48 Great Low Stress Jobs After Retirement

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Do you want to retire but are worried about not having enough money?

Or maybe you’re retired but bored with your days filled with nothing but golf and bridge.

Don’t worry!

Plenty of low stress jobs after retirement can keep you busy and entertained without putting too much stress on your wallet or your time.

Here is a detailed list of the best ones to choose from.

48 Best Low Stress Jobs After Retirement

#1. Freelance Writer

Freelance writing is an excellent low stress job for retirees, given its flexible hours, a wide range of jobs, and the convenience of working from home.

Unlike some jobs on this list, which have peak times, freelance writing allows you to work on your own schedule.

You will need a reliable internet connection and experience in your writing field.

However, general knowledge is more than enough depending on the subject.

And the best part about freelance writing is you can make serious money doing it. Some writers charge $0.50 to $1.00 per word.

For a 1,000-word article, this comes to $500-$1,000.

#2. 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.

#3. 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.

#4. 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.

#5. Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent is an excellent retiree job for those who don’t mind taking many phone calls and meeting prospective buyers.

This job can quickly become full-time, so you need to limit how much you are willing to work this retiree job.

Keep in mind that you will likely need further training to become a licensed real estate agent, but with an average salary of six digits in many states, many find the extra time worth it.

#6. Personal Finance Expert

As a financial expert, you can help others find financial freedom.

You can teach clients how to save money for big purchases, such as their own house, learn how to budget, or help with eliminating debt.

You don’t need formal education but should consider getting a coaching certification.

#7. 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.

#8. 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.

#9. 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.

#10. Transcriptionist

You can work from home as a transcriptionist if you have fast and accurate typing skills.

This job entails transcribing audio files into written text.

Companies in various industries need transcriptionists, so there is always work available.

And since this can be done remotely, it’s perfect for retirees who want to work from home.

There are a few different ways to get started as a transcriptionist.

You can take an online course, which is ideal for those without experience.

If you do have experience, you can find a job in a freelance marketplace.

#11. 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.

#12. 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.

#13. 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.

#14. 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.

#15. Animal Shelter Worker

If you love to spend time with animals and have enough time on your hands, being an animal shelter worker is a great low stress job.

Many cities are experiencing a simultaneous influx of ownerless pets and a shortage of shelter workers.

If you want to share your love of animals while performing valuable community service, this job is just what you’re looking for.

#16. 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.

#17. 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.

#18. 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.

#19. 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.

#20. 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.

#21. Park Ranger

This is the perfect job if you live near a national or state park and are passionate about the outdoors.

Earn money doing what you love while protecting the beauty of nature.

Remember that this job requires a lot of physical activity, so it’s a great way to stay in shape.

You should avoid becoming a park ranger if you have serious health conditions limiting your mobility.

#22. Tour Guide

Becoming a tour guide is an excellent low stress job for retirees who love history and live near any historic sites.

Combine your love of history with making extra cash, as this low stress job involves giving guided tours of popular tourist destinations.

#23. Massage Therapist

If you have the training and enjoy a peaceful, low stress environment, consider becoming a part-time massage therapist.

Becoming certified is affordable and doesn’t take too long, so this is a great way for retirees to make extra money.

#24. Paid Surveys

If you have the time, completing online surveys is a great way to earn free gift cards to boost your income while at the same time being low stress.

Many online survey sites include Opinion Outpost, Survey Junkie, MyPoints, and more.

Just know that while survey sites do pay money, you aren’t going to become rich doing this side hustle.

This option is best for people who want to earn a little extra spending money each month, like $25-$50.

#25. Focus Group Participant

Consider becoming a focus group participant as a low stress job after retirement where you can make extra cash.

Paid focus groups need participants to provide honest feedback regarding upcoming products, services, trends, or local/national issues.

This is a more significant time commitment than taking paid surveys, but you can earn $1,000 or more by participating in focus groups.

#26. 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.

#27. 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.

#28. 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.

#29. 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.

#30. Start An Online Business

For entrepreneurs, having an online business can be a great way to earn money in retirement.

The possibilities for online businesses are endless.

The hardest part might be figuring out the types of business you want to start.

#31. 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.

#32. Personal Shopper

If you don’t mind running errands, being a personal shopper is the job for you.

Companies such as Instacart or Task Rabbit provide jobs that will pay you for completing someone else’s shopping or running errands.

