Reader TTS

By

Kenneth Terrell,

If you’re looking to set the wheels in motion on a second career, you might want to consider getting behind the wheel. Whether it’s driving for a shuttle service, school district or public

transit system, there will be a boom in demand for bus drivers over the next eight years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That’s good news for older adults because those are also the jobs that tend to employ lots of people age 50 and older. In fact, a quick look at 2021 BLS data reveals 15 careers that are

projected to increase their hiring by 2030 and for which the median age of workers last year was 50-plus.

The following list ranks those careers according to which occupations are projected to have the most growth in hiring during the next eight years. In cases where there was a tie in job

growth, the higher-ranking job was the one with the higher median age.

Median age: 56.2

Median hourly pay: $14.42

2030 job growth outlook: 15 percent increase

The BLS puts this job in their “Bright Outlook” category, meaning it’s one of the fields where the agency expects to see lots of hiring for the rest of this decade. For older adults, who

often have decades of experience behind the wheel and have mastered traffic and shortcuts for their city’s roadways, working as a chauffeur is a natural fit. The flexible hours are

appealing, too.

Median age: 55.6

Median hourly pay: $18.23

2030 job growth outlook: 15 percent increase

This job has long been a popular option for older workers. In part, that’s because the schedule — typically a few hours in the morning and then a few hours again in the afternoon — favors

reliable workers who only want a part-time gig. But many of these drivers also enjoy the fulfillment they get from helping children learn and grow.

Median age: 53.3

Median hourly pay: $23.37

2030 job growth outlook: 15 percent increase

Higher pay, full-time hours and the option to work weekend and other shifts are the big differences for driving a bus for public transportation rather than a school district. The other

difference, of course, is the age of the riders, which can make driving a city bus more or less challenging, depending on your preferences.

Median age: 57.6

Median hourly pay: $15.12

2030 job growth outlook: 13 percent increase

This is the job on this list with the highest median age. Because many of these employees work at busy intersections near schools, the role often offers hours like those for a school bus

driver. That means you’ll have flexibility at midday.

Median age: 50.4

Median hourly pay: $13.63

2030 job growth outlook: 12 percent increase

Many workers in this field lost jobs during the pandemic, because when people started to work remotely, the demand for fresh-pressed office wear dropped. Now, with more workers returning to

offices, these businesses are projected to go on a hiring spree soon.

Median age: 50.3

Median hourly pay: $18.01

2030 job growth outlook: 10 percent increase

There may be fewer job opportunities in the future for business office secretaries, but the demand for medical secretaries is growing quickly. The job responsibilities are similar, though

medical secretaries also have to help with insurance forms and managing patient appointments.

Median age: 50.2

Median hourly pay: $47.08

2030 job growth outlook: 9 percent increase

These workers are responsible for the maintenance and development of a building and its surrounding grounds. That means wearing many different hats, because the duties can range from

coordinating construction and renovation projects to supervising landscaping crews and window washers.