15+ Recession Proof Jobs

A list of over 15 recession proof jobs to get so you don’t have to worry during the next recession! These jobs are for all levels of employees, some requiring degrees, and some not.

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Did you know that the last recession in the United States was over 10 years ago? Yep the Great Recession was all the way back in 2007-2009. And did you know over 10% of people were unemployed?

And what about the current situation in 2020? So many people were laid off, but many people in these jobs below remained employed (myself included as a accountant).

Some economists think we’re due for another recession soon. That’s why you need a recession proof job!

Related: Best Businesses in a Recession

If you don’t know, a recession is when the economy slows down, growth declines, and businesses see less demand for their products and services. In order to limit losses due to lower demand, businesses try to cut costs anyway they can.

Usually, the first thing employers do to save money are layoffs.

Many jobs aren’t critical to the success of a business so employers end up letting go of the employees that hold those jobs.

And some industries can weather a recession better than others. If you want to make sure you’re employed regardless of the economy, check out our list of recession proof jobs.

Recession Proof Jobs

These are jobs that are going to be there no matter what is happening in the world.

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Accountants and Bookkeepers

When money is tight it’s more important than ever to have good people keeping track of your income and expenses.

That’s why even in a recession there will also be jobs for accountants and bookkeepers.

Both are recession proof jobs, but a bookkeeper is more of an administrative role while an accountant is a more professional role.

A bookkeeper takes care of the making daily entries in a businesses’ books whether it be accounts payable, accounts receivable entries.

Bookkeepers aren’t required to be certified or licensed. However, there are classes you can take to learn how to start your own bookkeeping business.

Accountants are the people that analyze the overall financial picture of the business, including the entries made by the bookkeeper.

Accountants also run audits, do forecasting and compile tax information and tax returns.

To be considered an accountant, one must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. A CPA is an accountant that has passed their state’s CPA exam.

Actuaries

Actuaries are all about using math to estimate probabilities of potential risk to a company.

And with a recession there’s even more uncertainty and risk involved, so during a recession, an actuary would be in high demand.

Some types of companies that use actuaries are insurance companies, financial institutions, accounting firms, and government agencies.

To become an actuary, the first step is getting a bachelor’s degree, usually in math, statistics or actuarial science.

Once you have your degree, you’d then typically spend a few years studying for and passing the numerous exams required to become a licensed actuary.

Armed Forces

With a combined military of over 1 million troops, the United States armed forces is one of the largest in the world.

This won’t change due to a recession. If you can follow directions and stay in decent shape, you may enjoy a career in the military and have a totally recession proof job.

And you can take advantage of all the educational and other benefits available to military professionals.

Attorneys

There is an incredible amount of legal work done in our country on a daily basis. Recession or no, there will always be a need for attorneys.

A recession actually increases demand for some types of attorneys. Specifically, in a recession divorce rates and bankruptcy cases go up, and attorneys are needed more than ever.

So, it’s safe to say that jobs for lawyers are totally recession proof.

Auto Mechanics

During a recession most people try to not spend money unnecessarily, this means making do with what you have, and that includes cars.

Besides fixing older cars that naturally break down, accidents always happen so mechanics will stay busy working on cars that have been in accidents, too.

Some people may try to fix their cars themselves, but mechanics are usually busier than ever during recessions and have no trouble keeping their jobs.

Computer Programmers

The world runs on computers. This isn’t going to change anytime soon.

If you are a computer programmer, you should be in good shape during a recession. Even during an economic downturn, if you know how to code you can find a job.

And getting into coding is a lot easier these days than in the past. You no longer need a 4-year degree to be a computer programmer.

Code schools are popping up everywhere and are a great choice for those that quickly want to learn a skill where you’ll be employable regardless of a recession.

a fireman point and yelling with smoke in the background

Firemen, Fire Inspectors and Paramedics

Similar to police officers, firemen and paramedics will always be securely employed regardless of economic activity.

Fires can occur anytime and these professionals will need to be ready when called upon to serve the public.

Interestingly, firemen may be more needed during a recession.

This is because when businesses shut their doors, many buildings become vacant, and vacant buildings are more prone to arson and fires.

