Resume Genius has published its High-Paying, Older-Worker-Friendly Jobs Report, identifying the 15 best jobs for older people in 2026. The report draws on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey to identify occupations with a significant share of workers aged 55 and older, supplemented by O*NET physical demand ratings to prioritize roles suited to workers approaching retirement.
Jobs are ranked by median hourly wage using BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data from May 2024, with job growth projections drawn from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
“A lot of the best-paying jobs on this list essentially run on experience, in fields where judgment and credibility matter more than credentials — and those things take time to build.” said Nathan Soto, Career Expert at Resume Genius. “We also filtered out roles with high physical demand requirements, showing that well-paying, accessible work exists well into your 50s and 60s.”
Soto added, “The roles on this list are also accessible to industry outsiders. Many of them accept a licensing exam or certification in lieu of a specific degree, which means someone with deep professional experience has a genuine head start”.
15 Best Jobs for Older People
These 10 career roles were selected for their competitive wages, positive job growth projections, low physical demand ratings, and realistic accessibility for older workers re-entering the workforce or changing careers.
1. Compliance officer
- Median hourly wage: $37.74
- Total jobs: 418,000
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
2. Social & community service manager
- Median hourly wage: $37.61
- Total jobs: 219,800
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6%
- Work experience required: Less than 5 years
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
3. Property manager
- Median hourly wage: $32.07
- Total jobs: 466,100
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Work experience required: Less than 5 years
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
4. Fundraiser
- Median hourly wage: $31.97
- Total jobs: 134,400
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
5. Training & development specialist
- Median hourly wage: $31.66
- Total jobs: 452,300
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 11%
- Work experience required: Less than 5 years
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
6. Health education specialist
- Median hourly wage: $30.29
- Total jobs: 71,800
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Work experience required: Less than 5 years
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
7. Education and childcare administrator
- Median hourly wage: $29.48
- Total jobs: 64,090
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
8. Insurance sales agent
- Median hourly wage: $29.02
- Total jobs: 568,800
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
9. Real estate broker
- Median hourly wage: $28.75
- Total jobs: 111,300
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 3%
- Work experience required: Less than 5 years
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
10. Event planner
- Median hourly wage: $28.58
- Total jobs: 155,800
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4.8%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
5 Part-Time Friendly, Flexible Jobs for Older Workers
For workers looking to supplement retirement income or maintain an active schedule on their own terms, these five roles offer flexibility, low barriers to entry, and work that can often be done from home.
11. Writer or author
- Median hourly wage: $34.75
- Total jobs: 135,400
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 4%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
12. Interpreter or translator
- Median hourly wage: $28.58
- Total jobs: 75,300
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 2%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
13. Tax preparer
- Median hourly wage: $24.31
- Total jobs: N/A
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
14. Photographer
- Median hourly wage: $20.44
- Total jobs: 151,200
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 2%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent
15. Tutor
- Median hourly wage: $19.27
- Total jobs: 215,500
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 1%
- Work experience required: None
- Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree
Tips for Older Workers Re-Entering the Job Market
1. Take advantage of your existing network
Tap into professional and personal contacts — former colleagues, clients, and community groups. Letting these connections know you’re open to work can surface opportunities before they’re ever posted publicly.
2. Draw upon your experience
Decades of skills, insights, and problem-solving are assets. Older workers should be confident in highlighting their expertise and the value they bring to a team, both on their resume and in interviews.
3. Explore new fields
Today’s jobs often blend skills from multiple industries, and abilities from previous careers may transfer more easily than expected. Many of the roles on this list actively reward cross-sector experience.
4. Update your tech skills
Even young professionals need to constantly learn new tools to stay competitive. Developing familiarity with video conferencing, basic data management, and AI tools helps older workers adapt quickly and compete effectively.
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Tags: career, employment, jobs, older workers, Payroll, resume, seniors, workforce
