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11 Second Careers Perfect for People Over 50 That Pay $60,000+

Explore these roles that offer solid pay without starting from scratch.

By Stacy Garrels

Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Dec. 30, 2025

Switching careers later in life can feel risky, especially if you're worried about retraining costs, age bias, or starting over at the bottom. But the reality is many occupations value experience, reliability, and transferable skills just as much as formal education — sometimes more.

Below are second-career options that pay $60,000 or more a year, helping you pay your bills without starting over from complete scratch.

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Bookkeeper

Median annual salary: $49,210

Bookkeepers record financial transactions, manage invoices, and reconcile accounts. The BLS projects about 170,000 openings annually through 2034 for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks.

While the 2024 median pay was $49,210, top earners can reach $60,000 to $73,500, according to ZipRecruiter. No degree is required, and moderate on-the-job training is typical.

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Ophthalmic medical technician

Median annual salary: $44,290

Ophthalmic medical technicians assist eye doctors with exams, testing, and patient care. While total ophthalmic tech roles may be dwindling, BLS data shows over 7,700 job openings each year for ophthalmic and dental technicians over the next decade.

Median pay is below $60,000, however, top earners make $59,000 to $71,000, per ZipRecruiter. Additionally, BLS data shows that outpatient ophthalmic medical technicians average annual wages of $61,570.

Medical records specialist

Median annual salary: $50,250

Medical records specialists manage and maintain patient information. The median pay in May 2024 was $50,250, with employment projected to grow 7% from 2024–2034.

Top earners, according to the BLS, make more than $80,950. Additionally, those who work in corporate and hospital settings earn more than those in physician offices.

About 14,200 openings per year are expected. Many workers qualify with just a high school diploma, though certificates are often preferred.

Public relations specialist

Median annual salary: $69,780

Public relations specialists manage an organization's public image and communications. Median pay reached $69,780 in 2024, with 27,600 projected annual openings through 2034.

For those in the field, there's significant room for salary growth. Top earners, per the BLS, earn more than $129,480.

Human resources specialist

Median annual salary: $72,910

HR specialists handle recruiting, benefits, and employee relations. The 2024 median salary was $72,910, with 81,800 annual openings projected from 2024–2034.

Employment is expected to grow 6% over that period. Most roles require a bachelor's degree.

Event planner

Median annual salary: $59,440

Event planners coordinate meetings, conventions, and events. The median wage was $59,440 in 2024, with 15,500 annual openings projected.

While the median falls shy of the $60,000 mark, the top 10% of earners average more than $101,310 in wages.

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Purchasing agent

Median annual salary: $79,830

Purchasing agents buy goods and services for organizations. Median pay reached $79,830 in 2024, and employment is projected to grow 5% from 2024–2034, with 58,700 openings annually.

Drilling down into salary data, buyers and purchasing agents average $75,650 in median wages. Purchasing managers, however, average $139,510 overall, with top-earning managers making more than $219,140.

Project management specialist

Median annual salary: $100,750

Project management specialists oversee timelines, budgets, and staffing. Median pay in 2024 was $100,750, with 78,200 openings projected annually. A bachelor's degree is typical, and certain project management certifications may help.

The field's top earners make more than $165,790 a year.

Transportation, storage, and distribution manager

Median annual salary: $102,010

These managers oversee the movement of goods and people. Median pay reached $102,010 in 2024, with 18,500 annual openings projected.

Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks

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Subway or streetcar operator

Median annual salary: $84,830

Subway and streetcar operators earned a median of $84,830 in 2024, with entry typically requiring only a high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training.

Transit police officer

Median annual salary: $72,250

Transit and railroad police protect transit systems and passengers. The median wage was $72,250, with top earners exceeding $100,000.

Bottom line

Changing careers after 50 doesn't mean settling for rock-bottom pay. Many good roles value experience and come with manageable training requirements.

Whether you're looking to boost your retirement savings, lower financial stress, or simply stay engaged in the workforce, these careers show that well-paying opportunities remain very much within reach.

Before circling the job boards, talk to a financial planner to get a clear idea of the salary range you need to target. They can help you craft a plan. You may find that at salary A, you'll need to work for 10 more years, whereas at salary B, you'll need to work for 19 more. And for certain earning thresholds, there may even be Social Security and tax implications

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