Best Part-Time Jobs for Older Women

 

Many women enter their retirement years without the financial security they’d like. According to a survey by TIAA, only 19% of women feel that they are on track to retire fully without running out of money. As a result, over half of Americans plan to continue working after their retirement. If your savings aren’t where you’d like them to be, you may be considering a part-time job after you retire. What kind of job should you look for? What can you expect to earn? Most importantly, are the best part-time jobs for older women?

We’ve been researching part-time jobs for older women and have come up with a list of 10 jobs that can be done on a part-time basis and that are a particularly good fit for older individuals. Some of these jobs allow you to utilize your existing skills and expertise. Others require a little entrepreneurial spirit. Several of the jobs can be done by folks with any type of background, education, and level of experience. We’ve also pulled average hourly income from Indeed.com to give you an idea of what you can expect to earn in each position.

Whether you need to save more for retirement or simply want a little more financial security, take a look at our 10 best part-time jobs for older adults.

1. Consultant

Average Hourly Rate: Varies

In your long career, you’ve likely picked up valuable skills and insights. Though you’re done with the 9 to 5, there’s no reason those skills can’t continue earning you money as a consultant. Reach out to your industry contacts or do a little networking to see if you can consult on a part-time basis. You may even be able to reach out to your old employer to see if you can come back on in a consultant capacity.

Popular types of consultants include:

• Business strategy consultant
• Management consultant
• Operations consultant
• Financial consultant
• Human resources consultant
• IT consultant

Benefits: As a consultant, you can set your hours and your income. The more specialized your skillset, the more you can potentially earn.

Downsides: You’ll need to spend time and effort searching for clients. You’ll also need to be highly self-directed. You may also feel obligated to start your own business, which means you’ll need to be in charge of invoicing and paying self-employment taxes.

2. Coach

Average Hourly Rate: Varies

A coach works with individual people or teams to impart tailored strategies for success. Like a consultant, working as a coach allows you to use your existing skill set to earn money in a part-time capacity. Use your insights and personal recipe for success to develop your unique coaching system.

Popular coaching niches include:

• General business coach
• Life coach
• Sales coach
• Team building coach
• Executive coach

Benefits: The upside of this job is that you call all the shots. You can take on as many clients as you’d like and set your own pricing. You’ll also get the satisfaction of guiding your clients to personal and career success. There’s unlimited room for growth if your business takes off. You could host conferences and retreats or even write a book about your coaching method.

Downside: You’ll need to market and pitch yourself in order to gain clients. Bringing on those first few clients might be tough. You’ll also need to figure out a way to set yourself apart from the crowd. That means developing a unique coaching system that provides true value to clients.

3. Virtual Assistant

Average Hourly Rate: $20.31

If you are relatively computer savvy and have administrative experience, consider working as a virtual assistant. Many different people and companies are looking for virtual assistants, and the actual work can vary greatly depending on your client. Virtual assistants may:

• Answer phones
• Book appointments
• Perform research
• Arrange travel
• Organize emails
• And more

If you have a special area of expertise, such as social media account management or graphic design, you can likely earn more.

Benefits: You’ll be able to work from the comfort of your own home in this position, which can be especially helpful if you live in an area without a large number of jobs. You may also be able to negotiate your hours with your client or clients.

Downsides: You’ll need to be highly computer literate to succeed as a virtual assistant. You’ll also face stiff competition for clients. Pay can be low, especially for virtual assistants without specialized skills. You’ll also be competing against people all over the world, including virtual assistants who live in lower-income countries.

4. Bookkeeper

Average Hourly Rate: $20.96

If you have an accounting background, consider working as a bookkeeper. In this role, you’ll maintain financial records on behalf of your client, send payments to vendors, and invoice customers. This job can be incredibly flexible, and you can work for a single company or take on multiple clients. Many small companies need their books balanced but can’t afford to hire an on-staff accountant. Bookkeepers offer the perfect balance.

Benefits: You’ll earn significantly higher than the minimum wage for this job and won’t need to supervise anyone. You can easily increase your earnings by taking on more clients. If you have a specialized skill set (such as expertise in a certain industry), you may be able to earn more.

Downsides: You’ll need an accounting background to pursue this job option. (Though, it’s never too late to learn a new skill.) You’ll also need to pitch yourself to clients which can be challenging for those who have never done it before. Some clients may also expect you to come into the office on a regular basis.

5. Freelancer

Average Hourly Rate: Varies

Turn the skills you already have into earnings by working as a freelancer. Freelancing has exploded in popularity and the scope of what freelancers can do is greater than ever. Freelancing is more than content writing and graphic design (though those are popular freelancing categories). Do you know how to build a website? Can you speak a foreign language? Are you a great researcher? All of these skills can earn you freelance work.

All sorts of companies and individuals are looking for freelancers, and it’s easier than ever to find jobs. While you can always network and pitch yourself locally, you can also compete for work on huge platforms designed specifically to connect freelancers with clients, such as Upwork.com.

What type of freelance work can you do? The list is nearly endless, but here are just a few popular options:

• Resume writer
• Grant writer
• Social media manager
• Proofreader
• Editor
• Tech support
• Project manager
• SEO specialist
• Translator
• Graphic designer
• Developer
• Video editor
• Transcriptionist
• Email marketer
• Data entry
• Accountant

Benefits: You’ll enjoy ultimate flexibility as a freelancer. Take the jobs you want and set your hourly rate. You’ll never need to ask permission to take a vacation again. You can also use your existing skills in all types of new jobs. Don’t have a certain skill? This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill and then earn money from it.

