Maximizing Your IncomeFun Retirement Jobs That Pay a Small Fortune: No Degree Required
25+ well-paying side hustle ideas for retirees
Retirement doesn't have to mean an end to earning money. In fact, for many retirees, it's a perfect opportunity to pursue new opportunities that push them out of their comfort zones and teach them new skills. And with no degree required for these positions, you can use your life experience to your advantage.
In this article, we’ll share more than 25 of the best low stress jobs enabling you to maintain an active lifestyle, meet new people, embark on exciting adventures, and potentially generating supplemental income. From travel-related occupations to local community services, there's extra retirement income for every retiree looking to capitalize on their skills and passions.
Make more while working less! See how thousands of others are taking their retirement into their own hands with the #1 self-publishing model out there. Students have seen a $500 to even $10,000 a month bump in income on virtually autopilot. Everything you need to know is right here in this free webinar.
If you’ve always dreamed of becoming an author, publishing is a more accessible option than you’d probably think. Platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) make it easy for you to self-publish your content and earn royalties from anywhere in the world.
The steps for publishing a book are basically this five-step framework:
The best part? You don’t have to be a writer to be successful. Read about how to write and publish an eBook with no experience here!
Odds of success? If you’re looking for a get-rich-quick business plan, you’ll be disappointed. But if you’re willing to put in the work that it takes to produce a high-quality piece of content, you can secure truly passive income for life.
Just ask Robyn, a proud grandma who overcame her self-doubt and went on to publish multiple books!
How’s your written communication? Freelance writing allows you to work from home while earning a decent income. You can focus on a variety of projects like:
To get started, create a portfolio to showcase your skills and join trustworthy platforms such as Upwork and Freelancer. Consider your experience and the market demand when determining your hourly rate or project fee.
Odds of success? Writing is one of the most competitive job markets out there right now due to all the layoffs over the past few years.
eCommerce has really boomed over the past 10 years, and you can generate a significant income from selling products online with a focused strategy. Use platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Etsy to sell items like:
To succeed, research winning products, choose reliable suppliers, and consistently manage your inventory and marketing efforts. You’ll also need a solid branding strategy to outmatch the growing competition.
Odds of success? Most of these jobs require a hefty upfront investment, and you’re never guaranteed to make a profit.
If you’re a little more on the adventurous side, there are some other stress free jobs you might find interesting.
Love exploring new places and sharing your experiences with others? Consider becoming a tour guide. Many companies seek retirees with good communication skills, extensive knowledge of the area, and a genuine attitude to help them with their tours.
As a tour guide, you could:
The pay will vary depending on the company and location, but you can earn a comfortable income with full or part-time hours. As an added bonus, you might even receive discounts or free access to popular attractions, flights, and car rentals.
Odds of Success? This job is very location-dependent and likely season-dependent, too.
Are you someone who enjoys organizing events and has a keen eye for detail? Many event planning services specifically target retirees due to their extensive life experience and social connections.
Some event planning opportunities include:
Event planners can make a substantial income depending on the scale and complexity of the events. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of seeing your ideas come to life. Your clients will also likely refer you to their friends and family if they have a good time, keeping your roster full.
Odds of success? It depends! This job is better suited for people who don’t mind putting themselves out there. Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time finding clients.
Your previous job experiences and skills are a good place to start if you’re looking for jobs that will allow you to enjoy your retirement while still earning a good-sized income.
If you’ve got tons of professional experience under your belt, it might make sense to pivot to consulting.
You could offer your services in fields like:
You can also offer free initial consultations to attract potential customers. This can be a full-time or part time job depending onhow much time you want to work.
Odds of success? Decent if you have niche expertise and a solid marketing strategy. However, building a client base takes time and effort.
Another profitable option is private tutoring, where you can teach subjects that align with your educational background or skills. Some advantages of tutoring include:
Odds of success? While private tutoring is a field with ample opportunity, success often depends on your marketing experience, the competitiveness of your rates, and your reputation.
If you really like interacting with people, you might enjoy these flexible job options that don't require a degree.
Customer service representative roles could be perfect for you if you’ve got a flair for solving issues and chatting with people.
Think about customer service jobs like becoming a::
Odds of Success? Decent, especially with the rising demand for remote customer service options. The pay is usually pretty steady but might not be as high as you’d like it to be.
If you're into forming connections, understanding needs, and closing deals, sales roles are definitely challenging but rewarding. The fields that are hiring vary widely, from tech to healthcare.
Key tasks include:
Necessary traits:
Odds of Success? Variable. Success depends on your industry knowledge, networking ability, and sales strategy. Base plus commission structures can significantly boost earnings for high performers.
If stuffy desk jobs aren’t your thing, there's a whole world of low-stress jobs in the creative scene just for you.
If you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others, consider teaching art classes in retirement. You might find openings through local community centers, schools, and private studios. No formal degree is required, so your experience, skills, and enthusiasm are your ticket to extra $$$!
There are tons of art mediums to choose from:
Odds of Success? Heavily dependent on your networking skills and artistic abilities.
Museums and galleries offer roles for those who love history and art. While art history or museum studies degrees are beneficial, they're not strictly necessary, particularly for volunteer or part-time positions in smaller venues.
Opportunities include:
Odds of Success? Decent for those with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Volunteer roles can often transition into paid opportunities, but this isn’t always the case.
There are also plenty of job opportunities out there for seniors who would prefer more hands-on work.
From crafting elegant furniture to charming home decor and playful toys, woodworking offers plenty of different ways to earn extra income.
Getting started:
Odds of Success? Average. Supplies and special machinery can get pretty expensive, and some projects might take weeks to complete.
