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10 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well

By U.S. News & World Report

Not every older American is looking to quit their job cold turkey. About a third are taking a phased approach, according to a 2024 survey by global advisory firm WTW. These workers are reducing hours or job responsibilities before fully entering retirement.

If you are looking to take this approach to retirement, the following occupations lend themselves to part-time work and pay well. Some jobs require extensive education and are best for people who already have credentials in the field. Other jobs on the list may be suitable as encore careers for those interested in trying something new.

— Nurse practitioner

— Financial advisor

— Speech-language pathologist

— Psychologist

— Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor

— Respiratory therapist

— Dental hygienist

— Marriage and family therapist

— Electrician

— Diagnostic medical sonographer

Nurse Practitioner

Median pay: $129,210 per year Job growth through 2034: 35%

Becoming a nurse might be a tall order for a retiree interested in a new career, but this is an ideal job for a phased retirement. Many employers are happy to have part-time nurses who may fill regular shifts, provide specialized care or offer telemedicine support. Nurse practitioners have advanced degrees and can command higher levels of pay. Laws may vary by state, but NPs can typically conduct physical exams, prescribe medications, order medical tests and diagnose health problems.

[Read: 15 In-Demand Jobs for Seniors.]

Financial Advisor

Median pay: $102,140 per year Job growth through 2034: 10%

For the financially savvy, working as a part-time financial advisor can be a good retirement job. These professionals may help clients create budgets, manage savings and plan for expenses such as college, retirement or emergencies. Some financial advisors work as part of a firm, while others go into business for themselves. Earning a professional certification, such as certified financial planner, can demonstrate competency in the field.

Speech-Language Pathologist

Median pay: $95,410 per year Job growth through 2034: 15%

Speech-language pathologists often work in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes to help children and adults with medical disorders or developmental delays speak and communicate more clearly. A master’s degree is generally required to become a speech-language pathologist, and most states have licensure requirements. Part-time work is common in this occupation, and those looking for semi-retirement could enjoy summers off if they work for a school.

Psychologist

Median pay: $94,310 per year Job growth through 2034: 6%

This occupation works well as a retirement job, but only if it was your career earlier in life. Psychologists must be licensed by their state and often possess a doctoral degree. That’s not something a person would likely want to earn to start an encore career. However, for current psychologists — professionals who study human emotions and behavior and recommend interventions to improve outcomes — there may be ample opportunities to reduce hours or find part-time employment before leaving the workforce for good.

[Read: 12 Great Side Hustles for Retirees]

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

Median pay: $59,190 per year Job growth through 2034: 17%

Education and licensure requirements vary by state, but becoming a substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselor is feasible as a part-time, second career in some areas. Sometimes called addiction counselors, these professionals work with clients to help them identify strategies to overcome harmful or unwanted behaviors. They may meet with clients one-on-one or facilitate group sessions. Part-time work is common in the field, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Respiratory Therapist

Median pay: $80,450 per year Job growth through 2034: 12%

Respiratory therapists assist patients with difficulty breathing, perhaps due to asthma, undeveloped lungs or disease. They generally need an associate degree, but those with a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy may have an edge in getting hired. Most respiratory therapists work full time, but part-time contract work is available in many areas.

Dental Hygienist

Median pay: $94,260 per year Job growth through 2034: 7%

Dental hygienists work in dentists’ offices to clean teeth, take X-rays and teach patients about maintaining good oral health. An associate degree in dental hygiene is generally required to enter the field, and workers must be licensed by their state. Many dental hygienists work part time and earn median wages of more than $45 per hour.

Marriage and Family Therapist

Median pay: $63,780 per year Job growth through 2034: 13%

A part-time position as a marriage and family therapist can make for a fulfilling retirement job. They help families and couples work through difficult situations and disagreements. However, you’ll likely need an advanced degree in psychology, therapy or a related field to be licensed by your state. That may make this option challenging for career-changers, but it works well for those who previously worked full time as a therapist.

[Read: How Long Will Your Retirement Savings Last]

Electrician

Median pay: $62,350 per year Job growth through 2034: 9%

If you are an electrician entering retirement, don’t let your license lapse. Your work is in demand and can easily be done part time if you are self-employed. Electricians install and maintain wiring, troubleshoot problems and make repairs. Most states require licensure, and that could mean completing a lengthy apprenticeship. As a result, if you want to pursue this job as a second career, make plans early to get the necessary training.

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Median pay: $89,340 per year Job growth through 2034: 13%

If you are willing to go back to school for a part-time retirement job, diagnostic medical sonographers can often be trained to use imaging technology in less than two years. These health care workers operate specialized equipment to conduct tests for doctors to diagnose medical conditions, including blood clots and heart disease. The career is expected to have strong job growth in the coming years, and part-time work is common, according to BLS data.

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10 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 04/28/26: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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