Summer celebrations, including the FIFA World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday, are creating great opportunities for part-time and seasonal work for people age s 50 and up.
These events could help jump-start a job market that has seemingly stalled on the cusp of 2026. In November, the nation’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.6 percent, and 25.1 percent of job seekers 55 and older were long-term unemployed, meaning they have been looking for work for more than six months. Economic uncertainty over the Trump administration tariffs, generative AI and other factors has made employers hesitant to hire.
The arrival of the men’s World Cup could boost employment in 11 major metro areas across the United States. While the tournament doesn’t start until June, most arenas hosting matches have already started recruiting additional workers, as have near by hotels.
Likewise, semiquincentennial festivities are creating job opportunities. Some cities, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., have planned activities throughout the year to capitalize on the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The following 20 occupations are among those projected to have hiring increases in 2026 and beyond, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other sources. AARP focused on roles that might appeal to older adults because the y offer opportunities for part-time or remote work, flexible schedules or may not require extensive training to get hired. The list is in alphabetical order. All wage data is from the BLS.
If you need assistance with your job search, AARP and Indeed are collaborating to offer free and discounted services to older adults, including a job board, résumé assistance, interview preparation and career coaching.
Accountant and auditor
Median wage: $81,680 annually
The BLS projects that this occupation will add more than 72,000 new jobs over the next seven years, growth that could be especially appealing to older workers. Many accountants and auditors work in contract or part-time roles, which means flexible hours. Opportunities for remote work are also common.
One place to find these flexible positions is Work at Home Vintage Experts, a placement agency that specializes in helping older adults find contract work. Other comparable services are FlexJobs and Upwork.
Amusement and recreation attendant
Median wage: $29,390 annually
Are you ready for some football? If you’re a fan of international soccer, the answer likely is yes. From June 11 through July 19, 2026, the FIFA World Cup plays out across 104 matches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
In the U.S., matches will take place in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. In each of those locations, venues are hiring ushers and other types of attendants to help fans enjoy the spectacle. If you’re interested in a paid or volunteer role at arena s, parking venues or nearby facilities, don't wait to apply — most of these positions will be filled well before the tournament kicks off.
Chief human resources officer
Median wage: $140,030 annually
If there’s one executive-level role that sits at the intersection of the challenges business will need to navigate in 2026, it’s the head of the HR department. Economic uncertainties complicate decisions on how many workers a business can afford. Relatively low unemployment makes it increasingly difficult to hire talent. And the rise of generative AI in the workplace requires chief human resource officers to redefine their employees’ roles.
These factors seem to be contributing to high turnover rates in this role, which in turn feeds demand. According to an August 2025 report from the Talent Strategy Group, 30 new chief human resources officers were appointed at Fortune 200 companies in 2024. That’s a 15 percent turnover rate , up from 11 percent the previous year.
Full article @ https://www.aarp.org/work/job-search/in-demand-jobs-2026/