Retirement is often seen as the time to relax, but for many, it’s also a time to stay engaged, active, and even continue earning an income. With decades of experience behind them, retirees have the opportunity to explore jobs that not only keep them entertained but also pay a surprisingly good amount. In this guide, we’ll explore 9 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune, offering flexibility, fun, and a chance to boost your retirement income.
Why Look for a Job in Retirement?
Retirement is not always about sitting back and watching the world go by. Many retirees want to continue learning, stay connected to their communities, or earn additional income to improve their quality of life. The key is finding a low-stress job that’s enjoyable—one that doesn’t feel like a chore. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities that allow retirees to work on their terms, be creative, and even make extra money.
Whether you want to leverage your skills from your professional life or try something completely new, there are plenty of options to choose from. Below, we’ll cover 9 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune—jobs that might just be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
1. Become a Driver for Uber or Lyft
If you love driving and enjoy meeting new people, becoming a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft can be a rewarding way to spend your retirement. Many retirees enjoy the flexibility—you choose your own hours, making it easy to work around other activities or interests. The job also offers the chance to interact with passengers, which helps maintain social connections and keeps life interesting.
With an average salary of $15-$20 per hour (and potentially more with tips), you can earn extra cash by simply driving people around town. It’s important to ensure that you meet a few key requirements before signing up, such as having a valid driver’s license, insurance, and a well-maintained car.
Key Benefits:
- Flexible part-time role—drive when you feel like it.
- Opportunities to meet interesting people and build social connections.
- No college degree or prior experience required.
Considerations:
- You’ll need to enjoy spending time behind the wheel.
- Meeting eligibility requirements, such as a valid driver’s license and insurance, is essential.
2. Tutoring
Another fun retirement job that pays a small fortune is tutoring. If you have a particular skill or knowledge area—whether it’s a foreign language, mathematics, science, or even playing a musical instrument—why not share your expertise as a tutor? Tutoring allows you to set your own schedule and work one-on-one with students, making it a great way to stay intellectually stimulated and earn extra income.
Tutoring can be done in person or through online tutoring. Platforms such as TeachMe, Preply, or even creating your own courses on Udemy make it easier than ever to connect with potential clients. The earning potential is impressive too, with some online tutors making upwards of $30 per hour.
Key Benefits:
- Share your passion and knowledge with others.
- Flexible hours, with the option to work from home, providing additional income.
- Earn up to $30 per hour or more depending on your skills.
Considerations:
- You need to be patient and able to communicate concepts effectively.
- Good knowledge in a particular subject area is essential.
3. Babysitting
If you enjoy spending time with children, babysitting can be a rewarding way to make extra cash in retirement. Many parents seek trustworthy, experienced caregivers, and grandparents are often top choices. Babysitting allows retirees to set their own schedules and choose the ages of children they are comfortable caring for.
The pay for babysitting can vary depending on where you live, but it typically ranges between $15 to $20 per hour. This is an excellent way to earn extra money while also doing something fun and meaningful.
Key Benefits:
- Flexible schedule—work when you want to.
- Great way to connect with younger generations and stay active.
- Earn a decent hourly rate.
Considerations:
- Requires a genuine love for children.
- You may need to be physically active, especially with young kids.
4. Gardening
Gardening is both therapeutic and rewarding, and it’s also one of the 9 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune. If you have a green thumb, you can use your skills to help others maintain their gardens and outdoor spaces. Many people love having beautiful gardens but lack the time, knowledge, or physical ability to maintain them.
Retirees can offer services like planting flowers, trimming hedges, mowing lawns, and even designing small landscapes. Depending on your workload, gardening can provide an annual income of anywhere from $18,500 to $74,500, depending on the scope and frequency of the jobs you take.
Key Benefits:
- Spend time outdoors doing what you love, which also has health benefits.
- Create beautiful outdoor spaces for others.
- Flexible work hours and great income potential.
Considerations:
- Physical work that may require endurance.
- Seasonal demand may vary depending on where you live.
5. Airbnb Host
If you have extra space—a spare room or a second property—you can turn it into a source of income by becoming an Airbnb host. This allows you to rent out your home to travelers and make extra money while meeting interesting people from around the world.
With an average nightly rate of $100 per room and an occupancy rate of around 50%, you could earn a small fortune by simply renting out your space. Airbnb allows you to be flexible, renting out your space only when you want to, making it ideal for retirees who want to maintain control of their schedule.
