Top 10 Recession-Proof IT Jobs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we have been out of the recession since 2009. However, job growth in the IT market has been incremental at best. And although technology is an integral part of every organization, IT hasn’t been immune to hiring freezes and layoffs over the past several years. More IT pros have been becoming contractors as a result, which begs this question: Is job stability a thing of the past?

No role is recession-proof but with a little forethought you can dramatically help your odds. Using data provided by TEKsystems, we’ve identified the IT roles that have consistently been in high demand over the last five years and are expected to be important IT roles in the foreseeable future.

Network engineers focus their time on creating and maintaining internal infrastructures, networks and LAN/WAN. With everything going digital, more and more networks are required to keep the necessary flow of business data moving and these individuals work where the rubber meets the road. Demand for network engineers has increased 240 percent in the last five years.

It’s also worth noting that network administrator just missed the cut. These IT pros cover a variety of IT jobs within any given organization. They work with daily network issues like permissions and passwords. Demand for this role has increased from 2008-2012, but 2013 saw a 5-percent decline. Demand for this role is expected to rebound, according to TEKsystems data.

Annual Salary: $90,000

A business analyst’s primary role is to bridge the gap between technology and business goals. They deal in strategy, analysis and processes in an effort to use available technologies to further business objectives, improve workflows or improve customer experience. Demand for this IT role has increased an impressive 236 percent over the last five years, according to TEKsystems data.

Annual Salary: $91,000