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Job security is one of the biggest worries as a recession approaches. However, people working in these 38 jobs have less to worry about than most.
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There is no such thing as a recession-proof job. It would be nice, but the economy doesn’t work that way. However, there are jobs that have historically been safer than others — professions that have managed to ride out recessions without receiving the dreaded pink slip. Here are 38 jobs less likely to be cut as the country fights economic headwinds.
Healthcare providers
Recession or not, people are going to continue to have babies, undergo medical treatments, and catch the flu. Healthcare providers tend to land on their feet when a recession hits. In addition to doctors, these professionals are likely to make it through the next recession unscathed.
NursesPhysician assistantsRadiographersMental health providersMedical technologistsLaboratory technologistsHealth care administratorsPharmacists
Public safety workers
The folks who work to ensure our safety are not only in high demand, but they’re also less likely to feel the sting of job loss during a recession. Here are some of the professions included on that list.
Law enforcement officerFirefighterEmergency medical technicianCorrectional officerSecurity guardOccupational health and safety specialist
Utility workers
We may try to cut back on our energy use during a recession, but we still need access to utility services. That means we still need utility workers to keep things running smoothly. Here are some of the utility jobs that may not be 100% safe during a recession, but are pretty darn close.
Power linemanUtility managerSafety engineerPower plant managerWastewater engineerGas or pipeline controllerPower plant or substation engineer
Educators
There’s nothing easy about being a teacher at any level, but teaching does tend to provide a secure income, even during recessions. From kindergarten through college, educators are necessary to expand the knowledge and capabilities of their students. In addition, here are some of the other school-related workers who tend to remain employed during economic downturns.
School administratorsOffice workersParaprofessionalsFood service personnelJanitorial staffBus drivers
Legal professionals
Not all jobs in the legal profession are safe during a recession, but legal professionals overall are more likely than not to keep their jobs. Courts continue to operate no matter what’s going on economically, keeping most of these professionals safe.
JudgesAttorneysParalegalsCourt clerksCourtroom securityCourt reportersLegal assistants
Social workers
Child neglect, drug abuse, elder abuse, and other societal woes often get worse during times of economic stress. It’s social workers who walk into messy, sometimes dangerous situations to deal with the aftermath.
Due to the important work they do, social workers are likely to continue depositing paychecks into their checking accounts throughout a recession.
Funeral home directors
There’s a (morbid) joke about a funeral director who decided the funeral home’s advertising slogan should be, “My day starts when yours ends.” While funeral directors probably do not find the joke funny at all, there is some truth to the slogan.
No matter what’s going on, people will die, and families will require the services of funeral homes. Loved ones may cut back spending on fancy caskets and huge flower arrangements, but they will still need wakes, burial plots, and cremation urns.
If you’re concerned
If you find yourself worrying about job security to an unhealthy degree, you may want to consider a job change. According to Emeritus.org, the safe bet is looking for a job that will remain in demand during a recession. Some of the most common “hard skills” in-demand businesses are looking for are:
Project managementDigital marketingData analyticsCodingTechnology know-how
If you have access to a computer, you have access to free training in these fields. The best thing about taking a free course is that you’ll get a sense of whether you enjoy what you’re learning enough to pursue a job in the field. Here are a few examples of free online courses.
Coding: Five 15-minute daily lessons from CareerFoundry.Digital marketing: You can find a list of more than 40 free online digital marketing classes here.Data analytics: MLTut.com provides insight about seven free data analytics courses.
Whether your job feels secure or not, it’s a good idea for all of us to prepare for the next recession. That could involve paying down debt, boosting your emergency savings, and finding ways to save money on purchases.
RELATED: What Is an Emergency Fund and Why Do You Need One?
As awful as recessions feel, they don’t last forever. In fact, the average recession has lasted 14 months, while the average period of economic recovery and growth has lasted 47 months. In other words, there are always better days ahead. The key is to get through a recession with your nerves and personal finances intact.
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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Dana George has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
