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Best Sites to Find Recession Proof Jobs
JobGet
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FlexJobs
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ZipRecruiter
Over 9 million jobs available with access salary data for 35k job titles
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You can use ZipRecruiter salary data for your job salary negotiation
25 Recession-Proof Jobs
Delivery Driver
Postmates Summary
- Postmates was acquired by Uber in 2020
- Earn at least $4 per order plus bonuses
- Get extra cash incentives of up to $1000
- Flexible working hours that are up to you
One of the best recession proof jobs is working as a delivery driver. During a recession people don’t tend to stop spending because they still need to buy products and everyone likes to treat themselves from time to time.
It’s also true that if people are working longer hours or taking on a second job they may not have time to get to the store.
Deliver drivers and couriers are always in demand because online shopping is a regular part of our lives now.
As long as you have access to an insured vehicle and a smartphone to run the accompanying app you can work for a courier platform like Postmates.
Grocers
Instacart Summary
- 2 different types of work available
- Earn up to $10 per full-service order
- Get $10 for each friend you refer
- Work as much or as little as you want
The grocery business is a prime example when it comes to recession proof industries. Let’s face it, everyone needs to eat and people tend to eat out less when they are going through a recession.
People typically prepare more meals at home but they may not have time to shop for their groceries due to extra work commitments. This is where a handy app like Instacart can really help. People can save time and you can earn money shopping for them and/or delivering groceries. It’s easy to get started and if you don’t have a vehicle you can just carry out the shopping and let someone else handle that aspect for you.
Healthcare Professionals
It doesn’t really matter how the economy is performing, people are still going to get sick and they may even get sicker during a recession due to stress and worry. This means that key health workers such as: doctors, nurses, medical technicians, health administrators and others will have regular work.
It even extends to ancillary positions, including:
- Janitors,
- Receptionists
- Public relations specialists.
The only exception to this rule may be cosmetic surgeons that may see a downturn in non-essential procedures when people are trying to save money. Dentists may also see a slight drop in work because many insurance plans don’t cover dental treatment and people may opt to skip a six month clean.
Specialised Care Services
Care Summary
- Earn $15 to $20 per hour on average
- Payments processed quickly within 2 days
- Get up to $500 in benefits each year
- All caregivers get 4 different benefits
As already mentioned, people still get sick during a recession but they also continue to age. This means that there are still people that need help to stay safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Some may have no other option but to move to an assisted living facility but a surprising number of elderly people can live at home with a little help.
If you have an interest in providing care you can join the Care.com platform and offer your services to your local community.
This could include performing tasks, such as:
- Cleaning,
- Cooking,
- Shopping
- and more.
This is a great way to help others, earn money during a recession and it does give the carer a tremendous sense of wellbeing.
Accountants
Even in the worst of times everyone still needs to file our tax returns on time. Although you can prepare your own taxes using software such as TurboTax or TaxAct it can be a tricky process.
People still make mistakes on their tax return and it’s usually a better idea to hire a bookkeeper or accountant if you want to avoid an audit.
For this reason, you can regard accountancy as one of those recession proof industries and you can take part too.
If you have a head for figures and you can file your own tax returns without any problems maybe you can make some extra money with Bookkeepers.com.
Auto Mechanics
YourMechanic Summary
- Flexible work hours – you can set your schedule
- Earn up to $70 per hour
- You’ll be meeting new people at various places
- You won’t have to worry about tracking payments and ordering parts since YourMechanic does it for you
During a recession people are less likely to buy a new car and their existing vehicle may need some attention. Others may have a car that needs some maintenance but they skip that and it leads to a more extensive repair.
You can’t drive a car regularly without some type of preventative maintenance and if you have mechanical skills this is a great way to make extra money.
Joining a platform such as YourMechanic.com will help you to connect with people that need your help to maintain and repair their vehicles at their homes.
Public Transit Workers
One of the best recession proof jobs is working in the public transit sector. After all, people still need to travel and get to their place of work but they may not be able to run a car.
Transit working positions could include:
- Drivers,
- Engineers,
- Mechanics,
- Ticket booth agents
- and others.
