In recent years, the job market has been rocked by major global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the widespread adoption of AI (artificial intelligence), and mass layoffs as a direct result of these two influences and their impact on the economy and business operations, which have made many Americans question their standing in the job market and the reliability of specific roles. Remote jobs (and their decline with RTO mandates and evolution into hybrid roles) have been another cause of concern for workers. Naturally, many professionals desire jobs that will give them career stability and are anxious to set up their careers for long-term success, especially when faced with the threat of a recession due to the economy and inflation.
Thankfully, when planning your career, you don’t need to worry because there are plenty of high-paying, recession-proof jobs that you can secure. Some do not require a degree at all, while for others, it boosts your ability to navigate the job market successfully if you have one.
Below are some lucrative remote-friendly jobs that pay very well, which you can secure with just a bachelor’s degree in fields such as computer science and business management. These roles have the double benefit of paying up to $150,000 or more on average and being recession-proof. This means that not only do they offer a high salary, but they also provide job security, as they are in high demand and necessary functions in business and society that cannot easily be eliminated without causing major disruption.
Average salary information is taken from Salary.com data.
Based on information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the human resource manager’s role is pivotal and does not appear to be at risk, with a 6% projected uptake in demand over the period from 2023 to 2033. This is faster than the average job growth rate. Additionally, per the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), business operations and management are cited in the top 10 industries for remote work, making this a great choice if you are looking for a remote job.
HR managers handle various day-to-day tasks that directly impact a business and its success. They oversee all aspects of talent management and recruitment in a company, from creating policies for their workers to handling complaints and bridging the gap between management teams and their employees to managing learning and development, hiring and conducting interviews, and onboarding and performance management.
You would typically need a bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business, or psychology.
This multifaceted role also has a solid upward career trajectory, with paths leading to an HR business partner or even a vice president of human resources. Keep a lookout for similar titles, such as “people manager” or “talent manager,” as some companies avoid using traditional HR terminologies in favor of more modern and supportive titles.
Average salary range: From $108,530 to $137,212
An IT manager’s role is to ensure that a company’s information technology infrastructure is sound, supports its goals, and is efficient and productive for internal end users. Without them, can you imagine what it would be like to have your work laptop break down or lose sign-in access just when you’re in the middle of an important project?
As an IT manager working remotely, you would ensure that all employees receive the support and resolutions they need in a timely manner through the team of IT support and helpdesk specialists you manage. You’d also implement policies to safeguard the company’s systems and hardware.
This role has an even greater job outlook than an HR manager’s, with BLS predictions showing a 17% surge in jobs over the next nine years. This high demand shows the value and importance of your skills as an IT manager.
Approximately 64% of IT managers hold a bachelor’s degree, with the second most common degree type being an associate degree (17% of IT managers) and a further 12% holding a master’s degree, according to Zippia. So, the most common route to this career is a bachelor’s degree, usually in computer science or information technology.
Average salary range: From $132,848 to $160,840
Cybersecurity is another in-demand profession. The BLS estimates a 33% increase in job availability for almost a decade, more than five times the job demand for a human resources manager role explored earlier in this article.
It is also quite likely to be remote compared to jobs in other industries. The same NBER paper ranked information technology and computer roles as the number one industry for remote work in 2024, regardless of their slight decline since the pandemic.
As a cybersecurity engineer, you’d “identify threats and vulnerabilities in systems and software, then apply [your] skills to developing and implementing high-tech solutions to defend against hacking, malware and ransomware, insider threats and all types of cybercrime,” says the University of San Diego Online.
For this role, you could opt for a bachelor of science in cybersecurity engineering, computer science, or software engineering. Further cybersecurity qualifications such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CompTIA Security+ can enhance your job prospects and improve your competitive edge, helping you land a remote job.
Average salary range: From $121,771 to $150,325
These three remote jobs are excellent examples of recession-proof roles that you can pursue in 2025. They not only have a higher chance of offering remote work opportunities but also tend to pay just under or over $150,000 annually. Use this information to help you make an informed decision when planning career steps, such as what concentration to study in 2025 for your bachelor’s degree or what role to pivot to, that would complement your existing degree.
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