Looking For Work But Don’t Have A Degree?

Needing extra income during retirement is all too common.

If you’ve been looking for part-time work and only finding roles requiring a college degree, take heart. AARP Foundation has rounded up a list of flexible jobs — some can even be done from home — that can help you make ends meet — no degree required.

Administrative Assistant ($21 an hour)

An older woman sits at her desk in a home office, and speaks into a mobile phone. Her laptop is in front of her, and she takes notes on a piece of paper.

With the rise of hybrid work, many offices are looking for administrative assistants who want to work in the office only a couple of days a week. Virtual assistants who work from home are also in demand.

Skills needed: An administrative background or strong organizational, communication, and time management skills, administrative work.

Customer Service Representative ($18 an hour)

A middle-aged woman speaks into a headset while looking at her computer screen. She sits in a communal workspace, with many computers.

Even though companies are automating customer service helplines, there’s still plenty of demand to speak to a real human. In addition to very flexible hours — helplines may be staffed 24 hours a day — some of these positions offer work-from-home opportunities.

Skills needed: Empathy, communication, patience, active listening, positive attitude.

Data Entry Clerk ($16 an hour)

An older man wearing a newsboy cap sits in his home office examining paperwork with a laptop open in front of him.

While having customers complete online forms has reduced the amount of data entry work, there’s still a need to turn paper into digital files by typing in information. Familiarity with databases is a plus.

Skills needed: Typing speed, attention to detail, eye for accuracy, understanding of basic software.

Home Health Aide ($14 an hour)

A middle-aged woman in a blue nurse uniform helps an older woman down a flight of stairs in her residence.

If you have experience as a family caregiver, you likely already have many of the skills this work requires. Be aware that this kind of work can be physically and emotionally demanding, so consider whether you are up to the challenge. The good news? Demand for home health aides will be high for years to come, so this is a job with a future.

Skills needed: Physical stamina, housekeeping, interpersonal, adaptability, ability to report on vital signs.

Receptionist ($16 an hour)

A middle-aged woman sitting behind the reception desk in a business lobby welcomes a visitor with a smile.

The rise of job sharing means that receptionist roles are sometimes split among multiple employees, with each working one or two days per week. This trend gives you the chance to work in an office environment without committing to a full workweek. In addition to answering the phone, you may be asked to manage appointment calendars, sort mail, make copies, serve refreshments to visitors, and help visitors know where to go for appointments.

Skills needed: Customer service, problem-solving, communication, organization, multitasking.

School Bus Driver ($20 an hour)

An older woman wearing a bus driver’s uniform gives a high five to a student as elementary school age children board her school bus.

This job relies on retirees because of its unusual schedule — a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the afternoon. There’s been a shortage of school bus drivers since the pandemic, so you may find yourself in demand. In addition to having a valid driver’s license, you must complete a school bus driving training course. You will also need to pass drug/alcohol tests and complete a criminal background check.

Skills needed: Attention to detail, customer service, knowledge of public safety and security, patience, and driver training mentioned above.

Security Guard ($15 an hour)

A middle-aged woman in a blue security guard uniform smiles in front of a wrought-iron gate with her arms crossed.

If you’re an early bird or night owl, this job might be an appealing option for you. Some businesses need round-the-clock security, meaning you might have your choice of hours. You may be expected to patrol the premises, so be sure that you can handle a few hours of walking during your shift. Most guards are expected only to observe and report, so the role otherwise may not be too physically demanding.

Skills needed: Detailed oriented, emergency response knowledge, teamwork, collaboration, communication, conflict resolution.

Shuttle Driver ($16 an hour)

An older man sits behind the steering wheel of a shuttle bus, looking out the front windshield.

The travel industry needs drivers to pick up tourists from the airport and deliver them to their hotels. That means you’ll meet a good mix of people, so be prepared to answer questions about your city and suggest a few recommendations. You also should have some knowledge of traffic patterns and alternate routes.

Skills needed: Excellent driving abilities, clean driving record, ability to pass a background check, communication, customer service.

Tutor ($21 an hour)

An older woman sits in a library with an elementary school-age girl. They smile as the girl fills in a worksheet with her pencil.

Many students fell behind during the pandemic — and they’re still struggling to catch up. That means there’s plenty of need for experts to tutor children. Math and English tutors are most in demand, but foreign languages, science, and other subjects aren’t too far behind.

Skills needed: Communication, collaboration, empathy, patience, active listening, positive attitude.

Average wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.