Top 10 Careers for Women Over 50

Women who have gaps in their resume—for child rearing, for example—may find it hard to land a job when they’re over the age of 50. But there are certain careers that are more taylor-made for this demographic. If you are re-entering the work force or just want to try something new at midlife, several fields are wide open. The top 10 careers for women over 50 include real estate agent, financial advisor, nurse, occupational therapist, personal trainer, curriculum developer, tutor, freelance writer, personal chef, and counselor.

Key Takeaways

• Getting hired as an older person can be difficult, but specific careers lend themselves well to this demographic.
• Some of the best jobs for women over age 50 are in real estate, education, and the financial sector.
• Healthcare jobs with so-called soft skills are in-demand careers for 50-year-olds.
• The nursing profession is one of the fastest-growing career paths.
• Most careers call for higher education or certification.

Employment for Women By the Numbers

Employment for women is strong, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) analyzed by the Center for American Progress: More than one in 10 workers in the U.S. are women age 55 and older. Their percentage of the labor force grew steadily from 6.9% to 10.6% between April 2003 and April 2023. In that same time span, the labor force participation rate of women age 55 to 64 rose to 59.6%, up from 56.6%. Unemployment remains low in this age sector as well, all good signs for women in the workplace.

1. Real Estate Agent

The median age of a real estate agent is 55, and 65% of people pursuing real estate as a full- or part-time career are women. Real estate licenses are relatively inexpensive to acquire, as budget-friendly real estate courses can be completed online, and licensing exam fees typically cost about $650.

New licensees have a wide range of brokerage firms to choose from, depending on their work styles. Salaries vary since real estate agents earn more in high-population areas and those who deal exclusively with high-net-worth clients and luxury properties earn more.

2. Financial Advisor

Americans of all ages want to know how best to grow their wealth over the long term, and that is where financial advisors fill a need. Women interested in this fast-growing career must have degrees in finance and significant finance experience, which comes with age.

Sales and customer service experience also helps financial advisors gain and retain clients. Most financial advisors work in the finance and insurance industry or are self-employed. This latter option is a significant benefit for women who wish to work from a home office and have flexible hours.

3. Nurse

The nursing profession continues to grow at a pace much faster than all other professions, making this female-dominated career a viable and potentially lucrative option for women over age 50.

Prospective nurses of all ages can earn their registered nurse (RN) licenses through a local community college or hospital-run program and be on the job earning competitive wages in approximately two to three years. The profession also offers women numerous opportunities for promotions and salary increases when they earn advanced certifications and degrees, such as a bachelor or master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice.

Note

From 2023 to 2033, employment of nurse practitioners is expected to grow by 46.3%, according to the BLS.

4. Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapy field is another female-dominated health profession, experiencing lightning-fast growth as baby boomers and disabled persons living longer, healthier lives are in need of therapy to improve their quality of life.

Occupational therapists must have a master’s degree in the field, but women over age 50 interested in entering the even-faster-growing field of occupational therapy assistance can become job ready in two years with an associate’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited community college.

5. Personal Trainer

The diversity of people seeking fitness training, including baby boomers, makes it possible for women over age 50 to pursue careers as personal trainers. Older women with backgrounds in sports and fitness can get jobs quickly with a personal trainer’s certificate.

Still, some people also pursue fitness training credentials to get fit and make a living sharing their journey to fitness with others. Personal trainers can be entrepreneurs and work with their clients or corporations, such as fitness centers, health care institutions, and wellness companies.

6. Curriculum Developer

Women with significant experience in education or corporate training can pursue careers as curriculum developers. The proliferation of online learning makes it possible for curriculum developers to work for corporations as employees or pursue their careers as freelancers. Curriculum developers typically have master’s degrees and gain clients and jobs on the strength of their portfolios.

7. Freelance Writer

Freelance writers can choose their clients and work as much or as little as they wish to control their earnings. Freelance writers have a selection of specialization options, such as writing search engine optimized content, marketing collateral, newspaper and magazine articles, and educational materials. Women over age 50 who enjoy writing can take advantage of the numerous perks of being a freelance writer, including earning income while traveling.

8. Tutor

Former licensed teachers and college professors have the best chance of success as tutors. Some tutors make money by signing up with online tutoring services and helping students online. Others work with private clients one-on-one in their homes.

Tutors with extensive knowledge of in-demand subjects, such as mathematics, the sciences, and foreign languages, as well as standardized test preparation expertise, have the best chances of earning competitive wages.

9. Counselor

The need for counselors and therapists increases as more public and community institutions offer these services to community members. Women over age 50 interested in careers as counselors or therapists should earn master’s degrees in their area of specialization, such as substance abuse, marriage and family, and children. They also need to pass a licensing exam to have a career in this profession.

10. Personal Chef

A personal chef is a financially lucrative career for women over age 50 that marries top-notch cooking skills and house calls. Personal chefs can market their services and gain clients to serve regularly. Some personal chefs have grown their careers by writing and marketing cookbooks, teaching cooking classes, and catering.

What Are the Best Jobs for Women Over 50?

There are many lucrative jobs for women over 50 years of age. Real estate, nursing, and finance are all sectors that offer well-paying jobs for women in this age group.

Is It Difficult for Older Women to Find Jobs?

It can be difficult for anyone to find a job, but older women should be able to find work in their desired fields if they have the necessary education and experience. It is against the law for potential employers to discriminate against any individual based on their age.

How Can I Find a Job at 50?

When you are job hunting at any age, but especially midlife, connections and networking can help you find out about good jobs. Use your alumni network, friends, and family members, and reach out to former colleagues if you have been out of the workforce. Online job listing sites, LinkedIn, and even social media sites list work opportunities. If you can afford it, consider volunteering or even interning at a workplace in a field of interest and build on that experience to find a paying job.

The Bottom Line

Changing careers or starting over in the workplace in your fifties can be a daunting proposition, but there are many opportunities available. Taking time to review job requirements such as certification, licensing, or further education can help you decide the direction you want to go in, as will matching your experience and talents to the job pool. Many people work into their 70s and even 80s by choice; if you start at age 50, you could have at least 20 more years ahead of you in a field you enjoy.