25 Thrilling Jobs for Seniors to Shine in Their Golden Years

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE SEE MY DISCLOSURES. FOR MORE INFORMATION.

As seniors, it can often feel like there are limited options when it comes to job opportunities.

However, this doesn’t have to be the case!

There are a variety of thrilling jobs that seniors should consider if they’re looking for ways to make their golden years shine.

From working as a live-in housekeeper for a vacation resort to becoming an entrepreneur and launching their own online business, the possibilities are truly endless!

In this article, we’ll explore 25 of these exciting career paths that you can pursue in your retirement.

Whether you’re seeking financial independence or just want something new and exciting to do with your newfound freedom, these 25 jobs will help keep your golden years glamorous and fulfilling.

#1. Painter

Another option to consider is a painter.

You could do this part-time or full-time, depending on how much work you want to take on.

This job can be very physically demanding, so it might not be ideal if you have any health issues that limit your mobility.

If you decide to become a painter, you can either start your own business or work for an existing company.

Many painting companies always look for new painters, especially during the busy summer months.

#2. Lawn Care

If you have a green thumb, lawn care might be the perfect way to earn more money.

This is a great job for retirees because you can decide how much work you want.

If you only want to work a few hours a week, that’s no problem.

The best way to get started is to offer your services to friends, family, and neighbors.

Once you have experience, you can start advertising your business online or through word-of-mouth.

#3. Dog Walking

One of the most fun jobs on our list, dog walking has the bonus of helping you stay active in retirement.

There are countless online resources for landing a job as a dog walker, or you can consider starting your dog walking business.

As with many other jobs listed, you control how much you want to work, finding the perfect balance between earning money and having free time.

#4. Cruise Ship Worker

Do you love to travel?

Working on a cruise ship could be your ticket to extra income while seeing the world.

The added benefit here is that your expenses will be non-existent than if you traveled alone.

But the downside is you won’t have a lot of time, if any, to see the places you visit.

This could be a good thing, however.

You might realize there are some countries you thought you wanted to visit but now realize you don’t, saving you time and money and avoiding disappointment.

#5. School Bus Driver

This job is perfect for those who love kids but don’t want to be a teacher.

Plus, you’ll have the summers off.

Being a school bus driver comes with a lot of responsibility, but if you’re up for it, it can be a great way to make some extra money in retirement.

#6. Notary

A notary public is a person authorized by the state to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths.

If you become a notary public, you can charge a fee for your services.

To become a notary public, you must be at least 18 years old and have a clean criminal record.

You’ll also need to complete a training course and pass an exam.

Once you’re certified, you can start offering your services to individuals and businesses in your area.

And making money with this job is easy.

You’ll find people are always looking for a notary at the last minute, so if you have the availability, you can make good money.

#7. Substitute Teacher

If you’re a retired teacher or someone with a teaching certificate, becoming a substitute teacher is an excellent way to make some extra money.

Check with your local school district to see if they’re hiring substitute teachers.

Even if you don’t have a teaching certificate, some school districts will still hire you as a substitute teacher if you have a bachelor’s degree.

#8. Adjunct Professor

Adjunct professors typically teach one or two classes per semester at a college or university.

The pay isn’t always great, but the job comes with many perks, such as free or reduced-cost tuition for yourself and your family.

If you’re a retired professor or someone with a Ph.D., becoming an adjunct professor is an excellent way to make extra money and stay mentally active.

And in many cases, you only need to hold a bachelor’s degree or have work experience in the field of study you want to teach.

Check with local colleges and universities to see if they’re hiring adjunct professors.

#9. Author

Do you enjoy writing? Are you a subject matter expert?

Why not take this knowledge and turn it into a book?

You can easily become an author by self-publishing your book on Amazon.

Not only is this low stress, but it can also be very lucrative.

For example, if you sell your book for $2.99 and it’s downloaded 100 times, you’ve made $299!

Get your book into the Amazon Best Seller list, and you can easily make thousands of dollars for every book you write.

#10. Narrator

If writing isn’t your thing, but you enjoy speaking, consider narrating audio books.

There is a big demand for narrators, and not just for books.

There are many mediums that need voice over workers in order to bring the product to market.

#11. Flipper

Flipping items for sale is a dream come true for savvy shoppers.

You can find great items at low prices at yard sales or in the clearance aisle at your favorite retailer.

You then clean up the item if needed and resell it for a higher price.

Do this enough, and you have a steady income.

I know someone who buys old bikes, fixes and cleans them up and resells them for a profit.

#12. House Sitter

This stress free job is excellent for responsible retirees who also want to enjoy their free time in a quiet environment.

One of the easiest jobs after retirement, house sitting, entails following the homeowner’s instructions, such as watering plants, locking windows, and keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.

A great perk of being a house sitter is that it’s a great side gig that allows you to do other jobs without leaving the house. 

Some examples of jobs include completing online surveys, freelance writing, or crafting.

In some cases, you will check in on the house daily.

Other times you will live there while the owner is away, having access to the entire house.

You can even combine this job with pet sitting.

With TrustedHouseSitters, you stay at the owner’s home and watch their pets while they are away.

There are listings all over the world, so you can turn it into a trip and turn it into a vacation.

#13. Handyman

If you enjoy working with your hands, one of the best jobs for you is being a handyman.

More people are fixing and redoing their homes and need skilled handymen who know what they are doing.

You can decide if you want to stick to small jobs, like putting together IKEA furniture, installing a ceiling fan, or more complex jobs.

Just check your local government rules to see if you need any permits before you start working.

