Top Ten Career Paths for Women Over 50
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Creating Your Legacy
Are you a woman over 50 looking to pivot in your career? Maybe you’re craving more flexibility, deeper fulfillment, or just a fresh start. You’re not alone. For many of us, this stage of life is about re-evaluating our path and asking ourselves what really matters.
In this post, I’ve put together a list of the top ten career paths for women over 50. Whether you’re interested in traditional employment, a work-from-home gig, or owning your own business (my personal favorite!), this guide provides a foundation to start exploring.
For aspiring business owners, you’ll also find insights into franchise ownership and small business opportunities that tap into your existing skill set and expertise. Let’s break through any lingering “paper ceilings” – those assumed educational or experience requirements – and dive into paths that fit who we are today and who we want to become.
With an increasingly global workforce, you’re no longer limited to the traditional “9-to-5” in North America. Remote work, consulting, and entrepreneurship allow you to find roles that not only pay well but also feed your soul.
What's Holding You Back?
If you’re ready for a change but feeling held back, you’re not alone. This time in our lives is ideal for crafting a meaningful legacy – so what’s standing in your way? Often, it’s fear – fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or feeling like we’re not “good enough” or too late to start. It’s completely natural, but don’t let it hold you back. Fear is simply a sign you’re on the brink of something incredible!
Finances are another big concern. Taking a leap into a new career can feel risky, especially if you’re leaving a stable job. But there are ways to do this responsibly, like phased retirement or side gigs that let you build a foundation before fully stepping into your new role.
Confidence is yet another barrier. You may wonder if you have what it takes to succeed or whether you’re too old to learn new skills. But here’s the truth: women over 50 are rich with life experience, and that makes us incredibly valuable in so many fields. Often, it’s about discovering where to start and finding a little guidance along the way.
Consider this your call to action! Think about what truly excites you. What skills do you have, and what values do you want to honor? This can be an incredibly fulfilling chapter in your life, one where you get to align your career with your true self.
And now....
Top Ten Careers for Women Over 50
These careers suit women over 50, balancing flexibility, earning potential, and growth. They’re based on market trends, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, and career satisfaction reports.
1. Healthcare
Healthcare demand keeps rising as the population ages. Forbes named it a highest paying industry in 2024, with strong job openings. Roles include registered nurse, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, physician assistant, and medical assistant, occupational therapist.
Top Ten Careers for Women over 50 - medical
Healthcare Careers: A Bright Future Ahead
Many healthcare roles are female-dominated, which is a significant factor contributing to a good job outlook. This trend is expected to continue, driven by an aging population and an increased focus on healthcare services.
Making a Difference in People's Lives
These careers offer a unique opportunity to impact lives and make a real difference in your community. Whether you're working directly with patients or behind the scenes, you'll be contributing to the well-being of others.
Rewarding and Fulfilling Work
A career in healthcare can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. Not only do you get to see the positive impact of your work, but you'll also have the satisfaction of knowing you're making a difference in people's lives. They can also be some of the highest paying jobs. My sister-in-law became a Phlebotomist in her late 40's and finds it to be very fulfilling and well paying work!
Variety of Career Options
The healthcare industry offers a wide range of career options, from nursing and medical assisting to healthcare administration and health education. Whatever your skills and interests, there's likely a healthcare career that's a good fit for you.
Growing Demand for Healthcare Professionals
The demand for healthcare professionals is growing rapidly, driven by an aging population and an increased focus on healthcare services. This means that healthcare careers can offer job security and stability, as well as opportunities for advancement.
2. Entrepreneurship
Obviously, entrepreneurship is my favorite option! Starting a business offers maximum flexibility and income control. Women over 50 often possess rich experience, positioning them for entrepreneurial success. I find my women earn more being their own bosses than they did in your J-O-Bs. There is less of a pay gap, because we choose our pricing.
My company empowers women to achieve this. I help women transform their corporate expertise into purpose-driven, fulfilling businesses that align with their values and create lasting impact.
You might sell handmade goods or consult using your prior expertise. There is tremendous growth opportunity for small businesses and the average annual salary can be significant based on how quickly your business grows.
