10 Recession Proof Jobs to Keep You Making Money in a Down Economy

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One common question people ask is “What are the best recession proof jobs?”

It’s no wonder that so many people want to know what they should do with their careers during a period when unemployment rates keep rising.

And if you are still in college, you might want to figure out now which jobs you should aim for to keep working even in a recession.

If you’re looking for a way to make sure your employment prospects don’t disappear in an economic downturn, then we have 10 recession-proof job ideas for you!

What does it take for a job to be recession proof?

A job that can withstand an economic downturn is considered recession-proof.

So, when business start failing and the economy is crashing, these recession proof jobs will still be in-demand.

With a recession-proof career, you don’t have to worry about getting laid off, even during times of economic uncertainty.

15 recession proof jobs

teacher and Education

If you have a college degree and are looking for job security, then becoming a teacher may be the best option.

There will never not be a need for teachers! Plus, the benefits are pretty good and you can have your summers off.

To become a teacher you need to go to college and get a degree in education. You will then need to pass the teacher certification test for the grade-level you want to teach. Each state can have different certification requirements, so check on your local rules.

There are actually several different types of teaching that fall into the recession proof jobs category! You can teach elementary school, or become a full-time college professor.

Become a nurse

Nursing is a great profession with job security in a down economy. It is also one of the most recession proof jobs because in good or bad economies people get injured, become sick, or grow old.

How can you become a nurse? You can become a nurse by earning an associate degree through your local community college, or you could earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing.

There are two main types of nurses: Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN). The RN is the most prestigious type of nurse because they can actually administer medication and perform diagnostic tests.

Becoming an RN requires more schooling than an LPN. You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing or you can earn an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. You then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

LPNs can administer more basic care such as checking blood pressure and inserting catheters, and making sure patients are comfortable. T

hey require less time in school though. They can be trained in vocational schools or at a community college through an accredited practical nursing program that may only take a year.

Paramedic

There are actually many recession proof jobs in the medical field. Nursing, paramedics, or senior care provider all have a high degree of job security.

A paramedic is responds to emergencies or a medical events. They provide pre-hospital emergency medical care and transport the victim.

Paramedics are in high demand and there is always a need for more, making it one of the best recession proof jobs.

They are employed by local government agencies (such as a fire department), hospitals, private ambulance companies, military organizations, colleges/universities that have medical training programs, and even mining industries.

It takes less time and education to become a paramedic than some healthcare jobs. You learn through an online program or one that is offered at a college and university.

It usually takes 6-12 months. The best part about this career choice is the job outlook for paramedics, which includes low unemployment rates with high salaries to match.

medical receptionist or office assistant

Medical receptionist and office assistant jobs are on the rise in many industries and are one of the best fields for job security during an economic recession.

A medical front desk clerk is someone who greets visitors, handles patient check-in and even billing.

They take care of administrative duties such as making phone calls to set appointments, scheduling staff members, ordering supplies and handling insurance forms.

Just like nursing, medical office assistant is a great job during tough economic times. If you already have some experience under your belt, you may be able to take a job like this without a traditional college education.

Become a Doctor

Of course, last but not least in the medical field list of recession-proof careers of becoming a doctor. Becoming a doctor requires many years of school, medical residency and continuing education courses before you can apply for licensure as an M.D.

It is not the easiest profession to get into, but the average starting salary ranges from $136,000-$200,000 and can go much higher depending on your specialization.

And it is definitely a career with excellent job security.

Law Enforcement

There is always a need for public service jobs. Working as a police officer can give you a lot of job certainty.

No matter what is happening economically, we will always have a need for law enforcement and it is not something that can be reduced.

IT Technician

People are always looking for IT Technicians because the demand is never ending. Computer work is a recession proof industry. Computers are how we work, live and play these days so the job market for this skill is huge.

No matter what kind of business you’re in, it would be beneficial to have someone who can fix your computer or make sure that everything is working.

Computer Repair

There are many types of computer work you can do. The first is computer repair. This field doesn’t require any formal training, but it does take patience to be able to fix computers that may have been dropped or damaged by water.

You can do this type of work as a freelancer out of your home, or even get a job at a local store.

Onsite IT Support

The second type of recession proof computer job you can do is onsite IT support which is just what it sounds like.

You would go to a business, set up their computer network and make sure everything is working properly.

