5 Flexible Jobs that Pay Well According to Kerry Hannon Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.

5 Great Flexible Jobs

Independence and part-time hours can make for a fulfilling work life

Employment of event planners is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. Getty Images For many people, one of the biggest things to love about a job is having autonomy and control over their time. These workers say that a flexible job — one with an adaptable, telecommuting, part-time or freelance component — lowers stress, improves quality of life and makes them more engaged in the work itself. Gallup’s report backs that up, showing that engagement rises when employees have the opportunity to or off-site. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. This fact is why my book, AARP’s , delves into flexible jobs in a wide range of categories. In my reporting for the book, I generally found that workers over 50 are often willing to trade pay for that sense of independence. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > So here are five that you can expect to be in strong demand in 2018.

1 Event planner

The nitty-gritty: You’ll need organizational chops to manage logistics smoothly and professionally and with a sharp eye for detail. Event planners are the engineers behind annual association gatherings, big birthday bashes, weddings and fundraisers such as 10K charity races and silent auction black-tie dinners. Employment for meeting, convention and event planners is projected to grow by 10 percent from 2016 to 2026 — faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay range: Hourly pay ranges from $11.41 to $35.59, according to PayScale. Annual salary ranges from $28,950 to $72,942. Qualifications: There’s no must-have degree or certification for this kind of job. But some universities and community colleges offer them. George Washington University in Washington, D.C., for example, offers an event management certificate. You might also consider the . If weddings are your thing, check out the websites of the and the .

2 Customer service representative br

The nitty-gritty: You’ll need an up-to-date computer, a high-speed internet connection, a dedicated landline phone and headset, and a quiet place to work. You can expect to be answering calls, taking new orders and tracking existing ones. You might troubleshoot problems or help out with technical support. A sympathetic tone and can-do approach will serve you well in this work.
Pay range: $9.61 to $18.36, according to PayScale. Some firms provide health, vision and dental benefits, or access to group plan rates. Paid vacation and matching 401(k) plans may be a perk, but you’ll have to clock in enough hours to be eligible.
AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. , , and . Follow her on Twitter @kerryhannon. More on work AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS