Basic Industries truly is an excellent career path. As significant elements of the economy, basic industries are essential and will, at least for the foreseeable future, survive.
So if you’re looking to secure a job with decent pay without having to invest a fortune in your education, take a look at the jobs listed in this post that will allow you to learn on the job so you can work your way up and achieve the career and income that you’ve always dreamed of.
We also list a number of jobs in engineering and the sciences. If that’s what you’re attracted to, you’ll have plenty of options. Most likely, you’ll need to complete post-secondary education, but these jobs are perfect for building a rewarding and well-paying career in our basic industries.
Jobs in basic industries usually pay well, and these careers are projected to continue offering excellent median salaries. So to learn about the best and highest-paying jobs in basic industries, keep reading!
Education Requirements
For all the following profession counts that you must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). Additionally, for most positions, a 2- or 4-year degree in the respective field and several years of relevant experience will be a prerequisite as well.
If you didn’t finish high school, however, there is still hope! The GED (General Education Development) program offers adults who couldn’t finish high school the opportunity to earn an equivalent secondary education credential!
There are several online courses that will help you get all set for the four tests, but it is crucial to check if they are GED-compliant and recognized by GED Testing Service.
A good overview of the best online GED programs is available on the website EducateTheUSA. All the listed courses there are aligned with the computer-based GED test, as certified by GED Testing Service, the developer and publisher of the examination.
The GED will get you into college and will qualify you for far better job opportunities. These days, there’s hardly any job out there that doe not require applicants to have at least a secondary degree (high school diploma or GED).
The GED exam includes four individual subtests measuring your proficiency in math, social studies, language, and science. The exam can be taken at one of the country’s many test sites or online.
What are Basic Industries?
Basic industries keep an economy going. Basic industries are supplying other industrial sectors with unprocessed resources or the finished goods and products required for their operations. Examples of basic industries are forestry, energy production, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
Working in basic industries comes with several benefits to the employees. Because these industries play fundamental roles in our economy, the services and goods they provide will always be wanted or needed by other industries and consumers. Jobs in these industries usually include good pay, lots of benefits, and great opportunities for career advancement.
So basic industries (also referred to as essential or key industries) are those industries that produce necessary goods and/or services in our economy. Usually, these terms are used to distinguish them from secondary industries. Secondary industries are those that assemble or process goods that basic industries have already produced.
There are no definitive lists of what constitutes basic industries because such definitions may vary across different economic structures in particular countries or regions.
Basic industries typically use large amounts of labor and natural resources and will have significant effects on the environment. Consequently, they are usually heavily regulated. Not all the jobs listed here are real basic industry jobs but are in related fields such as healthcare and aviation.
All jobs listed in the overview below will pay 100K or more, while for some positions, double that figure will be possible.
10 high-paying jobs in basic industries
Petroleum Engineer – Usually, petroleum engineers enjoy great job security and high salaries. The fact of the matter is that the job of a petroleum engineer is one of the best-paid in the U.S.
Petroleum engineering really is a complex and difficult professional area, and petroleum engineers will always be in high demand and their earnings reflect that.
Petroleum engineers are required to have a very strong understanding of both engineering and geology since they are responsible for finding new sources of gas and oil. At times, petroleum engineers will have to work in dangerous or dirty conditions.
Mining Engineer – Mining engineers have some of the best-paying jobs available in basic industries. Mining engineers research, develop and examine mines. They are responsible for determining what a mine is capable of producing and determining the cost of the mining operations.
They must ensure that the mineworkers are surrounded by enough safety measures and will be trained properly to work underground safely for long periods of time while exploring valuable minerals.
Mining engineers are also responsible for exploring and researching new, innovative approaches to boost productivity in order to generate greater profits from the mines they are responsible for or to guarantee operation continuity.
Material Research Engineer – Material research engineers are among the best-paying professionals in basic industries. Material research engineers research and evaluate the chemical and physical properties of materials such as plastics, metals, ceramics, and alloys.
Additionally, they are involved in the creation of new materials and study and evaluate the properties and quality of existing materials. This job is quite technical and requires close attention to detail to be able to keep track of their experiments. At the minimum, a bachelor’s degree in engineering is required, though usually, a master’s degree is preferred.
Biomedical Engineer – A biomedical engineer is responsible for designing and developing medical devices and equipment. They work in close collaboration with a number of medical professionals, for example, nurses and doctors, to create and improve products and devices to improve patient care. Biomedical engineers are required to have a strong affinity with and knowledge of math, biology, and engineering.
Usually, they hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of biomedical engineering or some related field. The job perspectives are more than excellent since our aging population will surely require more and more medical care.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist – A nuclear medicine technologist is a medical professional that uses radioactive materials for diagnosing and treating patients. They are working in close collaboration with nuclear physicians to come up with treatment plans for patients.
These professionals are highly sought after because of the indispensable advantages that nuclear medicine has given us. Nuclear medicine can provide us with valuable information on how our bodily organs function as well.
Nuclear medicine technologists enjoy excellent job outlooks and security as well, and there are plenty of job advancement opportunities.
Agricultural and Food Scientist – Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. Food scientists create different foods targeted at different health purposes.
They must ensure their creations are healthy and safe for human consumption. It is among their primary aims to discover and develop better and more efficient ways to preserve foods and keep them fresh and look attractive.
These professionals are not only required to understand foods and their various applications, but they also must be good in IT and have well-rounded numerical, analytical, and business skills.
Additionally, they must be able to do their jobs independently, without supervision, and have excellent communication skills. The job requires at least a bachelor’s degree, although often, a more advanced degree is preferred.
Computer system analyst – All industries, also basic industries, need computer system analysts. They evaluate the current state of companies’ computer systems and are responsible for determining future requirements and needs to keep computer systems running efficiently. They will come up with recommendations to add new elements or adjust the system so it can properly and continually accommodate the business.
Usually, this job can be done independently and remotely, meaning you can do the job from the comfort of your home or from any location that has internet access. computer system analysts are in high demand in all sorts of business.
Air Traffic Controller – Though not directly a job in basic industry, nowadays, the world of travel has become pretty much basic. An air traffic controller is responsible for air traffic safety. The job is extremely stressful and complicated, but these professionals are well-paid for their important jobs. To keep track of aircraft and keep the air space safe and secure, they use various tools such as radio, radar, and computers.
Air traffic controllers must be able to deal and communicate with colleagues, pilots, and air traffic controllers at other locations effectively. The job is very stressful; often, they are required to make split-second decisions, and their actions have serious consequences regarding life and death. Then again, the job is very exciting and offers a challenging career with lots of opportunities for professional and personal growth.
Commercial Pilot – Many commercial pilots earn their incomes in the world of basic industries. They may work for internationally operating commercial carriers, but many commercial pilots are employed by mining companies, land survey firms, the agricultural sector, or major oil companies to bring crews, for example, to and from remote oil rigs.
The job comes with competitive wages and good job security. The salaries of commercial pilots may vary greatly depending on their employers or the region where they fly.
Financial Advisor – Financial advisors belong to the best-paid professionals in basic industries. These professionals assist their customers with bringing their finances and reports in order. They determine what financial plan is most suitable for their clients, taking into account their specific concerns, requirements, and needs.
Financial advisors usually have extensive knowledge of and experience in personal finance, investment management, and retirement planning. They are the professionals that assist their customers with determining effective ways of putting money and assets away for future purposes and ensuring that it will be working for them effectively.