[Sam Summer]

October 19, 2026 at 9:48 am

Up

1

Down

::

https://www.marthastewart.com/part-time-jobs-that-make-retirement-more-fun-12172178

Adjunct Professor
Saying goodbye to your career doesn’t necessarily mean putting all of your hard-earned skills to rest. If you have an advanced degree in your field of expertise and would like to carry forward your knowledge, you might consider becoming an adjunct professor. This position would be particularly well-suited for a retiree with a substantial professional or academic background who enjoys teaching and would be far less demanding than a full-time position.

According to registered Social Security analyst Geoffrey Schmidt, “Community colleges and universities often hire adjunct professors to teach evening, weekend, or online classes. And pay can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 per semester, depending on the institution and the subject.” Expect credential requirements to vary.

Tour Guide
“Retirees often possess something difficult to manufacture: decades of stories, observations, and local knowledge,” says career expert Arianny Mercedes. “Someone who knows their city incredibly well—or has a fascination with its history, architecture, food, gardens, music, art, or neighborhoods—can turn that knowledge into an experience for others.”

This could mean leading historical walking tours, food tours, architecture walks, or garden tours, depending on your area of interest and expertise. This work is intellectually stimulating, physically active, and socially interactive. You can expect to earn roughly between $20 and $40 per hour before tips. “The strongest guides are not necessarily the people who know the most facts. They are curious, engaging storytellers who genuinely enjoy sharing something they love,” adds Mercedes.

Related Stories
The Best Hobbies to Take Up in Retirement for a Happier, Fuller Life

What to Declutter When You Retire, According to Organizing Pros

Background Actor
Career coach Veronica Scarpellino encourages her clients to explore any unfulfilled aspirations that still hold interest. “Your deferred childhood dreams don’t have to stay dormant,” she says. “There was something there that was appealing beyond the actual job title.”

If acting has always been a dream of yours, retirement could be your chance. Background acting is particularly popular as a way to participate in the craft without being in the spotlight. For example, you could help populate a restaurant, courtroom, street, or party scene in a film or television production.

“Background casting agencies often hire people without acting experience and match them with roles,” says Scarpellino. “You choose which dates to offer, but once booked, you may need full-day availability.” Flexibility and patience are key qualities to have for this job, as the work can be sporadic, the pay varies, and you might be required to wait for extended times between scenes. “Search for ‘paid background casting calls’ or ‘film and television extras casting,’ adding your nearest filming location,” she says.

Youth Sports Official
“If you’re active and you love being around kids, kids’ sports leagues are always looking for umpires or referees,” says Schmidt. Maybe you played high school softball or soccer and want to give back. This is a way to do it while staying active and enjoying the outdoors. “It’s a fun way to stay fit, be part of the community, and earn extra income, particularly on the weekends,” he says.

According to Schmidt, the pay ranges from $50 to $300 per game, depending on the sport and the level. While most officiating certificates are inexpensive, often the leagues will pay for you to take the course to earn the certificate.

Tutor
Tutoring can be a highly satisfying and rewarding part-time job for retirees. If you are proficient in a particular subject, like math, writing, a foreign language, science, or music, you might find putting that knowledge to use deeply gratifying. For example, you could help children learn to read or play piano, or aid teens with their calculus studies. The sky’s the limit. Decades of accumulated knowledge can itself become a marketable retirement skill.

According to Schmidt, tutors earn between $20 and $60 per hour depending on experience, location, and subject. “You can work from home, online, or in person, and create your own schedule, and you get to decide what you teach,” he says.

Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
“For someone who loves animals, pet sitting or dog walking can provide income, routine, physical activity, and companionship without resembling a conventional job,” says Mercedes. This kind of work can often be as big or small a commitment as you make it.

“Someone might walk a few dogs in the mornings, maintain a small roster of regular clients, provide drop-in visits, or pet sit when owners travel,” says Mercedes. The advantage is that you have control over the amount of responsibility you take on. Nationwide, a standard 30-minute dog walk or pet-sitting visit averages between $25 and $30.

Doing anything cute.