After spending years climbing the professional ladder, many older Americans are rethinking how they spend their time. With retirement age stretching and priorities shifting, certain jobs are falling out of favor. From physically grueling roles to emotionally draining service gigs, here are 12 jobs that just aren’t cutting it for the over-55 crowd anymore.
Retail Sales
Retail jobs once offered a reliable way to stay active and earn extra income. But today, many are walking away from the industry. Long hours on their feet, low pay, and limited flexibility make retail increasingly unappealing, especially for those dealing with health considerations or seeking more meaningful work.
With wages averaging around $16.7 an hour and little room for advancement, the retail grind no longer aligns with the needs or values of many aging workers. One in five Americans works in the retail and hospitality sector, yet over half of frontline retail employees are now considering quitting.
Teacher
Teaching, once a stable and respected career path, is becoming less appealing to older Americans, many of whom are opting out due to mounting pressures and diminishing returns. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average public school teacher salary in 2020–21 was $61,600, which has barely budged in real terms over the past decade.
Meanwhile, teachers work an average of 53 hours per week, seven more than the average working adult. Burnout is a growing concern: recent data shows that 8% to 10% of U.S. teachers leave the profession each year, often citing stress, low pay, and lack of support.
Nurse
Nursing is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding. For older nurses, the toll is becoming harder to ignore. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that more than one-quarter of registered nurses plan to retire or leave this profession within the next five years.
The median age of registered nurses is now 46, and many are shifting toward less strenuous roles or leaving healthcare altogether. With nurses working an average of 50 hours per week and the U.S. projected to need over 200,000 new RNs annually through 2031, the pressure is mounting.
Sanitation Worker
Once seen as a steady civil service role with decent benefits, sanitation work is now a tough sell for many older Americans. The early morning hours, exposure to unsanitary conditions, and physically demanding tasks are increasingly at odds with the priorities of an aging workforce.
Refuse and recyclable material collection ranks as one of the most hazardous civilian occupations, with significantly higher rates of injuries and deaths than the national average. As health and safety take center stage later in life, it’s no surprise that more seasoned workers are bowing out of this demanding line of work.
Factory Worker
The repetitive lifting, long hours on concrete floors, and exposure to loud or hazardous environments of factory work can take a serious toll with age. According to Zippia, over 273,000 factory workers are currently employed in the U.S., with an average age of 38, and more than 40% are over 40 years old.
Despite the demand, the annual salary for a factory worker is between $22,000 and $38,000. This offers limited financial incentive for older Americans balancing health concerns and long-term stability.
Postal Work and Package Delivery
Postal work and package delivery may appear routine, but the physical demands tell a different story. With long hours on foot, heavy lifting, and tight delivery schedules, the job can be grueling for those facing age-related mobility or joint issues.
The average age of postal workers is 51, and over 83% are aged 40 or older, according to Zippia, a clear sign that many are nearing the point where the physical toll outweighs the benefits.
Truck Driver
Truck driving may offer solitude and decent pay, but the trade-offs are becoming too steep. The long hours, sedentary lifestyle, and physical strain on the back and joints can be tough to manage with age.
In 2024, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers earned a median annual salary of $57,440.The industry is expected to add 102,000 jobs by 2033. Yet despite the demand, turnover remains high. Zippia reports that the average truck driver is 47 years old, and 72% are over 40, suggesting many are nearing the point where health and lifestyle concerns outweigh the paycheck.
Childcare
Childcare may be deeply fulfilling, but it’s also one of the most taxing jobs, both physically and emotionally. Long hours, low pay, and the constant energy required to care for young children can wear down even the most dedicated caregivers.
The annual wage for childcare workers was $32,050 in 2024, or about $15.41 per hour, and employment in the field is projected to decline by 1% through 2033. For workers approaching retirement or seeking lighter responsibilities, the demanding nature of childcare, paired with its low pay, is pushing many to look elsewhere.
Trade workers
Roles like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work demand physical endurance, flexibility, and long hours—requirements that become harder to meet with age. While over 34.7 million Americans were employed in trades as of 2022, the aging workforce is thinning out, and fast.
In fact, for every new skilled tradesperson, there are 20 open positions, according to McKinsey, a gap driven mainly by retirements. With the average age of a tradesperson now 45, it’s clear that many seasoned workers are reaching a point where the physical strain outweighs the job’s rewards.
Construction Workers
After years of lifting, hauling, and braving the elements, many construction workers are ready to trade their hard hats for roles that are easier on the body. Construction isn’t just physically demanding—it often means long shifts, dangerous worksites, and limited time to recover between jobs.
In 2023, over 1.5 million construction laborers were employed in the U.S., earning a median annual wage of $46,050, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the physical rigors of the trade are prompting many seasoned pros to either exit the field or shift into roles where their experience can shine without putting their health on the line.
Food Service Worker
Food service work has never been easy. The long hours, constant movement, and emotional toll of dealing with customers make it a tough fit for aging workers.
As of January 2022, the industry had the highest quit rate of any sector at 6.9%, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. And while the industry continues to grow, the churn remains high. With modest wages and little flexibility, many workers are trading in their aprons for roles that offer more stability and less strain.
Security Guard
Security guard roles may seem low-impact, but the reality is far more demanding. Extended periods of standing, overnight shifts, and the stress of maintaining vigilance can take a toll on physical and mental health.
With an average age of 43 and more than 30% of guards aged 45 or older, according to Zippia, many find the job increasingly unsustainable. As sleep becomes more critical and physical resilience wanes with age, it’s no surprise that older Americans are stepping away from this once-steady line of work.