These types of jobs are typically safer during periods when an economic downturn is in effect.
Cleaners
Handy Pro Summary
- Earn between $22 per hour to $62 per hour
- Working hours based on your availability
- Jobs will be within 100 miles of your home
- Get paid within 7 days after a gig
Studies show that the contract cleaning sector is likely to continue to grow even during a forthcoming recession. Even when the GDP has been affected people still need to get their homes and businesses cleaned.
When people are under extra pressure, they may need to work longer hours or take an extra job and this leaves less time for cleaning and other household chores.
This provides an opportunity for those that have cleaning or handyman skills. If you join a platform such as Handy, you can find a ready supply of clients that need help keeping their homes clean and tidy.
Educators
Udemy Summary
- Wide target audience of learners
- Earn passive income from your courses
- Get your payments within 1 to 2 days
- Short minimum course duration (30 min)
Like many other facets of modern life the need for education doesn’t diminish when the economy tanks. Even though school classes may get bigger, children will still need education opportunities that are often found online.
Tuition on a one to one basis may be too expensive for many but accessing online classes and feedback on a platform such as Udemy is very affordable.
If you have a passion for teaching and you want to earn some extra money you could create a course of your own or provide tutoring services on this and other platforms. There are lots of online tutoring opportunities, so you can access this sector. Studies have shown that in periods of recession enrollment and interest in higher education actually increases!
Long-Term Real Estate Investors
Roofstock Summary
- Low fees of $500 or 0.5% of contract price
- 1000+ properties you can choose from
- Complete your purchase in under 30 days
- Financing fees can be as low as 3.49%
If you’re a house flipper you may struggle to find home buyers during a recession. But, long-term real estate investors will always find ways to make money buying up property from sellers that cannot afford to keep up their payments.
During a recession you could search for these types of opportunities on sites such as Roofstock. Buying up a property at a bargain price presents an excellent long-term investment when the economic situation stabilizes.
Long Term Investors
Acorns Summary
- Low account fees from just $3 per month
- Get $5 in your account for referrals
- Low minimum starting investment amount
- High average return on investments of 7.5%
Long-term investing can take place outside real estate and you can get started at a very basic level.
The traditional approach of buying low, holding and then selling when the prices rise again is sound. However, it is only an option for those that have spare cash on hand.
An alternative would be a platform like Acorns app, which helps users to get some small investments up and running with little to no input.
Acorns rounds up purchases that you make and applies the difference to investments made on your behalf. Over time, those pennies really add up and you can build a powerful little portfolio without thinking about it.
Social Workers
When the economy is under pressure people have a number of problems to deal with. The addition of stress on a family unit can cause an increase in emotional and behavioral issues that need to be addressed.
This means that social workers will be in higher demand. This is typically public sector work that isn’t subject to extreme employment swings even during a recession. So, a career in social work is very safe in virtually any economic state.
Pharmacists
As a crucial part of the modern health industry, a pharmacist will continue to work no matter how the economy is performing.
People are always going to need their over the counter drugs to deal with a wide variety of medical issues.
In fact, most people would prioritize these needs over many other expenses that would be allowed to slide.
If you’re considering some kind of medical based career perhaps working as a pharmacist or developing your own business may be the perfect fit.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement personnel are typically public sector workers and this protects them from layoffs to a certain extent.
Another key reason why law enforcement roles are recession proof jobs is that crime tends to rise during a recession as people become desperate to get money to pay their bills. This also extends to the private security sector as businesses feel the need to boost their security profile to deal with an increase in crime.
If you’re interested in one of the most interesting recession proof industries take a look at law enforcement opportunities in your area.
Utility Services
Rocket Money Summary
- No upfront costs for the free plan
- Save an average of $96 per year or more
- 5+ different ways to help you save money
- Save money by canceling subscriptions
One of the best recession proof jobs is providing utility services to homes and businesses. The need for utilities doesn’t diminish during a recession.
This includes:
- Water,
- Gas,
- Electricity,
- Phone lines,
- The internet
- Sewer services
Many governments deal with utility suppliers directly but there are many private suppliers that work hard to compete in the market.
