I was recently studying the current job economy and was amazed to know that a lot of new opportunities are available for people because of digital advancement. You see job titles like blockchain developer and cybersecurity analyst can bee seen in multiple companies.
Still, the importance of basic industry jobs cannot be decreased. Companies still need people to handle projects related to agriculture, petroleum, and engineering in general. People who are interested in these fields can have a very promising future. So, in this article, I am going to dicuss the best paying jobs in basic industries that you can consider joining.
The Best Paying Jobs in Basic Industries:
The jobs I am going to discuss here, target different types of people. They demand different skills, and people have to fulfill different responsibilities in them. The details of the best paying jobs in basic industries are given below:
1. Petroleum Engineer:
Average Annual Salary: $133,114
A petroleum engineer is responsible for handling multiple aspects of exploration, extraction, and management of oil and natural gas. It is a demanding job but pays handsomely. There are different duties that you will have to perform after getting into this line of work.
You will coordinate with colleagues and come up with techniques to extract and manage these natural resources with efficiency. The main focus of a petroleum engineer is to develop and apply the best practices to extract natural resources and increase the company’s profitability.
Among the best project management jobs in this field, petroleum engineers oversee drilling projects, coordinate teams, and optimize resource extraction.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and apply different techniques for extracting resources.
- Analyze resource reservoirs in order to determine profitability.
- Monitor and manage the overall drilling operation.
- Improve the operation efficiency to save costs.
Required Skills:
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication and leadership skills
- Ability to work under pressure.
2. Offshore Drilling Rig Manager:
Average Salary: $51,762
One other one of the best paying jobs in basic industries is offshore drilling rig manager. It is a very demanding job since you have to handle a huge project of drilling oil and gas resources offshore.
A rig manager oversees and manages the overall operations of the drilling project. These drilling rigs are usually installed in offshore waters, which are very far away from the coastline. So, be prepared to stay away from home for a long time if you’re serious about getting into this field.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise the overall offshore drilling procedure.
- Manage the workforce and create proper working schedules.
- Comply with the current environmental safety laws and regulations.
- Monitor and manage the equipment being used in the rig.
Required Skills:
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- In-depth knowledge of how rigs work.
- Understanding of the laws and regulations related to environmental safety.
3. Agricultural Manager:
Average Annual Salary: $63,640
As a person who lives in a suburban area, I’ve always been interested in farming and understand how it works. Well, if you’re also interested, I’ve got a perfect title for you. You can become an agricultural manager and start handling different duties related to farming.
In this field, you have to manage multiple aspects related to agriculture and farming. These aspects include managing livestock, irrigation procedures, planting, harvesting, etc.
Your daily tasks can include things like monitoring overall farm operations, managing the workforce, and building a proper budget for farming needs. Your main target would be maintaining a high yield so that the company can make more profit.
Another thing that you will have to do is to ensure complete compliance with livestock as well as environmental safety laws and regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Overseeing the planting and harvesting procedures.
- Overseeing the management of livestock.
- Creating and managing an agricultural budget.
- Utilize modern tools and technologies to improve farming efficiency.
Required Skills:
- Understanding of crops and livestock.
- Management and communication skills.
- Problem-solving and financial management skills.
🔮 Pro Tip
Build connections with people related to the farming industry in order to get better job opportunities.
4. Chemical Engineer:
Average Annual Salary: $99,076
The chemical engineer job is another high-paying job that you can consider joining. The best thing about this job is that it is usually available in a number of industries, including pharmaceuticals and fuel.
There are different roles that you will have to fulfill while being at this job. For example, you will have to create strategies that will optimize the production and management of chemicals while being within the budget at the same time. Also, you will be collaborating with fellow engineers to develop new ways to maximize the efficiency and quality of the end product.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement strategies for chemical production.
- Perform detailed research to come up with new and more efficient ways of creating a product.
- Make sure that the operations are working according to the safety laws and regulations.
- Identify and fix issues within the operation systems.
Required Skills:
- Deep understanding of the fields of chemistry and physics.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of the current safety laws and regulations.
🔮 Pro Tip
Financial PMs often work in banks, investment firms, or large corporations.
5. Health, Safety, and Environmental Specialist:
Average Annual Salary: $77,225
A health, safety, and environmental specialist is responsible for overseeing workplaces and making sure everything is being operated under the applicable rules and regulations.
Another role of this job is to identify risks and dangers that might become an obstacle and harm people while working.
Also, the specialist is responsible for creating rules and regulations that will be applied to the workplace to maintain a proper security standard. An HSE specialist has to educate the employees so that they can perform their jobs according to the latest security standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop rules and regulations related to workplace safety.
- Identify potential hazards in the operations.
- Educate the workers about safety standards.
- Investigate and resolve workplace accidents.
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of safety laws and regulations.
- Strong communication skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
6. Geoscientist:
Average Annual Salary: $77,030
If you want to get into a field that is more diverse, becoming a Geoscientist might be interesting for you. It is an exciting field that is tied to a bunch of different professions. As a Geoscientist, you’re supposed to research the Earth’s physical properties, such as structure, composition, and the changes it goes through. You go through multiple research processes in order to determine these things.