If you are thinking of moving into entrepreneurship, grab one of my FREE 35-minute sessions here. I limit them to 15 per quarter, and you will need to qualify - but if you are ready - I want to help you get started!
3. Education
Education is a rewarding, stable field. (Annual Salary! Long vacations!) Jobs range from teaching and librarian work to administration. These roles shape future generations through meaningful work.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), the average annual salary for a teacher in the United States was around $71,699 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Traditional teaching has set hours, but many educational roles have part-time or remote options. This is beneficial for those seeking flexible scheduling options.
4. Professional Services
This sector includes accounting, financial advising, human resources management, legal services, business administration and more. These fields value experience, making them ideal for women over 50. This sector also boasts a higher median pay than others.
You can specialize within each area. For instance, advise women-owned businesses in accounting or lead financial advising workshops. These career possibilities extend past retirement age as self-employment, contract work, or advisory positions.
These services enable you to build a legacy and help younger women gain independence, success, and confidence in their own chosen paths. These professions benefit from decades of combined job growth and higher median annual salary estimates.
And depending on what service industry you are interested in, you might already meet the educational requirements.
5. Technology
Technology isn’t just for young people. There's a reason it's in the top ten careers for women over 50! It welcomes women of all ages. Opportunities include web development, project management, and user interface design. Consider roles in data analysis, social media management, or others.
The flexibility and demand for remote tech workers is attractive. Roles blend creativity, knowledge, and insight, from coding and marketing to customer relations and quality assurance.
6. Writing and Editing
Women with strong writing and editing skills have many choices. They can craft marketing copy or write novels. Content writing is in high demand.
Freelance work offers valuable independence. This is a flexible career path with the potential to grow over time.
Developing Your Writing Skills
Writing is a crucial aspect of content creation, and developing your writing skills is essential to produce high-quality content. This involves understanding your target audience, researching your topic, and organizing your thoughts into a clear and concise structure.
Best Practices for Writing and Editing
Write for your audience: Use language and tone that resonates with your target audience.
Keep it concise: Break up long paragraphs into shorter, bite-sized chunks.
Use active voice: It's more engaging and easier to read than passive voice.
Edit in stages: Break up the editing process into stages to ensure a thorough review of your work.
7. Coaching and Consulting
Many (most) of my clients have moved into coaching and consulting. Why? Because they have the experience, the passion, and the knowledge to impart!
Coaching and consulting involves mentoring and guiding your cleint's decisions using your experience. You can earn a high annual salary by teaching and advising in your area of expertise. The average pay for these specialists can be quite lucrative, with the top earners bringing in a high salary of over 7 figures a year. Often with a very small team and almost no overhead.
The most profitable coaching specialties earn substantial annual incomes depending on various factors. Some professionals leverage prior expertise in specific career paths for longevity beyond retirement or as alternative engagement when transitioning from traditional job structures.
8. Virtual Assistant Services
Virtual assistants help with emails, schedules, and administrative tasks. Depending on their experience they can take on the role of human resources manager, marketing manager, office manager or more.
I know many VAs who started part-time for people and worked themselves into high paying integral and lucrative positions.
This can be independent or employed work. This field offers career longevity and adaptability like other flexible career options. The ability to work - literally from anywhere, and choose your task offers makes it very interesting to women over 50.
Administrative assistants and other virtual support professionals are seeing many new job openings due to the changing landscape of today's workforce.
9. Real Estate
Real estate brokers need a license, marketing skills, persistence, sales abilities, people skills, and negotiation skills. Top earners make lucrative commissions through independent or contract work.
This is a good profession for those who like working independently. The real estate market is always changing so the work is often interesting.
I will say, many of the women I talk to who are leaving corporate, and even the medical industry, will move towards real estate. There is a low barrier to entry, there's a great opportunity to make significant income, (and theoretically), you can set your own hours.
