News & Trending Jobs & Career News

10 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 Jessica Gibson

Updated April 16, 2026

Add Us On Google

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 that 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 scratch.

Editor's note: Salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.¹ <p>Clients who complete the program and settle all debts typically save around 45% before fees or 20% including fees over 24–48 months, based on enrolled debts. “Debt-free” applies only to enrolled credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills. Not mortgages, car loans, or other debts. Average program completion time is 24–48 months; not all debts are eligible, and results vary as not all clients complete the program due to factors like insufficient savings. We do not guarantee specific debt reductions or timelines, nor do we assume debt, make payments to creditors, or offer legal, tax, bankruptcy, or credit repair services. Consult a tax professional or attorney as needed. Services are not available in all states. Participation may adversely affect your credit rating or score. Nonpayment of debt may result in increased finance and other charges, collection efforts, or litigation. Read all program materials before enrolling. National Debt Relief’s fees are based on a percentage of enrolled debt. All communications may be recorded or monitored for quality assurance. In certain states, additional disclosures and licensing apply. ©️ 2009–2025 National Debt Relief LLC. National Debt Relief (NMLS #1250950, CA CFL Lic. No. 60DBO-70443) is located at 180 Maiden Lane, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10038. All rights reserved. <b><a href="https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/licenses/">Click here</a></b> for additional state-specific disclosures and licensing information.</p>

Ophthalmic medical technician

Median annual salary: $45,820

Ophthalmic medical technicians assist eye doctors with exams, testing, and patient care. Median pay is below $60,000; however, top earners make $59,000 to $71,000, per ZipRecruiter.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Medical records specialist

Median annual salary: $50,250

Medical records specialists manage and maintain patient information. The median pay is $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 13,800 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 15,000 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 58,400 annual openings projected from 2024 to 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 7,500 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.

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 to 2034, with 32,700 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.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Project management specialist

Median annual salary: $100,750

Project management specialists oversee timelines, budgets, and staffing. Median pay in 2024 was $100,750, with 58,700 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 13,100 annual openings projected.

Subway or streetcar operator

Median annual salary: $84,270

Subway and streetcar operators earned a median of $84,270 in 2024, with entry typically requiring only a high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training.

Earn as much as $1K doing simple online tasks

A company called Freecash has compiled all sorts of quick cash tasks from about a dozen advertisers and market research companies thirsty for more data. Freecash has paid out over $13 million to users since 2019, and has over 50,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot.

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, so you can keep more cash in your wallet.

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.

More from FinanceBuzz: