Month: May 2022

In the past 50 years, there has been a continuous demand for the best paying jobs in energy.

After all, many industries are hard to predict, but the energy sector has always been consistent.

The main difference is that companies used to focus on using coal, gas, and oil for electricity, but these days, the future of the energy sector will have a bigger focus on renewables over the next 20 to 30 years.

Best Paying Jobs in Energy: Are they in demand?

The global energy demands are expected to rise by about 30% between now and 2040, so it’s safe to say that the best-paying jobs in the energy sector will continue to be in demand.

In a 2021 report from the U.S. Department of Energy, 2022 (and onward) is expected to bring an anticipated:

• 10.1% job increase at companies connected with energy efficiency operations
• 8.1% rise in companies tied to electric power generation
• 5.5% increase in jobs throughout the fuels sector
• 4.2% job growth in the transportation, distribution, and storage sector

15 Best Paying Jobs in Energy

You can find more jobs within the energy sector that will be best suited for your skills and experience. These 15 are just a handful of jobs known to pay higher than average.

1. Petroleum Engineer

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering.
• Average Salary: $140,000 to $210,000

This type of engineer is high in demand within the oil & gas production.

The petroleum engineer’s role is extremely important since he/she leads the drilling of new oil fields and oil extraction projects.

2. Materials Engineers

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering or in a related engineering field.
• Average Salary: $98,000 to $148,000

Materials engineers are educated with a mix of IT, mathematics, and chemistry.

They are responsible for modernizing infrastructure materials and making equipment in the energy sector more fuel-efficient.

3. Geoscientist

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in geology, geoscience, geophysics, or in a related field.
• Average Salary: $80,000 to $100,000

As someone who is highly educated in the physical properties of the earth, geoscientists play an essential role in the energy sector.

They are responsible for deciding prime drilling locations and ensuring the earth is stable in time to siphon natural gas and oil.

4. Renewable Energy Consultant

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in Renewable Energy Management
• Average Salary: $66,000 to $88,000

As a renewable energy consultant, you’ll assist in providing energy solutions from small-scale renewable energy projects like solar PV systems to large-scale commercial energy-reliant complexes.

5. Nuclear Technician

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, nuclear science, or a relevant field.
• Average Salary: $66,000 to $88,000

These technicians usually become proficient on the job at nuclear power plants.

They ensure the plants remain in a safe environment by weighing risks, monitoring equipment, and machinery performance, and conducting tests on soil, water, and air to keep radiation levels low.

6. Environmental technicians

• Requirements: Associate’s degree in environmental science technology or related field.
• Average Salary: $60,000 to $80,000

As an environmental technician, your loyalty is to mother earth and to ensure the energy sector (or the company you work for) minimizes or removes pollution with day-to-day operations.

Environmental technicians are familiar with environmental regulations and laws, so they enforce them on the job as well.

7. Civil Engineers

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Mining & Energy Resources Engineering, and other relevant fields.
• Average Salary: $87,000 to $115,000

Civil engineers are essential in building new power plants.

They’re responsible for the study, design, drafting, and estimates of any kind of power project. These engineers will be key to the energy sector’s shift to renewable energy.

8. Information Systems Manager

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer or information science, or a related field.
• Average Salary: $150,000 to $200,000

Information systems managers are crucial to the energy industry because they upgrade, improve and maintain the technology side of the industry.

They will also be the experts who will assist in the modernization of power plants and energy systems.

9. Power Plant Operator

• Requirements: Electrician or engineering field, plus professional certification and licensure requirements
• Average salary: $86,000 to $107,000

A power plant operator often learned the tasks on the job, which means he/she has been in the energy sector for years.

The role of power plant operators is to ensure that the energy is flowing continuously by being on top of equipment checks and performing preventative care of the entire power plant operations.

10. Chemical Engineer

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field
• Average Salary: $120,000 to $180,000

This sector deals with different kinds of materials and chemicals, which is why chemical engineers are one of the best paying jobs in energy industry.

They test new methods, solve oil-, gas- and fuel-related problems, and help in the shift towards renewable energy.

11. Atmospheric Scientist

• Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in meteorology or related physical science.
• Average Salary: $95,000 to $150,000

12) Service Unit Operator

• Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent combined with extensive on-the-job training
• Average Salary: $40,000 to $80,000

In the oil, gas, and mining industries, a service unit operator job is expected to be in demand until 2030.

These operators are responsible for operating equipment that increase oil flow and remove stuck objects from the wells.

Because the conditions for the job are somewhat dangerous due to the heavy equipment, machinery and environment they work in, companies often hire extremely experienced operators.

