27 Best Jobs for Retired Teachers

Teachers have excellent experience and expertise that can be used in many ways. There are plenty of opportunities for retired teachers to make money part-time or full-time.

The best jobs for retired teachers will often be focused on a role in a related field. In this article, we will look at some jobs, side hustles, and business opportunities to consider.

And if you’re still working full-time, you may be interested in our list of side hustles for teachers.

Best Jobs for Retired Teachers

Of course, teachers can take on any side hustle they prefer. However, experienced and retired teachers are more qualified for some roles than the average person. Here, we’ll feature side hustle ideas that you may want to consider. There are plenty of options for former educators.

1. Teaching Materials Creator

All teachers need high-quality materials for their classes, and you could be the person to create them. This opportunity involves starting a business and selling digital products that other teachers will purchase and download.

As a teaching materials creator and provider, you’ll have the opportunity to earn money creating useful teaching resources. Best of all, you can lean on your years in the classroom to create outstanding resources and work from home.

These materials could include lesson planners, checklists, evaluation forms, reading logs, goal-setting sheets, and much more. You can easily create these materials in a program like Canva or hire a freelancer on Fiverr to create them for you. Your printables can be sold on Etsy, or you could create your own e-commerce website (Etsy is a great place to start).

If this is something you’re interested in, we highly recommend the E-Printables course from Gold City Ventures. You’ll learn everything you need to know to create and sell printables on Etsy.

One of the best aspects of this online business model is the potential for passive income. Your printables may generate sales for months or years with no additional effort.

2. Adjunct Professor

If you’re retired from full-time teaching with a master’s degree and want to continue teaching, you can find work as an adjunct professor with a local college or other higher education institutions.

Many colleges and universities post active job listings on their websites, and there may be openings listed on job boards. As an adjunct professor, you can work on a contract basis part-time, teaching one or two classes per semester. A part-time teaching job is a great way to enjoy your retirement and stay active as an educator at the same time.

3. Tutor

Tutoring is an ideal online job opportunity to work in a related field. Many students seek flexible learning with an online tutor, and you can make money without leaving your home. Of course, you can also offer in-person tutoring to local students if you prefer.

Many platforms offer online tutoring, and most require the tutor to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification. See our list of online tutoring jobs to learn more about specific opportunities.

As a retired teacher, you’re uniquely qualified for this role.

4. Educational Consultant

Some teachers may feel disconnected when they leave the classroom. Many miss the daily routine and structure and helping students to learn. Working as an education consultant with schools, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations may be the solution.

This is a flexible role. You can develop new teaching methods and curricula to teach, and it’s possible to earn a high income for these services. Most educational consultants charge an hourly rate. The income is uncapped, but it will vary depending on your specialization. As more education moves into the online space, the demand for education consultant roles will likely increase.

5. Test Scorer

This is a seasonal role. It can be utilized alongside other careers, and platforms always look for qualified people to join their test scoring team. See our list of test scoring jobs for ideas.

Working as an external invigilator for exams keeps you close to an education career, and you don’t even need to visit a classroom.

If you have the expertise and high levels of training in a specific subject matter, you can pursue a part-time career in this field. To further boost your earning potential, you may want to work with multiple exam boards and testing organizations.

6. Test Administrator

If you need part-time work and don’t want to tutor or teach, you could seek a position as a test administrator. Many organizations, schools, colleges, and universities hire test proctors to oversee standardized tests, including ACT, SAT, and others.

Local job boards may have positions listed. With a teaching background, you’ll have all the qualifications you need for a test administrator role. This is not the highest-paying opportunity on our list, but it’s part-time and low-stress work.

7. Curriculum Developer

Writing curriculum materials for teachers, tutors and schools is becoming a popular role for retired teachers. The hourly rate is variable depending on the complexity and length of the project. But, the pay is higher than most part-time jobs, and you can apply your teaching skills and experience in a practical way.

Good writing skills are a must. You need to be well-versed in the subject matter and be able to work independently to meet deadlines. Teachers often are ideally suited.

This is a remote working opportunity. All you need is a computer and a reliable internet connection to get started.

Many platforms connect writers and curriculum developers with potential clients, and you can browse the listings to find a project that matches your skill set.

8. Investor

Many people may overlook the opportunity to be an investor as a side gig or part-time career. This is understandable since it’s not a traditional job, but if you’ve always wanted to learn how investing works and some disposable income, it’s easy to get started. It could be a good way to supplement your pension or retirement income.

In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of investing apps and platforms like Public, Moomoo, and Webull. These platforms offer commission-free trades of stocks and ETFs and are designed for retail investors.

You can start small and build a portfolio gradually as your investing skills and confidence grow. If you enjoy investing, this is an excellent opportunity. Aside from the extra income you can make, you’ll learn valuable principles that will help you to manage your finances more effectively.

