The Best Recession Proof Jobs For 2024

The economy can be volatile and unpredictable, so getting recession proof jobs clearly has its benefits. The ability to have job security during economic downturns can provide peace of mind and keep you on a good financial trajectory.

Although there’s no guarantee that any job is safe during periods of economic uncertainty, there are certain industries that may be less susceptible to conditions like layoffs and reductions in force.

These include:

• Medical industry,
• The legal industry, and
• Essential services, like grocery stores.

If you’re looking for greater stability in your career, considering industries and professions that tend to remain in demand across economic conditions can be a good idea.

In this article, we’ll discuss jobs that tend to be more stable during economic upturns and downturns.

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Let’s talk about recession-proof jobs! Any time the mention of a recession hits the headlines, there is a sense of worry about job security, and with good reason.

But how can you stay on track of your financial goals in a recession? Being in one of these careers can help!

Higher education degrees do not guarantee job security the way they once did. People with degrees may even find themselves working low-earning jobs.

The fact is, during a recession, very few job sectors remain intact. And while the effects of a recession will look different for each of us, let’s be honest, a recession impacts everyone.

What Are Recession Proof Jobs?

While it might be a stretch to call any job completely safe from economic uncertainty, recession-proof jobs are the ones that stay in demand and don’t get impacted by periods of high inflation or recession.

These careers offer high job security in comparison to others and might even thrive, regardless of the economy’s health.

What Makes a Career Recession Proof?

Recession-proof jobs are ones that tend to stay steady or even do well during a recession. While some careers are tied to the economy, such as hospitality and tourism, or some retail jobs, others stay fairly constant regardless of whether the economy is doing well or not.

These generally involve necessities or everyday life situations that people will pay for even when times are tough such as food and healthcare.

These jobs are considered recession proof, or at least resistant to the effects of the recession. And they’re a smart choice for those that want a job that is likely to stick around no matter what.

What are Recession Proof Jobs Skills?

Even in times when there are no job guarantees, the right skills can allow you to make your own opportunities. Here are a few recession-proof skills that you can master to secure your future:

• Soft Skills 

Creativity, Positivity, Leadership, Adaptability, Communication, Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Self-management, Time management, Emotional intelligence.

• Hard Skills

Coding, Data analytics, Technology skills, Digital marketing, Project management.

How Safe Is Your Job? Best Recession Proof Jobs

Everyone loves a booming economy. Hopes are high, budgets get approved in a blink, and companies can’t hire fast enough to keep up with demand.

And yet, the economic cycle is called a “cycle” for a reason. Booms are inevitably followed by slow-downs, recessions, or downright depressions.

When the economy falters, consumers tighten their belts, businesses cut non-essential expenses, and even the government is constrained in hiring.

Of course, everyone wants to know which jobs are going to save them from these economic ups and downs. This is a tough question because every profession and job position combination is unique —  there are no guarantees.

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Yet, some jobs are essential for the normal functioning of society. So, no matter what happens, there will always be a need for someone to do them. While it’s a stretch to call them “100% recession-proof,” they are as close as it gets to guaranteed job security in tough times.

There are also industries that fall into the category of “luxury spending.” Families splurge on them when there’s extra income. When money gets tight, or when delaying a purchase would be prudent, these industries (and the jobs associated with them) suffer.

Let’s go down both lists to see where you will find your job!

Best Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

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While no job can be completely recession-proof, there are some jobs that can give professionals a higher chance of sustenance during a prolonged period of economic downturn. The following are the best jobs during a recession for the period of 2023-2024.

1. Accountants

In a quote often attributed to Ben Franklin, he said: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Businesses will continue to need accountants as long as the tax system exists.

Accountants help both individuals and businesses with financial records, bookkeeping, and tax filings. So you see why accountants have the best recession proof careers!

2. Finance – Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

Money movement is important, which explains why financial professionals are always in demand.

Accountants, auditors, actuaries, claims adjusters, tax preparers, insurance underwriters — the list of financial service jobs is long and varied.

Many positions require professional certifications, such as Enrolled Agent (EA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).

Finances and taxes are a necessary part of life, so people in these professions usually have plenty of job security. A few roles you might look for include:

• Bookkeeper
• Loan officer
• Tax accountant
• Financial analyst
• Financial advisor
• Financial controller

3. Lawyers and Legal Professionals

While not all jobs in the legal profession are recession-proof jobs, you aren’t very likely to lose your job in law. There are certain legal professions like bankruptcy, criminal defense, and divorce lawyers that might not be as affected.

