18 Recession Proof Jobs That’ll Give You Job Security

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In this blog post, we will discuss recession-proof jobs that are great for people who are looking for long-term secure employment.

These jobs can provide a stable income to those who want to be prepared for an economic recession.

We’ll go over what types of skills you need, how much these jobs pay, and why they’re so popular with employers in today’s economy.

So before you start your job search make sure you read this article!

18 Jobs That Do Well During a Recession

1. Police Officers

Police officers have one of the most secure jobs in the United States and around the world.

For this reason, being a police officer is often dubbed “the gold standard” occupation for those who are looking for long-term security and stability through their work.

2. Utility workers

Utility company workers also hold highly recession-proof jobs.

Utility companies provide an essential service to the public, such as electric and gas service, water treatment facilities, transportation systems like railways or bus lines, and telecommunications networks.

All of these industries are either critical infrastructure for human life on earth or necessary resources for our society to function normally.

When there’s a recession underway these industries are still necessary for public well-being.

This means that people who work in these industries are not likely to be laid off in times of a recession.

There’s just one caveat: utility company workers may need additional training as regulations change or new technologies emerge over time.

3. Social workers

Social workers are always needed and may even see a rise in career opportunities during a recession.

This is due to the social issues and mental health problems that arise when people are out of work.

Social workers may find jobs in schools, hospitals and clinics as well as with the government or non-profits that provide services for those who need help during a recession.

Most states and countries require social worker to have at least a bachelor’s degree in order to be licensed as a social worker.

4. Grocery store

Working in a grocery store may insulate you from a recession.

Although people’s shopping habits will change during a recession, people still need food.

If you are willing to work hard and have flexible hours, the grocery store is a recession-proof job for all skill levels.

It’s typically not necessary to go back to school in order get this type of job – just apply online or walk into your closest grocery store!

5. Physical therapists

Work for physical therapists is recession-proof.

One reason that jobs for physical therapists are so secure is because more and more people are being diagnosed with conditions such as arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes every day.

To work in this profession you will need to have a Master’s degree from an accredited university but the pay is worth it!

6. Funeral director

The ultimate recession-proof job is to become a funeral director.

As one of the only sure things in life (the other being taxes), death befalls all of us eventually.

With an aging population, there is a higher demand for funeral directors than ever before. 

In order to work as a funeral director you’ll need at least two years experience working with the public or could attend mortuary school.

The median salary of this profession ranges from $40k – $60k per year.

7. Law enforcement officers

Do you like to problem-solve and handle different situations?

Then becoming a law enforcement officer might be the perfect recession proof job for you.

There is no shortage of opportunities with this profession, as there are more than 800,000 full time officers in America.

Law enforcement officer is a broad term that covers everyone in the criminal justice system and any person who enforces the law.

This means you could work as a customs officer, a court officer, a corrections officer or a security guard.

8. Home health aides

Working as a home health aide is one of the best recession proof jobs out there.

Home health aide is a broad term that covers all types of caretakers who work in private homes and provide needed assistance to those who need it for limited hours per day, such as seniors or people with disabilities.

These types of jobs are often highly flexible but can sometimes require shift work.

Salary for these jobs vary depending on the employer and location.

There are many factors that determine pay rate like experience level, certification and complementary skills.

This kind of job is especially suited to someone who loves being around others.

9. Physician assistants

Physician assistants are most often found working in hospitals and clinics, where they work with physicians to provide healthcare for patients.

The demand for physician assistants is growing as the population ages, so there’s no shortage of opportunities out there.

Opportunities for physician assistants are growing. In fact, the US Department of Labor projects a 31% increase for physician assistants through 2024.

*Average Salary: $90,000+ depending on experience level and certifications

Physician Assistants typically need to complete a minimum of two years in an accredited graduate-level program leading to a master’s degree or higher then pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

10. IT workers

Jobs in the Information Technology sector are among the most recession-proof jobs.

According to the US Department of Labor, there will be a need for an average of 195,000 IT workers per year through 2024.

According to payscale.com, the average salary is $81,052 depending on experience level and certifications.

Jobs include software engineer, systems administrator, network administrators, network engineer, project management and more.

11. Healthcare industry

The healthcare industry is one of the most recession-proof industries because it’s not as susceptible to economic downturn.

