The 5 Best Industries for Job Security
In today's ever-changing market, job security has become a top priority for many people. Finding a stable career path that offers long-term employment and financial stability is crucial. In this article, we will explore the top five careers for job security that offer stability regardless of the economic conditions.
Healthcare
First, unless you’ve been stranded on a desert island for the past three years, it should come as no surprise that healthcare is at the top of the list for industries where professionals enjoy maximum job security. Whether it’s nurses, doctors, physician assistants, practitioners, therapists, technicians, or pharmacists…the demand for healthcare workers cannot be overstated.
Pandemic times aside, with our aging population demanding more and more medical care, the need for these jobs will only continue to grow. Just take a look at the numbers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, resulting in the addition of nearly two million new jobs. With that much demand, if job security is a top priority for you, choosing a profession within the healthcare industry will provide a stable and secure career path with excellent opportunities for advancement.
Information technology (IT)
Without IT professionals, our lives would look whole lot different, and you definitely wouldn’t be reading this article right now. In today's digital world, information technology is an essential aspect of nearly every industry. Regardless of occupation, almost everyone relies on services that would cease to exist if IT professionals—software developers, network administrators, cybersecurity experts, web developers, systems analysts, and so on—disappeared. With a continually increasing reliance on technology in addition to exponential advancements in new tech, the demand for IT professionals isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Between 2021 and 2031, the BLS projects the computer and information technology industry is expected to add around 682,800 new jobs—a 15 percent growth in a decade.
While there may be some warranted concern over recent and future developments regarding artificial intelligence (AI) replacing/displacing IT professionals, many futurists estimate the singularity—a time when the capabilities of computers surpass those of the human brain—is still a ways off. Some say 2045 and some estimate it won’t occur until 2060 or later. Regardless, IT professionals should continue to have the highest levels of job security for the foreseeable future.
Education
Education is a fundamental aspect of our society, and academic professionals—including teachers, administrators, and support staff—are always in demand. In fact, unlike many other professions, the need for educators is essentially legislated, as all states have laws guaranteeing children the right to education and even mandating they attend school for a certain number of years. Plus, education is not typically subject to the whims of the stock market, and it tends to remain a stable career path even in times of economic uncertainty. While growth within the education sector is not quite as explosive as healthcare or IT, overall employment in the field is still projected to increase seven percent between 2021 and 2031. A career within education can be highly rewarding and definitely comes with excellent job security.
Government
Aside from the often exceptional benefits and seemingly countless paid holidays, careers within government also tend to provide stable and secure employment. From law enforcement officers and firefighters to social workers and administrative staff, the government sector includes a vast array of jobs where you won’t have to spend too much time worrying about being laid off. The rising demand for government services, such as healthcare, public safety, and social services, means it shouldn’t be difficult to find and maintain employment—it also means you’ll likely have plenty of opportunities for advancement.
Financial services
Last but not least, the financial services industry is another great choice for those looking for a stable career that offers heightened job security. Financial services professionals include bankers, financial advisors, accountants, and insurance agents amongst others. Despite fluctuations in the economy, the need for financial services remains constant, making it likely that there won’t be a shortage of work.
Overall employment of financial services professionals is projected to grow by seven percent from 2021 to 2031, adding about 715,100 new jobs.
Nobody wants to worry about having a hard time finding a job or having difficulty holding on to that job once you have it. It makes sense that job security is a top priority for many people when choosing a career path. Professions within healthcare, information technology, education, government, and financial services are among the top choices for careers that offer excellent job security. Regardless of economic conditions, these industries are expected to continue to grow and provide stable employment for years to come.