If you’re looking for a Florida career during these tough economic times, there are some occupations that are considered to be recession-proof.
With the national unemployment rate continuing to increase and the number of available jobs continuing to decrease, it may seem as though getting a job is hopeless. That’s not necessarily the case, according to an article by the Orlando Sentinel, as there are some occupations that will always survive.
Nursing and healthcare, for instance, usually remains strong. As of late there are still jobs for people who specialize in computer systems as hospitals and doctors’ offices continue to convert to electronic records. In the Orlando area alone, the healthcare industry has added 5,200 jobs so far this year. As far as pay, nurses usually earn a median salary of $62,480 per year, while nurses in the Orlando area earn between $53,138 and $64,011 per year.
Another steadfast occupation is that of debt counselor or financial adviser.
“People need help with their finances more than ever,” the article notes. “So there’s demand for people with good numbers skills, finance backgrounds and money management training. The jobs in this general category can range from relatively low-paying counseling with nonprofits to financial management and investment positions that require degrees or various accreditation.”
The median annual salary for a personal financial adviser in Orlando is $56,068 per year, compared to the national average of $89,609 per year. The average starting salary is about $40,000 per year.
Another path to take is public safety, as there is a growing need for security at ports, airports and businesses. The emphasis on homeland security and emergency management also helps guarantee public safety jobs. Workers in this field usually earn a starting salary between $32,000 and $42,000 per year.
The federal government also usually has thousands of jobs to offer. Of the 40,000 jobs currently available, 427 are within 100 miles of Orlando. Jobs with the government pay anywhere from $29,726 for a U.S. Customs position to $65,315 for a refuge wildlife manager. Another plus is that employees usually receive extensive retirement and health care benefits.
Jobs in education are usually available, even though many schools are cutting their budgets. Positions that are harder to fill, such as high school math and science teachers, are more in demand than others. The median salary for a teacher in metro Orlando is $42,168 per year, while the starting salary is $25,000 per year and teaching assistants earn about $18,000 per year.
The last occupation that is usually in demand is funeral directors and attendants. Because the population continues to age, more and more families need the services of funeral practitioners. The median hourly wage for a funeral director in metro Orlando is $24 per hour, while attendants earn $8.67 per hour.