The number of workers age 50-plus is growing rapidly – from 20 percent of the workforce in 1996 to 31 percent in 2011. For many, getting older doesn’t mean a retirement full of golfing or other fun activities; it means a second career.
A second career can influence, reinvent, and enhance life after 50, according to “50 Jobs for a Second Career,” an article in the July/ August issue of the AARP Bulletin. The article looks at 50 job options for a second vocation and what jobs make for the best midlife transformations.
Here are five of the job categories covered:
Fastest growing jobs
- Dental assistant: $32,380 a year with moderate-term on-the-job training
- Dental hygienist: $66,570 year with an associate degree
- Veterinary technologist and technician: $28,900 year with an associate degree
- Physical therapist aide: $23,760 year with short-term on-the-job training
Most desirable fields – by percentage of those interested in an encore career
- Work with children/youth, 32 percent
- Conservation, 31 percent
- Teaching, 31 percent
Lucrative jobs that require no special education – by average salary
- Floral designer, $45,234
- Loan officer, $61,928
- Medical appliance technician, $57,484
Most common occupations for people ages 55-plus
- Secretary, administrative assistant
- Retail salesperson
- Registered nurse
- Counselor, social worker, religious worker
Best part time jobs, with average hourly wage
- Bookkeeping, accounting, auditing clerk, $16.08
- Customer service, $14.56
- Office clerk, $12.57
See the AARP Bulletin article for more job categories.
I find this topic very interesting. I n fact it made me research on how baby boomers can still earn extra income besides receiving pension. Let me share you a piece of what I’ve read. It goes this way:
Well, be prepared to see more baby boomers and seniors continuing their terms in the work force and deferring retirement. A piece by US News and World Report says that, “Retail jobs are the most common occupation for workers 65 or older, according to an Urban Institute analysis to be released later this month.” The figure is followed closely by farmers and managers of retail businesses.
This was taken from The Smarter Wallet website. Hope this serves as inspiration to those baby boomers who will read this.
This is a very interesting topic. If there are baby boomers who are reading this article, I recommend trying Uvisor (www.uvisor.com) to find these kinds of jobs. I know my mother, who is a baby boomer , found herself a job on that job board. Good luck to everyone else looking!
For a second career I think I prefer to choose physical therapy assistant for there are several great opportunities here and abroad and the amount of income is truly convincing.
Informative post. I want to know how baby boomers can still earn extra income in addition to receiving a pension.
My father just became a physical therapist assistant this past week. His job pretty much requires him to handle all of the patient’s records through physical therapy billing software. He has yet to have any complaints and loves the people he works with.
Great article…interesting to see dental hygienists and dental assistants here..very true..