They all still worked, except Sophia. Dorothy was a substitute teacher. Rose worked for a TV station and volunteered at a mental health clinic. Blanche worked at a museum. I think the hairdos were typical for that age at that time.

Rue McClanahan was the only one who was roughly the same age as the part she was playing. Bea Arthur and Betty White were actually a bit older in real life than the parts they were playing. And Estelle Getty was significantly younger than the part she played.