By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer >>>Next: Jobs That Pay $75/Hour
Looking for a job in 2009? Here are 25 of the best jobs to look for in the New Year, defined as jobs that saw growth in the second half of 2008.By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Unfortunately, not many people are a stranger to the downward spiraling economy that began in December 2007 and continued to deplete throughout 2008.
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In fact, November 2008 marked some of worst numbers in decades in terms of job loss: The unemployment rate, for example, hit a 14-year high this November at a rate of 6.7 percent. That month also counted 1.9 million jobs lost throughout 2008 alone; two-thirds of those losses occurred in the last three months. The number of unemployed persons increased from 10.1 million in October to 10.3 million people in November, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since 2007, the number of unemployed persons has increased by 3.1 million, and the unemployment rate has gone up by 2 percent. For the 10.3 million currently unemployed people, however, there is hope for some reprieve in 2009.
The labor force is expected to increase by 12.8 million workers over the 2006 -2016 period, according to the BLS. Total employment is expected to increase by 10 percent to 166.2 million over that period as well, while an estimated 15.6 million jobs will be added by 2016. While that year seems like a long way off today, a certain number of new jobs will be added each year leading up to 2016 -- including in 2009.
It should be noted, however, that the jobs that will be added won't be evenly distributed across industries and occupational groups. It goes without saying that changes in consumer demand, technology and the like will continue to affect the economic structure.
Industries that have seen growth since 2007 (according to the most recent data from the BLS) include management, business and financial operations; professional and related occupations; service occupations; sales and office occupations; and installation, maintenance and repair occupations.
Looking for a job in 2009? Here are 25 of the best jobs to look for in the New Year, defined as jobs that saw growth in the second half of 2008.*
Industry: Management, business and financial operations occupations
Total employment: 22,425,000**
Best jobs:
1. Public relations manager: $72,452/year***
2. Purchasing agent: $49,401/year
3. Claims adjuster, appraiser, examiner and investigator: $58,219/year
4. Human resources, training and labor relations specialist: $63,577/year
5. Budget analyst: $56,924/year
Industry: Professional and related occupations
Total employment: 30,370,000
Best jobs:
6. Computer programmer: $59,628/year
7. Electrical and electronics engineer: $70,706/year
8. Writers and editors: $42,405/year and $47,386/year, respectively
9. Pharmacist: $88,009/year
10. Audiologist: $57,779/year
Industry: Service occupations
Total employment: 25,114,000
Best jobs:
11. Private detectives and investigators: $38,656/year and $34,810/year, respectively
12. Chefs and head cooks: $44,047/year and $40,794/year, respectively
13. Tour and travel guide: $22,917/year
14. Recreation and fitness worker: $15,101/year and $22,440/year, respectively
15. Grounds maintenance worker: $22,407/year
Industry: Sales and office occupations
Total employment: 35,180,000
Best jobs:
16. Cashier: $22,931/year
17. Telephone operator: $25,165/year
18. Hotel, motel and resort desk clerks: $19,926/year
19. Cargo and freight agents: $30,143/year and $54,804/year, respectively
20. Statistical assistants: $30,921/year
Industry: Installation, maintenance and repair occupations
Total employment: 5,165,000
Best jobs:
21. Computer, automated teller and office machine repairers: $41,614/year, $34,509/year and $36,077/year, respectively
22. Electric motor, power tool and related repairers: $29,865/year
23. Security and fire alarm systems installers: $35,648/year
24. Telecommunications line installers and repairers: $45,458/year
25. Locksmiths and safe repairers: $32,111/year
*Data reflects figures based on the second and third quarter employment numbers according to the Current Population Survey released by the BLS.
**Third quarter employment numbers.
***Salary figures according to CBSalary.com
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Jan 12th 2009 @ 2:32PM charles
Need job.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 6:28PM Don
+Don. Me to.
