50 Jobs for a Second Career

Whether you’re looking for a specific job or a popular field, this list will help you find an encore career

by: Betsy Towner | from: AARP Bulletin | June 22, 2011

Jumping to a second career can be exciting. — Photo by: iStockphoto

The number of workers age 50 and over is soaring — from 20 percent of the workforce in 1996 to 31 percent today. So is the number of new jobs.

See also: 2011 Best Employers.

Now that you've wrapped up one career, do you wonder what's next?

Fastest-Growing Jobs (Projected by 2018)	2008 Median Wages	Required Training
Home health aide: 460,900 new jobs	$20,460	short-term on-the-job training
Personal and home care aide: 375,800 jobs	$19,180	short-term on-the-job training
Computer software engineer: 175,100 jobs	$85,430	bachelor’s degree
Medical assistant: 163,900 jobs	$28,300	moderate-term on-the-job training
Network systems and data communications analyst: 155,800 jobs	$71,100	bachelor’s degree
Dental assistant: 105,600 jobs	$32,380	moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-enrichment education teacher: 81,300 jobs	$35,720	work experience in a related occupation
Compliance officer (except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation): 80,800 jobs	$48,890	long-term on-the-job training
Dental hygienist: 62,900 jobs	$66,570	associate degree
Veterinary technologist and technician: 28,500 jobs	$28,900	associate degree
Physical therapist assistant: 21,200 jobs	$46,140	associate degree
Physical therapist aide: 16,700 jobs	$23,760	short-term on-the-job training
Skin care specialist: 14,700 jobs	$28,730	postsecondary vocational award
Biomedical engineer: 11,600 jobs	$77,400	bachelor’s degree
Financial examiner: 11,100 jobs	$70,930	bachelor’s degree