Here Are the Top 20 ‘Recession-Proof’ Jobs by Salary Growth: Payscale

• The wave of recent layoffs, particularly in tech, has stoked fears of a possible recession in 2023.
• A new Payscale report identified 20 jobs that appear well-positioned to weather a potential downturn, based on wage growth.
• The list includes a mix of blue- and white-collar jobs, including some employees reporting pay up 30% from last year.

Mass layoffs have hit tech, and they’ve stoked fears of a broader recession. 

However, some jobs look better-positioned to make it through a possible downtown, and a new report from Payscale reveals just which ones.

The salary comparison site identified the top 20 recession-proof jobs based on wage growth in 2022 compared to previous years. They’ve seen pay hikes of anywhere from 14% to 30% this year, according to employees’ self-reported wages.

These roles, a mix of blue- and white-collar jobs, are considered recession-proof because labor shortages and increased competition are leading employers to drive up wages, Payscale says.

“Despite the possibility of an economic downturn, the labor market remains tight, forcing employers to pay top dollar to attract and retain talent for the most sought-after roles,” said Lexi Clarke, VP of People at Payscale, in an accompanying press release.

Here are the jobs that would have the most job security in a recession, according to the report, along with their national median pay and salary growth:

1. Waiter/Waitress 
   Median Pay: $19,900
   Salary Growth: 30%
2. Private Banker
   Median Pay: $93,000
   Salary Growth: 25%
   
3. Media Director
   Median Pay: $108,000
   Salary Growth: 23%
4. Police, Fire, or Ambulance Dispatcher
   Median Pay: $44,500
   Salary Growth: 19%
5. Sales Consultant
   Median Pay: $56,800
   Salary Growth: 18%
6. Microbiologist
   Median Pay: $59,900
   Salary Growth: 16%
7. Marketing & Business Development Director
   Median Pay: $119,000
   Salary Growth: 16%
8. Dock Worker
   Median Pay: $41,100
   Salary Growth: 15%
9. Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician
   Median Pay: $40,400
   Salary Growth: 15%
10. Installation Technician
    Median Pay: $46,800
    Salary Growth: 15%
11. Assembly Line Machine Operator
    Median Pay: $37,200
    Salary Growth: 15%
12. Bookkeeping, Accounting, or Auditing Clerk
    Median Pay: $47,300
    Salary Growth: 15%
13. Tanker Truck Driver
    Median Pay: $58,100
    Salary Growth: 15%
14. Journalist
    Median Pay: $46,500
    Salary Growth: 15%
15. Graphic Design Manager
    Median Pay: $69,700
    Salary Growth: 14%
16. Pastry Chef
    Median Pay: $43,400
    Salary Growth: 14%
17. Diversity Manager
    Median Pay: $97,100
    Salary Growth: 14%
18. Education Coordinator
    Median Pay: $51,800
    Salary Growth: 14%
19. Director of Environmental Services
    Median Pay: $73,800
    Salary Growth: 14%
20. Estimator, Automobile Damage
    Median Pay: $60,300
    Salary Growth: 14%

• The wave of recent layoffs, particularly in tech, has stoked fears of a possible recession in 2023.
• A new Payscale report identified 20 jobs that appear well-positioned to weather a potential downturn, based on wage growth.
• The list includes a mix of blue- and white-collar jobs, including some employees reporting pay up 30% from last year.

Mass layoffs have hit tech, and they’ve stoked fears of a broader recession. 

However, some jobs look better-positioned to make it through a possible downtown, and a new report from Payscale reveals just which ones.

The salary comparison site identified the top 20 recession-proof jobs based on wage growth in 2022 compared to previous years. They’ve seen pay hikes of anywhere from 14% to 30% this year, according to employees’ self-reported wages.

These roles, a mix of blue- and white-collar jobs, are considered recession-proof because labor shortages and increased competition are leading employers to drive up wages, Payscale says.

“Despite the possibility of an economic downturn, the labor market remains tight, forcing employers to pay top dollar to attract and retain talent for the most sought-after roles,” said Lexi Clarke, VP of People at Payscale, in an accompanying press release.

Here are the jobs that would have the most job security in a recession, according to the report, along with their national median pay and salary growth:

1. Waiter/Waitress 
   Median Pay: $19,900
   Salary Growth: 30%
2. Private Banker
   Median Pay: $93,000
   Salary Growth: 25%
   
3. Media Director
   Median Pay: $108,000
   Salary Growth: 23%
4. Police, Fire, or Ambulance Dispatcher
   Median Pay: $44,500
   Salary Growth: 19%
5. Sales Consultant
   Median Pay: $56,800
   Salary Growth: 18%
6. Microbiologist
   Median Pay: $59,900
   Salary Growth: 16%
7. Marketing & Business Development Director
   Median Pay: $119,000
   Salary Growth: 16%
8. Dock Worker
   Median Pay: $41,100
   Salary Growth: 15%
9. Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician
   Median Pay: $40,400
   Salary Growth: 15%
10. Installation Technician
    Median Pay: $46,800
    Salary Growth: 15%
11. Assembly Line Machine Operator
    Median Pay: $37,200
    Salary Growth: 15%
12. Bookkeeping, Accounting, or Auditing Clerk
    Median Pay: $47,300
    Salary Growth: 15%
13. Tanker Truck Driver
    Median Pay: $58,100
    Salary Growth: 15%
14. Journalist
    Median Pay: $46,500
    Salary Growth: 15%
15. Graphic Design Manager
    Median Pay: $69,700
    Salary Growth: 14%
16. Pastry Chef
    Median Pay: $43,400
    Salary Growth: 14%
17. Diversity Manager
    Median Pay: $97,100
    Salary Growth: 14%
18. Education Coordinator
    Median Pay: $51,800
    Salary Growth: 14%
19. Director of Environmental Services
    Median Pay: $73,800
    Salary Growth: 14%
20. Estimator, Automobile Damage
    Median Pay: $60,300
    Salary Growth: 14%