Highlights
- Over 10 million job openings are available across all industries as of June 2024, with many in basic industries.
- Per hour basic industries jobs salaries are $18.9, varying by job, sector, location, and experience.
- Petroleum Engineers earn an average annual salary of $132,564, making it one of the highest-paying jobs in basic industries.
- Offshore Drilling Rig Managers earn an average annual salary of $74,848, overseeing offshore drilling operations.
- Reservoir Engineers specializing in managing subsurface reservoirs earn an average annual salary of $171,938.
Thinking about a career in basic industries and wondering about the pay? You've come to the right place. Oops! It looks like some people still don't know what basic industries are. No problem, I'll explain.
Basic industries include sectors that supply essential resources to other industries, such as metals, gas, coal, wood, and paper. While basic industries offer many job opportunities, the highest-paying jobs are mainly agriculture, energy, paper, and mining.
According to Statista, in 2024, major industries like forestry, fisheries, oil and gas, and mining contributed $339.9 million to the US Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Keep reading to learn about what basic industries jobs pay, how many jobs are available in basic industries, and more!
How Many Jobs Are Available In Basic Industries?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of June 2024, there are over 10 million job openings across all industries. This number includes positions in basic industries. Out of these 10 million job openings, about 9 million are in private industries, many of which are part of basic industries.
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What Do Basic Industries Jobs Pay Per Hour?
The pay for jobs in basic industries can vary widely depending on the specific job, industry sector, location, level of experience, and education required. Basic industries typically include agriculture, mining, forestry, and manufacturing. Here are some approximate hourly wage ranges for various jobs within these industries:
According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay-per-hour salary for basic industries is $18.9.
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Best Paying Jobs In Basic Industries in 2024
- Petroleum Engineer
A Petroleum Engineer specializes in finding, extracting, producing, and managing oil and natural gas resources from beneath the Earth's surface. They develop new methods to efficiently and safely extract these valuable resources.
To become a Petroleum Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field. Some advanced roles might require a master's or doctoral degree. Petroleum engineers often work for oil and gas exploration companies, drilling companies, consulting firms, research institutions, and government agencies.
The average annual salary for a Petroleum Engineer in the US is $132,564. It is one of the highest-paying jobs in basic industries.
- Offshore Drilling Rig Manager
An Offshore Drilling Rig Manager, also known as an Offshore Rig Manager, oversees the operations of an offshore drilling rig. These rigs are large structures used to drill for oil and gas in offshore waters, often far from the coast.
The Offshore Drilling Rig Manager ensures safe, efficient, and productive drilling operations. They usually have extensive experience in drilling, starting in lower-level roles and moving up to management. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of drilling processes, safety protocols, and regulations.
The average annual salary for an Offshore Drilling Rig Manager in the US is $74,848.
- Reservoir Engineer
A Reservoir Engineer specializes in understanding and managing subsurface reservoirs that contain oil, gas, or water. Their main job is to optimize oil and gas extraction from these reservoirs while maximizing recovery rates and economic efficiency. Reservoir engineers assess reservoir potential, design extraction strategies, and ensure long-term production sustainability.
To become a Reservoir Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field. Some roles might require a master's or doctoral degree for advanced research or specialized positions. Reservoir engineers often work for oil and gas exploration companies, consulting firms, research institutions, and government agencies.
The average annual salary for a Reservoir Engineer in the US is $171,938. It is one of the highest-paying jobs in basic industries.
- Drilling Engineer
A Drilling Engineer plans, designs, and oversees drilling operations to extract oil and gas from the Earth's subsurface. They ensure safe and efficient drilling processes, from selecting well locations to designing drilling techniques and equipment.
Becoming a Drilling Engineer requires a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
You need in-depth knowledge of drilling operations, equipment, safety protocols, and regulations. Safety certifications like the IWCF certification demonstrate your understanding of well-controlled principles. A master's degree in petroleum engineering, drilling engineering, or a related field can provide advanced knowledge and open doors to higher-level positions.
The average annual salary for a Drilling Engineer in the US is $107,525.
- Production Engineer
A Production Engineer optimizes the production of oil and gas from wells after they have been drilled. They ensure that wells operate efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively to maximize the recovery of resources from reservoirs. Production engineers often work for oil and gas exploration, operating, service, and consulting companies.
To become a Production Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field. Some roles might require a master's degree or specialized training for advanced positions.
The average annual salary for a US production Engineer is $98,998.
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- Petrophysicist
A Petrophysicist analyzes and interprets the physical and chemical properties of rocks, fluids, and reservoirs to optimize hydrocarbon production. They evaluate reservoir characteristics and provide insights for drilling, production, and reservoir management decisions.
Becoming a Petrophysicist involves a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, often a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with well-logging tools and software for data analysis is essential. Certifications from organizations like the Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) can enhance your qualifications.
The average annual salary for a Petrophysicist in the US is $119,621.
- Geoscientist
A Geoscientist studies the Earth's physical processes, materials, and structures to understand its history and composition. They work in various industries, including environmental consulting, natural resource exploration, geology, and geophysics. They analyze and interpret data to solve scientific problems and make informed decisions about the Earth's processes and resources.
To become a Geoscientist, you need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with specialization options like geology, geophysics, atmospheric science, or oceanography. Pursuing a master's or doctoral degree and acquiring skills in geological mapping, data analysis, remote sensing, GIS, laboratory techniques, or numerical modeling can be beneficial.
The average annual salary for a Geoscientist in the US is $75,147.
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Specialist
A Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Specialist ensures workplace, project, and operational health, safety, and environmental compliance. They implement strategies to prevent accidents, minimize risks, and promote a safe and sustainable working environment.
To become an HSE Specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in occupational health and safety, environmental science, engineering, or a related field. Depending on the industry and jurisdiction, some positions require certifications such as Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST).
The average annual salary for an HSE Specialist in the US is $101,105.
- Refinery Manager
A Refinery Manager oversees the operations of an oil refinery, which processes crude oil into products like gasoline, diesel, and petrochemicals. They ensure the refinery operates safely, efficiently, and profitably while adhering to environmental regulations and industry standards.
To become a Refinery Manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Skills in process engineering, equipment design, troubleshooting, optimization, safety protocols, and environmental regulations are important. Many Refinery Managers have extensive industry experience, starting in entry-level roles and progressing through various positions.
The average annual salary for a Refinery Manager in the US is $135,025.
- Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes processes and products involving chemicals, materials, and reactions. They work in manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, petrochemicals, and environmental protection.
To become a Chemical Engineer, you typically need a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field. Advanced positions, research roles, and specialized jobs may require a master's or doctoral degree.
Developing strong math and science skills, studying engineering fundamentals, and gaining expertise in using engineering software, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and applying mathematical models are crucial.
The average annual salary for a Chemical Engineer in the US is $95,990.
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Summary
Basic industries sector offers a wide range of job opportunities with competitive salaries, addressing the question, "What do basic industries jobs pay?" With over 10 million job openings across various industries and an average hourly wage of $18.9, these industries provide significant employment potential. As the demand for skilled professionals in agriculture, mining, forestry, and manufacturing continues to grow, basic industries remain a vital and dynamic part of the economy.
