12 Seasonal Jobs Perfect for Retirees Who Want Extra Income

Whether it's too much free time or looking for ways to supplement their Social Security income, some retirees return to work on a part-time or seasonal basis. If you're considering going back to work after retirement, a low-stress job that offers a bit of padding to your yearly earnings can be a smart move for your wallet.

These 12 seasonal jobs, which can be done at various points throughout the year, are solid options for retirees and can pay decent hourly wages, too.

Tax preparers help people do their taxes, so naturally, they are in high demand around tax season, which typically runs from late January to mid-April.

To work as a tax preparer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and sometimes, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. With that said, this can be a very well-paying side gig, with average hourly pay around $40.

Stores around the U.S. hire thousands of extra workers around the holidays, usually from around mid-November through New Year's Day, to help handle the holiday shopping rush. Often, the schedules and hours are flexible, so you can work around your retirement lifestyle.

If you're looking for more social interaction, retail sales workers are needed for a variety of companies, from online retailers to major department stores to local specialty shops. The average pay is around $17 an hour.

Do you dream of traveling during your golden years or love the outdoors? The U.S. National Park Service hires temporary workers to fill a range of roles during peak seasons, from maintenance workers to drivers to customer service. Oftentimes, these jobs also come with free housing options.

They also have a program for workers 55 and over, called the Experienced Services Program, which offers temporary employment to workers with different areas of expertise, like administration, information technology, and more.

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Working as a camp counselor or recreation worker can be a fun and engaging way to get out of the house, enjoy the weather, and make some extra cash on the side. While it can be physically demanding at times, many teachers work at camps and other recreation programs during the summer to supplement their incomes. With average hourly pay over $17, it's a solid option for retirees, too.

Demand for tutors tends to increase at the beginning of new school years (late August to early September) and around exam times. If you have experience in education and/or expertise in a specific subject, you could make extra cash by offering tutoring sessions in-person or virtually.

The average hourly pay for tutors is nearly $20, though some with specialized knowledge and experience can earn much more.

Certain drivers are in higher demand during specific seasons, and these positions can be an excellent way to earn money based on your own availability.

For example, if you pick up gig work with a program like Amazon Flex, where drivers use their own cars to make deliveries and the average pay is between $18 and $25 an hour, demand will likely spike around the holidays.

Additionally, if you were to pick up part-time work with a car or limousine service, business (and available hours) will likely spike during prom and wedding seasons.

Do you live somewhere with a busy tourist season? If so, you may be able to find work as a resort worker. Hotels and resorts often seek additional assistance with things like food service, administrative tasks, and customer service during their peak seasons.

The average pay for hotel and resort clerks is around $15 an hour.

Customer service representatives are needed across a variety of industries, and many companies hire extra workers during their busy seasons. Large retailers may hire extra reps around the holidays when they expect a spike in sales, for example.

Some big perks? This role is well-suited to remote work and is not very physically demanding. You can also often be trained on the job for customer service work, and the average hourly pay is around $20.

If you live near a farm and enjoy spending time outside in retirement, check if there are any jobs available during picking season. Farm and orchard workers are often hired on a seasonal basis to help harvest crops.

Average pay for agricultural workers is more than $17 an hour, and you might get to sample the products for free, too.

Event staff workers are needed throughout the year. They may work during busy holiday seasons, help coordinate summer festivals or large conferences, work at concerts, and more.

This job is often part-time, seasonal work that does not require much (if any) experience and allows you to work around your personal availability. The average hourly pay is around $18.

Do you spend much of your free time outside? Is gardening one of your hobbies? Grounds workers can tend to a number of landscaping tasks, from helping to maintain gardens to pruning trees and shrubs to working with plants in a nursery.

Some of the work is seasonal, focused mostly around the growing, green seasons in spring and summer, and the average hourly pay is around $18.

Gift wrappers are, naturally, in the highest demand around the holiday season. If you have some creative flair and wrapping skills and you find yourself missing out on social interaction, you may be able to land a temporary gig with a local department store, grocery store, or mall that sells gifts that will need to be wrapped.

The average hourly pay for these workers is around $16, and usually, no previous experience is required.

Retirement should be a time for rest and relaxation, but with recent hikes in the cost of living around the U.S., many retirees are looking for ways to make cash on the side. In fact, according to T. Rowe Price's most recent Retirement Saving & Spending Study, 48% of those working in retirement felt they needed to work for financial reasons.

A seasonal job that only requires work for a few months a year could be the ideal solution for those hoping to earn some extra cash without sacrificing a stress-free retirement.