Top-Paying Jobs in Basic Industries (with Salary Estimates for 2025) – International Edition

Key sectors such as those involved in supplying raw materials play an essential role because these resources form the foundation for producing items ranging from food products to sources of energy and infrastructure components. This makes them vital contributors to national economic progress and expansion. Should you be contemplating your professional journey ahead, exploring opportunities within these foundational fields could prove rewarding. Therefore, can you identify which specific areas we’re referring to?

The highest-paying positions within core industries along with their estimated salaries

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Our compilation comes from My Great Learning and Nex Ford sources. Nonetheless, please keep in mind that individual salaries within fundamental sectors can differ between companies, even though we strive for accuracy in our data.

Top highest-paying positions in fundamental sectors

The best-paying jobs in the basic industries offer lucrative and satisfying careers, making them a great professional choice. With the evolving technological world, many people are settling on these jobs, and why should you be left behind on the rising curve?

Which businesses operate within the realm of basic industries? This sector boasts many job opportunities due to its extensive nature and various subdivisions. Below are some high-paying roles in this domain along with their descriptions:

1. Petroleum industry

Petroleum engineers rank at the top when it comes to well-compensated positions within core industries. Their primary responsibility involves developing and implementing effective techniques for extracting oil and natural gas, thereby playing a crucial part in meeting global energy demands.

A petroleum engineer needs a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a similar discipline. For more specialized or senior positions, a master’s degree or doctoral qualification may be necessary.

What position in the basic industry jobs pays the most? Petroleum engineers are among the most paid professionals in basic industries, with a net salary of $107,450 annually. Petroleum engineers often work for drilling companies, oil and gas exploration companies,

2. Offshore drilling rig manager

An offshore drilling rig supervisor is a seasoned and proficient specialist overseeing operations on sea-based drilling platforms. These massive facilities are employed to extract natural gas and petroleum from underwater locations deep beneath the ocean surface.

The candidate needs a high school diploma along with significant experience in a structured maritime setting. The yearly compensation for an offshore drilling rig supervisor falls between $92,228 and $118,210. Key responsibilities of a rig manager include:

• Making sure the work-permit system and health, safety, and environment (HSE) management tools are applied properly.
• Hold pre-tour meetings with the rig crew members.
• Coordinating rig moves with the client and transportation personnel.
• Overseeing the assembly and disassembly of equipment setups
• Coordinating rig crews.
• Resolving operational and personnel issues with rig crews and contractors

3. Reservoir engineer

A reservoir engineer is a specialized expert in the oil and gas sector whose primary role is to comprehend and manage the activities of underground reservoirs containing oil, gas, or water.

A reservoir engineer requires knowledge of applied mathematics, subsurface geology, and the basic laws of chemistry and physics governing the behaviour of vapour and liquid phases of crude oil, natural gas, and water in reservoir rock.

What do basic industries jobs pay a reservoir engineer? The average annual salary for a reservoir engineer is $123,968. Reservoir engineers usually work for consulting companies, oil and gas exploration companies, research institutions, and government agencies.

The duties of a reservoir engineer include:

• Producing precise reserve calculations for utilization in financial statements
• Numerical reservoir modeling
• Production forecasting
• Well-testing and drilling
• Reservoir Fluids PVT Analysis
• Planning for field development and strategies for reservoir depletion

4. Chemical engineer

Chemical engineering stands as one of the fundamental sectors that concentrate on designing and managing chemical facilities along with enhancing manufacturing processes.

A chemical engineer typically applies the concepts from physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to devise and optimize processes for handling chemical substances and reactions.

An initial requirement for becoming a chemical engineer is obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Chemical engineers typically earn an annual salary of around $81,891. Their main responsibilities encompass the following duties:

• Production, engineering, and management of facilities and equipment in the field of industrial chemistry.
• Creation of novel compounds for items like edibles, drinks, beauty supplies, cleansing agents, and medicinal components.
• Development of new technologies such as fuel cells.

5. Refinery manager

A refinery manager is a senior personnel who oversees the operation of an oil refinery. Oil refineries turn crude oil into products such as jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, pharmaceuticals, and more.

To be a refinery manager, one needs a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field. They should also have skills in process engineering, design, troubleshooting, optimization, and other refinery-related aspects.

The average refinery manager in the US makes an average of $193,905 per year. The refinery managers play an important role in the job as they :

• Ensure compliance with client and government regulations.
• Conduct general labour duties throughout the plant, including material handling, general cleanup duties, and machine operation.
• Prepare trucks and tank cars for loading, and attach and detach flexible loading hoses.
• Keep work areas clean, orderly, and safe.
• Perform special duties as needed or assigned.
• Obtain a minimum yearly goal in new business accounts.
• Sell all applicable LOBs.