Key Benefits:
- Earn extra income by renting out your unused space.
- Meet travelers from all over the world.
- Set your own availability, making it easy to manage.
Considerations:
- Requires maintaining the cleanliness and readiness of your rental space.
- You’ll need to be comfortable interacting with guests.
6. Start a Small Business
Retirement is the perfect time to turn hobbies or passions into a small business. Whether it’s pet care, catering, craft-making, or anything else you love, starting your own business gives you the freedom to work on something you’re truly passionate about—on your own schedule.
Starting a small business doesn’t have to be daunting. Many retirees are starting side hustles that require little investment but provide a high return. For example, pet care services can bring in up to $30,000 annually, while catering businesses could generate between $50,000 and $80,000 in profit. This is a great way to supplement your retirement income.
Key Benefits:
- Turn a passion into a profitable business.
- Be your own boss and set your own hours.
- Potential for high income and supplemental income.
Considerations:
- Requires dedication and effort to get started.
- Business success may vary based on the demand for your services.
7. Book Writer
If you’ve always dreamed of writing a book, retirement is the perfect time to turn that dream into reality. Writing can be one of the most fun and fulfilling activities for retirees. It’s an opportunity to share your experiences, impart knowledge, or create entertaining stories—all while generating extra income.
You can publish your book through traditional publishers or self-publish it on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or iBooks. Self-publishing allows you to keep about 70% of the net revenue for each book sold, which could lead to a significant income stream. Some self-published book writers earn up to $200,000 annually.
Key Benefits:
- Share your stories, experiences, or expertise with others.
- Earn royalties from book sales, providing passive income.
- Work at your own pace.
Considerations:
- Writing a book takes time and effort.
- Marketing your book is essential to reach potential readers.
8. Consultant
Consulting is another one of the 9 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune. If you have extensive experience in a specific industry—such as finance, healthcare, education, or management—you can offer consulting services. Businesses often seek experienced professionals who can provide insight and guidance, helping them avoid pitfalls and make informed decisions.
Consultants can work as much or as little as they like, and the earning potential is significant. Entry-level consultants might earn around $50 per hour, while experienced consultants can command rates of $200 or more. High-level consultants can earn up to $300,000 to $500,000 annually.
Key Benefits:
- Leverage your career experience to help others achieve their business goals.
- Set your own schedule and consulting rates.
- High income potential.
Considerations:
- Requires specialized knowledge in a specific field.
- You may need to network to find potential clients.
9. Tour Guide
If you love traveling and have a wealth of knowledge about specific locations, consider becoming a tour guide. Tour guiding allows you to share your passion for history, culture, and local attractions with others. Many retirees enjoy leading small group tours, providing travelers with a unique and intimate experience.
Tour guides can earn an average salary of $35,000 to $50,000 annually, and the income potential can increase based on factors such as destination popularity and tourist volume. Additionally, tour guides often receive tips from satisfied travelers, boosting their earnings.
Key Benefits:
- Share your passion for travel and culture.
- Meet new people from all over the world.
- Opportunities for additional income through tips.
Considerations:
- Requires excellent communication and organizational skills.
- You need to be comfortable leading groups.
Conclusion
Retirement doesn’t have to mean the end of your earning potential. There are plenty of fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune while allowing you to remain active and engaged. Whether it’s driving for a ride-sharing service, tutoring, gardening, becoming a consultant, or hosting on Airbnb, there’s a perfect opportunity for every retiree.
The key is to find something that you enjoy—a job that keeps you happy while also supplementing your retirement income. These 9 fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune offer flexibility, fulfillment, and the chance to make the most out of your retirement years.
Also Read: $1 Million in Revenue on Amazon with Zero Employees
FAQs
Yes, many retirees can work part-time or freelance without affecting their Social Security benefits. However, it’s important to check specific regulations regarding Social Security and income limits in your country or state.
You can start by joining online tutoring platforms like Preply, TeachMe, or Tutor.com. You can also offer tutoring services within your community or advertise your expertise on social media.
The income you make as an Airbnb host depends on your location, property type, and occupancy rate. On average, hosting a room can bring in $100 per night with an occupancy rate of around 50%.
Yes, consulting jobs are highly flexible, allowing retirees to work on their own schedule. You can choose your projects and clients, making it an ideal job for those looking for control over their work.
Yes, consulting jobs are highly flexible, allowing retirees to work on their own schedule. You can choose your projects and clients, making it an ideal job for those looking for control over their work.