13 Recession-Proof Jobs That Pay $50K+ Without a Bachelor’s Degree

In an era of student debt and career pivots, new research from LiveCareer reveals 13 careers that offer growth, strong pay, and job security—and don’t require a four-year degree. These recession-proof jobs each pay at least $50,000, are projected to grow significantly by 2030, and are accessible with an associate degree or postsecondary certificate. 

By analyzing data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LiveCareer identified roles that are not only growing faster than average, despite a weakening economy, but come with high salaries and less burdensome education requirements.

What These Careers Have in Common

Strong Pay & High ROI

• Every role on the list has a median annual wage of $50,000 or more
• Many offer clear pathways to upskill into even higher-paying positions
• Faster workforce entry = lower debt and faster earnings
  

Fast-Growing or Recession-Resilient

• Each occupation is projected to grow at least 4% by 2032
• Many are growing much faster than average
• Most support essential services (e.g., healthcare, infrastructure, logistics), making them less sensitive to economic downturns
  

Accessible Without a Bachelor’s

• None of the roles requires a four-year degree
• Instead, they typically require:
  • An associate degree (≈2 years)
  • A postsecondary certificate (vocational, licensing, or other short-term training)
• These high-paying jobs with no four-year degree are ideal for career changers and those avoiding the high cost of college
• Job seekers that have completed any relevant training or certifications should list them in the resume’s education section to show employers their qualifications and readiness for the role
  

Human-Centered & Automation-Resistant

• Roles like massage therapists, truck drivers, and firefighters rely on physical or interpersonal skills
• These tasks are difficult to automate or offshore—adding long-term security in an AI-transformed economy
  

Heavy Demand in Healthcare

• Over half the most recession proof jobs are in healthcare, driven by an aging population, chronic care needs, and staffing shortages
• Entry is often possible through community colleges or certificate programs, not bachelor’s degrees

13 Recession-Resistant Careers That Pay $50K and More—No Bachelor’s Required 

Selection Criteria

• Median Pay: $50,000 or higher
• Education: No bachelor’s degree required (associate degree or certificate)
• Job Growth: At least 4% through 2032 (faster than average)
• New Jobs by 2030: Minimum of 15,000 projected
• Industry Stability: Must be in an established, non-niche field

Ordered from highest to lowest paying:

1. Dental Hygienists

• Median Pay: $94,260
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 214,100 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 9% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +19,600 jobs
  ✅ Great for career changers; high ROI for 2-year degree, strong pay, and demand in healthcare
  

2. Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

• Median Pay: $82,570
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 143,400 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 11% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +15,200 jobs
  ✅ Best for upskilling; often pursued by those with some healthcare background; offers quick specialization
  

3. Respiratory Therapists

• Median Pay: $80,450
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 133,900 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 13% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +17,500 jobs
  ✅ Good for career changers and upskillers; strong COVID-era demand shifted attention to this role
  

4. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

• Median Pay: $78,980
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 271,200 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 6% (faster than average)
• Employment Change: +16,800 jobs
  ✅ Strong upskilling potential; often appealing to medical assistants or LPNs wanting a pay bump

5. Occupational Therapy Assistants

• Median Pay: $66,050
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 52,100 (mid-sized)
• Job Growth: 21% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +10,800 jobs
  ✅ Career change-friendly; empathetic, hands-on workers (e.g., teachers, caregivers) can pivot here
  

6. Physical Therapist Assistants

• Median Pay: $65,510
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 152,800 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 19% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +28,800 jobs
  ✅ High-growth entry point; great for those looking to enter rehab therapy fields without a doctorate
  

7. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

• Median Pay: $62,340
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 657,800 (high)
• Job Growth: 3% (as fast as average)
• Employment Change: +16,900 jobs
  ✅ Strong entry-level healthcare role; common on-ramps into nursing for those with short-term training
  

8. Computer Network Support Specialists

• Median Pay: $61,550
• Required Education: Associate degree
• Total Jobs: 892,000 (high)
• Job Growth: 6% (faster than average)
• Employment Change: +49,300 jobs
  ✅ Great for career changers, especially former retail, logistics, or service workers pursuing tech
  

9. HVAC Mechanics and Installers

• Median Pay: $59,810
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 441,200 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 9% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +40,100 jobs
  ✅ Top choice for skilled trades upskilling; stable and hard to automate
  

10. Firefighters

• Median Pay: $59,530
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 326,800 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 4% (as fast as average)
• Employment Change: +13,700 jobs
  ✅ Competitive entry-level role, but strong civic appeal and union benefits
  

11. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

• Median Pay: $57,440
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 2,211,300 (very high)
• Job Growth: 5% (as fast as average)
• Employment Change: +102,000 jobs
  ✅ Accessible for career changers; quick training and broad job openings, especially in rural areas
  

12. Massage Therapists

• Median Pay: $57,950
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 147,100 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 18% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +26,000 jobs
  ✅ Great for career changers and self-employment; wellness interest + low-cost certification

13. Medical Records Specialists

• Median Pay: $50,250
• Required Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
• Total Jobs: 191,500 (moderate to large)
• Job Growth: 9% (much faster than average)
• Employment Change: +16,700 jobs
  ✅ Top entry-level healthcare admin role; can be done remotely and leads to health IT careers

For press inquiries, contact Elizabeth Buccianti, senior manager public relations, at elizabeth.buccianti@bold.com.

Methodology

To identify recession-resistant jobs that offer strong pay without requiring a four-year degree, experts at LiveCareer analyzed occupational data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Careers were selected based on several key criteria: a median annual wage of at least $50,000 as of the most recent BLS data; job growth projections of 4% or higher between 2022 and 2032; and a minimum of 15,000 new jobs expected to be added during that period. Only roles that require an associate degree or a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certification or license, were considered. Additionally, each occupation had to be part of an established, high-demand industry with a strong track record of employment and accessibility. Each role was further evaluated for its long-term outlook, automation risk, accessibility, and alignment with current labor market needs. This analysis reflects data available as of June 2025.