What do Basic Industry Jobs Pay (2025 Update)

Are you looking for current information on basic industry jobs pay? You will find all the juicy details here. In this article, we will explore some of the best basic industries with the highest-paying jobs. These industries offer numerous opportunities for growth and prosperity and are vital to the economy of any country.

Basic industries such as agribusiness, mining and gas, petroleum, and factory production are the driving forces behind economic growth and offer some of the highest-paying jobs. The basic industries sector offers vital products and services that everyone relies heavily upon, providing many opportunities for lucrative jobs.

What are basic industries?

Basic industries are the cornerstone of any economic system. They are suppliers of products and services that serve as the foundation for other industries.

They generally engage in more labor-intensive activities than other sectors, and they also have better financial performance because of their low overhead costs.

Basic industries are all those businesses that deliver the raw materials for the manufacturing business. They offer a wide variety of goods, including metals, coal, petroleum, and natural gas. These basic resources are often used in all areas of the economy, such as crop production, manufacturing, and logistics.

If you’re searching for a career path in the basic industry, here are a few of the best options available:

Which Basic Industry Job Pays the Highest?

These are the basic industry jobs that pay the highest in 2025:

Petroleum Engineer ($111,180.00+)
Data Scientist ($98,531.00+)
Software Engineer ($89,956.00+)
Financial Controller ($88,509.00+)
Research Scientist ($85,186.00+)

Petroleum Engineer

If you are keen on mathematics and sciences and want to work in a high-paying basic industry, then Petroleum Engineer can be the right choice.

Petroleum engineers design systems for the discovery, excavation, and production of hydrocarbons, oil, gas, and other petroleum raw materials.

They are essential to ensuring the safety of workers in the oil and gas sector.

To become a petroleum engineer, you would need in-depth knowledge of petroleum engineering, oil and gas, and the energy industry.

Even though the rapid rise is toward sustainable energy, there will continue to be a need for petroleum engineers for a long time in developing nations.

If you wish for a high-paying basic industry job, petroleum engineering is the right choice.

The average earnings for a petroleum engineer are $120,670.00 per year.

Data Scientist

If you are passionate about data and possess an analytical mind, then you should consider becoming a data scientist.

Data Scientists apply big datasets to designs and computations to shape and conceptualize data

Working with big data is a lucrative and sought-after basic industry job.

Data Science is a thriving industry that will make significant progress in 2030 and beyond

The average salary for a data scientist is $98,403.00 annually.

Software Engineer

Software engineers develop and build computer systems and apps to fix real-world issues. Occasionally termed software developers, they build software for PCs and apps.

There are numerous high-paying positions for software engineers.

Software engineering skill sets can be utilized in all other industry sectors.

The average earnings for a software engineer are $89,996.00 annually.

Becoming a software engineer is excellent for individuals seeking job stability in the long run.

Financial Controller

Financial controllers mostly have higher incomes, and they are one of the lucrative jobs in the basic industry. If you are passionate about finance, capital, and numerals, it’s likely a decent career choice for you.

A bachelor’s degree or more is usually required for entry-level financial controller jobs.

The average earnings for a financial controller are $85,919.00 annually.

Research Scientist

If you’re keen on research and have a basic understanding of science, then you might consider becoming a research scientist.

Research scientists design, carry out, and analyze carefully monitored laboratory tests and investigations.

The job entails using scientific principles to gain a deeper understanding of reality.

The average earnings for a research scientist are $85,288.00 annually.

What do Basic Industries Pay?

The majority of basic industries focus on extracting and processing raw materials that serve as inputs for other industries. These industries include:

Agriculture: Farming, livestock rearing, and crop production.
Mining: Extraction of minerals, metals, and fossil fuels.
Forestry: Logging and timber production.
Fishing: Commercial fishing and aquaculture.
Manufacturing: Production of goods from raw materials, such as steel, chemicals, or paper.

Average Salaries in Basic Industries

Salaries in basic industries vary widely depending on the job role, level of experience, and geographic location. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries for various positions within these industries:

1. Agriculture

Farm Workers and Laborers: $25,000 – $35,000 per year. Entry-level roles often require minimal experience.
Agricultural Managers: $60,000 – $90,000 per year. Responsibilities include managing farm operations, finances, and personnel.
Agricultural Scientists: $70,000 – $100,000 per year. These professionals work on crop improvement, pest control, and sustainable farming practices.

