Part-Time Jobs That Still Hire During a Recession

When the economy slows down, a lot of jobs disappear fast.

But not every job goes away.

Some industries keep hiring during recessions — because people still need food, healthcare, deliveries, and essential services no matter what the economy is doing.

If you’re looking for reliable part-time work in hard times, this guide will show you the best recession-proof jobs you can apply for today — even with no special skills or experience.

What Kind of Jobs Survive a Recession?

During a recession, companies cut “luxury” jobs first — but essential, front-line, or service roles stay open because people still need:

• Groceries 🍞

• Healthcare 💊

• Deliveries 📦

• Repairs 🔧

• Childcare 👶

• Cleaning 🧹

That means part-time jobs in these fields tend to be much easier to get — even when other businesses are shrinking.

1. Grocery Store Jobs

Grocery stores rarely stop hiring — because people still need food no matter what.

Look for part-time roles like:

• Cashier

• Shelf stocker

• Produce clerk

• Cleaning staff

• Grocery pickup packer

Big chains often hiring include:

• Walmart

• Loblaws

• No Frills

• Sobeys

• Costco

• Food Basics

• Kroger (U.S.)

• Aldi (U.S.)

💰 Pay: Minimum wage to $18/hour depending on location.

Apply in person or online at company websites.

2. Delivery Driver or Courier

With more people staying home during hard times, delivery jobs increase — not decrease.

You can deliver:

• Groceries

• Takeout food

• Packages

• Medications

Apps that hire fast:

• DoorDash

• Uber Eats

• Instacart

• SkipTheDishes (Canada)

• Amazon Flex

💰 Pay: $15–$30/hour depending on demand + tips.

3. Cleaning and Janitorial Jobs

Businesses, hospitals, and apartments always need cleaning — especially during health crises.

Part-time roles might include:

• Office cleaning

• Apartment common area cleaning

• Post-construction cleanup

• Hotel housekeeping

• Janitorial work at schools or malls

Search for jobs on:

• Indeed

• Local Facebook groups

• Craigslist or Kijiji

💰 Pay: $16–$25/hour depending on the job.

4. Healthcare Support Jobs

You don’t need to be a doctor or nurse to work in healthcare.

Entry-level recession-proof roles include:

• Care aide or personal support worker (PSW)

• Housekeeper or laundry aide at hospitals

• Dietary aide in long-term care

• Medical receptionist

Apply at:

• Local hospitals

• Retirement homes

• Long-term care facilities

• Home care agencies

💰 Pay: $18–$30/hour depending on position and certification.

5. Retail Jobs at Essential Stores

Even during a recession, certain stores stay busy.

Look for part-time work at:

• Hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)

• Pharmacy chains (Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, CVS, Walgreens)

• Dollar stores (Dollarama, Dollar Tree)

• Big box stores (Walmart, Canadian Tire, Target)

Common roles:

• Cashier

• Stocking shelves

• Cleaning staff

• Customer service

💰 Pay: Minimum wage to $20/hour depending on store.

6. Warehouse and Stocking Jobs

With online shopping still booming, warehouses often need part-time workers — especially during busy seasons.

Apply for roles like:

• Package sorting

• Stocking inventory

• Shipping and receiving

Check:

• Amazon warehouses

• UPS or FedEx jobs

• Grocery distribution centers

• Local courier companies

💰 Pay: $18–$25/hour depending on shifts.

7. Childcare and Babysitting

Many parents still need help watching kids during a recession — especially if schools close or childcare is limited.

Offer part-time babysitting, daycare help, or after-school pickup.

Find jobs on:

• Care.com

• Local Facebook parenting groups

• Word of mouth in your community

💰 Pay: $15–$25/hour depending on experience.

8. Security Guard Jobs

Security work tends to stay in demand for:

• Apartment buildings

• Retail stores

• Construction sites

• Events

• Hospitals

Many jobs only require a basic security license (which is affordable and easy to get).

Apply at:

• GardaWorld

• Paladin Security

• Allied Universal

💰 Pay: $18–$25/hour depending on site and shifts.

9. Restaurant and Fast Food Jobs

Restaurants do slow down during recessions — but takeout, fast food, and drive-thrus stay busier than dine-in places.

Look for jobs at:

• Tim Hortons

• McDonald’s

• Subway

• Pizza Pizza

• Local takeout spots

Roles include:

• Cashier

• Drive-thru

• Kitchen prep

• Delivery driver

💰 Pay: Minimum wage to $20/hour with tips.

10. Call Center and Customer Service Jobs (Remote)

Many companies still need people to answer phones, emails, or online chats.

Apply for remote part-time customer service roles at:

• Alorica

• Concentrix

• Sykes

• KellyConnect

• Indeed (search “remote customer service”)

💰 Pay: $15–$22/hour depending on the company.

Final Tips for Finding Part-Time Work During a Recession

1. Apply widely — don’t wait for the “perfect” job.

2. Be willing to do essential work — food, cleaning, deliveries, customer service.

3. Check job boards daily — new postings go fast.

4. Use local Facebook groups — many small businesses post there first.

5. Be flexible with hours — night shifts or weekends often pay better.

Final Thoughts: There’s Always Work Somewhere

A recession changes a lot of things — but people still need food, safety, healthcare, and basic services.

That means some part-time jobs never go away — and often become even more available during hard times.

Don’t feel discouraged. The work is out there. It may not be glamorous — but it can get you through the storm.

Start with essential work. Get stable. Then build your next move from there.

Quick Recap: Best Part-Time Jobs During a Recession

• Grocery store roles

• Food or package delivery

• Cleaning or janitorial work

• Healthcare support

• Essential retail jobs

• Warehouse work

• Babysitting or childcare

• Security jobs

• Restaurant takeout and fast food jobs

• Remote customer service or call center roles