That being said, you can use an app such as Rocket Money to lower your utility bills but you don’t see much of a change in the overall usage.
If you want a recession proof career look at opportunities in the utility services sector as an administrator, technicians or customer service representative.
Emergency Services
Accidents and fires continue to occur during any period of economic activity. In fact, you could argue that fires are more likely during a recession when more buildings are empty and people resort to risky methods to light and/or heat their homes.
A study in 2012 found that from 2003 to 2015 the incidence of fires peaked in 2008 which is when the last recession peaked.
So, if you’re interested in a career where you can save lives and you’re physically fit, take a closer look at the emergency services sector.
Moving and Relocation services
Bellhop Summary
- Flexible working hours that are up to you
- Earn up to $21 per hour as a mover
- Get reimbursed $0.30/mile after 15 miles
- Payment within 5-7 days of a move
Even moving services are busier during an economic downturn.
This may be surprising, but when you consider that renters tend to downsize to save money on rent and the increase in evictions and defaults, it’s more understandable. This tends to keep moving professionals busy.
Moving and relocation companies are often looking for extra help with the increased demand for their services.
If you have your own vehicle you can even sign up to a platform like Bellhop and offer your own moving services. This can be very lucrative but if you want to gain experience it’s likely that you will have many companies operating in your local area.
Animal Care Worker
People love their pets and just like humans, our furry friends can still get sick or become injured during a recession.
Sadly, most people don’t carry pet health insurance and this can lead to a lack of pet health care when the economy is in bad shape.
A typical vet may experience a slight drop in business but most have more than enough work left to do.
In fact, an interesting study conducted in 2009 found that 45% of veterinary practices experience an increase in business during 2009.
This means that you could work as an animal care worker and your career would still perform far better than many other sectors.
Federal Government Employees
One of the best recession proof jobs is working as a federal government employee.
Most civilian and military jobs are not affected to any great degree during a period of recession. This means that you have job security and you can make plans for the future.
Many areas of the federal government have significant opportunities for advancement and access to educational degrees with little to no cost to the worker. If you’re interested in this type of employment there are always opportunities and there is plenty of variety.
Physical Therapist
Many people need physical and/or occupational therapy to treat a wide variety of ailments.
Recovery from surgical procedures can take a long time and some comprehensive insurance policies do cover this type of treatment.
Although it is true that physical therapists do experience a slight downturn in work during a recession, this is not as severe as you might imagine.
Some people may delay an elective surgery or treatment to save money, but many patients do not have that option.
If you’re interested in working as a physical therapist check out Webpt.com for more information.
IT Worker
Most of us rely heavily on information technology for work and many other tasks. A network of websites, databases and communication works around the clock to keep us all connected.
This need doesn’t diminish during a recession and the need for IT workers actually increases. Many people start to earn extra money by working at home or they need extra internet services to keep themselves entertained.
Some interesting IT roles would include:
- Project managers,
- Developers,
- Website designers,
- Programmers,
- Data analysts,
- Data engineers
- and many more specialist roles.
Some tech specialist jobs are at risk during a recession when business owners look overseas to find talent that may work at a cheaper rate. For this reason it’s vital to work locally and provide high efficiency to ensure that your skills remain in demand and are valued.
Funeral Services
During a recession, people still die and they need to be laid to rest with respect. This is a fact of life and as one might expect this isn’t a particularly popular line of work.
Working in funeral services isn’t an easy career. It’s necessary to help people through their grief and many of us can’t handle this responsibility on a regular basis.
However, if you have the compassion to work in this industry you won’t need to worry about losing your income during a recession.
Loan Officer
As you might imagine, people are more likely to seek a short or long term loan during a recession. They may need to cover some bills or get access to money during a transitionary period to a new job or during a house move.
According to experts, the growth of employment in the loan sector will be faster and greater than average growth in many other occupations.
As a loan officer you could work at a credit union, mortgage company, bank or other financial institution. It will be your job to evaluate a loan application and help people to get a loan that they can afford to repay.
