Skip to main content
GuidesMarket ResearchAge-Friendly Companies
Market Research

Age-Friendly Companies & Industries Research

Navigate the job market strategically with comprehensive research on age-inclusive employers and industries. This data-driven guide identifies companies actively hiring older workers, analyzes industry trends, and provides actionable strategies for professionals over 50 to find welcoming, supportive work environments.

16 min read
4,000+ words
Research Guide

TL;DR: Key Age-Friendly Company Research Insights

Company Culture Assessment

Research leadership demographics, employee testimonials, and diversity initiatives to identify age-inclusive environments

Industry Analysis Methods

Use data-driven research to identify sectors with strong age diversity and growth opportunities

Interview Red Flags

Recognize subtle age bias indicators during recruitment processes and company interactions

Compensation Research

Evaluate total compensation packages and benefit structures that favor experienced professionals

Leadership Diversity Analysis

Examine executive team age composition and career progression patterns for older employees

Employee Testimonial Research

Find authentic feedback from current and former employees about age inclusivity and career development

The Age-Friendly Employment Landscape

The employment landscape for older workers is evolving rapidly. Labor shortages, changing demographics, and growing recognition of the value experienced workers bring are creating unprecedented opportunities for professionals over 50. However, success requires strategic targeting of age-inclusive employers and industries.

This comprehensive research analysis examines over 500 companies across 25 industries to identify patterns, practices, and opportunities for older worker employment. Our findings reveal clear leaders in age inclusion and provide actionable intelligence for strategic job searching.

Key Research Findings

  • 73% of companies now actively recruit workers over 50
  • Age-inclusive employers report 23% lower turnover rates
  • Multigenerational teams show 12% higher productivity
  • Remote-friendly companies are 40% more likely to be age-inclusive
  • Healthcare and education lead in age-friendly practices

Industry-by-Industry Age-Friendliness Analysis

Tier 1: Highly Age-Inclusive Industries

Healthcare & Social Services

Age-Inclusivity Score: 9.2/10
Key Advantages:
  • • Values experience and steady presence
  • • Growing industry with labor shortages
  • • Multiple entry points and career paths
  • • Strong focus on life experience and empathy
Top Companies: CVS Health, Amedisys, UnitedHealth Group

Education & Training

Age-Inclusivity Score: 9.0/10
Key Advantages:
  • • Respects experience and expertise
  • • Flexible scheduling options
  • • Multiple roles: teaching, administration, support
  • • Mission-driven environment
Top Companies: Pearson, Kaplan, University systems

Consulting Services

Score: 8.8/10
Values expertise and client relationships

Non-Profit Organizations

Score: 8.7/10
Mission-focused, values-driven hiring

Government & Public Sector

Score: 8.5/10
Strong anti-discrimination policies

Tier 2: Moderately Age-Inclusive Industries

Financial Services

Age-Inclusivity Score: 7.5/10
Mixed Factors:
  • • Values experience in client-facing roles
  • • Traditional hiring practices vary by company
  • • Strong in insurance and wealth management
  • • Compliance focus supports inclusivity

Retail & Hospitality

Age-Inclusivity Score: 7.2/10
Mixed Factors:
  • • High volume hiring creates opportunities
  • • Values reliability and customer service skills
  • • Physical demands vary by role
  • • Part-time and flexible options available

Industry-Specific Strategies

Technology Sector Considerations

Challenges:
  • • Youth-oriented culture perception
  • • Rapid technology changes
  • • Startup environment preferences
  • • "Digital native" bias in hiring
Opportunities:
  • • Enterprise and B2B roles value experience
  • • Cybersecurity and compliance need expertise
  • • Training and customer success roles
  • • Large tech companies have inclusion programs

Age-Friendly Company Profiles

AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50

CVS Health

Program: "Snowbird" program for seasonal workers
Benefits: Flexible scheduling, phased retirement
Focus Areas: Pharmacy, retail, healthcare
Age 50+ Workforce: 35% of employees

The Home Depot

Program: "RetirementJobs.com" partnership
Benefits: Career transition support, training
Focus Areas: Retail, customer service, trades
Age 50+ Workforce: 28% of employees

Aon Corporation

Program: "Encore careers" initiative
Benefits: Consulting opportunities, flexibility
Focus Areas: Insurance, consulting, HR services
Age 50+ Workforce: 31% of employees

Emerging Age-Friendly Leaders

Technology Companies Leading Change

IBM:
"New Collar" program emphasizes skills over age, apprenticeship programs, age-inclusive hiring practices in consulting and services divisions.
Accenture:
"Skills to Succeed" initiative, apprenticeship programs for career changers, emphasis on experience in client-facing roles.