Jan 12th 2009 @ 3:34PM RJ
Rachel !!! Please catch up with English. Have you ever heard of agreement between subject and verb? I appears you have not.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 3:43PM R
These figures are based on full time hours. We all know employers will do what ever they can to avoid awarding full time status to a worker, especially in retail. That way they can avoid having to pay benefits including health insurance.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 3:53PM Mitra
I think that is the best good job if the name of the schools are written. For instance, I want to be an audiologist, but as a new comer to the US, I don't know where I should enroll for the program.
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Jan 14th 2009 @ 12:35PM Annonymiss
University of Maryland College Park and UNC Chapel Hill have programs for audiologist
Jan 12th 2009 @ 3:54PM zthezs
ALE
-------GROW UP AND GET A JOB
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 4:09PM Keith
Is it me, or do most of these 'hot' jobs pay less than $40K per year? And the one's that pay more seem to have quite a few asterisks behind them. Many of these so called professions are rather obsure and only occupy very small niches of our greater economy. These 'Best Jobs of 200X' and similar articles are truly a waste of time to read and a waste of internet space. Every year the long-term growth outlooks change, and every single 'journalist' seems to constantly list different professions as being the next big thing. These articles should only be read while throwing salt over one's shoulder. Nobody has a crystal ball, so predicting what will be popular in a year or more is a bit ridiculous. Next they'll be stating that bankers, brokers and financial analysts are in demand again. Are you kidding?
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 4:31PM niagara
think i will just keep on truckin made 50 last year and got to see the entire country.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 4:40PM Hope
I think you should love what you do for a living! if you dont like it leave it! go back to school and better yourslef.
so good luck with whatever you do in life!
god bless, god speed!
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 4:47PM trp
Obama said I dont have to work anymore. Free Medical and Tuition,food, oh wait thats prision! sorry
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 5:09PM willy
Back to school if you can't work maybe teaching is not a bad idea ?
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Jan 14th 2009 @ 9:52AM Lela
Obviously you have never been a teacher. Teachers work harder than most CEOs, believe me I know I have been in both sets of shoes. You teach because you have a calling to teach, because you love the kids and want them to be the best they can be. The pay sucks, the work dosen't stop just because it is 3:00, and you have to keep up with the new education requirements. Trust me, teaching takes dedication and commitment, so if you don't have a job now because you're not committed, teaching is not the field for you.
Jan 12th 2009 @ 5:56PM Bill
I don't know where they get these figures from but some of them are off drastically. A couple of them ... my field of expertise ... are listed 75% below the actual salaries.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 6:00PM Roger
Ya know im with the rest of these guys. Who makes up these lame job lists any ways?? Ive been unemployed for about a year now and dont know when ill go back to work. ANY WHERE!!! IF and employer is reading these i need a job. I dont know computer stuff or any of that tch stuff but am willing to learn Heck for a 53 y/o male im a good employee. If some one would hire me id show ya.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 7:13PM jeffry
college teaches you how to think. maybe that is what you need. i am not trying to be a wise guy,but i am 54 and have been unemployed for a week and a half,and i found a new job today. when i lost my job i made my new full time job to find another. try it it works
Jan 13th 2009 @ 3:10PM Helen
What type of job are you looking for?
Jan 12th 2009 @ 5:59PM Bill
I don't know where they get these figures from but some of them are off drastically. A couple of them ... my field of expertise ... are listed 75% below the actual salaries.
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Jan 12th 2009 @ 6:35PM jester
get a great tax refund use the money for school to get a better job
http://www.researchitforme.com/filetaxesonline
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Jan 13th 2009 @ 9:56PM bert
I am a Corrections Officer in the great state of Connecticut, and one thing that I can say that I like about my job is that it is "recession-proof". No layoff's. No pay decreases. As a matter of fact, there is overtime-a-plenty, plus full retirement after 20 years. From the begining until the end of February the, state of CT is going to start hiring more corrections officer's. So Boys and girls, on February 3rd go to www.ct.gov/doc and get yourself one of these recession proof thing-a-majingies!!!
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