The good thing is that jobs like court reporters, courtroom security, court record clerks, paralegals, and legal assistants can be jobs that are recession proof. When big corporate firms begin to lay off staff, lower-paid workers are likely to keep their jobs.

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While not all legal jobs are recession-proof, there are a few fields that tend to hold steady through downturns, including criminal defense, bankruptcy, and health care law.

You don’t necessarily have to attend law school to benefit from the security of a legal job. Here are some roles in the legal industry that tend to always be in demand:

• Paralegal
• Court clerk
• Court reporter
• Legal assistant
• Legal secretary
• Electronic discovery specialist

4. Public Safety Workers

Security guards, ambulance drivers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers are more often in need during economic downturns.

Working in the public safety sector tends to be a safe bet in a recession. So you may consider transitioning into one of these recession-proof jobs.

Those who work to ensure the safety of the general public tend to be in high demand despite what happens to the economy. Some common public safety jobs include:

• Firefighter
• Security guard
• Correctional officer
• Law enforcement officer
• Emergency medical technician
• Occupational health and safety specialist

5. Insurance providers

People still need different types of insurance, regardless of the state of the economy. Things like car insurance are mandatory whether we’re experiencing a recession or not.

You can become an insurance provider for a specific company or work with multiple companies. While there is a lot of sales work involved, this can be a lucrative and recession-resistant career.

6. Utility Workers – Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

Utility worker jobs are among the list of recession-proof jobs because the need for support personnel in waste management, electricity, and other utilities is needed regardless of what the economy is doing.

These are core services for day-to-day living, so there’s high demand. Jobs like electricians and plumbers fall into this category. This sector tends to have labor shortages as the labor force ages.

Utility workers are typically in demand because people depend on infrastructure—lights, water, internet—to live their lives.

Education, training, and salary differ from job to job, but here are some options:

• Power lineman
• Safety engineer
• Utilities manager
• Wastewater engineer
• Power plant manager
• Gas or pipeline controller
• Power plant or substation engineer

7. Delivery and Courier Services

With many brick-and-mortar stores closing their doors, online shopping has increased over the years. (You may even find yourself wondering how to stop shopping!) Long gone are the days when you would just shop for clothing and books.

Today you can have almost anything delivered, including meal prep kits, household items, groceries, and even alcohol. Businesses that have moved to the “work from home” models frequently use courier services as well.

8. IT Professionals (Tech industry)

We depend more on technology than we ever have in our lifetime. Whether it’s IT support, cell phone troubleshooting, computer repair, or building information systems, tech companies may do well in a recession, though this isn’t guaranteed.

In fact, now more than ever, businesses are using technology to reduce overhead costs by offering employees work-from-home options. So the tech industry also offers many jobs that are recession proof. Working in IT may land you one of the high-paying remote jobs.

9. Credit and Debt Management Counselors

Unfortunately, many people turn to credit cards and amass more debt during financial hardship. A recession is no different. As people add to their credit card balances, more are going to need help managing their debt.

These counselors or specialists can help negotiate a reworking of your debt to reduce your personal liability and avoid different types of bankruptcies. They can also help prepare your finances from further impact due to a recession.

10. Pharmacists and technicians

Just like hospitals and healthcare clinics, pharmacies will see a steady stream of consumers as people will need to continue taking their regular medications. When it comes to recession-proof jobs, this tops the list.

11. Medical & Healthcare Providers (healthcare industry)

Whether you’re a doctor, physician assistant, nurse, dentist, mental health professional, or radiographer, a job in the medical field is a great place to work during a recession.

Our physical and mental health doesn’t care about what’s going on in the economy. People will get sick even during a recession. Many people will still be preparing for a baby, and people will also need things like surgeries.

A job as a healthcare worker is a great choice if you are looking for maximum job security. No matter what’s happening in the bull vs bear stock market or with GDP growth, there are plenty of recession-proof jobs in this industry.

Medical professionals tend to be essential, and within health care, there are roles for just about every education and experience level. Some common job titles in the medical field include:

• Registered nurse
• Medical technologist
• Laboratory technician
• Patient care technician
• Certified nursing assistant
• Health care administrator

12. Teachers and college professors (High on the list of recession-proof jobs)

As long as children are born, the need for education services never ceases. Education for those in K-12 will continue no matter what is happening in a recession.

Classroom sizes may get bigger and home learning may get more popular, but as experienced teachers retire and leave the education system, the need for teachers will continue.

