20 Age-Friendly Jobs for Age 50+ Workers

Are you age 50+? Do you want to continue working or to return to the office? Consider these 20 best jobs to have in retirement. These were selected on the basis of several factors, including:

1. Large numbers of openings currently exist or are expected to in the near future.

2.  The industry or occupation is receptive to, and welcoming of, age 50+ workers.

3. The nature of the work, scheduling flexibility, benefit coverage, and pay attract age 50+ workers.

4. Duties and the work environment of the job or industry are appropriate for age 50+ workers.

Many of the jobs listed below also offer employer-sponsored health care for people working as few as 24 hours per week. Of course, the quality of health care benefits can vary widely among employers.

1. Job/Industry: Nursing
Qualifications: Formal education (two to six years) and licensing are required for registered and practical nurses. Accelerated training is often available through community colleges.   

Employers: Hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices

Expected hourly earnings: $20- to $60 or more per hour, based on training, level, and specialization

2. Job/Industry: Health Care Technician

Qualifications: One to four years of training beyond high school in a health care specialty, whether in the laboratory, radiology, nutrition, physical therapy, or the nursing-assistant field.

Employers: Hospitals, clinics, and medical practices

Expected hourly earnings: $12 to $30 per hour, based on training, responsibility level, and specialization.

3. Job/Industry: Health Care Administration (Non-Medical)

Qualifications: A wide range of insurance, health care-specific, and general education and skills, based on varied job requirements from the clerical to the administrative or management levels

Employers: Hospitals, health insurance companies

Expected hourly earnings: $10 to $15 per hour for clerical; $20 to $30 for professional; and $25+ for managerial positions

4. Job/Industry: Teaching Assistant and Aide

Qualifications: A background in education and child care would help applicants, as would a formal education beyond high school.

Employers: All elementary schools, public or private school systems, and the education divisions of temporary-staffing firms, such as Kelly Educational Staffing

Expected hourly earnings: $8 to $15 per hour, based on level of responsibility and qualifications

5. Job/Industry: Contract or Temporary Professional

Qualifications: Formal education and relevant experience within the profession (for instance, law, information technology, human resources, engineering, sciences, accounting and finance, or project management)

Employers: Any major staffing agency, including Robert Half, Manpower, Kelly, and Express Personnel

Expected hourly earnings: $30 to $70 per hour, based on profession and level of experience and knowledge