30 Ways to Make Money as a A Senior

There’s no rule mandating that you must stop working at a certain age. If you find joy in staying busy or need to supplement your retirement income, there are many opportunities you can pursue.

Here are some of the best jobs for older people who want to earn some extra cash.

Flexible Ways to Make Money For Seniors

If you are looking for a more flexible job opportunity, there are plenty of options to choose from.

In order of average earning potential (which can vary by location), here are the best flexible jobs for seniors.

1. Translator

Seniors who are bilingual can put their skills to good use and get paid for them. Getting certified by the American Translator’s Association ensures you can work in almost any industry.

Whether you want to work for the government, help people who don’t speak English handle their official forms or translate other information, there are many opportunities to work as a translator.

Average annual salary: $68,395 

2. Librarian

If you love books and people, being a librarian is an excellent opportunity. You might work as a librarian assistant or have other duties in the library if you don’t have a degree, but the premise is the same.

With this job, you help people find books, answer questions, and oversee activities for children, young adults, and even seniors. 

Average annual salary: $57,449

3. Photographer

Have you always had an eye for photography? Consider making money by taking pictures of people or objects. You don’t need experience or a degree, just the ability to take great photos and edit them.

If you like taking pictures of people, you can offer services such as wedding, family or event photography. Some people niche down and specialize in sports photography or newborn photography. 

Decide what you love the most and create a business helping people make memories.

Average annual salary: $44,198

4. Greeter

If you love people, working as a greeter can be rewarding. Big box retailers, small retail stores, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals need friendly faces welcoming customers or guests into their establishments.

A cheerful attitude is the key to success in this position.

Average annual salary: $40,987 

5. Youth Care Specialist

Youth care specialists have the important role of keeping at-risk youth safe. You’ll work with children who are separated from their parents for various reasons. 

These kids are usually in temporary custody, and you can serve as the person that helps them feel safe during this scary time in their lives.

Average annual salary: $40,017

6. Lyft/Uber Driver

If you prefer setting your own schedule and don’t mind driving, consider working for Uber or Lyft. Both companies pay a base fee for each ride you take. Plus, you keep 100% of the tips customers pay.

To drive for Uber or Lyft, you must have a valid license and eligible transportation. You get to select which shifts you work by turning the app on or off. It’s even possible to choose which rides you’ll accept when you’re active.

Average annual salary: $39,975

7. Food Delivery Driver

Food delivery drivers pick up orders from restaurants and then deliver them to customers’ homes, offices, hotels, or even hospitals. Gigs are even available where you can shop for and deliver groceries. 

You don’t need experience to be a food delivery driver, but you need patience, the ability to drive, and the capability to offer great customer service.

To qualify, you must have a reliable source of transportation as well as the proper licensing and insurance to operate the vehicle. You set your own schedule and can work as much or as little as you want.

Average annual salary: $39,335

8. Security Guard

Working as a security guard can be a rewarding experience since you help keep businesses and people safe. You can take a security guard position at the front gate of a gated community or work mall security. 

Decide how much you can be on your feet and the level of excitement you want before choosing a security guard position.

Average annual salary: $35,700

9. Event Attendant

If you love organizing and helping people have successful events, you could work as an event attendant. Your duties will vary by event but might include setting up, taking down, or helping out throughout the event. 

You can work at corporate events, weddings, anniversary parties, birthdays, concerts, and sporting events. 

Average annual salary: $35,264

10. Retail Associate

Working as a retail associate is a great way to socialize, feel useful and make money. Retail associates can work full-time or part-time.

In this position, you might have a variety of duties. These can include folding clothes, stocking shelves, checking inventory and helping customers.

Average annual salary: $34,285

11. Home Care Provider

Home care providers help people who can’t handle their own home duties. You might help someone who is sick and can’t tackle tasks like doing laundry or going to the grocery store. 

Additionally, you can help busy moms or older people who want companionship.

Average annual salary: $28,575

Fun Ways to Make Money as a Senior

If your career days are behind you, but you are looking for a fun way to earn some extra cash, there are plenty of opportunities out there for you.

In order to achieve earning potential, here are the best fun jobs for older people.

12. Tour Guide

Seniors who live in a tourist destination can get paid to show visitors around the area they love. Since they know the area well, they can provide guests with helpful information about the most amazing sites. 

It’s a great way to socialize and exercise while getting paid.

Average annual salary: $49,829

13. Gardening

If you have a green thumb, you can make money as a gardener. The job opportunities are endless. 

You can work at a retail store’s garden center, help neighbors prepare and care for their gardens, or work for large companies by maintaining their gardens and landscaping. 

Average annual salary: $49,193

14. Dog Walking/Pet Care

Dog walking or caring for pets can be one of the most fun jobs out there. If you love pets, you can get paid to walk dogs while their owners are away or at work.

You can also get jobs caring for pets in your home or the owner’s home. It’s a great way to make money, boost your mood, and get some exercise all at the same time.

Average annual salary: $36,453

15. Babysitting

If you love kids, you can make money by babysitting and helping parents. You’re qualified if you had your own, took child safety courses or previously worked with children.

Being fun, nurturing and keeping kids safe are keys to success in this job.

Average annual salary: $33,555

Jobs For Career-Minded Seniors

For seniors missing their careers, there are jobs available to fill that void. These opportunities, in order of highest to lowest average salary, might be right up your alley.

