When headlines shout about layoffs and rising prices, it’s normal to think: Is my job safe if the economy tanks? Rent, groceries, kids’ activities, medical bills, they don’t go on sale just because the stock market crashes.

But some careers hold up much better than others when money gets tight. People still get sick, need electricity and internet, pay their taxes, ship packages, and keep businesses running. Many of those “always-on” parts of the economy pay well, often well into the $75,000+ range.

Below are 15 jobs that tend to stay in demand through recessions and come with solid paychecks. None of them are magic, and every path takes work. But if you’re thinking about a career pivot, promotion, or going back to school, these are the kinds of roles worth a serious look.

Registered nurse

When the economy slows, people still end up in hospitals, clinics, and ERs. That’s why nursing tends to be steadier than many office jobs. Registered nurses (RNs) care for patients, give medications, help with procedures, and support families on some of their hardest days. Recent data puts median pay for RNs around $93,600 per year.

To become an RN, you typically complete either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), pass the licensing exam, and meet your state’s requirements. Many community colleges offer ADN programs that work for career changers and parents who need flexible schedules. Once you’re in, you can work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, or even from home in telehealth roles. Healthcare overall is projected to grow faster than average over the next decade, so qualified nurses are likely to stay in demand even when other sectors shrink.

Nurse practitioner

If you like the nursing path but want more responsibility and higher pay, nurse practitioner (NP) could be your next step. NPs can diagnose, order tests, write prescriptions, and manage patients’ long-term care. Median pay for advanced practice nurses in this group is about $132,050 per year.

Demand is strong because NPs help fill primary-care gaps, especially in rural or underserved areas. You generally need to be a licensed RN first, then complete a master’s or doctoral program and earn national certification. It’s a longer road, but in return you get more autonomy, strong job growth, and income that can support a family even in high-cost areas. For many mid-career nurses, moving into an NP role is one of the most realistic ways to boost income without leaving healthcare.

Physician assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) work closely with doctors and often function as primary-care providers. They examine patients, diagnose illnesses, perform procedures, and prescribe medications. Median pay is about $133,260 per year.

Healthcare keeps growing as the population ages, and many clinics lean on PAs because they can provide high-level care faster and at lower overall cost than adding more physicians. To get into this field, you typically need a bachelor’s degree with science prerequisites, then a PA master’s program and national certification. Programs are intense, but they’re usually around two to three years, shorter than medical school, and the payoff is a six-figure, high-demand career that tends to weather recessions better than many other professions.

Pharmacist

Even in a downturn, people need blood pressure meds, insulin, antibiotics, and vaccines. Pharmacists make sure those medications are safe, accurate, and used correctly. Recent government data shows median pay around $137,480 per year.

Pharmacists work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, grocery stores, clinics, and more. The work is detail-heavy: checking prescriptions, counseling patients, watching for dangerous drug interactions, and often giving immunizations. You’ll need a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and a license in your state. It’s a long training path, but if you’re strong in science and want a highly paid healthcare role that doesn’t involve surgery or night-long shifts on the floor, pharmacy can be a solid, recession-resistant choice.

Software developer

Tech has its ups and downs, but software development remains one of the stronger roles, especially compared with more easily automated programming jobs. Software developers design and build the applications and systems every business now relies on, payroll tools, banking apps, logistics platforms, and more. Recent numbers put median pay at about $131,450 per year.

Because nearly every industry uses software, experienced developers can move into healthcare, finance, education, or government work if consumer tech slows down. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, but plenty of people transition in from bootcamps or self-taught backgrounds plus a strong project portfolio. If you’re willing to keep your skills fresh and learn new tools, software development can provide high income and flexibility even when other white-collar jobs feel shaky.

Information security analyst

When companies cut costs, they still have to protect customer data and keep hackers out. That’s where information security analysts come in. They monitor networks, investigate breaches, and design defenses against cyberattacks. Median pay is about $124,910 per year.

This role is one of the fastest-growing in tech. Employment for information security analysts is projected to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average. You’ll usually need a bachelor’s in IT, cybersecurity, or computer science, plus certifications over time. But there are also entry paths through help desk jobs, networking roles, or security analyst internships. If you like puzzles and want a job that’s useful in every industry, banks, hospitals, utilities, schools, cybersecurity is about as close to “future-proof” as it gets right now.

Data scientist

Companies sit on huge piles of data: customer behavior, supply chain details, website clicks, financial records. Data scientists turn that chaos into clear answers leaders can actually use. They build models, test scenarios, and help businesses decide what to cut and what to invest in. Median pay is around $112,590 per year.

This field is projected to grow 34% from 2024 to 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing jobs in the country. To get in, you’ll need strong skills in statistics and programming (often Python or R), plus comfort working with messy real-world information. Many data scientists start with degrees in math, economics, engineering, or computer science, then add specialized training or a master’s program. The upside: your skills transfer across industries, so you can follow demand into healthcare, retail, tech, or government as the economy shifts.

