What Jobs Can a 70-Year-Old Woman Do Part Time?

What jobs can a 70-year-old woman still do?

A 70-year-old woman can do many kinds of work; the best fit depends on her experience, interests, physical preferences, and desired hours. A job title matters less than the tasks, pace, setting, and schedule attached to it.

For work that is mainly seated or light in physical demand, explore customer service, reception, clerical and administrative support, bookkeeping, and remote roles. Tutoring or other teaching support can suit someone who enjoys sharing a subject or skill. Retail and healthcare support can offer in-person contact, though specific duties vary by employer and position.

For more structured part-time work with a community focus, look at the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). The U.S. Department of Labor says SCSEP offers job training and community-service work experience to unemployed people age 55 and older who meet income requirements. Placements can be at nonprofit and public facilities such as schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid at least the highest applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage.

Experience does not have to come only from a payroll job. Caregiving can build planning, communication, recordkeeping, patience, and problem-solving skills. Volunteering can show reliability, teamwork, event support, or comfort with the public. Describe those duties in clear work terms, then connect them to the job posting.

The broader labor market includes older workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 26.9% of people ages 65 to 74 participated in the labor force in 2023, and projects a rate of 30.4% by 2033. For people age 75 and older, participation was 8.3% in 2023, with a projected rise to 10.1% by 2033. These figures describe groups, not any one person’s prospects; they show that work at older ages is part of the labor force.

Where can older women find part-time work?

Older women can find part-time work through local employment programs, age-inclusive employer directories, job boards, community networks, and referrals. A targeted search saves time: begin with the places most likely to offer the schedule and work setting you want.

For public support, use CareerOneStop’s Older Worker Program Finder to search by location. It connects eligible low-income, unemployed seniors with older-worker programs, including SCSEP-supported training and community-service jobs. SCSEP is designed as a bridge to unsubsidized employment, so a placement can provide experience and a route toward another job.

The AARP Employer Directory lets job seekers search by state and job category. It includes areas such as customer service, clerical and administrative work, accounting and finance, healthcare, retail, and remote jobs. Its filters identify employers in AARP’s Employer Pledge Program, whose members publicly commit to recruiting across age groups and considering applicants equally.

Search more than public listings. AARP’s hiring guide recommends networking and referrals, which can surface opportunities that are not advertised. Tell former colleagues, community groups, and people in volunteer settings what kind of work and hours you seek. Be specific: “part-time office support, mornings” gives someone a clearer lead than “anything flexible.”

Before applying, compare the posting with your needs. Check whether the role is remote or in person, whether hours are fixed or variable, and what the daily tasks require. If the description leaves a key point unclear, ask the employer directly during the application process.

What jobs have flexible hours and are not too physically demanding?

Customer service, tutoring, bookkeeping, clerical support, reception, and some remote jobs often center on communication or desk-based tasks, while community-service placements can offer part-time hours. The actual physical demands and schedule depend on the employer, so review duties rather than relying on a job title.

Use a simple comparison before you apply:

This table is a starting point, not a promise about every position. Ask about essential duties, breaks, schedule, and accommodations before accepting an offer. A role that sounds light can still involve long periods standing or a fast pace; a remote role can still require sustained screen and phone work.

When a job asks for technology skills, name the tools you know and describe what you can do with them. AARP’s Smart Guide to Getting Hired After 50 recommends showing current technology skills and considering training or certifications when they match a target role. A short, relevant course can help fill a specific gap; there is no need to collect credentials unrelated to the work.

Tailor the resume to the opening. AARP recommends focusing on roughly the most recent 10 to 15 years of experience and matching the resume to the skills and keywords in the posting. Lead with relevant accomplishments, list current skills plainly, and give older experience less space unless it directly supports the role. For a career break, state the years accurately and use a concise explanation; do not disguise the gap or invent recent employment.

Age bias is a real concern for job seekers. AARP cites a 2024 Transamerica Institute survey in which 35% of employers named a specific age when asked when a candidate was too old for a job; the median age named was 58. The EEOC says the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects applicants and employees age 40 or older from age discrimination in hiring and other employment decisions. The law generally covers employers with 20 or more employees. The usual deadline to file an EEOC charge is 180 days, and state law can extend it.

Keep applications grounded in fit: show the experience, skills, schedule, and duties that match the role. If you believe an employer discriminated against you because of age, review the EEOC’s guidance promptly, since filing deadlines apply.