We are not a stranger to the declining economy that started in December last year and continued to suffer huge blows throughout this year.

As a matter of fact, the unemployment rate in the United States hit a 14-year high in November this year at a rate of 6.7%, accounting for the 1.9 million jobs loss throughout 2008 alone. Since 2007, the number of unemployed people has increased by 3.1 million.

For the 10.3 million or so currently unemployed people in America, however, 2009 looks promising. The following industries have been growing since 2007 and are likely to grow in 2009, according to the recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data: service, professional occupations, sales and office jobs, and financial, management, and business operations.

Here are the best jobs and their corresponding yearly salary to look for next year:

Service jobs

The service industry currently employs around 25.1 people and the number is expected to rise in 2009.

Best jobs in this industry include private investigators ($38,656 a year), private detectives ($34,810 a year), chefs ($44,047 a year), head cooks ($40,794 a year), and travel and tour guides ($22,917 a year).

Also in demand are recreation workers ($15,101 a year), fitness workers ($22,440 a year), and grounds maintenance workers ($22,407 a year).

Professional and related jobs

The BLS survey estimates that there are currently 30.4 million employees in the professional and related industries.

Best jobs for 2009 include computer programmers ($59,628), electrical and electronics engineers ($70,706), writers ($42,405), and editors ($47,386).

The new year also looks good for pharmacists ($88,009), and audiologists ($57,779).

Sales and office jobs

There are currently about 35.2 million people who have sales and office jobs, according to BLS.

The following jobs are expected to grow in 2009: cashiers ($22,931), telephone operators ($25,165), cargo agents ($30,143), freight agents ($54,804), and statistical assistants ($30,921).

2009 will also be optimistic for hotel and resort desk clerks ($19,926).

Financial, management, and business operations jobs

According to the BLS survey, the financial, management, and business operations industry employs around 22.4 million people and this figure is projected to grow in the coming year. 2009 is looking good for public relations managers ($72,452), purchasing agents ($49,401), budget analysts ($56,924), and claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners and investigators ($58,219).

Next year will be also good for specialists in human resources, labor relations, and training ($63,577).