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Career change at 50: how to start your new journey

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Changing careers at 50: Quick summary

  • 50 is a realistic time to change careers, bringing benefits like depth of experience, good judgement, and a strong network.
  • There are lots of careers that value maturity and experience, including consultancy, management, education, and healthcare.
  • Changing careers at 50 can help you work towards what matters to you now. This could be better work-life balance, a fresh challenge or a career that fits your longer-term plans.
  • Following a clear career change plan will keep you on the right track for a successful change in direction.
  • A postgraduate qualification can help you strengthen your knowledge in a particular field and build skills for more senior roles.

Starting a new career journey at 50

Changing careers at 50 can be a sensible and realistic option, especially as working lives in the UK are getting longer. According to the UK Government’s September 2025 report on the economic and labour-market status of people aged 50+, the employment rate among 50-64 year-olds increased from 70.4% in 2022 to 71.6% in 2025.

Looking for a new direction at 50 can also come with many benefits, such as work experience and clarity on what you want. By the end of this guide, you'll have a better understanding of the different career change routes available, and how to have a successful career change at 50.

Is it too late to change careers at 50?

So, you've decided it's time for a new direction. But you might be wondering, is 50 too old to change careers? Though you might be concerned about employers dismissing you due to your lack of experience in the sector, or even worry about facing ageism, 50 is actually a very practical age for a career change. You're not in the minority if you're considering a new challenge, with a large percentage of UK workers currently looking for a new direction. Reed's recent study on salary and benefit trends in 2026 found that 72% of the workplace is currently considering a new role.

At 50, it is still important to be in a career you enjoy, especially as working lives are getting longer. Gov.uk data published in September 2025 shows that the average age at which UK men leave the labour market is now 65.8 years, which is the highest recorded since 1984. For women, it is 64.7 years. So, it's sensible to choose a path you will enjoy and that matches your values.

Are you polishing your CV in preparation for a new career? Read our advice on writing the perfect CV.

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Why a career change at 50 can work in your favour

At 50, you're likely to bring decades of work experience, and more clarity about what you want in a role than some younger professionals. Your experience can bring plenty of transferable skills that employers will value, for example, perhaps you've managed a team or led a number of projects over the years. Even though you might be starting in a new industry, you can still use these skills to your advantage and impress employers at interviews.

With experience also comes connections and networks, which is something you can make the most of for recommendations or updates on new roles. You'll also have had time to think about what you value in a company role - for example, this could be flexibility, a fast-paced environment, or rewarding work.

Read our guide to useful transferable skills in the workplace here.

Common reasons people change their career goals at 50

There are lots of reasons why professionals decide to take the leap at 50, and these can include:

  • A need for increased flexibility

    Your priorities can change throughout your working life, and your lifestyle needs might also be a key reason for a change in direction. For example, you may want to move away from long hours, or a demanding commute that leaves you feeling tired or drained. Changing career can be an opportunity to find work that offers more flexibility, or a healthier work-life balance that supports better mental health.

  • Looking for a role with more purpose

    After spending many years in the same career or industry, you might decide that you want something different from your career and a new challenge. Or, you might simply feel that you want a role that is more meaningful to you and matches your values more closely. This could mean using your experience in a new way, or pursuing an interest you've had for years that you're passionate about. Depending on your priorities, this could mean a rewarding role working with children, or even a healthcare role.

  • Having more time to explore a new career

    With the average UK retirement age increasing, changing career at 50 can still leave you with plenty of time to build experience and progress towards a new direction that aligns with your interests and passions. You may also want to develop new skills that keep your options open as industries and roles change.

    Think about potential milestones you'd still like to meet, and whether you have a skill or strength that you don't use as much as you'd like to. Maybe you'd like to manage a team and motivate people, or use your experience in a different way to help improve someone's quality of life in a healthcare role.

