The 5 Worst Jobs If You Want To Retire Early

Many folks dream about retiring early, but pulling it off isn't easy. It takes a lot of planning, saving, and a job that lets you stash away enough dough. The idea is to follow the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement's plan, which is all about saving a big pile of money to live on for many years. But, let's be real — not every job is cut out for this.

Jobs that don't pay much, or don't leave room for growth, can make it tough to save enough for retiring early. Without extra cash to put into savings or investments, saying goodbye to the daily grind any time soon can feel like a pipe dream. Back in June 2020, the Pew Charitable Trusts took a close look at 1,000 workers, including workers in gig economy, freelancers, and sole proprietors. They found 54.5% of these individuals were stressed about running out of money after they retire. And among those who felt okay evaluating their retirement situation, 47.7% weren't confident they could kick back and enjoy their golden years comfortably.

As we look at the kinds of jobs that make early retirement tough, you will see why each one fits this situation. The main thing to remember is that early retirement isn't just about how much money you make. It's really about how your job impacts your future, both in your wallet and in other ways too.

A barber's job can make early retirement a tough goal to reach and this is even with the average annual salary for barbers ranging from about $34,857 to $52,123, depending on location and experience. In New York or California, a barber who's built a steady crowd of regulars can pocket up to $60,841 a year. But, the gig isn't just about snipping and styling; a barber can spend hours on their feet, mastering the craft on countless heads day after day. While this can pump up your wallet, it's tough on the body, and juggling more clients can be a stretch — especially as the years roll on.

Being your own boss as a barber has its perks, like setting your own schedule and choosing your clients. But, this freedom comes with a trade-off — no plush retirement plans like pensions or 401(k)s to pad your future. Flying solo would also mean you will sort out retirement savings on your own through setting up and feeding money into accounts like IRAs, which can be a bit of a juggling act, as your paychecks can be unpredictable. If, as a barber, you dream of retiring early, try smart financial planning — save part of what you earn in tax-friendly accounts, and hunt down extra ways to make money. Most especially gigs that aren't as tough on the body as being a barber. Without taking these steps, early retirement could stay just out of reach.

Being a clergy member offers spiritual fulfillment and a deep sense of purpose, but the modest pay, intense responsibilities, and emotional demands of the job make early retirement tough for many. In 2025, minimum compensation for full-time clergy can range from about $47,809 to $74,976 depending on the region and church provisions, which can include cash stipends and sometimes housing allowances but often come with self-employment tax. 

Many clergy members see their work as more than just a job — it's a lifelong calling, which defeats the idea of retirement, early or otherwise. Besides, being a clergy involves more than just giving sermons or leading services. They offer counseling, comfort, and guidance, especially during tough times for their congregants. Always being there for others can take an emotional toll, making the thought of retiring early difficult since their work is so deeply connected to who they are. 

In most cases, clergy members depend on retirement plans provided by their denomination or contributions from their congregation, but these benefits can be hit or miss in terms of adequacy and reliability. Also, ministers who work for themselves have to navigate tax-sheltered annuities or set up 403(b) plans and often have to manage their own retirement accounts. This can be overwhelming if they're not well-versed in financial matters or are saving while living paycheck to paycheck.

Concierges are the go-to for guest services in hotels and luxury spots. However, hourly pay and the nature of the job might give little room for an early retirement. In 2025, the typical concierge in the U.S. pockets about $37,298 a year, but this can swing from around $16.19 an hour, or $33,241 to $42,108 annually, based on location, work experience, and the reputation of the brand they work for.

A concierge working in a high-cost area like San Francisco or New York might pull in as much as $46,623, but the catch is their hours can be all over the place, which can make sorting out their finances tricky. The income can also take a hit from recession, global pandemics, or other issues that prevent people from leaving their homes for leisure, leading to fewer hours or even layoffs. And with most concierge jobs not offering solid retirement plans like pensions, your survival will depend on what you saved on your own.

Needless to say, if you're a concierge who wants to retire early, save every penny. Also, consider ways to make extra money, stash your cash in tax-friendly savings accounts, and brush up on your financial know-how to tackle the money challenges of this career head-on.

A home appliance repairer could literally light up your home. But despite this job being super important, it's not the easiest path to early retirement. In the U.S., these tech wizards make about $64,600 a year on average, but their pay can vary a lot, from $51,800 to $84,900. The job is physically demanding; repairers do a lot of heavy lifting, bending, and squeezing into tight spots. Over time, this can really wear you down, risking injuries or long-term health issues. As repairers get older, this physical grind only gets tougher, making it harder to keep working or stash away savings for retirement. And any unexpected health problems can end up eating into what money they do manage to save.

In this business, making more money usually means picking up specialized skills or starting your own shop. But not all repairers get the chance to learn more or have the resources to boost their careers. Without the opportunity for better pay or expanding their business, many repairers end up stuck in a cycle where they only earn enough to pay the bills, leaving little left over to beef up their retirement savings. And that's for those that have one. Many home appliance repairers don't have access to pensions, 401(k)s, or health insurance from their jobs, making it tougher to reach retirement goals.

Your pest controller may not receive pay commiserate with keeping homes and public spaces safe from creepy crawlies and harmful pests. Today, the average rate per hour of a pest control technician in the U.S. is about $18.10, or approximately $34,701 to $43,470 per year, depending on the state and level of experience. But when you compare it with many jobs that reward experience or higher education with better pay or a promotion, you will find that pest control doesn't grow much over time. The money they make covers the basics, but saving up for a comfy retirement? That's a tougher bug to squash.

It involves long hours of standing, bending, and crawling into tight spots, which, like being a home appliance repairer, can wear one down. Plus, being around chemicals all day can cause breathing issues, skin irritation, and other nasty side effects. Some pest control pros work for small outfits that don't dish out retirement plans, so they're on their own for healthcare and saving for the golden years. Bagging extra certifications to level up your skills might help but shifting to less grueling or higher-paying blue-collar jobs — skilled trades that often require physical labor, technical skills, and on-the-job training rather than a formal academic degree — might be best for retiring early.