13. Industrial machinery mechanic

• Requirements: GED, on-the-job training, and extensive knowledge of electricity, electronics, hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Average Salary: $42,000 to $85,000

Industrial machinery mechanics have an evergreen job outlook up to 2030.

These highly-skilled workers are responsible for keeping the machinery and other industrial equipment within power plants in good working condition.

As such, they regularly conduct maintenance on equipment and perform repairs when they break down.

14. Solar Installers

• Requirements: high school diploma and specialized solar installation training.
• Average Salary: $35,000 to $76,000

Solar PV system installer jobs will continue to have an impressive demand through 2030, especially since people and companies are making a conscious switch from fossil fuels and other gases to solar energy.

Unlike other professions on this list, solar installers do not require a college degree. But once they train how to install solar panels, they can work in transforming the roofs of buildings and residential homes have the ability to convert sunlight into usable electricity.

15. Wind Turbine Installers

• Requirements: high school degree, GED, or vocational training in wind turbine installation
• Average Salary: $47,000 to $68,000

The job outlook of wind-turbine installers will remain high until 2030, so expect job stability if you land a job in this career.

Wind turbine installers collect data for research, create reports, and work on wind turbine equipment, repairing, cleaning, modifying, and conducting preventative tasks.

Education Pathway for the Best Paying Jobs in Energy

If you’re interested in the best-paying jobs in energy, oil & gas production, power generation, or other energy industry sectors, there are numerous educational pathways you can choose from.

Here are just the most common ones:

• Math and Engineering – Algebra, geometry, calculus, engineering, and other mathematical disciplines can help solve real-world problems in the energy sector.
• Sciences – Background in chemistry, Physics, Biology, and other sciences are the heart of the energy sector. These are the professionals who are responsible for deciding on materials, equipment, and processes involved in the energy sector.
• Information Technology – Even the energy sector undergoes modernization, which is why many IT-educated professionals are needed in the industry.
• Business – Management and leadership positions usually require a Master’s degree in any business-related course. The cool thing about managers and high-level executives is that they can jump from one industry to the next, so even if you don’t have a lot of experience in the energy sector, you potentially can lead here if your qualifications fit the bill.

As you can imagine, the list of best paying jobs in energy (listed above) doesn’t encompass the entire sector.

There are plenty more energy jobs to explore, but if you’re not interested in embarking on a career within this industry, check out these posts that tackle jobs that pay 20 an hour and jobs that pay 15 an hour.

Consumer durables are products that are not replaced so easily, but you’ll be surprised to know that the best paying jobs in consumer durables are here for the long term.

What are Consumer Durable Goods?

Also known as “final goods,” durable consumer goods are considered:

• Products that last for over 3 years,
• Items that can be rented out or bought,
• Products that people can use repeatedly, or
• Items that have long periods between successive purchases.

Not many people know this, but the sales of consumer durable goods are an economic indicator.

The more consumers buy hard goods from domestic manufacturers, the more positive and healthier an economy is deemed to be.

(Check out my other post on the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables and head on over there to get more career ideas.)

12 Industries with Best-Paying Jobs in Consumer Durables

As you can imagine, there are numerous industries producing durable consumer goods that you can explore as your career paths.

Check out the industries below and the best-paying jobs showcased within each industry.

1. Luxury Fashion Industry

Clothing, bags, and shoes are non-durables, but many other products (such as watches and jewelry) continue to be a driving force in making the luxury fashion industry an $80 billion market.

Companies like Rolex, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, and Chanel are beloved brands that have been around for decades and no pandemic or any other global issues would stop their productions. High-paying jobs within the luxury industries include:

• In-store sales representatives ($49,000 to $87,000 per year plus 5% to 10% commissions of every item sold)
• Fashion forecaster ($50,000 to $100,000 a year)
• Luxury brand marketing specialists ($100,000 to $150,000 per year)
• Visual merchandisers ($60,000 to $98,000 a year)

2. Automobiles, Aircraft, Bicycles, Trucks, Mobile Homes

All kinds of automobiles (cars, trucks, pick-ups, e-bikes, motorcycles, and so on) fall under durable goods. After all, these last for over 3 years. Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, Honda, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GE Aviation, and Champion Homes (among many others) lead the automotive industries.

Some of the best paying jobs in consumer durables within the automotive industry include:

• Automotive designer ($90,000 to $120,000 a year)
• Dimensional Engineer ($79,000 to $93,500 per year)
• Dealership Sales managers ($130,000 to $165,000 a year)
• Automotive Engineer ($70,000 to $83,000 per year)
• Quality testing engineer ($90,000 to $110,000 a year)

3. Furniture and Home Appliances

The household appliances industry generates several hundred billion U.S. dollars in sales every year. LG, Whirlpool, Midea, BSH Home Appliances, and Electrolux are just a handful of companies leading the pack.