Teaching is one of the most unionized professions and comes with a long list of guarantees when it comes to job security.

Professors in higher education also benefit from things like tenure regardless of how the economy is doing. During the Great Recession, enrollment in higher education actually increased.

13. Auto mechanics – Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

You may find it surprising that auto mechanics are among the list of recession proof careers. However, vehicles can break down at the most inopportune times, including during a recession.

Families will hold on to their vehicles a bit longer than normal during financial hardship. Which, in turn, means more car expenses and maintenance on older vehicles.

14. Trade

A trade worker is someone who specializes in a certain trade. They usually acquire job skills through an apprenticeship, technical school, or on the job experience. Some examples of trade workers include:

• Plumber
• Pipefitter
• Mechanic
• Carpenter
• Locksmith
• Electrician
• Dental hygienist
• Radiation therapist

15. Public Transit Worker

While many have no choice but to rely on their vehicles to get to work, those who live in areas with public transportation will change the way they commute during a recession.

Public transit usage tends to climb during these times since it’s cheaper than buying gas and it eliminates the headache of finding parking.

Anyone working in the public transit system likely has a good recession-proof job. That includes bus drivers, conductors, ticketing staff, and maintenance teams.

16. Real Estate Investor

Real estate investors have many opportunities to expand during a recession. However, there are inherent risks.

Investors who rent out their properties might experience trouble. Rental default is common, and eviction rates climb. Evictions are an expensive route to go, so some landlords will suffer.

But even still, the job is full of opportunity. People will always need places to live!

Investors with a steady portfolio of income-producing properties can use the sudden rise in foreclosures to snatch up new investments at bargain prices. It’s a great way to grow once the economy stabilizes.

17. Delivery Worker – Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

Believe it or not, delivery workers actually have a fairly recession-proof job. Why? It all comes down to stores shifting their priorities to online platforms.

It’s expensive to run a brick-and-mortar store. The last recession killed many popular brands, so retailers are eager to move their operations online. With every order comes a need for delivery workers to take it to its final destination!

Online shopping used to be exclusive to clothes and fancy electronics. But now, you can find everything from meal prep kits to your typical groceries. Delivery workers make it easy for retailers to tap into the online market while keeping the business afloat.

Worst Jobs To Have in a Recession

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1. Printing and Related Services

Businesses tend to eliminate non-essential expenses when budgets get cut.

Services like data imaging, plate making, bookbinding, and brochure and business card printing suffer a decline in demand.

Large-scale print shops have high equipment costs and not much room to cut expenses. Managing labor costs through layoffs becomes one of the few bridges available for survival.

2. Vacation Travel

Families still take vacations in a tough economy. However, those vacations look very different in a recession. An economic downturn inspires staycations and local adventures.

Traveling to exotic destinations, fancy hotel stays, and fun excursions all tend to flatline or decline. Even business travel takes a hit as professionals search for budget-friendly options.

3. Construction and Supporting Industries

The construction industry is highly dependent on the health of the economy.

When access to business and personal lending becomes tight, construction projects get put on hold. Even smaller-scale home remodeling projects can see delays.

This affects all contractors, such as general contractors, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Supporting industries, like lumber and cement manufacturing, see a negative ripple effect as well.

4. Home Furnishing Retail

A new leather couch, a gorgeous wool rug, or a stunning chandelier — these beautiful touches make your home special.

Unfortunately, they are not as urgent as paying your electric bill. Putting food on the table, or buying your kids new shoes to replace the ones they have outgrown will win over a new dining room set as well.

In an uncertain economy, people hold off on making large purchases, which affects furniture and home furnishing stores.

5. Auto Dealerships and Other Motor Vehicle Sales

When a family is down to one paycheck, fun toys have to wait. Companies that sell RVs, boats, and motorcycles see a decline in sales, along with car dealerships. People tend to invest in repairing their existing cars as opposed to buying or leasing new ones.

How to Make Your Income Recession Proof?

Economic downturns are a reality of life and they impact businesses and careers.

While it is impossible to make your career or business immune to the impacts of economic fluctuations, having a stable income is a possibility. Here are ways in which you can make your income recession-proof:

• Save as much as possible.
• Invest in yourself by upskilling.
• Pay off expensive loans if you can.
• Diversify your investments so that not all of them get impacted by the recession.
• Keep your credit score at an acceptable range so that you can get a loan if required.

What Makes a Job Recession Proof?