Another option is to invest in real estate. Fundrise is the easiest way to start with as little as $10. When you invest with Fundrise, you’ll own a share in a portfolio of income-generating properties. Thankfully, it’s completely passive, and you’ll have no responsibilities of a landlord.

9. Rental Business Owner

If you have a car, van, truck, RV, or unused storage space in your home, you can make money renting these out to local people.

Fetch is a platform where you can make money by renting a truck or cargo van. Fetch will promote your vehicle to local renters and handle all of the payment details. They also have a device (optional) you can put in your truck so renters can unlock the vehicle with their smartphone. This means you won’t even need to meet the renters face-to-face.

RVShare is a peer-to-peer online rental and sharing platform for RVs and campers. The amount you can earn is determined by the availability, styles, and quality of your RV or camper.

With RVshare, you can choose when you want the RV or camper for your own use. You can make it available for rent at other times. There are many RV owners earning tens of thousands of dollars renting their RVs when they are not using them.

Neighbor is a storage platform where you can make cash renting space in a basement, attic, garage, shed, driveway, and even an unused closet. You can list the space on the Neighbor app for free, and local potential renters can find your space. All you need to do is ensure that renters can access the space. Aside from that, it’s passive.

10. Freelance Writer

If you have a passion for writing and a love for grammar, you could consider freelance writing. It can be done part-time or full-time. The earning potential is high, but you need a solid writing portfolio to attract the highest-paying clients. But there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of freelance writing jobs for beginners, and you can build your portfolio as you go.

If you prefer a conversation writing style, you could specialize in blog posts and other forms of informal web content. If you want a more formal approach, you could write white papers or technical content instead. The benefit of writing for blogs is ongoing work. Many blogs hire freelancers to create new content daily, weekly, or monthly.

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for a freelance writer is $33 per hour. That’s not bad, but you can increase it by specializing and branding yourself as an expert in a particular niche or industry.

11. Proofreader

Freshly written content is produced every day, and good proofreading skills are in high demand.

As a proofreader, you need an eye for detail, patience, and a good understanding of grammar rules. There are many platforms where you can offer your proofreading services, and you can also offer your services as a freelancer.

If you want to work in this field, we recommend the courses from Proofread Anywhere. You’ll learn how to start your own freelance proofreading business.

According to ZipRecruiter, the average freelance proofreader earns about $25 per hour.

12. Virtual Assistant

As a teacher, you relied on good organizational skills developed throughout your career. These skills can be used in the virtual assistant role. As a VA, you assist clients with scheduling, replying to emails, writing copy, editing, proofreading, and other tasks.

Virtual assistant jobs are flexible, home-based earning opportunities. Many platforms are offering virtual assistant jobs, or you can find your own clients as a freelancer. Going out on your own will provide you with the best income potential.

To maximize your earning potential, you can work with multiple clients.

13. Bookkeeper

If you’re good with numbers and finances, you can offer bookkeeping and/or budgeting services to individuals, businesses, and other organizations.

Many people struggle with financial planning, budgeting, and accounts, so they need help to manage their finances. Small business owners often can’t justify hiring a full-time accountant, but they need someone to help manage their books.

You can advertise your services on local Facebook groups, Upwork, and other platforms to start. You can work most jobs from home, which means you’re not limited to local clients.

14. Blogger

Writing a blog can be a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the rest of the world. But there’s also significant earning potential if you can build a solid following online and produce fresh and interesting content.

One of the main problems that new bloggers encounter is burnout after a few months, and this is why many blogs die. So, it’s important to pick a subject you’re passionate about and write about it regularly. You could start a blog on teaching or another subject that interests you.

It usually takes 6-18 months of solid blogging to build an audience before you can earn significant income from your efforts.

There are a few ways to earn income from a blog: advertising, affiliate marketing, publishing sponsored content, and selling digital products.

The potential income is entirely in your hands. You can earn a few dollars or build a blog that makes $10,000 or more every month.

To learn about the specific steps, please read How to Start a Blog.

15. Online Course Creator

If you have extensive knowledge of a subject, you don’t need teaching qualifications to create an online course. But, if you’re an educator, you have an advantage in creating courses on a wide variety of topics. An in-depth course can earn a significant amount of money for the creator. Many courses sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

If you add affiliate partners to promote your course, it’s possible to build a lucrative passive income stream. The bestsellers are “How to” courses that guide students through the steps required to complete a task, acquire a skill, or earn a qualification.

There are many platforms, such as Udemy and Skillshare, where you can promote and sell your course. However, you’ll get the highest income potential by selling it on your own. You can use a platform like Teachable or Podia to create a professional site for your course.

16. Transcriptionist

If you have good typing skills, excellent hearing, and some free time, you can earn money working online as a transcriptionist. In this role, you would listen to audio files and convert that information into a written format. You can work flexible hours full or part-time. 