Locksmith
Recession or not, people will still need services like lock repairing/replacement, lockout, safe unlocking, car keys, and much more.
So if you’re a skillful person, you could as well provide customers with locksmith services.
Realistically, you can expect to earn an average of $30 per hour, totaling $1,200 if you work full-time (40 hours per week).
And if you’re more of an entrepreneurial type of person, you could start up your own locksmith company. While your earnings would vary from month to month, depending on demand and your expenses, you could still average a monthly return of about $10,000.
Interpreters
As people live in an increasingly connected world, there will always be a high demand for skilled interpreters.
A good interpreter can find work in a:
- School,
- Hospital,
- Courtroom
- And various businesses.
If you want to work in this field most employers will require a college degree and fluency in one language and English as the bare minimum. It is possible to find full and part time work to suit your needs and you can expect to earn around $24 per hour.
Technical Writers
A technical writer is a detailed orientated person that writes content, such as:
- Instruction manuals,
- White papers,
- Journal articles,
- How to guides
- and more.
Experts agree that the demand for this type of writing is expected to grow by around 8% in the next decade. This type of writing is not an attractive option for many people because it is very time consuming but it can be lucrative.
A good technical writer can expect to earn around $35.50 per hour if they have built a good reputation.
5 Worse Jobs to Have During Recession
1. Vacation Travel
Although families do vacation when the economy is tough they tend to stick to budget friendly options. Travel to far flung and exotic locations is typically the first area to suffer and stays in fancy hotels are out.
This can cause even a well established travel business to suffer a downturn unless they can offer a budget friendly alternative.
Any company that can offer local adventures will fare better but the vacation travel industry is not a recession proof career.
2. Construction
The construction industry often acts as a barometer for the health of any economy. When a recession hits construction projects tend to grind to a halt quickly. This may be caused by a lack of investor confidence to a desire to reduce costs until the situation is clearer.
This can affect small and large scale construction projects alike and lead to significant delays.
If you’ve ever worked as an electrician, plumber, carpenter, roofer or general contractor you will understand that this work can be intermittent.
This also affects a number of supporting industries, including: cement manufacturing, lumber creation and building material suppliers.
If you want a recession proof job it’s a great idea to avoid construction as a career and learn it as a DIY hobby to work on your own home safely.
3. Home Decor
Many homeowners want to add design elements or decor that makes their home feel extra special. We all want a comfortable place to relax but many of these home decor touches are expensive.
When a recession hits, you often notice that luxury items are the first things to be affected because people would rather pay a bill than buy something nice.
Everyone has different priorities during a recession and this will deter people from making larger purchases.
This affects home furnishing and furniture stores alike and it will affect those industries that support them.
4. Retail
Every family needs to spend money but how this money is spent during a recession will be very different. Most people tend to tighten their budget significantly when they are unsure about their future and purchases are kept to an absolute minimum.
The first products to be rejected will be luxury purchases and brand names will be rejected if favor of lower cost alternatives.
After all, everyone needs to wear sneakers but may not need the latest Nike or Adidas products. The flipside of retail is that stores that offer great deals on non-branded goods may even thrive at these times.
If you want to avoid struggling to find work in a recession it’s a great idea to avoid the retail sector entirely.
5. Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
If a family is reduced to a single paycheck, those bigger fun toys are simply put on indefinite hold. This will affect car dealers that sell or specialize in selling RV’s, motorcycles, boats and other luxury vehicles.
All of these types of vehicle sales suffer a downturn when a recession begins. Most people tend to spend their time and money on repairing the vehicles that they have to keep them running or in order to sell them to raise some much needed cash.
What is in Demand During a Recession?
There are lots of services that are in demand during a recession. These are often based around essential services or the things we cannot live without even when there is an economic downturn.
For example, jobs that involve our health, maintaining our home and food usually remain in demand.
How Do You Prepare for a Recession?
The first step to prepare for a recession is to take an honest look at your finances. Establish a budget and look at where you can trim your costs to create an emergency fund. So, if your income does drop, you will have a little breathing space.