Construction manager

People still need housing, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, even in a weak economy. While some projects get delayed, essential construction keeps going, and someone has to coordinate all of it. Construction managers plan, budget, schedule, and supervise building projects. Median pay is about $106,980 per year.

This role blends office work and job-site time. You’re working with architects, engineers, trades, and inspectors to keep projects on track and safe. Many construction managers start as carpenters, electricians, or other tradespeople and then move up, often with a bachelor’s degree in construction management or a related field. Job growth is projected to be faster than average over the next decade, helped by ongoing demand for new housing and infrastructure upgrades. If you’re good at juggling moving parts and don’t want to sit at a desk all day, this path can be both stable and lucrative.

Elevator and escalator installer and repairer

When you step into an elevator, you probably aren’t thinking about the person who keeps it safe. Elevator and escalator installers and repairers assemble, maintain, and fix the systems that move people and goods in tall buildings, malls, hospitals, and transit hubs. Median pay is about $106,580 per year.

This is a skilled trade, not an office job. You’ll be working with heavy equipment, in tight spaces, sometimes at heights and on call for emergencies. Most people enter through a paid apprenticeship that combines classroom training with on-the-job experience. Demand tends to hold up because buildings can’t just shut down their elevators when budgets are tight, safety inspections and repairs are mandatory. For someone who likes hands-on work, problem solving, and strong union pay scales, this can be a quiet but very solid six-figure path.

Power plant operator, distributor, and dispatcher

Electricity is about as recession-proof as it gets. Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that keep lights on, factories running, and phones charging. Median pay in this group is about $103,600 per year.

The work is technical and can involve rotating shifts, including nights and weekends. Operators monitor dashboards, adjust controls, and respond fast if something goes wrong. Many roles require only a high school diploma plus significant on-the-job training and licensing, though some employers prefer technical degrees or prior military experience. While automation may change how many people are needed at each facility, utilities are essential services, and experienced operators remain critical during storms and emergencies when the grid is under stress.

Electrical power-line installer and repairer

When storms knock out power, lineworkers are the ones climbing poles and repairing downed wires. Electrical power-line installers and repairers build and maintain the lines that carry electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. Median pay is around $92,560 per year.

This job is physically demanding and can be dangerous, but it also offers strong pay without a four-year degree. Many workers start with a high school diploma, complete a technical program or apprenticeship, and learn on the job. Because electricity is essential and weather events keep coming, experienced linemen and linewomen stay in demand. During economic downturns, utilities may slow hiring, but they can’t skip critical maintenance or emergency repairs, which keeps core crews working.

Accountant and auditor

Even in a recession, businesses and individuals still have to file taxes, follow regulations, and keep clean books. Accountants and auditors review financial records, prepare reports, and help organizations stay on the right side of the rules. Median pay is about $81,680 per year.

Tough times can even increase demand for specialized roles like forensic accounting, restructuring, and tax planning. To enter the field, you usually need a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related area. Many professionals later pursue certification to boost their earnings. You can work inside a company, for an accounting firm, or for government agencies. While this isn’t the flashiest career, it’s one of the most reliable options for steady income above the national median, especially if you’re comfortable with detail-heavy work and deadlines.

Financial analyst

Money still moves around during a recession, just more carefully. Financial analysts help companies, banks, and investors decide where to put their cash, how to manage risk, and when to change course. Median pay for financial and investment analysts is about $101,350 per year.

These roles exist inside corporations, investment firms, insurance companies, and government agencies. Daily work includes building spreadsheets, analyzing financial statements, modeling scenarios, and writing reports. Most analysts have a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Some move on to advanced certifications or degrees for higher-level roles. While certain parts of finance are more cyclical, strong analysts who can help organizations survive and plan through downturns tend to stay valuable and well paid.

Lawyer

Legal needs don’t disappear in a downturn. In fact, some areas, like bankruptcy, employment disputes, and regulatory work, can get busier. Lawyers represent clients in court, negotiate deals, draft contracts, and advise on legal rights and risks. Median pay is about $151,160 per year.

The path is long: you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, law school, and passing the bar exam. But once you’re licensed, there are many niches that hold up well across economic cycles: government roles, public interest law, in-house counsel for large companies, and specialized practices. While not every lawyer earns six figures right away, the median income and broad demand make this one of the higher-paying “recession-resistant” careers for people who are strong in reading, writing, and argument.

Transportation, storage, and distribution manager

If you’ve ever tracked a package, you’ve seen how complex modern logistics are. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers run the warehouses, trucking operations, ports, and distribution centers that keep goods moving. Median pay is about $102,010 per year.

During a recession, people may buy fewer extras, but food, medicine, and household basics still need to get from point A to point B. Managers in this field schedule routes, manage staff, solve shipping problems, and watch costs. Many start as warehouse staff, drivers, or dispatchers and work their way up, sometimes adding an associate or bachelor’s degree in business or logistics. Because this work sits at the center of the supply chain, experienced managers often remain essential even when companies are trimming elsewhere.