If you’re looking for a job, there are many new opportunities available now as unemployment remains low and hiring demand stays high. Some are new occupations that didn’t exist 20 years ago.
Some of these newer occupations already have become popular among older adults, for example, 84 percent of Uber drivers are age 41 and older (job discrimination begins at age 40), according to a report from Brainvire, a technology industry consulting firm. The Ride-hailing service Uber launched in 2009, has quickly become an accessible job opportunity for workers of all ages.
Ways to Benefit
The following 16 jobs, listed alphabetically, show just how much the types of career opportunities available can change in just a few years. Average wage data is from salary.com. and other sources.
BUDTENDER
Why it started: Legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012.
Average wage: $18.00
Budtenders typically earn between $20 and $100+ per shift in tips, which translates to an additional $2 to $10+ per hour on top of their base hourly wage.
A budtender is a title of a staff member who works within a dispensary or store where medical or recreational cannabis is sold. The job has evolved dramatically from an informal, niche position into a mainstream retail career after Colorado and Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. Budtenders now act as highly regulated hospitality and compliance professionals who must navigate strict point-of-sale tracking software and state-specific safety regulations.
Training and certification may be useful in obtaining a position, but there is no single mandatory nationwide license for budtenders. Free training/certificate: https://www.flowhub.com/budtender-basic-training Cannabis Budtender Certification (CCBT) is a nationally recognized professional credential issued by the National Career Certification Board (NCCB). However, cannabis laws are dictated locally; depending on where you live, you may need a separate, mandatory state-approved certificate.
CLOUD COMPUTING SPECIALIST
Why it started: Google announced its use of cloud computing in 2006.
Average wage: $ $60.00 per hour
Cloud computing is the backbone of most of today’s internet technology. Movie streaming, photo storage and online shopping are among the many everyday services that are powered by cloud computing in some role. As more businesses shifted to operating remotely during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, hiring demand for cloud computing experts increased.
CONTACT TRACER
Why it started: The United States declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency in March 2020.
Average wage: $21.54 per hour
While contact tracing has existed as an occupation for many decades, the coronavirus pandemic put a new spotlight on the job. Contact tracers are responsible for reaching out to people who may have been exposed to a contagious illness to provide them with information and resources and to determine who else may have been exposed. While many contact tracers got their start through on-the-job training, some people in this field have certifications or degrees in epidemiology or other related disciplines.
CRYPTOCURRENCY ADVISER
Why it started: Bitcoin launched in January 2009.
Average wage: $50.55 per hour
In little more than a dozen years, more than $804 billion globally has been invested in cryptocurrencies. That marketplace continues to evolve rapidly, meaning that investors need guidance from someone who closely follows the field. In addition to overall experience with providing investment advice, cryptocurrency advisers also should have professional certifications in digital assets management.
DELIVERY DRIVER
Why it started: Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, offering free two-day delivery for most orders. To do this Amazon has partnered with local Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), independent delivery organizations that help Amazon deliver thousands of packages to customers every day. DSP delivery drivers are employed by individual DSPs (not Amazon). Each DSP is independently responsible for the hiring, performance management, and termination of its employees. DSP employees’ compensation is set by individual DSPs (not Amazon) and each DSP has complete discretion over the wages, bonuses, benefits, and other incentives it offers.
Average wage: $22.60 per hour
DRONE PLANE OPERATOR
Why it started: The Federal Aviation Administration issued the first commercial drone permit in 2006.
Average wage: $27.55 per hour
It typically takes four to six weeks to learn how to become a drone operator. Once you have a license, you have access to a field that is growing rapidly as government agencies, filmmakers and businesses discover new ways to use these aerial devices. For example, Amazon recently has been testing the use of drones for deliveries of small packages in Lockeford, California, and College Station, Texas.
E-sports coach
Why it started: Twitch, a streaming service that originally focused on people watching other people play video games, launched in June 2011.
Average wage: $29.39 per hour
Video games are steadily becoming an actual sport, with several professional leagues now available and hundreds of college scholarships for students who join e-sports teams. These teams need coaches who can help players develop skills and compete better in tournaments.
MOBILE APP DEVELOPER
Why it started: The first iPhone debuted on June 29, 2007.
Average wage: $48.67 per hour
In less than 20 years, mobile apps — just like the smartphones on which they typically are used — have become an essential part of our daily habits. When a business decides that an app is the best way to connect with its clients, it usually hires an external app developer company to design and launch the software. As developer, you need both the soft skills to understand what the client wants and the technical skills to create software that brings that vision to life. While many mobile developers have a degree in computer science or a related field, coding boot camps also are accessible ways to get started in this career.
