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10 Seasonal Holiday Jobs Perfect for Retirees That Pay Over $25 an Hour

These short-term roles pay well and offer flexible hours with minimal training.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Nov. 1, 2026

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Seasonal hiring ramps up fast once summer winds down, and the best shifts, routes, and schedules tend to get claimed early. Postings start going live in late summer, and by early October the openings with the most flexible hours are usually spoken for.

That timing matters if you are retired and want work that pays well without locking you into a year-round commitment. Plenty of this short-term work leans on experience and people skills rather than a four-year degree, which makes it a realistic way to stretch your retirement dollars further during the busiest spending months of the year.

Schedules and physical demands vary quite a bit from one role to the next. It is worth weighing both against your own limits before you fill out an application.

Editor's note: All salary data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Postal service worker

Median hourly wage: $28.79

Postal workers sort and deliver the flood of cards and packages that hits mailboxes every November and December, often covering extended routes and added hours during peak weeks.

No formal educational credential is typically required, though applicants must pass a written exam along with a background check, a medical assessment, and a drug screening.

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Meeting, convention, and event planner

Median hourly wage: $29.41

Event planners book venues, coordinate catering, and manage logistics for the wave of corporate holiday parties and client galas that fill December calendars.

A bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education, though hands-on event experience often carries real weight with employers looking for extra help.

Interpreter or translator

Median hourly wage: $28.93

Interpreters support the surge in holiday tourism and public events, converting spoken or signed language in real time for visitors and attendees.

A bachelor's degree and proficiency in at least two languages are standard, though certification is mainly required for court work rather than event interpreting.

Fundraiser

Median hourly wage: $34.88

Year-end giving is the busiest stretch for nonprofits, and fundraisers spend it running appeal campaigns, organizing donor events, and tracking contributions.

A bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education, and prior volunteer or nonprofit experience often matters just as much as a specific credential.

Chef or head cook

Median hourly wage: $30.03

Holiday catering and banquets keep kitchens running at full speed, with chefs planning menus, directing staff, and spending long stretches on their feet in a hot kitchen.

A high school diploma or equivalent plus kitchen experience is the common route, and some states require a food handler's certification.

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver

Median hourly wage: $28.19

Holiday shipping volume pushes carriers to add drivers who haul freight on long intercity routes, with time spent securing cargo, inspecting trailers, and logging hours.

The typical entry-level education is a postsecondary nondegree award, usually a professional truck driving school program, and drivers must hold a commercial driver's license.

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Writer or author

Median hourly wage: $36.98

Retailers and brands lean on writers for holiday ad copy, seasonal campaigns, and content that needs to turn around fast during the shopping rush.

A bachelor's degree in a field such as English, communications, or journalism is standard, and a portfolio of published or freelance work helps open doors.

Public relations specialist

Median hourly wage: $35.94

Public relations specialists draft press releases and manage media outreach for holiday promotions, keeping brand messaging consistent through the busiest sales period of the year.

A bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, or a related field is the typical entry-level education, and internship or portfolio experience strengthens an application.

Market research analyst

Median hourly wage: $37.87

Analysts dig into holiday shopping data, studying consumer preferences and forecasting demand so retailers might plan promotions and inventory.

A bachelor's degree in market research or a related business, communications, or social science field is generally required, with some employers preferring a master's for more technical roles.

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Training and development specialist

Median hourly wage: $33.31

As retailers and warehouses bring on waves of new hires, training specialists build onboarding materials and run sessions to get everyone up to speed quickly.

A bachelor's degree plus related work experience is the usual path in, and certification could boost credibility without being required.

Bottom line

Take-home pay on short-term work could climb well past the posted rate once overtime past 40 hours, holiday premiums, and peak pay windows in late November and December kick in. The trade-offs are real too, since standing shifts, early mornings, and heavy lifting add up fast.

If you are drawing Social Security before full retirement age, check how extra earnings might affect your benefit before you commit to more hours. A little planning here could help you prepare yourself financially without an unwelcome surprise in April.

Applying early gives you the best shot at the shifts and locations that fit your life. Plenty of this work also turns into steady part-time or permanent hours once the rush winds down.

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