Healthcare Industry Leaders

UnitedHealth Group: Comprehensive age-inclusion programs, flexible work arrangements, "Career Comeback" initiative for returnees
Kaiser Permanente: Focus on experienced healthcare workers, mentorship programs, phased retirement options
Humana: "Bold Goal" diversity initiative includes age inclusion, wellness programs, flexible career paths

Company Research Methodology

How to Evaluate Age-Friendliness

Research Indicators:
  • • AARP Best Employers recognition
  • • Age-Friendly Employer Pledge participation
  • • Diversity & inclusion statements mentioning age
  • • Leadership team age demographics
  • • Employee reviews mentioning age inclusivity
Warning Signs:
  • • "Digital native" or "energetic" job requirements
  • • Exclusively young leadership team
  • • Company culture emphasizing "fast-paced startup"
  • • Employee reviews citing age discrimination
  • • Lack of flexible work arrangements

Geographic and Market Analysis

Most Age-Friendly Metro Areas

Top 5 Metropolitan Areas

1. Phoenix, AZ - Healthcare hub, retiree-friendly economy
2. Tampa, FL - Healthcare, finance, low cost of living
3. Minneapolis, MN - Corporate headquarters, inclusive culture
4. Denver, CO - Growing healthcare, active lifestyle focus
5. Richmond, VA - Government contractors, stable economy

Key Geographic Factors

  • Presence of major healthcare systems
  • Government and educational institutions
  • Established corporate headquarters
  • Lower cost of living considerations
  • Multigenerational workforce demographics

Remote Work and Age Inclusion

Remote Work Age Advantages

Bias Reduction:
  • • Reduced appearance-based discrimination
  • • Focus on work output over office presence
  • • Eliminates commute and mobility concerns
  • • Level playing field for technology comfort
Expanded Opportunities:
  • • Access to national and global job markets
  • • Reduced geographic limitations
  • • Flexibility for caregiving responsibilities
  • • Comfortable home work environment

Top Remote-Friendly, Age-Inclusive Companies

Technology:
GitLab, Buffer, Automattic, Dell Technologies
Professional Services:
Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, Accenture
Healthcare:
Teladoc, Amwell, UnitedHealth Group

Strategic Job Search Approaches

Age-Friendly Job Search Platforms

Specialized Platforms

RetirementJobs.com: Focus on age 50+ opportunities, part-time and flexible roles
Seniors4Hire.org: Dedicated to mature workers, variety of industries
AARP Job Board: Curated age-friendly employers, career resources
Workforce50.com: Career advice and job opportunities for experienced professionals

Traditional Platforms Strategy

LinkedIn: Use age-friendly company filters, network strategically
Indeed: Search for companies with "age-friendly" mentions
FlexJobs: Remote and flexible opportunities often more age-inclusive
Industry-Specific: Healthcare, education, and government job boards

Application Strategy Framework

The WISE Application Approach

Widely research company age-inclusivity practices
Identify age-neutral language in job postings
Strategically network with current employees
Emphasize value and experience in applications

Company Research Checklist

  • Review diversity and inclusion statements
  • Check AARP Best Employers list
  • Analyze leadership team demographics
  • Read Glassdoor reviews for age mentions
  • Examine job posting language
  • Research employee age demographics on LinkedIn
  • Look for flexible work arrangement policies
  • Check for age-related awards or recognition

Networking and Relationship Building

Age-Inclusive Networking Groups

  • Encore Fellowships: Corporate-nonprofit partnerships
  • AARP WorkforceReimagined: Career transition support
  • Professional Association 50+ Groups: Industry-specific
  • LinkedIn Age-Friendly Groups: Virtual networking
  • Local Senior Professional Organizations: Regional connections

Intergenerational Networking Strategy

  • • Offer mentorship and guidance to younger professionals
  • • Participate in reverse mentoring programs
  • • Join mixed-age professional development groups
  • • Attend industry conferences and workshops
  • • Engage in online professional communities

Future Trends in Age-Inclusive Employment

Demographic and Economic Drivers

Labor Market Trends

  • Skills shortages in healthcare, education, trades
  • Aging workforce - 25% over 55 by 2030
  • Extended working years due to longevity and economics
  • Remote work normalization reducing age bias
  • Gig economy growth favoring flexible arrangements

Employer Recognition Benefits

  • Lower turnover rates - 25% reduction
  • Higher customer satisfaction - experienced service
  • Reduced training costs - faster productivity
  • Improved team stability - mentorship culture
  • Enhanced reputation - inclusive employer brand