16. Consultant

If you loved what you did when you worked full-time and were extremely knowledgeable about it, you could work as a consultant. 

You can work for a particular company or start your own consulting business if you don’t mind the extra accounting and tax preparation involved with owning your own business.

Average annual salary: $86,000

17. Tax Preparer

Do you love crunching numbers? Were you an accountant or financial professional in your past life? If so, you can work as a tax preparer. 

The nice thing about working in the tax industry is you only have to work a few months out of the year, allowing you to enjoy the rest of your time while still making good money.

Average annual salary: $49,572

18. Tutor

If you love a particular school subject, you can tutor elementary, middle school, high school or even college students. 

Choose your niche, and you’ll find plenty of students who need your help, from basic math to writing college essays.

Average annual salary: $42,019

19. Secretary

Are you organized? Do you enjoy answering phones? Can you multitask? 

If so, you can work as a secretary. Companies of all sizes need secretaries, and it can be a fun job that allows you to interact with people while earning cash.

Keep in mind that being a secretary can get stressful, so make sure you can handle the pressure.

Average annual salary: $41,298

20. Teacher

If you had a career you were passionate about, consider working as a teacher assistant or teaching older high school and college students about your career path. 

You might work in a single classroom or rotate classrooms to help more students understand your career path. High schools often have classes geared toward specific industries, allowing you to use your expertise to help them.

Average annual salary: $33,276

Jobs for Seniors With Disabilities

Seniors who are disabled can still work. In order of earning potential, here are the top jobs for older people with disabilities.

21. HR Assistant

If you have a bachelor’s degree in business or human resources, you can work as an HR assistant full or part-time. You don’t have to handle the stress of working in HR alone, but you can use your skills to earn money. 

It’s a desk job, so if you have a physical impairment, it allows you to earn an income without being on your feet.

Average annual salary: $46,126

22. Proofreader

You could make good money as a proofreader if you pay great attention to detail, understand proper grammar and can make written pieces aesthetically pleasing.

Since it’s a job you can do from home, it’s great for anyone with difficulty getting around.

Average annual salary: $45,680

23. Telemarketer

If you worked in a sales position earlier in your career, working as a telemarketer could be a great fit for you.

You can work this job from home or at a desk, so it’s great for anyone with a disability who is motivated to help a company increase its sales.

Average annual salary: $41,201

24. Data Entry

Working at home as a data entry specialist can be a great way to earn an income if you can’t get around easily.

You must be able to type fast, have good listening skills and pay attention to detail to maximize your earnings.

Average annual salary: $36,934

25. Food Preparation

If you love cooking and it brings you joy to make others happy with food, consider working as a food preparer or chef. 

You can work at a restaurant, school, hospital or hotel. The options are limitless.

Average annual salary: $34,348

Work-From-Home Jobs For Seniors

Did you retire because you hated commuting? If so, you are in luck. There are plenty of jobs that let you work from home.

Here are the best work-from-home jobs for older people based on the average annual salary.

26. Editor

If you find yourself editing published work or shaking your head at how something is worded, you might make a great editor. 

You can edit articles, books, and online content created by other companies, all from the comfort of your couch.

Average annual salary: $51,000

27. Writer

Are you passionate about a subject and know how to write well? If so, you can make good money as a writer. 

You can work for a company or start your own freelance writing business or blog while working from home.

Average annual salary: $49,911

28. Virtual Assistant

If you worked as an administrative assistant in your previous career, you can transfer your skills to a work-from-home position as a virtual assistant. 

Instead of working in person, you handle all administrative tasks virtually. This can include answering emails, managing calendars and overseeing social media as well as blog content.

Average annual salary: $45,922

29. Bookkeeper

You can run a bookkeeping business or work for a company from home if you have an accounting degree and experience.

You’ll balance a company’s books and run its financial reports. It’s an important job, but it can be done remotely.

Average annual salary: $42,395 annually

30. Survey Conductor

If you love talking to people, conducting surveys from home might be an excellent fit. You call a company’s current and potential customers to ask them questions provided by the business you work for. 

If you’re great at communicating and listening, this is one of the easier jobs for older people that is worth looking into.

Average annual salary: $37,330

Job Hunting Tips for Seniors

To find the perfect job as a senior, here are some job-hunting tips that can put you ahead of the competition.

Update and Optimize Your Resume

It’s important to keep your resume updated. Any recent experience you have, even if you’ve been retired for a while, can help. 

Also, work with someone who knows the latest keywords employers look for when hiring for a position to increase your chances of getting noticed.

Differentiate Yourself From the Competition

Find ways to show that you’re better than the competition. Don’t just name the skills the company requests in their ad. 

Show your experience and accomplishments to demonstrate why you’d be better than a younger person just out of college.

Network

Nowadays, it’s who you know, not what you know. Tell everyone you know when you’re looking for a job. Also, let them know what type of job you want. 

You can even tap into your networks from previous jobs and anyone at church or any groups you are a member of.

Use Job Board Sites

Job board sites are the new classified ads. Jump on sites like Monster and Indeed to find the perfect job. 

You might even find jobs for older people that you didn’t know existed and could be perfect for you.

Summary

There are numerous jobs for older people. Whether you want to work from home, need accommodations, or just want a fun side hustle, there are many opportunities available.

Consider what makes you happy, then find a job that allows you to follow your passions.