Advances in life expectancy and rising cost of living are making retirement less of a fixed milestone and more of a moving target. According to Northwestern Mutual, the average American believes they need $1.26 million to comfortably retire today – up from $951,000 from 2020, and dramatically more than in previous decades.
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As the cost of retirement climbs, more Americans are delaying their exit from the workforce. Gallup data shows workforce participation rising among older adults, with the average retirement age increasing from 59 in the early 2000s to 62 today. In some occupations, the delay in retirement is even more pronounced, with adults over the age of 65 accounting for more than one in four workers.
The list of occupations with the oldest workers cuts across income tiers and skill profiles. High-paying, high-prestige jobs like chief executive, judge, and attorney exhibit delayed retirement patterns associated with long career arcs and human capital accumulation. At the other end of the income spectrum, meanwhile, flexible, people-oriented roles like clergy, tour guides, and school bus drivers attract a disproportionate number of older workers. A closer look at the data reveals the jobs workers don’t want to retire from.
To determine the jobs that workers don’t want to retire from, Nifty 50+ reviewed labor force data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey. Detailed occupations were ranked based on the percentage of workers who are 65 years and older as of 2024. Supplemental data on average annual salary is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program and is for 2024.
30. Chief executives
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 12.6%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 40.9%
– Median age: 52.2 years
– Average annual salary: $262,930
29. Precision instrument and equipment repairers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 12.7%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 27.3%
– Median age: 44.0 years
– Average annual salary: $65,560
28. Postsecondary teachers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 13.5%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 32.1%
– Median age: 49.0 years
– Average annual salary: $102,410
27. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 13.5%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 39.1%
– Median age: 50.1 years
– Average annual salary: $52,020
26. News analysts, reporters, and journalists
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 13.7%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 21.9%
– Median age: 41.4 years
– Average annual salary: $106,030
25. Personal care and service workers, all other
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 13.7%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 26.0%
– Median age: 40.4 years
– Average annual salary: $37,990
24. Lawyers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 13.9%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 30.8%
– Median age: 46.3 years
– Average annual salary: $182,760
23. Archivists, curators, and museum technicians
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 14.3%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 24.7%
– Median age: 43.2 years
– Average annual salary: $62,900
22. Property appraisers and assessors
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 15.0%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 46.3%
– Median age: 52.4 years
– Average annual salary: $77,160
21. Writers and authors
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 15.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 30.4%
– Median age: 44.8 years
– Average annual salary: $85,780
20. Real estate brokers and sales agents
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 15.3%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 37.7%
– Median age: 49.6 years
– Average annual salary: $75,240
19. Information and record clerks, all other
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 16.1%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 34.8%
– Median age: 45.9 years
– Average annual salary: $50,200
18. Laundry and dry-cleaning workers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 16.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 43.2%
– Median age: 48.9 years
– Average annual salary: $33,990
17. Property, real estate, and community association managers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 16.6%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 36.7%
– Median age: 49.2 years
– Average annual salary: $82,720
16. Tax preparers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 16.8%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 37.2%
– Median age: 46.9 years
– Average annual salary: $58,860
15. Motor vehicle operators, all other
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 17.7%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 37.7%
– Median age: 46.8 years
– Average annual salary: $40,980
14. Chiropractors
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 18.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 38.2%
– Median age: 49.1 years
– Average annual salary: $91,830
13. Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 18.5%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 36.9%
– Median age: 51.7 years
– Average annual salary: $42,930
12. Religious workers, all other
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 19.1%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 37.2%
– Median age: 47.4 years
– Average annual salary: $49,830
11. Cutting workers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 19.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 32.7%
– Median age: 44.3 years
– Average annual salary: $45,840
10. Tour and travel guides
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 19.3%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 35.1%
– Median age: 40.2 years
– Average annual salary: $43,090
9. Models, demonstrators, and product promoters
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 21.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 26.9%
– Median age: 31.8 years
– Average annual salary: $46,610
8. Clergy
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 21.3%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 43.3%
– Median age: 51.2 years
– Average annual salary: $67,160
7. Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 22.1%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 50.0%
– Median age: 53.7 years
– Average annual salary: $128,190
6. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 22.9%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 51.7%
– Median age: 54.5 years
– Average annual salary: $58,390
5. Musicians and singers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 23.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 36.3%
– Median age: 46.3 years
– Average annual salary: $114,670
4. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 25.3%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 51.9%
– Median age: 54.0 years
– Average annual salary: $39,070
3. Bus drivers, school
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 26.4%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 56.2%
– Median age: 56.0 years
– Average annual salary: $46,660
2. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 32.2%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 52.9%
– Median age: 55.8 years
– Average annual salary: $97,240
1. Crossing guards and flaggers
– Share of workers 65 years and older: 33.9%
– Share of workers 55 years and older: 51.8%
– Median age: 53.7 years
– Average annual salary: $42,910
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