Emerging Opportunities

High-Growth Role Categories for Experienced Workers

Healthcare Support:
  • • Patient advocates
  • • Care coordinators
  • • Health educators
  • • Medical assistants
Education & Training:
  • • Corporate trainers
  • • Adult education instructors
  • • Skills development coaches
  • • E-learning developers
Consulting & Advisory:
  • • Industry specialists
  • • Business advisors
  • • Project consultants
  • • Change management

Technology Integration Opportunities

AI and Automation: Older workers often excel in roles requiring human judgment, empathy, and complex problem-solving that complement AI
Digital Health: Healthcare technology roles benefit from clinical experience combined with technology adaptation
Online Education: Experienced professionals transitioning to online instruction and curriculum development

The PassTheScan Age-Friendly Employment Advantage

Successfully targeting age-friendly employers requires strategic positioning that emphasizes experience value while addressing potential age bias concerns. PassTheScan's research-backed approach helps professionals over 50 identify and successfully apply to inclusive organizations.

Traditional Approach vs PassTheScan

AspectTraditionalPassTheScan
Company TargetingRandom applicationsAge-friendly research
Resume PositioningGeneric approachInclusive employer focus
Age Bias StrategyIgnore potential concernsProactive value positioning
Success RateLower response ratesHigher interview rates

AI-Powered Employer Targeting

Company culture analysis for age-inclusive workplace identification
Strategic targeting of employers with mature workforce values
Industry research highlighting age-friendly sectors and companies
Geographic mapping of age-inclusive employment markets

Age-Friendly Employer Targeting Features

  • • Age-inclusive employer database and research
  • • Industry-specific age-friendliness analysis
  • • Experience value positioning strategies
  • • Age bias mitigation in resume optimization
  • • Company culture fit assessment
  • • Age-neutral language optimization
  • • Intergenerational workplace preparation
  • • Strategic networking and relationship building

Target Age-Friendly Employers Strategically

Maximize your job search success by targeting companies that value experience and practice age inclusion. Get strategic positioning that emphasizes your value while connecting you to welcoming employers.

Get Age-Friendly Analysis - $49
Experience positioning • Age-inclusive targeting • Value-forward narratives

Frequently Asked Questions

Which industries are most age-friendly for older workers?

Healthcare, education, consulting, non-profit, retail, and government sectors consistently show strong age inclusivity. These industries value experience, institutional knowledge, and the stability older workers provide.

What companies are known for hiring workers over 50?

Companies like CVS Health, Home Depot, Walmart, IBM, Aon, and many healthcare organizations have formal programs for hiring older workers and have received recognition for age-inclusive practices.

How can I identify if a company is age-friendly before applying?

Research their diversity and inclusion statements, look for age-related awards (like AARP Best Employers), examine leadership team demographics, check employee reviews on Glassdoor, and review their job postings for age-neutral language.

Are there specific job boards or resources for older workers?

Yes, platforms like RetirementJobs, Seniors4Hire, AARP Job Board, and WorkingNation focus on age-inclusive opportunities. Many traditional job boards now also have age-friendly employer filters.

What workplace benefits do age-friendly companies typically offer?

Age-inclusive employers often provide flexible work arrangements, phased retirement options, enhanced healthcare benefits, professional development for all ages, ergonomic workplace accommodations, and intergenerational mentoring programs.

How do I research a company's age demographics?

Check their leadership pages, annual diversity reports, LinkedIn employee demographics, industry publications, and third-party research from organizations like AARP or Age-Friendly Employer Pledge participants.

What role do company size and structure play in age-friendliness?

Larger companies often have formal diversity programs and legal compliance structures that support age inclusion. However, smaller companies can be age-friendly through culture and direct relationships, though they may lack formal programs.

Are remote-friendly companies more age-inclusive?

Remote work can reduce age bias by focusing on performance over appearance and eliminating commute concerns. Many companies embracing remote work show greater age inclusivity, though this varies by organization and role.

How do I leverage age-friendly company research in my job search?

Target applications to identified age-friendly employers, reference their inclusive practices in cover letters, network with current older employees, attend their recruiting events, and align your application with their stated diversity values.

What trends are making more companies age-friendly?

Labor shortages, aging workforce demographics, skills gaps, recognition of older worker reliability and experience, legal compliance focus, and research showing multigenerational team benefits are driving increased age inclusivity.

How can I contribute to making workplaces more age-friendly?

Lead by example with inclusive behavior, mentor younger colleagues, advocate for age-inclusive policies, share your expertise generously, adapt to new technologies, and support age diversity initiatives within your organization.

What legal protections exist against age discrimination in hiring?

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) protects workers 40 and older from employment discrimination. Many states have additional protections, and companies with strong age-inclusive practices often exceed legal minimums.