As mentioned, this field is relevant to several other fields. The data that you collect about the physical structure of the Earth is utilized in fields like natural resource exploration, geology, geophysics, etc.
During your job, you will have the opportunity to use different technologies and perform provided tasks in labs, offices, or outdoor environments. Keep in mind that it is a demanding job and you will have to handle the tasks with great care and creativity.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct detailed geological surveys.
- Analyze the nature of rocks, soil, water, etc.
- Use advanced software and technology to handle tasks efficiently.
- Study changes in the environment.
Required Skills:
- Understanding of fields like geology and environmental science.
- Deep knowledge of the GIS and other software tools used in the field.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
🔮 Pro Tip
Focus on getting better at software like GIS to become better at your job.
7. Mining Engineer:
Average Annual Salary: $94,648
Another versatile job that you can pick in the basic industries is a mining engineer. This job title is all about supervising the mining procedures for efficient resource extraction. The process entails the safe and effective extraction of minerals and other valuable materials from the soil.
This job revolves around developing and applying the best practices to make sure companies can extract minerals without having to spend a lot of time as well as financial resources. For that, you’ll have to perform different duties.
For example, you will have to pick a profitable mining site for the company and set up the proper equipment to extract resources.
You will also collaborate and coordinate with other professionals such as geoscientists and environmental experts. Another big duty of a mining engineer is to comply with proper safety regulations so that both the workers and the environment stay safe.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan efficient mining strategies to mine for resources efficiently.
- Analyze geological data to pick a profitable site for mining.
- Collaborate with multiple professionals, such as geoscientists.
- Oversee the safety regulations.
Required Skills:
- A strong knowledge of geology and engineering.
- Understanding of the mining equipment.
- Communication and coordination skills.
8. Refinery Manager:
Average Annual Salary: $106,233
The position of refinery manager is another well-paying job associated with the natural resource of oil. Refinery machines are installed in order to purify natural oil and extract valuable products from it, such as gasoline and jet fuel.
You will have to manage the refinery locations while carrying out a variety of tasks.
As a manager, you will make sure that all the technology is being used the right way and handle any obstacle that comes up during the process.
Since you’re the manager, scheduling and managing the whole workforce will be your responsibility as well.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise the refinery process and make sure it is working fine.
- Manage and schedule the workforce.
- Communicate with technicians and engineers.
- Optimize the refining process to reduce overall costs.
Required Skills:
- Workforce management skills.
- Understanding of technology used in the refinery.
- Communication and coordination skills.
🔮 Pro Tip
If you’re a freshee, start with applying for small job roles and gain experience in the field. Then, apply for bigger roles and grow in the field gradually.
9. Forestry Manager:
Average Annual Salary: $59,478
People who are interested in contributing to the environment while making money at the same time can become forestry managers. It is another high-paying job and focuses on forest management and resource utilization.
Since deforestation is becoming a big environmental issue, forestry managers contribute to preventing it. For example, they locate lands and plant trees in order to create a growing and sustainable forest. Besides that, their duty also involves making sure that trees are cut down in a more responsible way. As a forestry manager, you will also have to deal with wildfires and make sure they don’t destroy major parts of the forest.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategies for creating sustainable forests.
- Regulate how people cut down trees.
- Monitor forest health and take precautions against natural disasters.
- Make sure people comply with land-use and environmental regulations.
Required Skills:
- A deep understanding of forestry and ecology.
- Leadership and project management skills.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
10. Metallurgical Engineer:
Average Annual Salary: $94,828
Last but not least, you can become a metallurgical engineer if you’re interested in dealing with metals. This job title is available in multiple industries, such as mining and automotive. The main role of this job is to extract, refine, and develop metals so that they can be used in further production procedures.
As a metallurgical engineer, you’re supposed to optimize the properties of a metal via refining so that it offers the required strength and durability. You’re also responsible for testing different metal samples in order to pick the best one for the company. This profession demands working with other engineers to come up with the best metal product possible.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop an optimized process of extraction and optimization of a metal.
- Understand metal properties and create the best alloy possible.
- Coordinate with other engineers to create a metal that fulfills the production requirements.
- Improve manufacturing techniques for better efficiency.
Required Skills:
- Strong knowledge of chemistry and material science.
- Coordination skills.
- A deep understanding of metallurgical testing.
Final Verdict
There are many best paying jobs in basic industries available out there that you can pick to have a promising career. Although the digital world has advanced and many new and creative job titles have been developed, the demand for these basic and straightforward titles is still there.
Each basic industry has various job roles that people can pick. However, the discussed jobs are some of our best picks. You can analyze these jobs and focus on the one that is according to your interest and passion.
FAQs:
What Are Basic Industry Examples?
There are several examples of basic industries available out there. Some of the major ones include petroleum and metal industries.
What Basic Job Makes The Most Money?
There are several basic jobs that pay really good money. However, petroleum engineer and refinery manager are the top names. They can help you make around $133,114 and $106,233 a year, respectively.
What Is The Difference Between Basic And Non-Basic Jobs?
Basic jobs are involved in producing raw materials such as through agriculture and mining.
What Companies Are In The Basic Industries Field?
A lot of companies are currently working in the field of basic industry. Some of the top names include Chevron, BHP Group Limited, and Dow.
