The Grind Never Stops: Top Jobs for Retirees in Singapore
Even though the age of retirement in Singapore is 60 years old, there are still residents aged 60 and above who are employed here. In fact, The Strait Times reported that about 47.5% of senior citizens were employed in 2022, which is an increase from 2019.
My grandparents have been working here and there to keep themselves occupied during their retirement. If you’re looking for suggestions yourself—from freelance jobs to part-time jobs to full-time—here are the top jobs for retirees in Singapore.
What are the best jobs for retirees and senior citizens in Singapore?
Canteen Staff
The job of a canteen staff in Singapore falls under food preparation and packaging, which is basically a process that aims to boost the production line while preserving the quality of the food products of a company—usually one that does catering.
So, if you’re ever hired for this position, you’ll have to operate semi-auto food processing machines. It sounds intimidating, but it’s a skill that you can easily learn on the job—hence why this job is considered entry-level and perfect for retirees.
While you can typically find this job offering in catering companies, it’s also possible to see hotels and restaurants looking for new additions to their canteen staff.
Possible Salary: around S$1,500–2,000 per month
Landscape Gardener
Are you a plant lover who has a green thumb? Then, you might want to consider working as a landscape gardener.
Essentially, landscape gardeners are tasked to take care of plants. You have to develop and maintain sustainable methods of agriculture and farming, and sometimes, you might also be asked to provide flower arrangements and decorations for an event.
In other words, you’ll be doing a lot of planting, watering, and pruning in a garden. If this job sounds intriguing to you, you might want to look out for openings in resorts and parks—though private homes with lush gardens offer this job as well.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,550 per month
Florist
If you prefer the idea of arranging flowers in bouquets rather than propagating plants in general, then being a florist might be the ideal post-retirement career path.
As you can guess from the title, being a florist means creating floral displays to be sold in a store or delivered to an event like weddings and funerals. The job might also ask you to go to markets to buy flowers or advise customers on which flowers to pick.
The great thing about this job is that it allows you to get creative. You’ll be able to learn about the language of flowers, and you can use that knowledge to create your own unique designs for wreaths and bouquets.
Many people find working as a florist to be a rewarding job, especially since you’ll always have room to improve your creative designs!
Possible Salary: Around S$2,000–2,400 per month
Laundry Assistant
As a laundry assistant, your main responsibilities will include collecting dirty linens and clothing from your wards, separating and washing said linens and clothing, and assisting in other daily operations, such as folding, packing, and dispatching laundry.
The great thing about this job is that you don’t need to be experienced to get it—though, of course, having experience definitely helps. Some employers will also offer additional perks, such as paid leaves and medical benefits.
The downside is that this job requires a lot of standing and moving around.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,600 per month
Cleaner or Janitor
If you’re hired as a cleaner or a janitor, it’s your primary responsibility to carry out cleaning and maintenance duties to ensure that your designated area is in orderly condition.
Your tasks will mostly be cleaning, stocking, and supplying designated facility areas, but you might also be asked to do a routine inspection and maintenance. It’s a pretty straightforward job, but it will also require a lot of moving around the designated area.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,600–2,000 per month
Maid or Domestic Helper
Being a maid or domestic helper is somewhat similar to being a cleaner or laundry assistant, but instead of working for multiple clients or within a particular building, you’ll be working for one employer. You might also be required to live in the same house.
Generally speaking, the main task of a maid or domestic helper is keeping the house in order. So, you’ll be doing a lot of cleaning (e.g. vacuuming and dusting) and preparing meals, and if the employer has kids, you’ll have to babysit as well.
The list of a maid’s responsibilities is ever-changing and flexible, so it will depend on what you and your employer have agreed on.
Possible Salary: Around S$635–1,400 per month
Kitchen Crew
There are different job positions that fall under “kitchen crew.” You could be a waiter or dishwasher, or if you’re qualified enough, you can also serve as an assistant cook.
Whatever the position is, your general responsibilities include assisting in all food preparation and cooking, maintaining and keeping the kitchen clean, and helping the service crew. Other ad-hoc duties will also be assigned when needed.