People get sick and need medical care regardless of the state of the economy.

As we’ve seen during the recent pandemic, essential workers in the healthcare industry have gained a heightened appreciation from the public, so it’s likely the next generation will look to move into these fields with more enthusiasm than in the past.

Jobs for medical professionals include physicians, physical therapist, registered nurse and more.

12. Online business

One of the best recession-proof jobs is in online business.

Online merchants and sellers are always needed to fulfill orders, fill customer service requests, handle inventory management, etc.

A lot of these positions require limited physical labor so they can work from home or remotely.

Remote positions allow people who don’t live near big cities without lots of industry to find work.

Online jobs are also recession-proof because people can buy things online anytime of the day or night, even when they’re working.

Read more about online jobs are mentioned in the blog posts listed below:

13. Public sector

Public sector jobs tend to be recession-proof.

The public sector is always in need of qualified workers because the government never slows down, and they’re constantly looking for more people to help with tasks like maintaining roads, building new structures or managing parks. 

As part of recovery from recession, governments often invest in construction projects to build public infrastructure and services as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Jobs in the public sector are generally not as lucrative and often have lower-skill requirements than jobs in other sectors, but they offer security and stability.

There is a wide variety of public services to choose from when considering where to work with your skill set: hospitals, the military, airports or police forces can all provide attractive career opportunities and benefits packages.

14. Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists focus on the everyday tasks people do, from interacting with their environment to completing day-to-day activities.

An occupational therapist’s work can vary depending on where they are employed and what type of patients or clients they see.

For instance, an OT might assess a patient who has had hand surgery by designing exercises that will help the patient regain function required to work in their field.

Occupational therapists typically have a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, but they also need to be licensed and certified by the state where they practice.

Some states require OTs to get additional training before practicing under certain conditions, such as those that involve pediatrics or geriatric patients

15. Public transportation

Public transportation is a great recession-proof job because it’s always needed.

Bus drivers are in high demand and transit authorities have to employ more people as ridership grows.

During a recession, people might sell an extra car, or drive less in order to save money, so the use of public transit can increase.

Public transportation drivers have to be clean and well groomed as they interact with the public every day.

They also need a driver’s license from their state or country.

This job requires patience and good communication skills because you’re interacting with lots of people all the time.

16. College professors

College professors are recession-proof because the demand for higher education and college degrees is always rising.

For this reason, colleges need to hire more faculty members to teach courses and maintain a high student-to-teacher ratio.

The pay varies depending on which level of teaching you’re at – from adjunct professor ($20k-$40k) to dean of the school ($100k+).

However, this is one of the few recession-proof jobs that you can also do from home.

In addition to teaching on campus and online courses through an accredited institution, many professors teach independent study at a distance education program or develop their own course materials for self-study.

17. Public school teacher

Public school teachers are also recession-proof professionals.

Public schools are funded primarily by local and state governments, so when tax revenues during a recession decrease, public school funding is often one of the first things to go.

However, because teachers have unions that negotiate better salaries and benefits for them (rather than relying on individual schools’ budget), they typically don’t feel the brunt of a recession as much.

In fact, if you want to see how resilient public school teachers are during economic downturns, just look at history: the Great Depression (1929-1945) and World War II era both saw an increase in public schools due to inadequate funding for private schooling.

18. Tax preparer

Work as a tax preparer can be recession-proof as it’s one of the few administrative professions that can’t really be outsourced to another country.

A tax preparer is someone who prepares and files all types of state, local, and federal income taxes for individuals or businesses.

The work may not always seem glamorous, and you will be nose to the grindstone during tax season, but if you have education in accounting or business and some experience with taxes already, this might suit you well.

Tax preparers can make around $40k depending on skills and qualifications.

In conclusion, there are many recession-proof jobs to choose from in this day and age.

The best way to find out which one is right for you is through research into what each career entails as well as investigating potential employers.

It’s important to note that there is no such thing as a 100% recession proof job, but certain career fields offer better job security and are less affected by the economic situation which can help give you and your family financial stability.

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About Emma Healey

Emma is a recognised family finance and budgeting expert and founder of Mum's Money. Her advice has been featured in Readers Digest, Yahoo Finance, Lifehacker, The Simple Dollar, MSN Money and more.