You can provide IT support to a large corporation as a full-time employee with benefits. those that involve the development, maintenance, installation, troubleshooting and support of computer systems such as servers, networks, and peripherals like printers and scanners.

Tech Support

Another type of computer job is customer service or tech support for businesses and individual consumers. This would be answering questions about computers, software, website design, etc.

A lot of these jobs require a college degree to qualify for the higher paying positions, but there are also entry-level options available without the need for years of schooling.

And during a recession, these jobs are still in high demand and have a lot of job security

IT Consulting

The third type of IT work you can do is called consulting which has a wide range of types of computer work. This is not only recession-proof, but also can be lucrative.

Consulting is excellent freelance work to do as a side-hustle as well.

IT Programming

The last type of IT work is to become a programmer or software engineer and write the code for new products that are in development. This is a more advanced skill that requires specialized schooling, but the pay is typically higher for this type of work.

Auto Mechanic

We’ve all had to have car repairs before. Your car does not care what the current economic state of the world is!

Auto mechanics are always in demand and you can enjoy job security repairing cars. You will need to go to a trade school to become one. Plus, complete at least one year of post secondary training.

It can take 2-4 years to become one, here is more information on how to become an auto mechanic.

Veterinarian

Another healthcare profession that is always in demand is veterinarian. Animals just like humans will always need medical care.

And, it is a high paying field. And who doesn’t love spending time with animals! Of course you will have to go to college and vet school to become one.

electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.

Carpenter, plumber and electrician are all careers that should be recession-proof. No matter what is happening in the economy, there will always be the need for someone who can fix things.

Plus, the pay is really good!

If you are interested in this type of career, here’s what you need to know. Carpentry requires an apprenticeship program for three years to be a journeyman-level carpenter.

Electricians can get a National Electrical Contractor’s Association (NECA) Journeyman or Master electrician certification through the organization itself.

A good way to find out if you’re qualified is to contact your local NECA chapter directly. You will need to attend an accredited trade school for four years.

Another recession-proof job you can take is to be a plumber. To become a plumber, you will need to complete a four-year apprenticeship program or get training at a local trade school.

Requirements vary by state, but in most you will need to pass a plumbing trades and codes exam and become licensed.

Become a lawyer

One of the highest paying recession-proof jobs you can take is to become a lawyer.

Legal professionals have to have a lot of schooling. After you get your four-year bachelor’s degree you will need to attend law school.

Once you’ve completed three years of law school, you will also need to pass the bar exam in your state.

In addition, some states require a year or two of post-graduate work before being able to practice as a lawyer without supervision from another licensed attorney.

So, becoming an attorney may not be the shortest or easiest route to a recession-proof career, but it will certainly pay off. The average salary for a lawyer is about $140,000 and it is a field with a high degree of job security.

What Makes a Job Recession Proof?

Here are some things that recession proof jobs have in common:

Providing essential services like firefighting or childcare
Everyday services that don’t go away such as automotive repair, plumbing, electrical work
Universal needs like healthcare and education
Public services like legal and mental health

What are Recession Proof Skills?

There are certain skills to have in your arsenal that can help you in any profession and during any economic time.

Here are some hard skills that are good to have:

IT coding
Data analytics
Digital marketing
Technology skills

Here are some soft recession proof skills:

Problem solving
Hard worker
Critical thinking
Detail oriented
Leadership
Self starter
Communication skills
Creativity
Project management

Frequently Asked Questions

What Careers Do Well During a Recession?

All of the listed jobs above do well during a recession. Careers in healthcare, tradework like plumbing and electrical and teaching professions are excellent careers.

How Do I get a Recession Proof Job?

You must first choose a field to go into that is in the list. And then, understand the specific training and schooling required to get that job.

WHo Gets Laid Off First in a Recession?

Some industries that don’t fair well during economic downturns include construction, transportation and warehousing, real estate and finance. Here is a full list.

And of course anything luxury related like travel, leisure and entertainment tend to lose jobs in a recession.

Are Government Jobs Recession Proof?

In most cases there is little chance of layoffs in government jobs. Most government jobs are public service related, which means they will stick around no matter what.

You may be a lot safer in a government job during times of financial uncertainty. Plus, a lot of government jobs provide more vacation time than the private sector.

Find a recession proof job

There are many job prospects and careers you can find that will protect you in a down economy. Finding the perfect recession-proof job for you can ensure you never have to file for unemployment!