Downsides: Most online freelance jobs require comfort with technology. While some freelance jobs, like data entry, are relatively simple to perform, others, like UX design, require a high level of expertise. The lower the skill requirement, the more competitive the jobs and the lower the earnings. As with the virtual assistant position, you’ll be competing with people around the world. You’ll also need to be highly self-motivated in this position and be comfortable working under deadlines.

6. Craft/Artwork

Average Hourly Rate: Varies

Do you love to sew, paint, or create homemade shampoo? With some work and dedication, you can turn your hobby into a part-time side business. Think about whether you have unique talents you can turn into a product. The more creative the better. As with freelance work, it’s easier than ever to sell your crafts and artwork online. The most popular online retailer, Etsy, allows you to create your own storefront and sell your unique items all over the world. Closer to home, you can also consider renting a booth at local farmers’ markets.

What can you make and sell? The only limit is your imagination, but popular items on Etsy include:

• Handmade soap
• Jewelry
• Personalized portraits
• Pottery
• Wedding cake toppers
• Greeting cards
• T-shirts
• Wedding dresses
• Stuffed animals
• Mugs
• Personalized wine glasses

Benefits: If you were already planning to dedicate time in retirement to pursuing a creative hobby, now you may be able to earn a little income on the side. Creating your own line of crafts can be fun and fulfilling. It’s also a “job” that lets you work from home and decide your own hours.

Downsides: Breaking through on Etsy can take time and effort and farmer’s market stalls aren’t free. There’s a possibility that you could spend a lot of money on supplies and spend a lot of time making your products… and not sell enough to make back your money. There’s also a risk of your hobby starting to feel like a job.

7. Retail Sales Worker

Average Hourly Rate: $18.89

If you live in or near a decent-sized town, chances are you’ll find a variety of retail stores looking for workers. Many of these employers are specifically hiring part-time workers and are happy to bring on reliable, cheerful people.

Benefits: Retail work doesn’t require any special skills or experience. If you aren’t very tech-savvy or simply don’t want a stressful job, retail work could be the answer. If you can snag a job at a retailor you love (such as a garden center, craft store, or outdoor store), you’ll get to spend your days surrounded by products you believe in. Don’t forget about that employee discount.

Drawbacks: Retail can be a physically taxing job. You’ll be on your feet during the majority of your shift and may need to lift and move heavy items. The pay is also low, and you’ll have to be ready to deal with unhappy customers.

8. Home Health Aide

Average Hourly Rate: $15.68

As our population continues to grow older, home health aides are in extremely high demand across the country. Many older Americans want to age in place but need help to maintain their independence.

As a home health aide, your job is to take care of your clients. Job responsibilities may include:

• Helping clients with activities like getting dressed and grooming
• Light housekeeping, like laundry, washing dishes and changing sheets
• Driving your client to doctor appointments
• Grocery shopping
• Preparing and serving meals
• Reminding your client to take medication

Benefits: Being a home health aide can be extremely fulfilling, especially if you have a caregiving personality. It also doesn’t require specialized skills or experience. This job market is hot, so you aren’t likely to have trouble finding an open position near you. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for home health aides is expected to grow 33% by 2030.

Drawbacks: The pay for this position doesn’t come close to matching the value home health aides provide. The work can also be grueling, especially if you need to lift or support clients.

9. Nanny

Average Hourly Rate: $18.68

Over 60% of families with children include two working parents. Many families with young children turn to nannies to perform childcare duties while parents are working. As a nanny, you can negotiate with your clients to set your hours and determine your boundaries. This position requires patience, a big heart, and lots of energy.

Benefits: Being a nanny can be an incredibly fulfilling role, especially if you love caring for children. While childcare experience is often preferred, the bar to entry for becoming a nanny is relatively low. While many parents are looking for full-time nannies for younger children, you can also find part-time positions caring for older children who need to be looked after before or after school. This is another very hot job market. According to Recruiter.com, the demand for nannies is expected to increase over 15% by 2029.

Downsides: Although they help raise the next generation, nannies don’t earn nearly as much as they deserve. The work can be physically and emotionally challenging, and parents may expect you to work longer hours than you want.

10. Cashier

Average Hourly Rate: $12.55

One of the most abundant jobs available is cashier. From grocery stores to fast-food restaurants, hardware stores, and more, many businesses are looking for reliable workers to assist customers and get them through the checkout line. While this job isn’t exactly prestigious or exciting, it is easy to find and it’s a job you can emotionally leave behind as soon as your shift is over.

Benefits: You don’t need special experience or skills to be a cashier. These jobs are also available in almost any town across the country. It’s easy to learn and you may be able to quickly rise through the ranks if that’s what you want.

Downsides: The pay is low for this position, and you’ll be on your feet all day. You may need to face off against grumpy customers and keep a smile on your face. That is to say, this job can be physically taxing and emotionally draining.

Which Part-Time Job Will You Choose?

Getting a part-time job can help you enjoy a more financially secure retirement. (Here’s how to check your retirement progress.) While working might not be how you originally envisioned your retirement, having a job in your golden years doesn’t have to be a drag. Certain jobs, like nanny, home health aide, and artist, can be extremely fulfilling. If you are able to repurpose your current skills, you may be able to earn a good amount as a consultant, coach, or freelancer. And, if you simply want to earn a little cash with few strings attached, there are always companies hiring retail sales workers and cashiers. In this day and age, there are more jobs for older adults than ever before.