Demographics shape career choices in all kinds of subtle ways. Research has examined the effect of gender and geography on career choice. But what about age?In his book "150 Best Jobs for a Secure Future," author Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., shares some of the most secure jobs by demographic -- jobs that tend to attract a high volume of certain types of workers. In one such list, Shatkin reveals the best secure jobs with a high percentage of workers age 55 and over.
To create this list, Shatkin first identified the 150 most secure jobs based on various data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Next, he sorted those jobs in order of the list's primary criterion -- workers age 55-plus. He then sorted the list further using earnings, growth rate and number of openings.
Shatkin is not implying that workers in this age range should consider these jobs based solely on their inclusion in this list. It's just meant to provide a different perspective on the types of jobs that are popular amongst workers in this demographic. Mature workers might be drawn to these positions for different, personal reasons. Certain roles, such as chief executives, often require a significant amount of experience. If this list makes you consider a potential job that you might have otherwise overlooked for any reason, you'll find yourself in good company.
Here are 14 secure jobs with a high percentage of workers age 55-plus:
1. Clinical, counseling and school psychologists*
- Percent age 55 and over: 41.9
- Median annual salary: $67,880**
2. Psychologists, all other (not listed separately)
- Percent age 55 and over: 41.9
- Median annual salary: $90,010
3. Chief executives
- Percent age 55 and over: 35.5
- Median annual salary: $166,910
4. Physicists
- Percent age 55 and over: 33.8
- Median annual salary: $106,360
5. Urban and regional planners
- Percent age 55 and over: 33.8
- Median annual salary: $64,100
6. Management analysts
- Percent age 55 and over: 32.3
- Median annual salary: $78,490
7. Education administrators, all other
- Percent age 55 and over: 32.2
- Median annual salary: $76,730
8. Education administrators, elementary and secondary school
- Percent age 55 and over: 32.2
- Median annual salary: $87,470
9. Education administrators, postsecondary
- Percent age 55 and over: 32.2
- Median annual salary: $84,280
10. Administrative services managers
- Percent age 55 and over: 31.9
- Median annual salary: $79,540
11. Instructional coordinators
- Percent age 55 and over: 31.9
- Median annual salary: $59,280
12. Writers and authors
- Percent age 55 and over: 31.9
- Median annual salary: $55,870
13. Transportation inspectors
- Percent age 55 and over: 31.3
- Median annual salary: $62,230
14. Social and community service managers
- Percent age 55 and over: 30.8
- Median annual salary: $58,660
Source: careerbuilder