The great thing about working as a kitchen crew is that you’ll get a staff discount on the restaurant’s products. You’ll also enjoy medical benefits and other perks, which is great to hear.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,600 per month
Pest Control Worker
Simply put, being a pest control worker means conducting inspections at clients’ houses or commercial spaces for potential pest infestations. You’ll have to perform tasks such as fogging, misting, and baiting, and you might be required to work outdoors if needed.
To be hired for this position, you’ll need to have taken Primary Education with PSLE or PSPE and be knowledgeable on how to use certain chemicals against pests.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,000–1,400 per month
Warehouse Packer
If you’re hired as a warehouse packer, your main job is to measure and package goods according to the required standards set out by the company. You’ll also make sure that the labels are properly put on the packages and help in the warehouse logistics.
Additionally, you’ll be tasked to ensure that workplace health, hygiene, and safety requirements are met, and if you ever encounter a problem, you report directly to the warehouse manager.
It’s another perfect example of a straightforward job that pays relatively okay.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,400–2,000 per month
Pump Attendant
As a pump attendant, you’ll be working at petrol stations where your primary task is to fill up a vehicle’s tank with petrol. Ad-hoc tasks might also be assigned, such as promoting and selling of company’s products and basic cleaning of the station.
What’s great about being a pump attendant is that people without any relevant experience are welcome to apply. You’ll get training so you can learn all the skills on the job.
As with any other job, you might be required to work in shifts, which you might consider a downside, especially if you don’t like working a late night or graveyard shift. So, keep that in mind when you’re planning to apply for a pump attendant position.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,500–1,800 per month
Massage Therapist
Are you skilled at giving massages? Then becoming a massage therapist after retirement might be something you want to consider.
As you can guess from the title, a massage therapist is someone who provides clients with a great massage that relaxes their muscles. You might also have to perform massages on people who have injuries or certain conditions.
Because of this, you’ll have to get a detailed medical history from your clients first so that you’ll know which technique to use. It will also help if you already have relevant medical training or experience since the position does have a significant learning curve.
If you’re interested, you can find massage therapist openings in spas, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers.
Possible Salary: Around S$2,700 per month
Teacher
If you were already a teacher before retiring and you love that position, then here’s a piece of good news for you: you can totally continue working as a teacher even as a retiree!
In fact, many teachers in various educational institutions—be it public or private schools—actually choose to remain in the profession even if they’re already eligible for retirement.
It’s understandable why teachers decide to continue on in this career path: the job is extremely rewarding, and it also pays really well. There’s also a level of comfort that comes with doing a job you already know and love.
If you’re not a teacher, there’s still a chance for you to become one post-retirement—though maybe not in a traditional sense.
For example, if you’re knowledgeable about a certain topic, you can hold classes that teach interested parties about it.
Possible Salary: Around S$4,000–11,000 per month
Tailor
People might prefer buying their clothes at branded stores, but there’s still a need for customized outfits—and that’s where a tailor comes in. If you’re passionate about creating clothes, this is the best post-retirement job for you.
As a tailor, you’ll most likely work with clients who want something personalized, and you’ll have to create a unique design based on the requirements they give you. Once you have the design, you’ll have to make patterns and do all the sewing.
What makes this profession great is that you have the freedom to be as creative as you want to be. And you’ll also get to improve the more you create clothes, which makes for a rewarding experience.
Possible Salary: Around S$1,800–2,000 per month
Jewelry Maker
If you’re quite creative and have great attention to detail, then you might be interested in becoming a jewelry maker when you retire.
As a jewelry maker, you’ll have the chance to produce all kinds of personal ornaments, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. So, you’ll need to be creative to be qualified for this job; a good eye for visual details is also essential.
Many retirees I know get into jewelry making as a hobby, but if you’re serious enough to capitalize on your skills, you can work at jewelry stores or start your own business creating and selling custom pieces of jewelry.
Possible Salary: Around S$2,000–2,800 per month
Artist
Last but not least, becoming an artist is a career path you can take when you retire.
If you’ve always been artistic—maybe you draw or paint or write in your spare time—but you’ve never made the leap because you don’t think you’re going to make money, now is the time to give this dream a chance.
You can operate a business where people send you commissions and you provide them with artwork based on what they want. Or if you’re a writer, you can just work on a story and submit it to publications like magazines.