Becoming a personal shopper is a great low stress job for retirees where you can work at your own pace.

#33. Seasonal Worker

Making money as a seasonal worker is a great option for many retirees since you only work part of the year and have the rest of the time to do as you please.

There are many seasonal jobs, too, not just retail positions around the holidays.

For example, you could work at a golf course or a ski lift.

Maybe you help pick fruit or plow driveways and parking lots.

Figure out what you enjoy doing and see if there is a seasonal job.

#34. 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.

#35. Theme Park Worker

There won’t be much stress working at a theme park.

And with the variety of positions, you could easily find one that makes you happy.

You could work at an arcade, on a ride, in customer service, or even as a character if you have the right look.

The pay might not be great, but it’s better than minimum wage, and you’ll likely get some perks, such as free or discounted tickets to the park.

Plus, it’ll be a fun environment to work in.

#36. 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.

#37. Personal Stylist

If you are good with a sewing machine, you can be a personal stylist with platforms such as Stitch Fix and Dia & Co.

You can make your own hours as a personal stylist and take on as many clients as you prefer.

#38. Personal Chef

Do you love to cook?

If so, you can be a personal chef and prepare meals for clients in their homes.

Another option would be to find clients you prepare meals for and deliver the meals.

It’s like a meal subscription service but on a much smaller scale.

If you go this route, make sure you set your prices high enough, so you not only pay for the groceries you buy but also get paid for your time.

#39. Blogger

One of the most flexible and diverse jobs after retirement, becoming a blogger is a great option, especially if you have an interest in a field where many people have an interest.

A good starting point is to design your website using a platform such as WordPress.

Once your blog gains a substantial following, you will make the most of your money through ad agencies wanting to advertise on your site.

Running a blog is one of the best low stress retirement jobs.

#40. Vlogger

If writing isn’t your thing, but video is, you could become a vlogger.

Vloggers are video bloggers, and the process is very similar to running a blog.

You will need to create videos around a particular topic and post them on platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo.

As your channel grows, you will make money through sponsorships, product placements, ads, or selling merchandise with your channel name on it.

Getting started is easy as you can use your smartphone and just start recording.

#41. 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.

#42. 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.

#43. Drop Shipping

Drop shipping is when you sell other people’s products but do not deal with the entire process of manufacturing, inventory, and shipping.

For example, you might find a company that sells phone chargers.

If they allow drop shipping, you sell the product, and when an order comes in, the company processes it and ships the item.

They also handle returns.

You focus on selling and collecting your profit.

It’s one of the best jobs if you can find the right products to sell.

#44. Event Planner

One of the best jobs for social butterflies is being an event planner.

It is a low stress job that combines your love of parties, décor, and organization skills to help plan events.

These events include weddings, baby showers, and holiday parties.

#45. Interior Designer

This fun job is ideal for those with experience with interior design and a flair for color and decoration.

You go into others’ homes and create a design based on their likes and goals.

It is one of the most rewarding jobs on this list.

#46. Sell Arts And Crafts

Depending on your talents, you can sell crafts on sites like Etsy.

There is always a market for homemade arts and crafts, including but not limited to quilting, sewn clothing, pottery, and crocheted and knitted goods.

If you are a gifted painter, you can find painting jobs ranging from murals to interior design to crafts.

#47. Photo/Video Editor

If you are passionate about photography, you can use photo editing software to create masterpieces worthy of sale.

Video editing jobs are also possible if you’re particularly savvy with computers.

You could expand this idea into other areas, like turning print photos into digital versions or even putting together photo albums for people.

#48. Virtual Assistant

Becoming a virtual assistant involves providing clients with services through the Internet, such as technical, administrative, and creative support.

This is a high-paying job, and most people’s pay ranges from $35 – $50 per hour.

However, some highly-skilled virtual assistants can make up to $100 per hour.

A virtual assistant can do various tasks, such as scheduling appointments, handling customer inquiries, managing social media accounts, etc.

Final Thoughts

There are 48 best low stress jobs after retirement.

With so many options, you can be confident you find one that works for you.

Just remember, the goal of retirement is to relax a little and enjoy all the hard work you’ve done thus far.

There is no reason to stick with a post-retirement job if it promises low stress but is high stress.

When this happens, act quickly and move on so you can truly enjoy your golden years.