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10 Second Careers Perfect for People Over 50 That Pay $70,000+

These high-earning roles will value your decades of professional experience.

By Andy Lindquist

Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated Jan. 28, 2026

The idea of a "second career" is an enticing one for older Americans for many good reasons. Whether you've hit your retirement number at work and want something different or you're looking to supplement your income before you fully give up working, a second career in a different field can get you there.

You could start from scratch or use your existing skill set to transition into an adjacent field. Either way, just because you're on the older side doesn't mean you can't change jobs and make an impact.

Here are 10 second careers that pay over $70,000 a year and are perfect for people over 50.

Editor's note: Salary information comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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Purchasing manager

Median annual salary: $79,830

A purchasing manager negotiates with vendors and buys products for their organization to use or resell. It requires strong negotiation skills and financial oversight. It's a power role that rewards those who know how to drive a hard bargain and manage budgets.

Look for roles in the wholesale, manufacturing, or retail sectors if you don't already have experience in the industry. If you do, get to know the purchasing managers at your current organization and learn from them.

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Technical writer

Median annual salary: $91,670

As a technical writer, you'll create instruction manuals, how-to guides, and journal articles to communicate complex information easily. If you have a background in SEO, tech, or web3, or any super technical field, you are already halfway there. Create a portfolio documenting a complex process, and seek contract work in the software or aerospace industries.

Look to other work you've done for your past companies, such as write-ups, documentation, blogs, thought leadership, etc. It's likely you have enough specific domain knowledge and a portfolio to make the transition easily.

Logistician

Median annual salary: $80,880

Logisticians coordinate an organization's supply chain, which is the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. It's a high-stakes puzzle that requires a calm, experienced head to manage vendors and timelines. If you have experience in operations or retail, you can pivot into supply chain management with a certificate program.

Project manager

Median annual salary: $100,750

In this role, you'll oversee budgets, schedules, and teams to ensure specific goals are met. This is a top-tier second career because it rewards the organizational wisdom and leadership skills developed over the course of decades.

Most professionals can qualify by earning a PMP certification rather than a new degree. The job values soft skills and strategic oversight over technical execution, making it a great fit for more seasoned professionals with management backgrounds.

Occupational health and safety specialist

Median annual salary: $78,900

In this job, you'll analyze work environments to ensure they follow safety, health, and environmental regulations. It's an authoritative role, perfect for detail-oriented individuals who enjoy ensuring compliance.

Look for roles in manufacturing or government, where demand for solid professionals is high. A background in any industrial or corporate field is a strong starting point. Point to your experience following protocols and taking detailed notes.

Training and development manager

Median annual salary: $127,090

As a training and development manager, you'll plan and coordinate programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of an organization's employees. If you have years of experience navigating corporate culture, you are well-positioned to teach it to others, making this a great fit for older workers looking for something new.

Look to get a CPTD certification and target large corporations that need to bridge the skills gap between junior and senior staff.

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Medical and health services manager

Median annual salary: $117,960

Also known as a healthcare administrator, this role directs the business activities of healthcare providers. You don't need a medical degree; you need business acumen and the ability to manage complex logistics. Focus on smaller clinics or private practices that need a "business lead" to handle operations, so doctors can focus on patients. If you have a background in administration, this can be a great career pivot.

Sales engineer

Median annual salary: $121,520

In this role, you'll be selling complex technological products to businesses. This is the perfect pivot for someone who understands technical systems but wants to move into a high-commission, relationship-based role.

Target tech companies selling B2B software or hardware that aligns with your previous industry experience. If you're a people person who loves making interpersonal connections and has any background in sales, this is a great field to get into.

Human Resources manager

Median annual salary: $140,030

An HR manager oversees the people side of a business, including hiring, employee relations, training, and regulatory compliance. It requires deep empathy and an understanding of labor laws, all skills that peak later in your career. A SHRM certification is the gold standard for proving you know current regulations without needing a new degree. Any background in HR or management is a big plus as well.

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Facilities manager

Median annual salary: $106,880

In this job, you'll plan and coordinate the activities that keep an organization running efficiently, from record-keeping to office upkeep. You'll be the go-to person whenever there is an issue with a facility or when vendors need to be hired for maintenance and repair work.

If you have any transferable skills or have worked in facilities before, this is a great career pivot. Start by looking for facility management roles at your current company and go from there.

Bottom line

Transitioning into a second career later in life can be financially rewarding, especially because many roles value experience, leadership, and organizational skills that seasoned professionals already possess. It can also be professionally satisfying as you learn new skills and apply your current skillset to new situations.

It's not weird or abnormal to stay in the workforce as you get older, either. According to Pew Research, the share of Americans age 65 and older who are employed has nearly doubled compared with 35 years ago. Plus, continuing to work will keep you on your feet and help you lower your financial stress as you get older, so it's a win-win situation.

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