  • Redundancy

    Redundancy or job loss can bring an unexpected hurdle and can be especially difficult if your field doesn't have a lot of opportunities available. This can lead many professionals to look at other potential sectors, and use the opportunity to reassess what they want to do next.

    At 50, you might even know yourself and your skillset better than you did in your 20s or 30s, so it can be a good time to re-evaluate your values or goals. Rather than looking only for a similar role, you might decide to transfer your existing skills to a different industry, retrain for a new profession or pursue a career you've previously considered.

How to change careers at 50: a step-by-step guide

Where do you start when choosing to change careers at 50? Here are our top tips and practical steps to help you choose the right direction:

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Clarify goals and non-negotiables

Start by thinking about what you'd like to gain from a career change and what would make your next role more fulfilling. You might want to use your strengths in a new way, take on more responsibility or move into a field you've always been interested in. For example, you may have worked in a technical office role but would find a caring profession such as teaching or nursing more rewarding.

Once you have a clearer idea of what you're looking for, consider the practical factors you don't want to compromise on. You may need flexible working hours to fit around other commitments, for example, or want to avoid a long commute.

Research ideal career options

It can be useful to do some research into high-demand roles in the job market and the best-paying fields. Do some research into career options that you are passionate about, and read descriptions for roles that interest you. You can then compare the experience, skills and formal qualifications required with what you already have.

Explore our guide on the most employable master's degrees in the UK.

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Map transferable skills and address genuine gaps

Next, consider where you have transferable skills and how your existing strengths can benefit you in various job roles. For example, maybe you can demonstrate excellent problem-solving or communication skills that could benefit you in a management role in another sector. Or, maybe you have great critical thinking skills that could benefit you in a business analysis or operations role. Read our guide to project management roles here.

If you have significant gaps when it comes to the right skills needed in your chosen field, consider completing a short training course or asking your current employer if you can help out in an area that interests you. You might even want to consider a postgraduate course to develop your specialist knowledge in a particular industry. If you want to move into a senior management role, a course such as an online MBA could provide the skills to prepare you for leadership roles.

Refresh your CV and LinkedIn

Next, refresh your CV and focus on transferable skills that may benefit you in your new role. For example, if you're interested in moving into a school business manager role, consider organisational and time-keeping skills and highlight these in your CV.

Perhaps you've taken charge of projects at work in the past, and feel this could be beneficial in a project management role. If possible, include the outcomes of these tasks, as well as listing the responsibilities. Read our tips on writing a perfect CV for more guidance.

Best careers to go into at 50

Some fields where maturity and experience are particularly beneficial include consultancy roles, management roles, education, healthcare management, coaching and project management positions. Below is a quick summary of the popular career change options, along with the typical entry routes in the UK, and UK salary ranges:

CareerTypical entry routeUK salary range
Consultancy

If you've been working in a field for a while, you might know enough on the area to consult on it. For example, for an education consultant, you'll likely start in a teaching role or even an administrator role, and make your way up to a consultant.

An online MBA programme can also help you develop your business and leadership knowledge, which may support a move into consultancy or help you advise organisations at a more senior level.

This varies considerably by specialism. For example, management consultants average around £59,832 per year, HR consultants £44,661, and IT consultants earn £44,237 per year on average.
Management

Some people progress from an individual contributor role and make their way up to management level. Or, you may be able to build on experience from a previous management role and transfer your skills to a new sector. You may also need new qualifications or specialist training.

Postgraduate qualifications can help you to build useful leadership and management skills to prepare for a senior role.

Your salary in management will depend on your sector and experience. The average salary for a General Manager is £49,772 per year in the UK, but you can achieve a much higher salary as you make your way up senior management, or even a Director-level role.
Education

Entry depends highly on the role - teaching requires teacher training and QTS in maintained schools in England. For early years roles, you may need a relevant qualification, such as a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification, to work directly with young children.

Previous experience in education, childcare or a related field can also be valuable. Postgraduate study like an MA Educational Leadership course may help develop skills useful for progression into leadership, management or specialist roles.

