Is your paycheck recession-proof?

Melissa Dupree

Dentist, Dupree Dental

Average salary for dentists:

Nationally, $130,586

Baton Rouge, $122,920

“Everything is going well. We’ve been prepared for a decrease in business, but it hasn’t happened. Even elective, cosmetic procedures are in demand. I’m cautiously optimistic about the economy here in Baton Rouge.”

Theresa Townsend

Certified Personal Trainer, Owner of Townsend Personalized Fitness

Average salary for personal trainers:

Nationally, $24,881

Baton Rouge, $23,441

“My business has increased. I think it has because of the climate; people care about their health and want to know how to live and have a better quality of life. I have more training clients, and group exercise class attendance is higher.”

Terry McDonner

Executive Chef, Juban’s

Average salary for chefs:

Nationally, $47,012

Baton Rouge, $34,576

“Sometimes fine dining can become a luxury. People tend to stay at home and cook. Overall, things have been a little slow, but we hope it will pick up in February with Mardi Gras season. There’s a pie, and all the restaurants are dividing it. We have to make the dining experience memorable so people will come back to us.”

Tammie Tran

Assistant Creative Director in Marketing, ?Lamar Advertising

Average salary for marketing specialists:

Nationally, $52,794

Baton Rouge, $41,087

“I’m really confident in my field, but I know that the industry is saturated and competitive. I feel you can constantly enrich and add value to yourself professionally through attending educational seminars, reading business-related blogs, and overall presenting yourself well.”

Bobby Boudreaux

Architect, Crump Wilson

Average salary for architects:

Nationally, $66,277

Baton Rouge, $57,665

“I’m not shaking in my boots right now. We’ve given raises to our employees this year. I feel that everyone’s nervous about the economy, so I’m nervous. But we haven’t experienced hard times yet. We’ve been blessed.”

Jenn Ocken

Photographer, Ocken Photography

Average salary for photographers:

Nationally, $40,012

Baton Rouge, $33,733

“I moved to Baton Rouge from Chicago specifically for the economic stability. I considered Austin, Memphis and New Orleans but decided to live here. I don’t feel the recession at all. I’m in the entertainment–fine arts business, and I’m doing fine.”

Kevin O. Smith

Public School Teacher, Glasgow Middle School

Average salary for teachers:

Nationally, $44,137

Baton Rouge, $39,441

“Teaching in general is secure, and I feel safe about my job. But job security as our parents knew it is a thing of the past.”

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