6. Geoscientist

A geoscientist studies the physical processes of the Earth’s materials and structures to understand its history, composition, and forces that shape it. Geoscientists’ activity sectors are government, mining, petroleum industry, and engineering.

Geologists operate within the mining and energy industries, focusing on locating natural resources. Additionally, they lead efforts to mitigate damages caused by natural threats and catastrophes, as well as alerting the populace regarding potential occurrences of these events. Their expertise further aids discussions around climate change issues.

The typical annual income for a geologist is around $61,355. Becoming a geoscientist requires both specialized educational training and practical fieldwork experience. Typically, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in geoscience is essential to develop proficiency in key skill areas such as:

• Data analysis
• Remote sensing
• Geological mapping
• Geographic information system(GIS)
• Lab technique
• Numerical modeling

7. Specialist in health safety and environmental protection

This field encompasses multiple disciplines aimed at researching and applying real-world solutions for environmental conservation as well as protecting public health and safety, particularly within corporate environments and occupational settings.

To qualify as an HSE specialist, you require a degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Occupational Health and Safety or a related field. Some positions require certification, such as occupational health and safety technician (OHST) or certified safety professional (CSP).

EHS managers identify and understand necessary EHS regulations, the implications of which must be communicated to the management team so the company can implement appropriate measures.

The typical annual wage for an Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) specialist is $69,193. An EHS working group may concentrate on tasks such as:

• Transfer of expertise concerning the health, safety, and environmental impacts of a substance.
• Encouragement of positive work habits, like gathering materials after use for recycling purposes.

8. Data scientist

In today’s corporate environment, data reigns supreme, driving all sectors to search for competent data scientists. Even fundamental industries and their various branches require data, leading to a high demand for these professionals.

For this role, you will need to examine and interpret data to facilitate top-tier business choices. Major companies in key sectors are currently hiring for data scientist positions. To secure such a job, proficiency in managing extensive datasets is essential.

You must possess flawless programming and mathematical abilities. Expertise in machine learning and data analysis is essential for this position as well. It ranks among the top earners in the field, offering an average yearly compensation of $125,677.

This position offers significant opportunities for advancement as it remains crucial over time. There is potential to achieve high earnings in this role by continuously acquiring new knowledge and enhancing your abilities.

9. Synthetic chemist

In this job, you will create new mixtures, or, in other words, you’ll make chemicals that many industries rely on, such as farming, healthcare, and manufacturing. Checking these mixtures and ensuring they’re pure is also part of your duties.

A degree in chemistry is a must if you want to get this job. Also, having strong research abilities and being good at noticing small things can be very useful if you want to do well in this job as a synthetic chemist.

The pay for this job is also quite good. In this position, you could make as much as $83,712 annually in the United States. The salary can change depending on your skills, experience, and qualifications. This is one of the highest-paying jobs in the primary industries.

10. Metallurgist

A metallurgist is an individual who researches, manufactures, and develops metal items, ranging from car parts to semiconductors. They work for consulting engineering firms, mining and manufacturing companies, and government and university departments.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering and science is required to become a metallurgist; some must also complete a master’s Degree. To get this job, you need to have an in-depth understanding of metals. You also need to have a sense of innovation and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities anticipated from a metallurgist include:

• Obtaining metals and minerals from their raw materials
• Creating procedures for extracting minerals and forming alloys.
• Guiding operators about production techniques and quality control methods.
• Performing micro-scale X-ray analysis on metals and alloy materials.
• Examining metals during usage, documenting information, and providing insights into their effectiveness and limitations.
• Examining how metals react when subjected to radiation within nuclear settings.
• Overseeing a group of metallurgists and technicians.
• Creating budgets and technical documents.

The salary in this job is up there with the best. A metallurgist can earn you up to $90,692 every year. The salary might change based on your years of experience and skills, but the room for growth in this role is immense.

Wrapping up

The best career in basic industries gives you everything you need, from security to a good salary. These best-paying jobs in basic industries often require specialized skills and extensive training but can provide significant financial rewards. These high-paying jobs are vital to the economy as they support essential manufacturing, construction, and agriculture industries.

.co.ke published an article about the highest-paying jobs in Kenya and their salaries. As Kenya’s economy grows, the demand for highly trained individuals in technology, finance, healthcare, and other fields is high.

The pursuit of the highest-paying employment in Kenya is motivated by a desire for financial security, a greater standard of living, and the ability to attain personal and professional goals.