Some people look forward to nothing more than being able to put their feet up in retirement. Yet for others, keeping busy and earning some extra income make the prospect of part-time work attractive. If you’re after for a part-time job as a pensioner, look no further – we’ve compiled a list of the most rewarding, flexible and generously-paid occupations to try out.

Many pre-retirees choose a freelance or consulting route in their area of expertise in the years before they leave work, but there’s no reason you can’t keep sharing your knowledge as a retiree. The great thing about freelance or consulting work is that it’s flexible, meaning you can fit it around other commitments, plus you’re making use of an existing career path.

Want to feel like you’re always on holiday? Working at a resort could be for you. Resort work encompasses a wide variety of roles, from ticket sellers and waiting staff to guides, activity instructors and entertainers. It often requires flexible working, and can be seasonal, plus many jobs in resorts require little or no prior experience.

If you enjoy working with children and young people, why not try your hand at teaching part-time? Requirements vary across the world, but in most US states, you don’t need a teaching degree to become a substitute teacher – any undergraduate degree, plus some relevant experience, will suffice. In the UK, most cover supervisor jobs require a degree and some experience of teaching, but teaching assistants who support a teacher by preparing the classroom and sitting with pupils individually can take on the role without a degree.

The ideal position for those with excellent knowledge about their local area, as well as an interest in history, culture and architecture, tour guiding can be a varied and interesting job. Find a tour operator that aligns with your interests and make sure you have enough experience, although most operators will provide full training. Tour guiding is often a seasonal position, although some roles will be year-round too.

Animal lovers look no further. Anyone who is reliable, trustworthy and good with animals can become a pet sitter, which you can either do by signing up to a pet sitting marketplace or by starting your own business. Pets need care and attendance when their owners go away on holiday. Tasks can range from taking pets for walks, to feeding, bathing and cleaning out litter trays – so this is one for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty.

For animal lovers who want something a little more regular, and active, dog walking is the perfect way to combine a love of canine companions with a healthy dose of exercise, while earning some extra cash. Dog walkers usually need to work through an agency or set up their own business, and you’ll need to have your own means of transport to get between clients. As many dog owners use walkers for when they are at work you will likely need to commit to regular days.

If you’re someone who’s always got their head in a book, a job where you get to be surrounded by them all day might sound like a dream. Along with an interest in books, you’ll need good people skills and organisation. Plus, many bookstore assistants can get involved in more creative parts of the role, such as making recommendations to customers, creating displays and helping with book signing events.

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Tutoring is ideal for those with subject-specific knowledge looking for a low-time commitment job to do in their free time. You’ll usually need a degree in the subject area, although not all tutors do. There are a number of online platforms where private tutors can apply, which allow those looking for tutoring to browse tutors, leave reviews and book sessions.

Fluent in another language? Why not put those skills to good use and make some easy cash by becoming an interpreter or translator? Interpreters work in a variety of settings, from schools to conference centres, typically converting information from a foreign language into their native tongue. Some organisations require a language degree, while most look for a language qualification of some kind.

Another great idea for book lovers, becoming a library assistant is a great way to get involved in your local community and earn some money in your free time. Some libraries may require you to have a college course or apprenticeship, while others will provide training on the job. Good people skills, organisation and a passion for books are a must.

There’s a diverse range of roles in sales, from door-to-door salespeople to telesales and more. The role can be extremely flexible, ranging from meeting with clients to marketing new products. You’ll need to be a people person, have great written and verbal communication skills, and be comfortable with public speaking in order to do well at this role.

If you are strongly religious and want to engage with the local community, why not consider working in the clergy? The role will be highly dependent on the type of community you live in – if you live in a big city, it might involve working with the homeless and with charities, while rural areas may require travelling longer distances to visit parish members and church attendance may vary based on local trades such as farming.

If you are good with children, have a lot of energy and can commit to a few hours a week, childcare might be an ideal part-time job. It can be an extremely varied role, involving everything from cooking meals to organising fun activities and helping children with learning and homework. There are a number of different roles, including nannies, babysitters, family childcare providers and childcare centre workers.

Got a way with words? Consider doing some writing part-time – whether that’s blogging, content writing or freelancing for a magazine or newspaper. Most of these roles will require some prior experience of writing professionally. They can be highly flexible, allowing you to work in your free time and schedule it around other commitments, although pay rates can vary.

Thanks to companies like Uber and Lyft, anyone can earn money as a driver on a flexible schedule that fits in with their needs. If you’re interested, you’ll need to get yourself Private Hire insurance, which allows you to transport passengers, plus you’ll need a driver’s licence and a certain number of years’ driving experience (the amount varies depending on which city you’re based in). 

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Creative types can also put their hobby to good use and earn some extra cash from it. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpture or crafts that you’re into, there are myriad ways to turn your hobby into a side hustle nowadays, and potentially a very lucrative one. Try selling your creations at craft sales, to friends and family or via online marketplaces.

What could be better than spending all day in beautiful surroundings while earning money? Being a park ranger involves promoting conservation of national parks and protected areas, educating members of the public and ensuring that park rules are followed. Some roles request that you have a degree in a related field such as zoology, and the role involves spending a lot of time outside, whatever the weather.

TV adverts, magazine campaigns and catalogues require models of all ages, so don’t dismiss the job due to age. It’s a difficult career path, however, which can involve a lot of rejection, traipsing between castings and facing low odds of getting anything. But if you’re willing to put in the work and think you could have what it takes, modelling can be a fun and high-paying job.

If you’re a TV and film buff with time to spare, why not try making money as an extra? TV shows and movies of all kinds are always looking for people to be extras and provided you don’t mind waiting around on set and doing multiple takes, it can be a fun part-time job.

It’s a well-known fact that those who exercise tend to live longer. If you’re into dance, whether Zumba, ballroom, jazz or modern, why not put that hobby to good use and try becoming a dance instructor? Not only will it allow you to hone your skills while making money, it’ll also allow you to be an active member of the community.

Donning a bright costume and entertaining a crowd of children certainly isn’t for everyone, but for energetic, outgoing and fun-loving types, it could be the perfect part-time job in retirement. It’s good to have some experience working in childcare, sports and other activities, although many employers will allow you to develop these skills as you train.

Okay, it might not exactly part-time if you’re doing it by yourself but share the duties of running a B&B with a partner and it could be the ideal way to make some extra cash in retirement. Alternatively, if you’ve got a spare room, why not try renting it out on Airbnb?

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Not just for gap years, teaching abroad offers an incredible experience to travel, meet new people and earn a decent income. If you choose to go down the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) route, it’ll require taking a 120-hour online course before you head off. There are a range of destinations where English teachers are highly sought after, from Vietnam to Spain.

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Green-fingered types who want to go beyond the scope of home gardening should try taking up a part-time job. You can work in some amazing locations, from public parks to resorts and stately homes, and earn a reasonable wage at the same time. Some positions will require a high school degree and you may need some prior experience to get a role.

For those with an eye for antiques, try putting your talents to good use as an antiques reseller. You can buy second-hand items at shops and markets, before restoring them and selling them online – sites such as eBay and Craigslist have made this a whole lot easier. Income from this type of job massively varies dependent on how much time and effort you can put into it, but it can make some good money.

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