5 worst jobs for people over 50
Center for Retirement Research at Boston College’s study highlights some of the worst jobs for aging baby boomers.
Physically demanding jobs rated the worst.
A study has been released by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College that rates both the best and worst jobs for aging baby boomers in the United States. Unsurprisingly, jobs involving lots of physical labor rate the lowest for workers over 50.
The study combined data from the federal Occupational Information Network on the 52 most important work-related abilities for the country’s top occupations with medical, psychological and occupational studies that identify which of these abilities declines most with age.
A higher score in the “Susceptibility Index” developed by the study’s authors indicates a higher rate of age-related performance decline in an occupation. Blue collar jobs tended to have the highest rating, with physical labor having a higher toll on workers’ aging bodies.
Take a glance at the top 5 worst jobs for people over the age of 50 below and their median wage.
5. Roofer
Roofing can be a dangerous and hazardous job with high chances of injuring yourself falling. An accident on this job for someone over 50 could potentially force them into early retirement.
Median Wage: $12.53/hr
4. Fisherman
Commercial fishing is an incredibly labor-intensive occupation that only gets more difficult as your grow older.
Median Wage: $16.95/hr
3. Miner
While the sector has become largely automated in recent decades, operating machinery at a mine is still physically intense work that can take a toll on those over the age of 50.
Median Wage: $26.37/hr
2. Helper - Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
Home improvement can be difficult work for people of any age, but especially for those not far off from retirement.
Median Wage: $12.46/hr
1. Dancer
Muscles and joints weaken with age making dancing a much more difficult job for older people.
Median Wage: $14.31/hr