One of the most brilliant businesswomen and entrepreneurs I know in the real estate space is my friend Jessica Peterson. If you want to see what is possibile, check out her LinkedIn :)
10. Sales
Sales might be a good fit for you if you are a woman over 50. This career offers a lot of flexibility. Plus, you can often set your own hours. This is great if you are looking for a better work/life balance. But sales is more than just flexibility.
It can also be financially rewarding. Your income is often tied directly to your performance. This means you are in control of how much you earn. Many sales positions offer commissions or bonuses. This can significantly boost your overall earnings.
Sales can also be personally fulfilling. You get to connect with people and build relationships. You help customers find solutions to their problems. This can be very satisfying, especially for women over 50. They often have great life experience. This allows them to connect with people on a deeper level. Sales can be a great way to use your experience to help others.
Think about different types of sales. Do you like working directly with people? Maybe retail sales is a good fit. If you enjoy technology, software sales could be interesting. Financial services are another area to consider. There are many choices available. The right one depends on your interests and skills.
Sales roles often require strong communication skills. This is something many women over 50 excel at. These skills can help you succeed in sales. Active listening is also important. It helps you understand your customer’s needs. If you enjoy interacting with people, give sales some serious thought.
Conclusion
Ready for a change? Many women over 50 are. You might be looking for more flexibility or maybe something more fulfilling. This is your time to create the legacy you want. Let's talk about some great career options.
Think about coaching. As a coach, you guide others. You use your life experience to help them grow. This can be a really rewarding career. Plus, you often set your own hours.
If you love to write, freelance writing could be a good fit. Many businesses need writers for websites and marketing materials. You could focus on your interests, like travel or food. Freelancing gives you the freedom to work from anywhere.
Virtual assisting is another popular choice. Many small businesses need help with administrative tasks. This could include scheduling, social media, or customer service. It’s a great way to use your organizational skills.
Teaching online lets you share your knowledge with the world. You could teach anything from cooking to software development. This career offers flexibility and a chance to connect with others.
Real estate is a solid option if you enjoy working with people. Helping people find their dream homes can be very satisfying. This career offers financial rewards too.
Consulting lets you use your expertise to help businesses succeed. This is a great choice if you have years of experience in a particular field. You can often set your own rates and choose your clients.
Have you considered starting your own business? Entrepreneurship can be challenging, but also very rewarding. It lets you pursue your passions and build something from the ground up. Check out my website for more guidance on entrepreneurship and other careers for women.
If you're passionate about health and wellness, becoming a health coach might be a good fit. You can help people achieve their health goals through diet and lifestyle changes. This is a growing field with lots of opportunity.
So, what’s holding you back? Take some time to think about your interests and skills. While these are the top ten careers for women that I picked, there are even more options.... so stay tuned (and sign up for my newsletter) to find out more!
This is your time to shine!
FAQs about Top Ten Careers for Women
What is the best career for females?
The "best" career depends on individual skills, interests, and goals. Healthcare, education, technology, and business typically offer strong prospects, growth, and earning potential for women.
Choosing a field that excites you is key to success and fulfillment. Your ideal path will leverage your individual skills and strengths.
What is the most female-dominated career?
The BLS shows preschool and kindergarten teachers, registered nurses, and speech-language pathologists have over 90% female representation. Healthcare, education, and personal care services are traditionally female-dominated.
What are the happiest careers for women?
Career happiness is subjective. Careers with high job satisfaction among women often involve helping others, creative expression, or intellectual stimulation.
Examples include nursing, therapy, education, social work, arts, and scientific research. Work-life balance and a supportive environment also matter.
What careers do women make the most money in?
High-paying careers for women include physicians, surgeons, pharmacists, nurse anesthetists, and CEOs. These often require advanced education but offer substantial median annual salaries. Consider other roles as well.
Remember gender pay gaps can still exist; advocate for fair compensation. Many women business owners also achieve high earnings, offering alternatives to traditional employment.
What’s Next?
Choosing a career is a personal journey. These top ten careers for women over 50 provide a starting point for your exploration of professional fulfillment.
If you are thinking of starting a new career or entering into entrepreneurship, grab one of my FREE 35-minute sessions here. Let's explore!
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Listen to the #GreyMatters podcast here.
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