Funeral Directors

You know what they say about death & taxes: the only two certainties in life.

A recession will have very little effect on a funeral director’s job.

People may opt for a less expensive funeral in times of economic downturn, but people still have to get buried one way or another, so the funeral homes will still be humming along, even in a recession.

Grocery Store Workers

Grocery Stores are fantastic places to work during a recession. People will always eat and during a recession people try to save money.

One of the first things people cut to save money are expensive restaurant meals.

This leads to people making more trips to the grocery store. So this makes grocery store jobs recession proof.

Hospice Workers

Sadly, regardless of what’s happening in the stock market, people die every day.

Thankfully, the angels that are hospice workers offer peace and grace to families who are losing a loved one.

Hospice workers are a gift and will always be needed, in every economic situation.

Medical Health Workers

The demand for doctors, nurses and pharmacists will be as strong as ever, even during a recession.

People get sick and have accidents that require medical attention, regardless of what’s happening in the stock market so medical health workers will always be needed.

People may put off elective surgery and plastic surgery procedures, but all in all, being in the medical field almost guarantees a recession proof job.

Physical & Occupational Therapists

Physical & occupational therapists are health-care workers and are busy no matter if we’re in a recession or not.

Especially as our population ages, we will need skilled physical therapists to help us move better.

Plus, just about everyone recovering from surgery is prescribed physical therapy in one form or another so it’s safe to say there’s job security.

And occupational therapists are essential to many accident victims being able to regain movement and live on their own.

Police Officer

With somewhere around 800,000 sworn police officers in the country, it’s safe to say that cities in the U.S. employ a lot of police officers and the economy won’t impact this.

In fact, studies have shown that crime rates often increase during a recession, so police are needed more than ever to keep the peace.

Psychologists and Mental Health Counselors

Uncertainty causes stress and stress causes people to seek counseling from mental health professionals.

Panic attacks, substance abuse issues and general anxiety all increase due to recession-induced stress. Marriage and financial problems also increase during difficult times.

For all these reasons, these professional mental health counselors are in high demand during a recession.

Public Transit Workers

Unfortunately, some people do get laid off during a recession and this can lead to autos being repossessed. When this happens, people depend on public transportation more than ever.

This means bus drivers and subway workers will be depended upon to provide service to the public whether it be by driving buses or taking subway tickets.

Either way, workers in this industry can be pretty sure their jobs are recession proof.

Senior Care Workers

In the U.S. we have an aging population that needs assistance. Older people will continue to need the assistance of the senior care industry even during a recession.

And, the demand for senior care workers might actually increase because family members that may have typically provided care might have to go back into the workforce to bring in extra money.

a teacher in front of a class showing a screen

Teachers

Teachers have a job to do regardless of the economic climate. Children will continue to go to school every day (or school from home as we’re doing now) and will need qualified teachers in the classroom.

Even if online learning becomes more popular, certified teachers will still be needed to teach. And teachers are unionized so they are guaranteed work.

The same goes for college level teachers and professors that have tenure. Plus, during a recession, college enrollment actually increases.

Many people that are laid off want to learn new skills that will enable them to transition to new careers so this leads to even more job stability.

You can learn how to become a teacher online!

Utility Workers

Municipalities will always employ electric and gas utility workers. These are great jobs that pay well and don’t require a four-year degree.

Obviously, people will always need power and lights, so workers will be needed to maintain utility systems. This also includes water and telecommunications, which is incredibly important in our virtual society today.

For this reason, these jobs are a good bet to be recession proof.

What To Do If You Are Laid Off

Sometimes, even is you have a recession resistant job, you may still get laid off. And if you do, cutting expenses is one of the first areas you may address. Try some of these tips for reducing or eleiminating expenses:

In addition, you can also find ways to make some money on the side (or even full time):

To Wrap Up

If you want to do everything you can to weather the next economic recession, get yourself into one of these top recession proof careers.

While nothing is guaranteed, there are certainly some jobs that are far more likely to be in high demand regardless of economic circumstances.

Have you been laid off due to a recession? Comment below and tell us about your experience.