Many economists predict that we will shortly be heading into a deep recession due to persistent inflation and aggressive rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. If this is the case, it’s vital that you consider the security of your job and whether you’re in a “recession-proof” career path.
One bit of good news is that there are more jobs available than ever before. But naturally, you want to avoid worrying about whether or not you’ll be laid off or lose your job during an economic downturn. So, in this article, we’ll be talking about 12 jobs that are generally considered “recession-proof.”
How Can A Job Be “Recession-Proof?”
You might ask yourself, “What actually makes a job “recession-proof?” Or “How can I avoid struggling with a recession in my own career?” Recession-proof jobs tend to stay steady even when the economy is fluctuating. Generally, they involve providing goods or services absolutely everyone needs at some point, whether there is a recession or not.
Many careers, such as hospitality and tourism, are tied to the world’s economic status. Others are constant regardless of where the economy is. These are recession-proof jobs. Now, let’s talk about a handful of examples.
Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, clinical staff, and physicians’ assistants, are some of the few jobs that stay very constant regardless of how the economy fluctuates. A career in the medical field is an excellent choice in case of a recession because people are always going to get sick and need medical attention. Babies will continue to be born, people will continue to die and need end-of-life care, and people will need routine or emergency surgeries. A hospital will continue to run even if pretty much everything else in the world shuts down, so it’s a very secure field.
Accountants
Accountants are sometimes even more important and needed in the case of a recession. Even in the case of full-blown bankruptcy or a business entirely going under, people will still need to do their taxes and will use accountants to help them complete them. As long as the United States tax system exists, people will need and hire accountants. Therefore, it’s an incredibly stable job under a recession and is unlikely to become irrelevant or unprofitable anytime soon. In fact, these services are typically even more in demand during economic downturns.
Public Safety Workers
Public safety workers include law enforcement officers, ambulance drivers, security guards, firefighters, and other people who protect the safety of everyday citizens. Even in the case of a recession, laws will still need to be enforced, and people will need to be protected as much as possible. Being in public safety is a reliable career that shouldn’t be at risk in the case of a recession. Sometimes, legislation can affect hiring rates and public safety budgets, but it’s generally a safe career during financial downturns.
Federal Government Employees
Working in the federal government is probably one of the best jobs you can have in the case of a recession. The US government is highly secure and will always continue to operate regardless of where the economy is at. Again, disagreements within legislation can sometimes affect hiring and budgets, but there are many opportunities for career growth within the federal government. You can also receive excellent health or financial benefits from pursuing higher education while in this career.
Teachers/College Professors
Kids always need to go to school, and people will always pay to attend college, even during a financial downturn. The need for educators is never entirely fulfilled, and K-12 schools constantly need more reliable teachers. That being said, you can certainly experience shifts in teaching due to changing budgets and home learning becoming more popular. However, since teaching is one of the most unionized professions and babies are being born every day, teaching is a relatively safe career during a recession.
Senior Care Providers
For the same reasons that medical professionals are always needed during a recession, senior care providers are also required. No matter what is happening in the world, time marches on. People get old, and many need end-of-life care. Whether you’re an in-home care aide or work in an assisted living facility, many seniors need around-the-clock supervision, so the demand for more help is relatively high. Because of that, senior care providers are undoubtedly a safe career even during a recession.
Delivery Couriers
Online shopping and food ordering has only increased in recent years, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, while purchases on an individual level might slow down, mail and food will always need to be delivered regardless of where it comes from. Since you can have almost anything delivered nowadays, including food, books, clothes, and electronics, demand for delivery couriers has only increased, which is why it’s a steady job during a recession.
Pharmacists
Similar to medical professionals and senior care providers, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are always needed during a recession. People who get sick will continue to need medication prescribed, and those with long-term or genetic illnesses will continue to receive their regular medicines. Pharmacies have a steady stream of consumers no matter what, which is why this is a top career that remains stable during a recession.
Public Transportation Workers
Public transportation exists virtually everywhere in the US but is especially concentrated in highly-populated cities. Whether they’re trains, buses, subways, or taxis, every public transport vehicle needs an operator during all the hours they are running. Additionally, public transportation reliance usually increases during a recession as owning a car becomes less affordable. Public transportation also never shuts down because it is government-funded, making it a great job to have in the case of a recession.
Mechanics
Even though cars are less affordable during a recession, that doesn’t mean mechanics have less work. You would be surprised how many people need vehicle mechanics during these difficult times. Of course, many find that their car has issues at the worst possible times, but a recession can be an excellent time for a mechanic to be in business. People are less inclined to purchase new cars, which means they will rely on older vehicles more heavily during recessions. And older cards have more problems, increasing the need for a good mechanic.
Lawyers
Legal issues are ever-present, but not all jobs in the legal field will necessarily be recession-proof. For example, divorce attorneys, criminal defense attorneys, and bankruptcy attorneys are always needed whether there is a recession or not. Additionally, these types of attorneys will also need legal support staff like paralegals or legal assistants. So while legal support is a lower-paying job, it can also be safe from a recession.
Funeral Home Employees
Similar to the point we made about senior care providers, people will continue to pass away during a recession, so funeral services are pretty much always needed. While people may be less likely to shell out a ton of money for a funeral during a downturn, honoring loved ones is a priority for most people, so funeral home employees are usually absolutely essential during a recession.
Filling in the Gaps With Side Gigs
While you may have a recession-proof career, you could also suffer a pay cut or reduced hours at work. When this happens, it’s time to either look for another part-time job or find a profitable side gig. Examples of side gigs include dog walking, tutoring, lawn care, and more.
Another ongoing recession-proof side gig is taking surveys for cash. Market research is still needed, even during a recession. And one way that marketers can accomplish their goals is by offering to pay consumers for their opinion.
You can get paid to take surveys at any time of the day or night, 365 days a year. Additionally, you can use a phone, tablet, or personal computer, as long as you have an internet connection. That makes it the perfect side hustle to fit in between other tasks.
While taking online surveys for money won’t make you rich, every little bit counts. So if the tough economy is making it hard to make ends meet, surveys are a recession-proof way to fill in the gaps.
