Top 10 Jobs for Retirees: Flexible Work You Can Start Now
Every salary below is a BLS median for the whole occupation, so a first offer may be lower or higher. Hours, schedules and physical demands matter as much as salary, so each job lists them.
Top 10 Jobs for Retirees
Quick jump: Pet sitterGrounds workerBus driverTeacher assistantRetailReceptionistVirtual assistantCustomer serviceLibrary assistantBookkeepingFree retiree job plan builder
1. Pet Sitter or Animal Caretaker
Feed, walk and play with pets while owners are away, usually in the owner’s home, or care for animals at a kennel or shelter.
Median salary: $35,530 a year for animal care and service workers (May 2025). Growth: 11% from 2025 to 2035, about 69,400 openings a year.
Entry needs: High school diploma. Most workers learn on the job, and many employers prefer animal experience.
Good to know: Part-time work is common, but the work is physical, with lifting, kneeling and exercising animals.
2. Grounds Maintenance Worker
Mow, trim, plant and care for lawns, gardens and grounds for homes, businesses and parks.
Median salary: $40,080 a year (May 2025). Growth: 5% from 2025 to 2035, about 60,100 new jobs.
Entry needs: No formal credential, with training usually one month or less.
Good to know: The work is physical and busiest in spring, summer and fall. Some workers add snow removal in winter.
3. School Bus Driver
Drive students to and from school and activities.
Median salary: $47,920 a year (May 2025). Growth: 1% from 2025 to 2035.
Entry needs: A commercial driver’s license with a school bus endorsement and a background check. Many states set a minimum age of 18.
Good to know: Part-time work is common because hours follow the school day, which can leave afternoons and summers open.
4. Teacher Assistant
4. Teacher Assistant
Support teachers by working with students one on one or in small groups.
Median salary: $36,780 a year (May 2025). Growth: little or no change, with about 176,200 openings a year.
Entry needs: Public school roles generally need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate’s degree.
Good to know: Most teacher assistants work full time, though part-time work is common. Many do not work in summer.
5. Retail Salesperson
5. Retail Salesperson
Help customers find products, answer questions and process sales.
Median salary: $35,560 a year (May 2025). Growth: little or no change.
Entry needs: No formal credential, and most workers learn on the job in a few days to a few months.
Good to know: Schedules often include evenings and weekends, so ask about set hours before you accept.
6. Receptionist
6. Receptionist
Greet visitors, answer phones and direct people at an office, clinic or school.
Median salary: $38,010 a year (May 2025). Growth: down 2%, with about 105,100 openings a year from turnover.
Entry needs: High school diploma, no related experience and training of a few days up to a month.
Good to know: Most receptionists work full time, and some health care roles include evenings and weekends.
7. Virtual Assistant
7. Virtual Assistant
Handle email, calendars, files and research for a business, often from home.
Median salary: $48,310 a year for secretaries and administrative assistants (May 2025). Growth: down 2%.
Entry needs: High school diploma and a few weeks of training for most roles.
Good to know: BLS notes some administrative assistants work from home as virtual assistants.
8. Customer Service Representative
8. Customer Service Representative
Answer questions and solve problems for customers by phone, chat or email.
Median salary: $44,770 a year (May 2025). Growth: down 5%.
Entry needs: High school diploma, no related experience and 2 to 4 weeks of training.
Good to know: BLS says working from home is possible at some companies, so look at remote and part-time postings.
9. Library Assistant
9. Library Assistant
Check materials in and out, help visitors and keep shelves organized.
Median salary: $38,760 a year for library technicians and assistants (May 2025). Growth: down 6%.
Entry needs: Library assistants typically need a high school diploma. Library technicians typically need a certificate.
Good to know: Many library workers work part time, and public libraries may need weekends and evenings.
10. Bookkeeping Clerk
10. Bookkeeping Clerk
Record transactions, check invoices and keep accounts accurate.
Median salary: $50,670 a year (May 2025). Growth: down 6%.
Entry needs: Some college and moderate-term on-the-job training. Related experience is not required.
Good to know: Past office or finance experience helps you stand out for these postings.
Free Retiree Job Plan Builder
Step 1. Which job do you want to start with?
Step 2. How many hours a week do you want to work?
Step 3. Tap the next steps you want in your plan.
Step 4. Click any text in the job plan below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the sample name and contact details with your own, and confirm hours, duties and benefits with the employer before you accept.
