Choosing one career for the rest of your life is a huge decision - everyone wants a job they look forward to each morning. Fortunately, the basic industries sector offers a wide range of career choices and job opportunities that can satisfy your educational passions and financial goals.
Put simply, basic industries, also known as extractive or primary industries, involves extracting raw materials and natural resources from the earth.
Some examples of basic industries include the mining industry, agriculture industry, paper manufacturing, textile industry, and the oil and gas industry. Without these industries, we wouldn't have access to raw materials like natural gas to heat our homes, food supply to nourish our bodies, or steel for construction projects.
From entry-level positions to high-paying managerial roles, the basic industry landscape offers a wide variety of career options. But don't just take our word for it. Let's explore the options available in basic industries today, from ground-level jobs to some of the best-paying jobs in the field.
What job fields are considered basic industries?
When it comes to basic industries career paths, the list of job fields in the basic industry sector is vast. Generally speaking, these job fields include major industries like agriculture, oil and gas, mining, paper and pulp, steel, and chemical manufacturing.
- The agriculture industry includes jobs in crop production, livestock management, plant science, forestry, and marketing for agricultural products export.
- The oil and gas sector includes oil rig workers and petroleum geologists, positions that require technical knowledge of the oil field.
- The paper and pulp industry deals in paper production jobs, from processing raw materials in a factory to delivering the finished product. You could be a plant operator or a logger in the paper industry.
- The steel industry provides a range of jobs, from steelworkers to metal fabricators and metal production specialists.
- The mining industry has job opportunities, including materials scientists, installers, metallurgists, and geological engineers.
- The chemicals industry deals in chemical solutions, plastic, cleaning products, and more. Health and safety jobs are big in this sector.
This is just a small peek into the plethora of job opportunities available in the basic industry field. With the right educational requirements under your belt, the future is bright in the basic industries.
5 Top basic industries jobs
There are loads of options in the basic industries landscape. From drilling engineers and petroleum engineers to data scientists and plant scientists, these jobs offer great potential and job security.
Let's look at some of the most popular basic industry jobs.
Drilling Engineer
If you're looking for a profession with potential, consider becoming a drilling engineer. As one of the most sought-after professions in engineering, drilling engineers can expect an average salary of $101,225 per year.
Most employers require at least a bachelor's degree in engineering to become a drilling engineer, with some preferring an advanced degree. And with growing demand from oil rigs and other exploration sites, there's no shortage of job opportunities for those who pursue this career path.
Petroleum Geologists
Petroleum geologists are the real-life architects of the oil and gas industry, tasked with locating and evaluating subterranean reservoirs for potential extraction. The job requires a strong understanding of the earth's composition and formations, so having a master's degree in geosciences is pretty much essential. You may also need a state license if you work for a public firm.
But if you're willing to work hard, the rewards are worth it: Petroleum geologists earn an average of $114,528 annually, with salaries ranging between $67,000 and $197,000. Not too shabby!
Mining Engineer
Mining engineer is one of the most critical jobs in the mining industry. Mining engineers are responsible for the design and management of mining for resources - basically, they're the ones who make sure miners have the right tools and conditions to do their job safely.
To become a mining engineer, you'll need an engineering degree and knowledge of physics and geology. It may take some intense schooling, but it's well worth it - the average salary for a mining engineer is $81,856 per year.
Data Scientist
Let's face it: Data is the new currency, and if you want to become a part of the action, look no further than becoming a data scientist. To succeed in this profession, you'll need a background in statistics, computer science, and various computer languages such as R, Python, and SQL.
Learning all those languages might be overwhelming, but fluency pays off: The average annual salary for a data scientist is $115,874. Although data scientists are already in high demand, this job market is expected to grow an incredible 36% over the next 10 years.
Agronomist
As an agronomist, you get to work with nature. You can use your knowledge and skills to help improve crop production, manage soil and water resources, and develop sustainable farming practices.
Your employer will probably require a bachelor's degree in agriculture from an accredited college, but if you specialize in research and development, you may need a master's degree.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that agronomists earn $74,160 per year, and the job market is projected to increase, so it's a great career choice.
What is the highest paying job in the basic industries sector?
If you're looking for a high-paying job in the basic industries sector, there are several careers to choose from across the various fields.
Basic industries jobs pay fairly well across the board, but the highest-paying roles are generally found in the oil and gas industry, the mining industry, the chemical industry, the manufacturing industry, and sustainability - just make sure you have plenty of experience and education first.
Here are a few of the top roles and salaries in the basic industries sector:
- Exploration Manager - Oil and Gas has an average salary of $308,700.
- Top Division Manufacturing Executive has an average salary of $238,494.
- Chemical Process Engineering Manager has an average salary of $169,735.
- Vice President of Agronomy has an average salary of $142,511.
- Mining Operations Manager has an average salary of $143,550.
- Sustainability Director has an average salary of $135,033.
If you want to make the big bucks, working your way up the ladder in the basic industries sector is well worth it.
What education do you typically need for basic industries jobs?
One of the unique aspects of basic industries is that you can find a job for any level of education and experience. A high school diploma or equivalent might be enough to get you started in some entry-level positions. For more specialized roles, an advanced degree is typically necessary.
For example, an entry-level miner technician probably wouldn't need any schooling, a petroleum engineer would likely need a bachelor's degree in engineering, and a chemical engineer may need a degree and experience in laboratory work or plant operations.
If you're looking for a career in the basic industries, make sure to do your due diligence and understand what level of education and experience is expected for the role you're interested in.
What are popular schools for a career in basic industries?
For those aspiring to pursue a career in basic industries, the top schools will depend on which position you want.
Here are some popular colleges for particular jobs in basic industries (based on the percentage of total degrees awarded by the school).
Engineering:
Agriculture engineering:
Chemical engineering:
Quickly and easily compare colleges and universities with College Rover
Finding the best college or university for you can be a daunting process. At College Rover, our goal is to make the process simple and fun!
Our data-driven platform makes it easy to quickly compare colleges and universities so you can make the best decision. Plus, our advanced algorithms will help you find the best options for your academic, financial, and career goals.
So why wait? Get started today and take control of your educational journey with College Rover. Let us help you find the college or university that's perfect for you!