This requires significant attention to detail, and you may need specialized equipment, such as a headset and pedal. For some transcription jobs, all you need to get started is a computer and a decent internet connection.

If you want to maximize your income, we highly recommend the training from Transcribe Anywhere.

17. Self-Published Author

Self-publishing has never been easier, thanks to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing and other similar sites. You can write and publish a book without a publisher and earn up to 70% on every copy sold.

Certain genres and topics sell better than others, and it’s important to research to find the best fit for your writing style and interests. However, there’s plenty of income potential, especially if you write multiple books.

Overall, this is an excellent opportunity for retired teachers who want to stay busy and make some extra money.

18. Librarian 

Educators love books, and for many former teachers, moving into a librarian role is a natural fit.

To work in a library, you need to be organized and have the capacity to work efficiently. There are many library subtypes to consider, and you may even find a position within the school where you worked as a teacher.

If you’re willing to re-locate, you can work full or part-time at a library that’s seeking people with higher levels of educational experience.

19. Driving Instructor

If you enjoy driving and want to teach one-to-one, it may be time to consider a full or part-time job as a driving instructor. In this role, you’ll need good communication skills, excellent decision-making skills, and plenty of patience.

As a former teacher, you already have the skills that transfer well to driving instruction. If you’ve taught high schoolers, you’ll have plenty of relevant experience communicating with your teenage driving students.

20. School Bus Driver

Working as a school bus driver is a great way to stay connected with a school and community you love. It’s truly a social activity. This is a great way to supplement your income and stay active at the same time. For someone tired of a desk job, this may be the ideal fit.

Most school bus driver jobs are part-time, with hours in the morning and then again in the afternoon. Currently, many schools are having trouble finding bus drivers, so there are plenty of openings.

21. Corporate Trainer

As a corporate trainer, you’ll work with the management and employees of an organization to help improve their performance. This can include developing teaching programs, best practices training, updating skills, and meeting goals.

This is an easy role for a retired teacher to transfer to if they’re looking for full-time work. Another option is to freelance, which would be better for those who want part-time hours. This job can be very fulfilling since it uses your interpersonal skills to evoke a positive change in the organization.

22. Life Coach

Working as a life coach is one of those career paths that people will love or hate. As a life coach, you would help to bring balance to a client’s life with support and practical advice.

If you think about it, this is similar to working with a troubled student as a teacher. Transferring to a life coach may be easier than you think. To excel in this role, you need a positive attitude, confidence, great interpersonal skills, and a desire to improve the lives of your clients.

23. Sports Coach

If you have experience coaching sports or recreational activities, you can make a real difference working with community organizations and teams. There’s always a demand for former teachers and others with training in sports and physical education.

In this role, you’ll use your abilities to train and motivate people to participate in sports to build their confidence, fitness, and skills.

24. Real Estate Agent

Becoming a part-time realtor may be an ideal fit for many retired teachers. In this role, you’ll show houses to potential buyers and help them find their dream homes. This job is a great way to use your communication and interpersonal skills.

This can be a lucrative job, although your earnings will be completely based on your results.

To work as a real estate agent, you need to take a course and pass the exam. It takes around $1,000 to get up and running,.

25. Dog Walker & Pet Sitter

If you like taking care of dogs and walking them for exercise, you can stay active and earn money. A platform like Rover will connect you with potential clients, and this can be turned into a lucrative side hustle.

To get started with most platforms, you must pass a background check and have a smartphone to run the associated app. Some early starts may be required if you want to maximize your earnings (it’s one of our favorite early morning jobs), but the working hours are flexible. It’s an ideal option for pet lovers.

26. Childcare Provider 

If you’re taking care of your kids or grandkids, you can earn extra cash working as a babysitter or nanny for other kids. And if you’re not already watching other kids, this could be an excellent side hustle.

Facebook groups for parents and caregivers are great places to start. You can also leverage your existing network of friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Maybe you have a former co-worker who recently had a baby.

Before you get started, check the state regulations to see how many kids you can look after before you must apply for a license. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider to see if your plan is sufficient.

27. Survey Taker

Taking online surveys with platforms such as Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Survey Junkie will never replace a part-time income. But, if you want to make a little money as a side gig around other activities, this is a very flexible option.

Most surveys require only a few minutes. With a few spare hours each week, you could make $100 per month or more. Some survey-taking platforms (like Swagbucks and InboxDollars) offer other ways to earn money, including playing games, watching ads, reviewing products, and other activities. You’ll earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash to your PayPal account.

Final Thoughts on Jobs for Retired Teachers

As you can see, there are many full and part-time jobs for retired teachers. Many of these earning opportunities can be mixed and matched with each other to further boost your income.

Take some time to try the ones that appeal to you most, and you may notice significant demand for an experienced educator. With persistence and patience, it is entirely possible to build a new career or business using some or most of the skills that you acquired as a teacher.