Helping your community by fixing and improving homes can be incredibly rewarding—and not to mention lucrative—during retirement.
Services to consider:
Odds of Success? High, particularly for those with a knack for repairs and a reputation for reliability. Personal connections and word-of-mouth can significantly boost your client base. While a degree might not be necessary, you might need to complete apprenticeships or licenses, depending on your state.
Venturing into car repair can be a fulfilling post-retirement path for those with automotive expertise.
Popular niches include:
Odds of Success? Strong, with the right expertise and network. Quality workmanship and trustworthiness can drive repeat business and referrals in this specialized field, but manual labor can be hard on the joints.
Maybe you want to find a job that offers the best of both worlds: a steady income and a way to give back to the community.
If you have a background in drama and a love for the stage, this position involves guiding aspiring actors and helping them hone their craft for auditions, productions, and performances.
Key Responsibilities:
Getting Started:
Odds of Success? Alright, particularly with the increasing interest in performing arts. However, roles might be pretty competitive, and marketing your services can be difficult.
Sharing the gift of music with others can be especially rewarding and also pay a pretty decent wage.
Essential Skills:
Steps to Begin:
Odds of Success? Very promising, especially for those committed to providing personalized, enriching piano instruction. With dedication, a piano teaching career can be both financially and personally rewarding. However, finding new clients can also be taxing, and there may be periods when you don’t have any clients at all.
If you’ve ever thought about dedicating your time to a cause close to your heart, volunteering with nonprofit organizations is the perfect opportunity.
Opportunities include:
Benefits:
Odds of Success? High, particularly for those with organizational skills and a passion for philanthropy. The success often leads to personal fulfillment and tangible community impact. Some of these opportunities offer stipends or other non-monetary rewards as a “thank you.”
If you want to support an eco-friendly cause, many thrift stores are looking for part-time help.
Key responsibilities:
Advantages:
Odds of Success? Good for those with retail experience and a commitment to the store's mission. At the same time, the hours can be pretty long.
Looking to earn extra cash while staying active? Consider these two opportunities.
Transform your passion for fitness into a rewarding career by guiding others as a fitness coach. This role not only keeps you active but also supports clients in achieving their health goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Getting Started:
Odds of Success? Very favorable, especially with a growing emphasis on health and wellness. Personalized service and proven results can significantly build your client base. However, the schedule probably won’t be as flexible as other opportunities.
As a gardening specialist, you'll spend your days outdoors, creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes for clients. This niche has grown a LOT over the past few years.
Key Responsibilities:
Getting Started:
Odds of Success? High for those with a green thumb and design flair. Personal satisfaction and environmental contributions add to the rewards of this role.
If you’re good with tech and like keeping up with all the latest trends, there are tons of side hustle opportunities waiting for you.
If you’re good at problem-solving and troubleshooting, tech support roles offer a chance to continue sharpening your skills. Most of these positions are remote these days, so you can work from anywhere.
Key Responsibilities:
Odds of Success? Promising for tech-savvy individuals. As technology becomes ever more integral to daily life, the demand for knowledgeable support staff continues to grow.
In this role, your feedback will be used to enhance website user experiences for others.
Key Tasks:
Sign up on platforms dedicated to website testing, such as:
Odds of Success? Decent, especially for those with a critical eye for detail and user experience. Companies are always in need of testers to optimize their digital platforms. At the same time, some websites will only pay you a set amount of money per task, which can be pretty low.
If you have a passion you want to share with the world, YouTube is a great platform to showcase it.
Focus on areas like:
Kick-off by defining your niche and consistently posting high-quality videos. Engage with your audience through comments and social media to grow your community. Your options for monetization will include ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Odds of success? Highly variable. Success on YouTube demands consistency, creativity, and patience, especially given the platform's saturation and all of their algorithm updates.
Podcasting has witnessed a surge in popularity, offering a platform for voices across various topics, including:
To start, invest in good-quality recording equipment and editing software. Identify your unique angle to stand out in a crowded market. Monetization can come from sponsorships, listener donations, or advertising.
Odds of success? While slightly less crowded than blogging or YouTube, podcasting still requires a unique voice and dedication to break through. The equipment is also pretty expensive.
Maybe you don’t want to work the whole year and would rather experience a couple of busy seasons. These opportunities might be more up your alley.
Most people (and even businesses) completely dread tax season. You can make a decent chunk of change by taking this task off their plate.
Essential Skills:
Getting Started:
Odds of Success? Very high, especially for those with proficiency in tax law and client service. Demand spikes during tax season, offering significant earning potential. Of course, the job can also come with a ton of stress.
Quick note: Tax preparers and CPAs are two different things. CPAs need specialized training and licensure, tax preparers do not!
Love getting in the holiday spirit every year? Transforming homes and businesses for the festive season can be both enjoyable and profitable.
Advantages:
Launch Tips:
Odds of Success? High for those who have a special talent for decoration and client relations. The festive season often sees a surge in demand for unique and hassle-free decorating services. Of course, there are also risks associated with climbing on ladders and hanging lights for bigger houses.
We might be a little biased, but there’s only one opportunity on this list that can generate truly passive income for seniors…it’s self-publishing!
As a publisher, you remain 100% in control of…
With NO boss to answer to and NO limits to how much you can earn.
That’s exactly how Koorosh went from being a retired professor to publishing books from the comfort of his own home. Listen to his story here:
Some students are making upwards of five or six figures in a single month in publishing royalties for a single book they wrote years ago.
Wanna see how it’s all possible? Stop by our webinar, and we’ll show you!
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