Retirement Job Plan: Customer Service RepresentativeReceptionistTeacher AssistantSchool Bus DriverPet Sitter
Robert Hayes | Tampa, FL | (555) 010-4417 | robert.hayes@email.com | November 14, 2026
My Goal
Start customer service workreceptionist workteacher assistant workschool bus drivingpet sitting, apply to real postings every week and review this plan after 4 weeks.
Job Facts
- BLS median annual salary: $44,770 (May 2025)
- No related experience needed, and 2 to 4 weeks of on-the-job training (BLS)
- BLS projects a 5% decline from 2025 to 2035, so apply to many postings
- BLS notes working from home is possible at some companies
- BLS median annual salary: $38,010 (May 2025)
- High school diploma, no related experience and short training of a few days up to a month (BLS)
- Most receptionists work full time, and some health care roles include evenings and weekends
- BLS projects a 2% decline, with about 105,100 openings a year from turnover
- BLS median annual salary: $36,780 (May 2025)
- Public school roles generally need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate’s degree (BLS)
- Up to 10 hours work is common, and many do not work in summer
- BLS projects about 176,200 openings a year, mostly from turnover
- BLS median annual salary: $47,920 (May 2025)
- A commercial driver’s license and a school bus endorsement are required, plus a background check (BLS)
- Up to 10 hours work is common because hours follow the school day
- BLS projects 1% growth from 2025 to 2035
- BLS median annual salary: $35,530 for animal care and service workers (May 2025)
- Most workers learn on the job, and many employers prefer animal experience (BLS)
- Up to 10 hours work is common, and the work is physical, with lifting, kneeling and walking
- BLS projects 11% growth from 2025 to 2035
Where I Look
Search customer service postings on company career pages and major job boards, and look for part-time and remote options.
Check medical offices, schools, hotels and local businesses, and ask about part-time front desk shifts.
Check your local school district’s job page and ask about substitute and part-time assistant openings.
Contact your local school district or bus contractor about training for the license and endorsement.
Ask neighbors, local veterinary offices and pet care companies, and keep references ready.
My Schedule
Work 2 or 3 short shifts a week, then review how the schedule feels after 4 weeks.
Work about 15 hours a week across 3 days and keep the other days open.
Plan a full-time schedule and review it after 4 weeks.
My Next Steps
- Update your resume to lead with your strongest skills and recent results.
- Write a short cover letter that names the job and what you offer the employer.
- Check the Social Security earnings limit before you set your weekly hours if you already collect benefits.
- Ask about health coverage and any benefits the employer offers.
- Choose how many hours a week you want to work and share them with the employer.
- Line up 2 or 3 references who can speak to your work.
- Take a short refresher course or practice the software named in the posting.
- Search company career pages and major job boards, and save each posting you apply to.
- Set a weekly goal of 5 applications and review it every Friday.
- Practice 3 common interview answers out loud.
- Keep a folder for tax forms and ask a tax professional how new earnings affect you.
- Block your work hours on the calendar and keep time for family and rest.
Earnings Notes (SSA)
- If you collect Social Security before full retirement age, check the yearly earnings limit before you set your hours.
- The limit for 2026 is $24,480 for people under full retirement age all year.
- Earnings above the limit reduce benefits $1 for every $2, and the amount is recalculated at full retirement age.
- Ask a tax professional how new earnings affect you.
To save your job plan: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the job plan prints. To copy it, select the text inside the job plan and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Salary and Outlook Snapshot
| Job | Median annual salary | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet sitter or animal caretaker | $35,530 (May 2025) | Up 11% | High school diploma |
| Grounds maintenance worker | $40,080 | Up 5% | No formal credential |
| School bus driver | $47,920 | Up 1% | High school diploma, CDL |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | About the same | Some college |
| Retail salesperson | $35,560 | About the same | No formal credential |
| Receptionist | $38,010 | Down 2% | High school diploma |
| Virtual assistant | $48,310 | Down 2% | High school diploma |
| Customer service representative | $44,770 | Down 5% | High school diploma |
| Library assistant | $38,760 | Down 6% | High school diploma |
| Bookkeeping clerk | $50,670 | Down 6% | Some college |
Which Job Fits You?
