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15 Career Moves That Can Boost Your Income in Your 40s and 50s (Without Starting Over)

Keep building momentum, even in your second act.

By Heather Bien

Edited by Andrea Basse

Updated Jan. 25, 2026

While your 20s and 30s are all about building your career, things aren't over once you hit 40. This is the time to ramp up your earnings to build wealth and leverage your years of expertise to establish yourself as an expert within your field.

Even if you feel like you're coming up from behind, particularly after the busy years of raising a family, there are things you can do now to build your reputation, grow your network, and expand your earning potential.

Here are the moves you can make now that can help you earn big in your 40s and 50s as you approach the latter half of your career.

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Earn a certification

A certification can be the game changer on your resume that you need to obtain a new, higher-paying role. While going back to school may not be feasible at this point in your career, whether that's due to finances or time and family commitments, a certification can generally be earned during the workday or during evenings.

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Work on your people management skills

Most leadership or higher-level roles require people management, while this doesn't come naturally to everyone, there are ways you can hone your skills. Volunteer to lead a project where you'll manage a team of your colleagues, then ask for constructive feedback throughout the process and after the project wraps.

Raise your hand for leadership opportunities

You may be craving a career change, but what you really want is to make an impact. Look for leadership opportunities, whether that's in a new role or on an internal committee within your company. Be the first to jump at the chance to lead an initiative and try your hand at being a leader. It might be the change you need.

Look for a career coach

If you're at a standstill about where you want to go next and how you want to build the next chapter of your career, consider investing in a career coach. While it does cost money, you could find that one or two sessions can help you gain clarity and lay the groundwork for a path forward.

Make an internal transition

You don't always have to leave your company to make a move. Look at opportunities for internal transitions if you like where you are but are hoping for a different role or a chance to make a bigger strategic impact. Have conversations with your manager and colleagues to figure out where you want to land.

Grow your professional network

By growing your professional network, you could introduce yourself to those who have access to your dream companies or roles. Intentionally network with the right people, whether that's by attending events, reaching out to others on social media, or asking for introductions and informational coffee meet-ups.

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Develop your personal brand

Branding may not have been a buzzword when you were kicking off your career, but it's a critical piece of the professional puzzle now. Think about who you are, what you represent, and the vision you want to convey to others. Use this to guide your career moves in the latter half of your career.

Turn your side hustle into a lucrative income stream

Your primary career doesn't have to be your only source of income. You can take on a side hustle in your 40s and 50s that will not only bring in extra income now, but it could also turn into your primary income source in retirement.

Set aside time to learn

The best way to learn and grow in your field is to dedicate time to doing exactly that. It's easy to put off taking a course or reading a book when it's just dangling out there as a future to-do list item. But, if you set aside time each week and put it on your calendar, there's a better chance of sticking to it.

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Join a professional development group

Networking isn't just for twentysomethings just starting their careers. Joining a professional development or networking group in your 40s or 50s can give you insight into what other generations are prioritizing in the workplace while also introducing you to peers who could hold the keys to your next break.

Stay connected on social media

Once you've built up that network, don't let it go to waste. You can't overestimate the power of staying on people's radar, and social media is the perfect way to do that. If you take the time to establish yourself as a thought leader on LinkedIn, you'll be the first person people think of when trying to fill a new role.

Leverage training opportunities

There's no better time to learn than when someone else is paying for it. Look for opportunities for training in your current job, whether that's attending a conference, taking a course, or simply sitting with a colleague with greater knowledge on a subject.

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Carve out your own niche

Have you ever heard the advice to become indispensable at work? The best way to do that is to carve out a niche that no one else knows how to do. Make yourself irreplaceable. Maybe that comes from your knowledge of market research or your institutional knowledge, or maybe you're the only one who knows how to keep your management systems organized. Whatever it is, make yourself the subject matter expert.

Volunteer in your desired role

If you see an area that you'd like to learn more about or that you want to gain experience in, but it's not in your day-to-day responsibilities, find a way to volunteer. Look to a non-profit that needs a communications writer to send out their monthly newsletter or a local organization that needs someone to handle their accounting. You can give back while also building your resume.

Find a mentor

Think you're too old for a mentor? It's not too late! You can never have enough guidance in your career, and finding a mentor in your 40s or 50s can give you insight about how to approach your pre-retirement years. Look for someone who's winding down their career in a way that you admire.

Bottom line

Wages often reach their peak between ages 45 and 55, so this is not the time to take your foot off the pedal. This is your chance to build meaningful wealth, strengthen your savings, and put yourself in a position to lower your financial stress before you begin to slow down in your 60s.

The moves you make now can have a big impact on your long-term security, giving you more flexibility, confidence, and peace of mind later in life.

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