP/legacy/files/Issue_Brief_Older_Workers_Labor_Force.pdf