ONLINE CRAFTS MERCHANT
Why it started: Web marketplace Etsy launched in 2005.
Average wage: $21.40 per hour
Prior to the arrival of Etsy, setting up your own business online could be difficult. Today, that website — and others like it, such as Amazon Handmade, and website builders like Weebly and Wix — have made it easier for artisans to sell their crafts nationwide. While you’re still responsible for the manufacturing, marketing and shipping of your crafts, these tools can make it easier to connect with customers online.
ONLINE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Why it started: Many people stopped going to fitness centers after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
Average wage: $21.59 per hour, but also depends on your specialty
The online fitness market developed and grew during the Covid epidemic growing from $11.39 billion in 2021 to $16.15 billion in 2022, according to the Business Research Company. The online fitness continues to be a growing market.
Adults over 50 make up a massive portion of the population and frequently look for specialized guidance around joint health, sarcopenia (muscle loss), and general mobility. Some training may be necessary, but life experience, communication, empathy, and maturity matter much more to clients than a trainer’s biological age. You need the functional health and passion to guide others safely, not the looks and skills of a gymnast.
PODCAST PRODUCER
Why it started: The true-crime investigation Serial brought podcasting to mainstream audiences in 2014; the format overall first arrived in 2004.
Average wage: $30.90 per hour
Many podcasts aim to make you feel like you’re listening to a good conversation between friends. The truth is it takes plenty of work to make those discussions sound so natural, and producers are the ones responsible for managing most of that preparation. Depending on the show, a producer’s responsibilities can include booking the guests, giving the hosts guidance on topics of conversation, helping with the technical side of recording the show, and assisting with finances and promotion.
RIDE-SHARE DRIVER
Why it started: Uber launched in March 2009.
Average wage: $18.22 per hour
Driving for ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft offers the flexibility to work when you want, an option that appeals to many older adults. For example, according to one report, 84.8 percent of Uber’s drivers are 41 or older. To qualify as a driver for most ride-booking services, you will need a driver’s license with a clean record, automobile insurance and a car that is less than 10 years old.
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER
Why it started: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter launched in the mid-2000s.
Average wage: $33.15 per hour
If you’ve been building up followers on your social media accounts, as many “grandfluencers” have, it might be time to consider making some money from them. You will need some entrepreneurial skills because there are several ways to earn money as an influencer. For example, some influencers with large followings negotiate deals with companies to promote their products in sponsored posts. Some sites also enable you to receive some revenue from advertising that runs alongside your posts.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Why it started: Facebook, YouTube and Twitter launched in the mid-2000s.
Average wage: $23.75 per hour
Social media platforms can be among the most effective ways for businesses and organizations to connect with customers, but it takes savvy to make that communication happen. Social media managers plan, design and schedule posts for platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to promote a company’s products, services and overall identity. For example, having created a sassy identity with the memorable “Where’s the beef?” commercials in the ’80s, Wendy’s has translated that type of irreverence into a Twitter account with more than 3.9 million followers.
SUSTAINABILITY CONSULTANT
Average wage: 40.00 per hour
Why it started: The term sustainability as we understand it today appeared in 1972. Niche industries appeared in the 1980s and 1990s and sustainability has become strongly established in politics, business and society in the 21st century
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to organizations these days. Even companies that aren’t working in ‘green’ sectors are hiring people to help them use their resources more effectively and make environmentally friendly decisions.
Entry level roles in sustainability consulting are in increasing demand as organizations prioritize environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance. These positions often require skills in data analysis, environmental regulations, and sustainability reporting, with job growth driven by the expanding focus on corporate social responsibility and climate initiatives.
Breaking into sustainability consulting typically requires a background in environmental science, engineering, or related fields, along with strong analytical and communication skills. Gaining relevant experience through internships, certifications like LEED or GRI, and staying informed about industry trends can improve your chances of entry into the field.
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT
Why it started: The term first appeared in 1996, but the COVID-19 pandemic made the role more popular.
Average wage: $21 per hour
If you have experience working as an administrative assistant but would prefer not having to go into the office, virtual assistant could be the job for you. In addition to being able to work from home, most virtual assistants can choose whether to take the role as gig work, an independent contractor or in a part-time or full-time staff position.
Information from AARP, Kenneth Terrell and other sources.
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