| If you | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want to keep afternoons and summers open | School bus driver, teacher assistant, library assistant | Hours follow the school day and school year |
| Like being outdoors and active | Pet sitter, grounds maintenance worker | The work is physical and often outdoors |
| Want to work from home | Virtual assistant, customer service representative | BLS notes some roles can be done from home |
| Like talking with people | Receptionist, retail salesperson, customer service | The work is built around people |
| Want quiet, detail-based work | Bookkeeping clerk, library assistant | The work is organized and often calm |
| Want the strongest job growth | Pet sitter, grounds maintenance worker | BLS projects 11% and 5% growth |
Working and Social Security in 2026
If you already collect Social Security, the earnings test can reduce your benefits until you reach full retirement age. Here are the rules for 2026.
| Your situation in 2026 | Social Security rule | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Not collecting benefits yet | The earnings limit does not apply | Work as much as you like |
| Collecting, under full retirement age all year | Benefits are reduced $1 for every $2 earned above $24,480 | Check your expected yearly earnings before you set hours |
| Collecting, reaching full retirement age in 2026 | Benefits are reduced $1 for every $3 earned above $65,160 until the month you reach it | Count only earnings before that month |
| At or past full retirement age | Earnings no longer reduce benefits | Work without a limit |
| Pension or investment income | Not counted as earnings for this test | Report only wages and net self-employment profit |
When you reach full retirement age, Social Security recalculates your benefit to credit months that were reduced or withheld. Check your own numbers with Social Security before you set your hours.
Your First 4 Weeks
| Week | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Choose and prepare | Pick 2 or 3 jobs, update your resume and line up references |
| Week 2 | Skills and schedule | Refresh the skills in your chosen postings and set your weekly hours |
| Week 3 | Applications | Apply to 5 real postings each week and save each link |
| Week 4 | Follow up | Follow up on every application and practice interview answers |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the earnings limit. Check it before you set your hours if you collect benefits.
- Taking a physical job without a plan. Ask what lifting and walking the job needs.
- Skipping the schedule talk. Confirm hours before you accept.
- Using an old resume. Lead with recent results and current skills.
- Trusting an offer that asks for money. A real employer does not charge you to be hired.
- Applying to one posting at a time. Send 5 applications a week.
Retiree Job Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready to apply when the counter reaches 5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best part-time jobs for retirees?
Jobs where part-time work is common include school bus driver, teacher assistant, library assistant and pet sitter. BLS lists part-time work as common for these roles, so ask each employer about hours.
Can I work and collect Social Security?
Yes. If you are under full retirement age, the 2026 earnings limit is $24,480, and benefits are reduced $1 for every $2 above it. Once you reach full retirement age, earnings no longer reduce benefits.
What is the limit in the year I reach full retirement age?
For 2026 it is $65,160, and benefits are reduced $1 for every $3 above it. Only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age are counted.
Do pensions and investments count toward the limit?
No. Social Security says pensions, annuities, investment income and interest are not counted. Wages, bonuses, commissions and net self-employment profit are.
Which job has the best outlook for retirees?
BLS projects 11% growth for animal care and service workers and 5% for grounds maintenance workers from 2025 to 2035. Several office jobs are projected to decline, so apply widely.
Can I work from home as a retiree?
Yes, in some roles. BLS notes some administrative assistants work from home as virtual assistants and that working from home is possible at some customer service companies.
Do I need a new degree to start?
Not for most jobs on this list. BLS lists a high school diploma or no formal credential for most of them, though teacher assistant roles in public schools generally need college coursework.
How many hours should I work?
That depends on your energy, schedule and Social Security situation. Many people start with 10 to 20 hours a week and review the schedule after 4 weeks.
How do I handle age bias in hiring?
Lead your resume with recent results and current skills, keep your technology skills up to date and focus on what you offer the employer. Employers cannot refuse to hire you because of your age.
Should I talk to a tax professional?
Yes. New earnings can change your taxes, and a tax professional can explain how they apply to you.
Conclusion
The best job after retirement fits your energy, your schedule and your Social Security situation. Pick two or three jobs above, build your plan, check the earnings limit if you collect benefits and apply to 5 postings this week.
Related Reading
- Retiree resume samples and free builder
- Retiree returning to work cover letter sample
- Retiree resume template for daycare jobs
- How to find legitimate work from home jobs
Sources: BLS: Animal Care and Service Workers; BLS: Grounds Maintenance Workers; BLS: Bus Drivers; BLS: Teacher Assistants; BLS: Retail Sales Workers; BLS: Receptionists; BLS: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants; BLS: Customer Service Representatives; BLS: Library Technicians and Assistants; BLS: Bookkeeping Clerks; Social Security: Receiving Benefits While Working. Facts checked November 14, 2026.