For many Americans, the retirement age is rising. The age for full social security benefits increased from 65 to 66.5 years old in 2019, and according to a survey by Gallup, most Americans plan to retire at age 66. With many choosing to stay in the workforce, it leaves senior professionals asking — what are the best jobs for seniors over 60?
COVID-19 changed the nation’s economy, and many of us aren’t sure what our “new normal” will look like. Many common jobs for people over 60, such as teachers, consultants, and executive assistants, have been moved to a virtual environment.
Still, a new job provides a number of opportunities: extra income, fulfillment, and new faces to (virtually) greet each day. When faced with these changing times, it’s possible that your job will shift as well. Below, we'll dive into the best jobs for seniors over 60, and how to stay safe at work.
5 of the Best Jobs for Seniors Over 60
Whether you're looking to work part-time or find your next full-time gig, there are plenty of job opportunities you can take advantage of in your 60s. Below, you'll learn about five of the best jobs for seniors over 60 and where to find them.
1. Teaching
Teaching provides a wonderful opportunity for older people to have a positive influence on middle school, high school, or even community college students. It also helps you stay social, as you interact with your students and colleagues. And now, there are plenty of opportunities to teach or tutor online.
Here's a fun fact you may not be aware of: You don't need a teaching degree to be a substitute teacher. In fact, according to the National Education Association (NEA), some states only require you to have a high school diploma.
Depending on the city, country, and state where you live, the requirements for substitute teaching will vary. For example, in Maryland, an entire county uses a single portal (like this portal for Montgomery County). However, in Georgia, there’s an online portal just for the city of Atlanta.
While many schools closed in 2020 due to coronavirus, students are taking their studies online. Here are a few resources to help you find virtual teaching jobs:
NEA.org: If you want to teach, the National Education Association should be one of the first sites you visit. It can give you a starting point on the teaching requirements for your particular state. Note that many community colleges host online classes, which could provide a lucrative option for you.
General Assembly: General Assembly is not an accredited university, but it offers many tactical courses on marketing, design, and computer science — many of which are hosted online. Check out their careers page to see if you might be a fit.
Teachaway: Teachaway posts thousands of online teaching and tutoring jobs (over 10,000, actually, at the time of this writing). You can find online teaching jobs in geography, history, ESL (English as a Second Language), and mathematics through their platform.
Udemy: Do you have a skillset people would pay to learn? You can create your own course on Udemy and get paid every time a student purchases your course.
2. Child or Pet Care
If you're looking for a part time job, there are plenty of parents (and paw-rents) who could use an extra set of hands. Whether you serve as a part-time nanny, dog walker, or pet sitter, caregiving can be a great way to earn extra money (and get paid to exercise, while you’re at it).
Parents are constantly searching for a caregiver they can trust. You can provide this service and provide for your own health during the COVID pandemic by taking extra precautions when entering someone’s home. Only work for families that are self-quarantining, wear a mask and rubber gloves, and take added care to disinfect surfaces. If possible, offer to do any sitting in your own home, instead of your client’s home.
According to Care.com, the average hourly rate for a nanny ranges from $15.10 per hour in Miami to over $22 an hour in New York City. For dog walking, Thumbtack reports that you can earn up to $15-20 per walk. If you're interested in picking up part-time work as a child or pet sitter, referrals from trusted friends and family members might be your best course of action. That being said, these websites could also prove beneficial.
Care.com: On Care.com, caregivers can create a profile and post their past experience and desired rates. Rates begin at $12.75 an hour, but many highly rated caregivers post rates in the $30-$40 an hour range.
UrbanSitter: UrbanSitter allows parents to connect with caregivers in their network (think of it as LinkedIn for childcare). Parents find caregivers through their school district or other shared connections, which can be an excellent referral source.
Wag!: If you want a part-time job with incredibly flexible hours, dog walking may be it. Through the Wag! app, dog walkers can post a profile and get connected with families who need help with their furry friends.
3. Customer Service and Sales Jobs
If you have a smartphone, then customer service is a great way to set your own schedule, help others, and determine your own hourly wage. With so many industries and supply chains currently interrupted, many companies need kind service people to communicate with their customers.
In addition, if you have a particular craft, such as sewing or woodworking, you can sell your products online. Etsy and Amazon Handmade offer ways to set up your own online store, and sell goods that others need (like face masks!).
Remote.co: Remote.co posts thousands of remote customer service jobs from reputable companies like Squarespace, Athenahealth, and Sitel (which are just a few examples from the time of this writing). Browse their extensive library of virtual work to find a role that’s right for you.
Amazon Handmade or Etsy: With an online store, you can easily become your own boss and handle your own customer service. Sell pottery, jewelry, furniture, clothing, and home decor to turn your hobby into a career.
4. Bookkeeping and Virtual Assistant
Both large and small businesses are in need of trusted people to keep the rest of the staff on task (particularly when everyone is working from home). Many senior citizens find full-time jobs working as virtual administrative assistants, tax preparers, library assistants, or bookkeepers.
Virtual office work doesn’t just keep you safe in your home — it also offers flexibility. The job market is different today than it was when many baby boomers entered. Remote work is becoming more and more common, even for older workers. In fact, working as a virtual assistant for a small business or solopreneur gives you the perks of setting your own hours, working from your own home, and avoiding a commute.
Beyond LinkedIn, Indeed, and other common job sites, you may want to search these websites for virtual or home job opportunities. When using job sites, always do your research to ensure opportunities are legitimate:
Upwork: Upwork is a site where professionals can get connected to part-time help, freelancers, and virtual assistants. Create a profile to start applying for part-time side jobs.
Zirtual: Zirtual connects virtual assistants to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Create a profile to start booking job interviews with companies seeking the extra help.
Facebook: Yes, it may sound a bit funky to find a job on Facebook, but hear us out. There are plenty of freelancer, virtual assistant, and small business groups where people are constantly searching for extra help. Find, join, and browse these forums to get connected to potential opportunities.
5. Launch Your Own Business
If you ever dreamed of launching your own practice, there may be no better time than the present. As someone who has decades of experience in your field, your wisdom, work ethic, and craftsmanship could prove extremely lucrative. Plus, you may find that your personal "top job" is one where you work for yourself.
With so many business services now offered online, such as email and video conferencing, you can easily set up a business without leaving your home. You can call your contractors or vendors via FaceTime, and host conference calls with clients over Zoom.
If you can't find a retirement job you like, there's no reason you can't create your own. Here are a few examples of entrepreneurs — all aged 60 and up — who used their unique skill set to launch a new business:
Jo Ousterhout created Acumen8, a financial coaching service. A former woman of Wall Street, she now helps women navigate their finances through life events such as divorce, retirement, or receiving an inheritance.
Eileen Doughtery created Backstory Media, a production company for family videos. A former political journalist, she now creates full-length documentaries retelling family stories.
Lynne Brooks, created Big Apple Greeter after getting laid off from a job at age 60. The non-profit works as a tour guide or "welcome visitor" program in New York City.
The Best Job for Seniors Over 60 Is the Job You’ll Enjoy
Whatever job you choose for your “second act” should be one you enjoy.
Looking for a job with incredibly flexible hours? You might want to look into remote customer service. Want to make an impact in your community? Teaching or childcare could be right for you. Do you finally want to turn that passion project into a full-time career? Consider launching your own business, or set up a store on Etsy.
This is your opportunity to find a job that suits your schedule, energy levels, and personal passion. And when you've got a busy work schedule, you can schedule your Snug check-in outside your working hours. That way, you’re creating a daily routine that works for your career, your schedule, and your overall well being.