10 Great Part-Time Jobs For Seniors

While most people dream of eventually retiring and enjoying life, today’s economy often makes it difficult. Trying to stretch retirement dollars to cover daily living expenses while not completely depleting one’s nest egg can create added stress that shouldn’t be part of retired life.

More and more retirees are opting to continue working, and working part-time can be the perfect fix for cash flow issues. Other benefits of working part-time after retirement include a sense of community, increased feelings of self-worth and purpose, and important daily social connection. The job market can actually be fairly senior-friendly, with many places looking for employees who are reliable and knowledgeable.

Here are 10 great part-time jobs for seniors.

Barista

If you love a good latte and want to meet new people, alongside making what can be some great money, working as a coffee barista might be the job for you. With many coffee stands offering a nice mix of hours, you can often pick and choose the times you want to work, and while the hourly wage tends to be minimal, the addition of tips can boost pay substantially. Businesses such as Starbucks even offer their part-time employees perks like health insurance and tuition reimbursement for college classes.

Retail Clerk

The great thing about working in retail is there are tons of different shops to explore, giving you the opportunity to work in a field of personal interest. Whether you love fishing, sports, clothes, crafts or electronics, there is usually a retail shop that caters to it, and working in one gives you the chance to explore your hobbies and share your expertise with both customers and co-workers. Retailers often hire extra temporary help during the holidays, which is a good way to get your foot in the door.

Uber or Lyft Driver

If you know your city like the back of your hand and like to get out and drive around, working as a driver for Uber or Lyft could be a great part-time gig. Hours range from full-time to part-time flex shifts, and you collect both trip fares and tips from passengers. You are required to have a good driving record and be able to pass a background check.

Pet Sitter

Pet owners are always looking for a trustworthy caretaker for their four-legged family members. Starting your own pet-sitting business means you can make your own hours, pick and choose the services you offer, and even get some exercise while walking and playing with pets. While it goes without saying you “must love dogs,” make sure you’re also comfortable with a variety of breeds, understand basic training commands and can operate as a pack leader when caring for more than one pet.

Tour Guide

Whether you want to share your knowledge of art and history, explore your own city or venture out into new destinations, a second career as a tour guide gives you a chance to expand your horizons. There are jobs in places like art galleries or museums, or conducting walking tours of your city. Many cruise lines and resorts also hire guides and tour directors seasonally, which gives you the chance to travel and enjoy new experiences, all while getting paid to do so!

Airline Ticket Agent

Dreaming of travel but can’t afford to do so? Consider a second career as an airline ticket agent. Airlines offer free and reduced standby plane tickets for their employees, a benefit that can be worth its weight in gold. The job requires the ability to stand and walk for long periods, moderate computer skills and a willingness to work weekends and holidays.

Teacher’s Aide

Being around children keeps your perspective young, and working in a classroom as a teacher’s aide means you can contribute to the community while mentoring youth. Duties include clerical tasks, monitoring students in the classroom and playground, attending school trips and helping the teacher with grading and lesson plans. You’ll have summers and holidays off, and spend your work days in a very rewarding environment.

Bookkeeper

Small businesses and accounting firms often look for experienced part-time employees who can crunch numbers and keep the books balanced. Most of these jobs tend to be part-time, and you may even be able to negotiate a work from home position, as long as you have a good computer skills and a decent internet connection.

Camp Host

Love working outdoors? Consider seasonal work as a host at one of the many campgrounds around the United States. While the monthly stipend is nominal, most campgrounds waive all camping fees and provide amenities such as hook-ups for waste and power, showers, etc. You’ll be expected to collect fees, perform some maintenance and keep order around the camp sites. You will also need to have your own camper, RV or tent as housing is not usually provided.

Library Shelver or Assistant

The peace and quiet of a library is a balm to book lovers everywhere. Working as a shelver or library assistant gives you access to all the books you want, in a low-key atmosphere. Library workers are usually hired under a city or county contract, which may make you eligible for health insurance, paid time off and sick leave, depending on the regulations within each city.