Read our head teacher salary guide here.

This varies depending on your level, type of school, and your experience. For a teacher in a maintained UK school, you could earn between £32,916 and £62,496, depending on whether you are located in London, and your experience and seniority.

But if you want to make your way up to a head teacher role, you could earn between £58,491 and £156,910, depending on whether you are in a primary or secondary school, alongside other factors like your experience and location.
Healthcare management

Many professionals first gain experience in healthcare administration, operations, clinical practice, or support functions before they progress into management positions.

Postgraduate study, such as our MBA Healthcare Management, can be extremely beneficial if you are seeking to progress to senior leadership roles in healthcare.

In the UK, healthcare management salaries are bound by the NHS pay agenda. They therefore vary depending on your band and experience. Find out more about healthcare management salaries.

As a guide, the salary for a healthcare manager can range from £32,000 to £77,000 depending on seniority and experience.
Project management

You could move across from another career using transferable skills, gain experience in an assistant or junior project management role, or complete a relevant qualification.

A master’s in project management can help you develop knowledge in areas such as planning, leadership and managing projects, which can support a move into the field or progression into more senior roles.

Read more about how to become a project manager here.

The average salary for a Project Manager is £49,633 per year, but you could earn much more as you progress. Top earners make up to around £85,513, though your salary will also depend on things like location and your experience.

Are you considering a career change at 40? Read our tips on changing careers at 40 here.

Managing the finances of a career change at 50

Career transitions could also have financial implications if you need to retrain or expect your income to change. Planning ahead and creating a financial assessment can help you understand what is affordable and make the transition to your new job feel more manageable. To start, take a look at:

  • Your current career income
  • Savings
  • Your pension contributions
  • The cost of retraining or studying
  • Regular outgoings.

Think about how these could be affected by a career change, especially if you expect to take a temporary pay cut or spend time studying. There are some options you may not have considered that could make your career process less daunting or lower the financial burden. For example:

A phased career change

You might want to consider whether you can start a phased career change, which can mean studying alongside work, reducing your hours, or gaining experience in a new field before making the move. This can help you maintain an income as you prepare for your next step. If you're looking to complete a qualification, an online degree can support this, as you may be able to study online alongside your current role.

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A more affordable course or qualification

Depending on your chosen career, your study plan could involve a professional qualification, short course or degree. Compare course fees, available funding and how easily you can fit your studies around work before deciding which route is right for you. Before applying, check the full tuition fees and any funding options available to you. Some courses offer extra flexibility and more affordable costs. For example, Walbrook's online MBAs offer competitive tuition costs, and you can choose to pay in full or pay per module.

If you decide to study for a master's degree, a government master's loan can also help cover the costs of your course, and is a great way to make the next step in your career more affordable.

How flexible study can benefit career changers at 50

With a flexible study option, you can find part-time and online options that fit around your work and lifestyle commitments, allowing you to continue getting useful work experience alongside study. Continuing to work alongside your studies can also give you greater financial stability during your career change, as you can continue earning while gaining the knowledge and skills you need for your next step. It also offers some real advantages in terms of building significant experience rather than taking an extended break from employment.

Read our student testimonials to find out more about the benefits of choosing an online degree with Walbrook.

Start your new career journey with a Walbrook master's degree

Prepare for your next stage with a Walbrook online master's degree, and enjoy flexible study that is 100% online. You have the ability to choose between full and part-time according to your needs and flexibility, and can graduate in as little as a year. You'll also benefit from a 24/7 Careers Hub that is packed with useful resources.

Our MBAs are CMI-accredited, helping you stand out in the market and prove you have the skills to take on leadership and management roles.

What brought me closer to Walbrook is really how I can tailor it to my lifestyle. I really like the flexibility. I’m not constrained to specific times – whether it’s watching the videos or doing the readings, I can really fit it into my life according to my free time.

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Stan ZakpaWalbrook Online MBA Student

Career change at 50: FAQs

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*National Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2024