2. Mining

Miners and Equipment Operators: $50,000 – $80,000 per year. Skilled equipment operators can earn on the higher end.
Geologists and Mining Engineers: $80,000 – $120,000 per year. These roles often require advanced degrees and expertise in resource exploration and extraction.
Health and Safety Officers: $60,000 – $90,000 per year. They ensure compliance with safety regulations in hazardous environments.

3. Forestry

Logging Workers: $40,000 – $60,000 per year. This is physically demanding work often carried out in remote locations.
Forestry Technicians: $45,000 – $70,000 per year. They support conservation efforts and forest management.
Foresters: $60,000 – $85,000 per year. Foresters plan and oversee sustainable harvesting and land restoration projects.

4. Fishing

Fishers and Fishing Vessel Operators: $30,000 – $50,000 per year. Earnings can fluctuate based on seasonal demand and catch.
Aquaculture Technicians: $35,000 – $55,000 per year. These roles involve managing fish farms and monitoring water quality.
Marine Biologists: $60,000 – $90,000 per year. Focus areas include studying marine ecosystems and improving sustainable fishing practices.

5. Manufacturing

Production Line Workers: $30,000 – $50,000 per year. These roles require precision and adherence to safety standards.
Industrial Engineers: $70,000 – $100,000 per year. They optimize production processes and resource use.
Plant Managers: $90,000 – $150,000 per year. Plant managers oversee operations, budgets, and personnel.

Factors Influencing Salaries

Several factors affect how much basic industry jobs pay:

Geographic Location: Salaries tend to be higher in regions with a high cost of living or significant industrial activity. For instance, miners in Australia or Canada often earn more than those in less resource-intensive regions.
Skill Level and Experience: Entry-level roles typically pay less, but salaries increase with experience, certifications, and specialized skills.
Industry Demand: High-demand sectors, such as renewable energy or advanced manufacturing, often offer competitive pay to attract talent.
Union Representation: Unionized workers in basic industries may enjoy better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
Economic Conditions: Global economic trends, commodity prices, and trade policies can impact salaries in basic industries.

Benefits Beyond Salaries

Jobs in basic industries often come with additional benefits, including:

Health and Safety Training: Many employers offer robust safety programs to protect workers in physically demanding roles.
Career Advancement Opportunities: Workers can move up the ladder into management or specialized technical positions.
Job Stability: These industries provide essential goods, ensuring steady demand even during economic downturns.
Community Impact: Workers contribute to foundational industries that support broader societal needs.

What do Basic Industries Jobs Pay? FAQs

What Do Basic Industries Jobs Pay?

The top five careers in the basic industries pay over $84,000 annually, making them highly lucrative.

There is a broad range of unique job opportunities for individuals; most jobs are associated with the mining of raw materials and are naturally blue-collar work, but there are numerous positions open for information workers and management as well. It’s an excellent job opportunity all around.

What Is the Basic Industries Sector?

The basic industries sector consists of businesses that are mainly involved in the manufacturing of products for export. Some examples are construction, engineering, farming, forestry, fishing, and hunting.

Basic industry jobs are centered on the mining and refining of raw materials for local consumption or export.

Is basic industries a good career path?

There is no clear answer to this question, and a lot depends on personal preferences, qualifications, and objectives. However, some key benefits of working in basic industries are job satisfaction and a decent salary. Some disadvantages could include long hours at work or challenging conditions.

Is Basic Industries Right for me?

Basic Industries may be a perfect match for you if:

You’re hoping to work in a production plant or manufacturing industry
You’re interested in manual labor and using machinery.
You’re passionate about managing and repairing items.
Quality assurance and safety measures are things that interest you.

What are the employment opportunities in the basic industries?

Agriculture like wheat, soy, and corn cultivation.
Fruit gardens and vegetable crops.
Raw resources like iron ore and steel.
Mining, logging, and forestry.

Which sector is the biggest?

E-commerce is currently considered to be the largest industry in the world.

Why do we have to learn about basic industry?

Basic industries are crucial because they deliver raw materials for other industries to use. Raw materials are essential for the creation of different industries, so they will not be able to run without basic industries.

Conclusion

Basic industries offer a diverse range of career opportunities with competitive salaries, particularly for skilled workers and professionals. While entry-level roles may not pay as much, the potential for growth and the critical role these industries play in the global economy make them an attractive career choice. Whether you’re interested in hands-on roles or strategic management positions, basic industries provide avenues for meaningful work and financial stability.

What do Basic Industry Jobs Pay (2025 Update)

What are basic industries?