Recession-proof jobs have certain common features in their importance to the functioning of a city, town, etc:

• Catering to a universal need (Healthcare, Education, and Utility)
• Supporting big sector businesses (IT, Finance, and Pharmaceuticals)
• Providing essential services (Childcare, Social Assistance Work, Firefighter)
• Providing service for critical public necessity (Law, Paramedics, and Psychiatrists)
• Providing day-to-day services (Electrician, Auto Mechanic, and Public Transportation Worker)

What Makes The Best Recession Proof Job?

The most secure jobs in any economy share some common characteristics. By and large, they:

• Save time For Consumers. Jobs that help expedite a fundamental service enjoy a privileged position in our economy. Special couriers, taxi drivers, and public transportation workers resist recessions.

• Assist Big Businesses. Fortune 500 companies have the resources to protect themselves during a recession, but some departments and services are always needed. If your job involves B2B services as IT support, accounting, or cybersecurity, you’re less at risk for layoffs.

• Address a Universal Need. Healthcare professionals, utility workers, energy producers — without services like these, our society would grind to a halt. Working in these sectors can protect you from the worst effects of a recession.

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• Serve a Human Vice. Despite their health risks, tobacco and alcohol sales remain stable during a recession. While fewer people go to bars during recessions, they make up for it through at-home alcohol use. You could do well in the spirits, beer, or wine industries.

• Offer an Essential Service. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us what services are “essential” versus not. In the public sector, social workers, firefighters, and police officers provide vital contributions to society. And in the private sector, pharmacies and grocery stores are fundamental, as everyone needs access to food and medications.
• Deal With Difficult Public Needs. Not everyone has the heart to be a mental health professional, social worker, or paramedic, and that’s okay. But we’ll always need people to do these tough jobs.
• Maintain Infrastructure and Mechanical Quality. Cars and fridges break down, pipes leak, and roads degrade. People who can fix these problems are often insulated from the worst effects of economic recessions.

Common Characteristics of Recession Proof Jobs

How do some jobs end up on the “best” list — while others take the brunt of an economic downturn?

More importantly, how insulated is your job that may not be on the above list? There are three key factors to consider.

The first one is the degree to which an industry or a job is essential for the normal functioning of society. Without doctors, nurses, law enforcement, or public utilities, our communities would fall into chaos within days.

The second factor is a clear and urgent pain on the consumer’s side. When a crime is in progress, or when your child has a high fever, you are clear on what you need — and willing to pay for it if necessary.

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Finally, many recession-resistant jobs need specialized training and experience. When a tax season is upon us, many families happily pay a trained tax preparer to ensure that their tax return won’t trigger an audit.

However, don’t worry if your job doesn’t necessarily fit perfectly in these requirements. There are hundreds of other jobs that are important to our well-being and continued order of society. Just always be aware of what’s going on when the economy starts turning for the worse.

Who Does a Recession Hurt The Most?

In an economic downturn, the above industries are safer than most others. But some careers are at higher risk during these periods. Here’s a look a who loses jobs in a recession:

• Hospitality and Tourism. With less money to spend, fewer vacationers will visit other communities. If hotels can’t book their rooms or restaurants aren’t seating customers, managers may have to reduce hours or lay off staff.
• Real Estate and Automotive Sales. High-interest rates will deter prospective home buyers from seeking a mortgage or leasing a new car. This could spell bad news for real estate brokers out there.
• Leisure and Entertainment. Movie theatres, concert venues, sporting events, and other forms of entertainment will experience less traffic than usual, putting people in this sector at risk — whether they’re branch managers or marketing directors.
• Any Job That Can Be Automated. When businesses feel the crunch, they look for efficiencies anywhere they can. Even paralegals and legal assistants are at risk as cheap technologies become advanced enough to replace them.

• Other Retail Goods. Shoes, clothing, and cosmetics see fewer sales during a recession. That means jobs in this sector are particularly vulnerable during an economic downturn.

Conclusion – Recession Proof Jobs for 2024

This list of the best recession proof jobs should serve as a great starting point for anyone interested in a career that will thrive even when others cannot.

It can also give you some ideas for others that might appeal to you as well!

When a recession hits, one of the biggest concerns is job security. An economic downturn can mean many things for different companies. Layoffs and downsizing are the most common ways of dealing with tough times.

Depending on the severity and reach of the economic conditions, millions of jobs can be lost. Ultimately leaving many people unemployed and unable to support themselves and adequately provide for their families.