While labor market growth remains strong, with the threat of a recession looming over the U.S., some workers may be wondering what a downturn would mean for them.

That may depend on what industry you work in, as some kinds of jobs are less likely to be impacted than others. “There are sectors that, on average, have not lost jobs typically during recessions,” Justin Wolfers, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, told USA TODAY.

With most forecasters expecting the U.S. to slip into a recession in the second half of 2023, here’s what U.S. workers should know.

Rich Americans are on a spending spree: It may help US avoid a recession this year

How does a recession impact jobs?

First, job openings fall and hiring slows, according to Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. “And that means that people who are unemployed take longer and longer to find new jobs,” she said.

After companies cut planned additions to their teams, they stop replacing natural attrition, according to Pollak. “And only after that do they typically, if they still can't cut costs enough to get in line with falling demand and falling revenues, then they go to layoffs,” she said.

Those layoffs tend to take place in certain kinds of industries, such as construction and manufacturing, which can be sensitive to changes in consumer spending on durable goods and interest rates. “People lose access to credit and cut back on those big purchases or they don't feel confident enough to take on debt to buy a new home or car or something,” Pollak said.

The cause of the recession can also impact how it plays out. For example, a housing-led recession may lead to higher unemployment than one caused by a stock market collapse, Pollak said. “A recession accompanied by a financial crisis, a debt crisis, or something like that leads to higher unemployment and more layoffs than one that doesn't,” she said.

What happens during a recession? Here is what is impacted in the economic downturn

What jobs are least impacted by a recession?

The jobs that are typically less vulnerable to recessions include:

Healthcare

With the exception of the COVID-19 recession, Pollak said the healthcare sector does not typically lose jobs, including positions such as nurses, home health and personal care aides, and medical assistants. “So, those kinds of roles, they’re very resilient,” she said.

When was the last recession? Here's a brief history of recent downturns

Higher education

Higher education is countercyclical, according to Wolfers, meaning that it tends to do better when other sectors are struggling as high school graduates who are unable to find work may be more drawn to the idea of college.