Basic industries are the backbone of any economy. They make things, materials, and services that everyone needs. Some of them are mining, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, utilities, and building. These industries are very important to economic growth because they provide the tools that other industries need to work well.
This blog post will talk about some of the best-paying jobs in each of these basic industries, including what they entail, what schooling is needed, and how much they usually pay.
What are the Basic Industries?
Basic industries are the ones that hold an economy together. Some examples are farming, forestry, mining, manufacturing, utilities, and building. They help other parts of the business and provide goods and services that people need every day.
| Industry | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Agricultural Manager | $80,000 |
| Agriculture | Soil and Plant Scientist | $70,000 |
| Forestry | Forestry and Conservation Manager | $75,000 |
| Mining | Mining Engineer | $92,000 |
| Mining | Geoscientist | $85,000 |
| Mining | Petroleum Engineer | $110,000 |
| Manufacturing | Industrial Production Manager | $97,000 |
| Manufacturing | Manufacturing Engineer | $85,000 |
| Manufacturing | Supply Chain Manager | $90,000 |
| Utilities | Electrical Engineer | $98,000 |
| Utilities | Nuclear Engineer | $105,000 |
| Utilities | Water Resource Engineer | $85,000 |
| Construction | Construction Manager | $95,000 |
| Construction | Civil Engineer | $87,000 |
| Construction | Cost Estimator | $70,000 |
List of Best Paying Jobs in Basic Industries, Salaries & Requirements
1. Agricultural Managers
- Responsibilities: In this role, you’ll be in charge of farms, nurseries, and other agricultural businesses, planning and carrying out farming practices, and handling staff.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in agricultural science or a related area is needed, but for some jobs, experience and training on the job may be enough.
- Average salary: $80,000
2. Soil and Plant Scientists
- Responsibilities: Their job is to do study on how to best manage soil, plants, and crops, come up with new ways to farm, and give farmers and land managers expert advice.
- Educational requirements: They need to have a master’s or doctoral degree in soil science, agronomy, or a related area.
- Average salary: $70,000
3. Forestry and Conservation Managers
- Responsibilities: Taking care of public or private woods, protecting natural resources, and keeping an eye on projects to cut down trees and plant new ones.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, or a related area, plus work experience that is related to the job.
- Average salary: $75,000
4. Mining Engineers
- Responsibilities: designing, planning, and overseeing mining activities, making sure they are safe and efficient and looking at how they might affect the environment.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $92,000
5. Geoscientists
- Responsibilities: Studying the Earth’s composition, structure, and processes, locating natural resources, and advising on environmental protection.
- Educational requirements: A master’s or Ph.D. in geosciences or a related field.
- Average salary: $85,000
6. Petroleum Engineers
- Responsibilities: Planning and supervising the extraction of oil and gas, making sure that production is maximized and that environmental rules are followed.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $110,000
7. Industrial Production Managers
- Responsibilities: In charge of overseeing the production process, managing staff, and making sure the standard and efficiency of the products.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, industrial engineering, or a related field, plus work experience that is linked to the job.
- Average salary: $97,000
8. Manufacturing Engineers
- Responsibilities: Developing and improving manufacturing processes, designing and implementing production equipment, and troubleshooting production issues.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $85,000
9. Supply Chain Managers
- Responsibilities: Taking care of buying, transporting, and storing raw materials and finished goods, as well as making sure that supply chain activities run as smoothly as possible.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, or a related area, plus work experience that is related to the job.
- Average salary: $90,000
10. Electrical Engineers
- Responsibilities: designing, building, and managing electrical systems, making sure they are safe and reliable, and researching new technologies.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $98,000
11. Nuclear Engineers
- Responsibilities: Designing and maintaining nuclear power plants, ensuring safety and efficiency, and developing new applications for nuclear energy.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $105,000
12. Water Resource Engineers
- Responsibilities: Creating and managing methods for water resources, making sure water is clean and available, and taking care of environmental issues.
- Educational requirements: Civil or environmental engineering with a focus on water resources at the bachelor’s level.
- Average salary: $85,000
13. Construction Managers
- Responsibilities: managing budgets and schedules, planning, coordinating, and overseeing building projects, and making sure they are safe and follow the rules.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, or a connected field, plus work experience in a similar role.
- Average salary: $95,000
14. Civil Engineers
- Responsibilities: Designing, planning, and overseeing the construction of infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field.
- Average salary: $87,000
15. Cost Estimators
- Responsibilities: Trying to guess how much building projects will cost, looking at financial information, and helping with planning and spending for projects.
- Educational requirements: A bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field, or work experience that is connected to the job.
- Average salary: $70,000
Conclusion
There are many well-paying jobs in basic businesses for people with the right education and skills. You can get a good-paying job in an important part of the business by looking into these career paths. Sign up for our blog to get more job advice and information about the latest trends and openings in your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What qualifications do I need to work in basic industries?
For each job in basic businesses, the skills and qualifications needed are different. For most jobs, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related area. Some jobs, on the other hand, might need a master’s or Ph.D., while others might only require a high school education and training on the job.
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Can I expect a high salary in basic industries?
There are a lot of jobs in basic businesses that pay well. The exact amount will rely on the job, your skills, and how much experience you have. As this piece points out, there are jobs in basic industries that pay much more than the national average.