#14. Food Delivery Driver

If you have your own car and aren’t put off by the fast pace, becoming a delivery driver is a great way to earn supplemental income.

Remember that you’ll earn more money during peak hours, usually around lunch and dinner time, as well as on weekends.

Platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub are great for delivery drivers if you live in a large city.

All you need is a reliable car and a clean driving record.

#15. Pet Sitting

One of the best no stress jobs is a pet sitter.

You can start your own business as a professional pet sitter or through a licensed online agency such as PetSitter.com or Rover.com.

No matter the path you choose, this can be a fun job if you love animals and have the time and resources to provide them with the necessary care they need.

You could consider pursuing a certificate in pet sitting to boost your knowledge and credentials, or if you have no prior experience with pet sitting.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters offers one such certificate program.

#16. Online Mock Juror

An online mock juror is someone who gets paid to provide feedback on legal cases.

Mock jurors to review the evidence and answer questions about a case.

Lawyers then use their feedback to help them prepare for trial.

If you’re interested in becoming an online mock juror, you can sign up with a service such as eJury.com.

Once you’re a member, you can start receiving case assignments.

Pay for online mock jurors typically ranges from $5 to $60 per case.

So if you complete a few cases per week, you can easily make some extra money.

#17. Online Tutoring

For a low stress job where you can set your schedule and own hours, online tutoring can be one of the most fulfilling and stress-free jobs after retirement.

A platform such as Tutor.com is an excellent option for finding work as a tutor.

Depending on your expertise, you can fetch up to $40 an hour.

#18. Get An Expat Job

One thing many people do in their retirement years is to move overseas to enjoy a different culture and save money.

This can be a daunting task, but there are many resources available to help make the transition smoother.

One such resource is Expatjobs.com, a job board specifically for ex-pats.

There are many advantages to getting an ex-pat job, such as gaining new skills, improving your resume, and making new friends.

And when it comes to jobs, there is a good number available to ex-pats, such as teaching English, working in customer service, or being a tour guide.

You can also use your existing skillset to find a job in the same field you worked in before retirement.

#19. Career Coach

One of the best jobs after retirement is to become a career coach.

With this line of work, you help young professionals figure out their ideal career paths.

You could even offer life coaching services, helping those you coach to live their best lives.

While a formal education is not required, getting a certification would go a long way as you promote your business.

#20. Preschool Teacher

Being a preschool teacher is perfect for those who love little kids. The work is a few days a week during the school year and it’s only for 2-3 hours.

Most preschools don’t require and teaching certifications since you aren’t teaching the kids anything complex.

All you are doing is helping them to learn how to socialize and understand the basics like days of the week, months, time, etc.

The best part could be you get all the major holidays off as well as summers.

#21. Babysitter Or Nanny

If you love little kids, being a nanny or babysitter while in retirement could be the perfect way to make some extra cash.

You can control how much you want to work and what days.

With more and more parents looking for in-home child care, the need for nannies has never been higher.

#22. Consultant

Related to the idea above is to become a consultant.

If you enjoyed working in a particular industry, you could help companies solve problems or become more efficient.

You could use this when you talk with your boss about retiring.

Instead of quitting 100%, you may agree to stay on board, working on specific projects.

You have the final say in the number of hours you want to commit to and the price you would charge for your services.

#23. Bookkeeper

If you are good with numbers, consider becoming a virtual bookkeeper.

Many small businesses need bookkeeping help, and since you can do this work remotely, it could be a perfect fit.

The great part about this business is you are in total control of how much you work.

If you want to earn as much as possible, take on more clients.

If you would rather have fewer time commitments, stick with one or two clients.

The best way to get started is to take an online course that will teach you the basics and help you find clients.

#24. Rideshare Driver

If you are a people person, you might enjoy becoming a rideshare driver more than a food delivery driver.

Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft always look for new drivers, especially in large cities.

You’ll need a reliable car and a clean driving record to become a driver.

You can apply to be a driver on the company’s website.

Once you’re accepted, you can start picking up passengers and earning money.

#25. Grocery Shopper

Do you enjoy spending time at the grocery store?

If so, you can make some extra money by becoming a grocery shopper.

There are a few different ways you can do this.

You can sign up to be a personal shopper for a grocery delivery service, or you can become a shopper for a grocery store itself.

If you choose the latter option, you’ll typically have a list of items to buy and a time frame in which to do it.

Make Money When Sleeping

Yes, you can make money while you sleep. There are a handful of jobs out there that will earn you an income even after you stop working for the day.

The trick is finding the right one for you.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY WHILE YOU SLEEP

Under The Table Jobs That Pay Cash

If you need cash right away, a typical job won’t work for you. You will have to wait a week to get paid, or in some cases, two weeks.

Luckily there are other options out there. Here are the best places to make cash under the table and walk out with cash in hand at the end of the day.

BEST UNDER THE TABLE JOBS THAT PAY CASH

How To Get Free Money

The idea of free money sounds like it can’t be true. But it actually is.

There are many ways you can get free money, from playing games, to watching videos, and more.

Here are the best ways you can get free money without having to work for it.

HOW TO GET FREE MONEY

Time vs. Money

We all exchange time for money, but few of us stop to think about if our time is better spent doing the things we love instead of taking care of chores.

If you learn to stop thinking of things costing money and think instead of what you get in terms of time for paying for things, you could be much happier.

TIME VS. MONEY

How Much Money Do You Need For Retirement

Do you know the right amount of money you need to enjoy retirement?

Headlines tell you that you need $1 million dollars or more. But this might not be the case. Find out exactly how much money you need.

HOW MUCH MONEY YOU NEED FOR RETIREMENT