If you’re interested in a career within this industry, seek out positions such as:

• Advanced design furniture engineer ($62,500 to $80,000 a year)
• Interior designers ($60,000 to $130,000 a year)
• Furniture, fixture & equipment (FFE) buyer ($73,000 to $90,500 a year)
• Electronics engineers ($100,000 to $120,000 a year)

4. Computer and Software

Computers, accessories, and software have a long life and are not easily used up or destroyed, so they fall under the consumer durable goods category.

The biggest paying companies in this industry include Apple Inc, SM&A, Adobe, and MITRE with jobs ranging from something more general software architects to jobs that are highly specific like blockchain engineers.

• Data scientist ($100,000 to $140,000 a year)
• Computer support specialist ($55,500 to $89,000 a year)
• Internet of Things (IoT) Solutions Architect ($116,500 to $180,000 a year)
• Computer hardware engineer ($102,000 to $128,000 a year)
• Database administrator ($90,200 to $127,000 a year)

5. Jewelry Industry

Basic or raw materials, such as copper, are not considered consumer goods because they have to be transformed into usable products before use.

However, end-products like necklaces, rings, and similar products from companies like Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and David Yurman
fall under consumer durables.

And because the value of the jewelry market is expected to increase from about $230 billion in 2020 to $307 billion by 2026, expect the opportunities here to remain in demand, such as:

• Jewelry designer ($61,000 to $93,000 a year)
• Quality control specialist ($63,500 to $88,000 a year)
• Jewelry appraiser ($66,000 to $80,000 a year)
• Steels and metal production specialist ($75,000 to $174,000 a year)

6. Medical Equipment Production

As we saw from the covid19 pandemic, the healthcare sector is a $170-billion-dollar industry with the best-paying companies like Abbott, Medtronic, Baxter, Danaher, 3M, and Stryker continuously providing jobs such as:

• Biomedical equipment technician ($53,000 to $120,000 a year)
• Health IT software engineers ($93,000 to $118,000 a year)
• Biotechnology sales professionals ($107,000 to $165,000 a year)

7. Sports Equipment

The demand to get fit and healthy will never run out of fashion.

Even if sporting equipment can be a one-time-buy, the jobs within this industry continue to be in-demand thanks to companies like Franklin Sports, ProMAXima, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc., Decathlon USA, and Bass Pro Shops (among others).

Examples of best paying jobs in consumer durables sporting equipment category include:

• Sports psychologist ($90,000 to $120,000 a year)
• Athletic director ($60,000 to $81,000 a year)
• Sports Research Engineers ($94,000 to $110,000 a year)
• Sports Data Analyst ($92,000 to $105,000 a year)

8. Books and Toys

Both the industries of books and toys feed the soul.

You can understand that even in this digital world, books and toys continue to be a thriving industry with companies like Harper Collins, Hachette Book Group, Penguin/Random House, Melissa & Doug, and LeapFrog leading these industries with high-paying jobs such as:

• Communications managers ($100,000 to $148,000 a year)
• Toy designers ($84,000 to $110,000)
• Product brand managers ($107,000 to $115,000 a year
• STEM toy concept artist ($68,000 to $80,000)

9. Consumer Electronics Manufacturing

Of course, some of the best paying jobs in consumer durables would fall under consumer electronics.

Yes, the manufacturing of mobile phones, TVs, mp3 players, DVD players, and other similar gadgets have brought billions of dollars in revenue to top US companies like Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, and Apple (among many others) offering high-paying jobs such as:

• Principal electrical engineer ($109,500 to $145,000 a year)
• Electronics communication engineer ($71,000 to $85,000/year)
• Senior electronics technicians ($65,000 to $90,000/year)
• Robotics engineer ($90,000 to $105,000 per year)

10. Tools

Manufacturing of machine tools, hand tools, woodworking tools, yard, and garden tools may be a surprising entry into these industries with the best paying jobs in consumer durables, but Black & Decker, DeWalt, Craftsman, and Milwaukee are just some brands to watch out for if you’re interested in a career in the industry.

Some examples of roles with good pay are:

• Senior CNC Machine Operator ($76,000 to $84,000/year)
• Production Line Operations Supervisor ($73,000 to $95,000/year)
• Manufacturing manager ($95,000 to $122,000/year)

11. Construction Industry

Consumer durables in home improvement and the construction industry are tricky since not all materials can fall under consumer durables.

Wood, for example, is not considered consumer goods since it can be made into other products like furniture.

Bricks, however, are a good example of durable consumer goods as it is used as-is into a project.

Acme Brick Co and General Shale come to mind as the leaders in this niche with high-paying jobs such as:

• Ceramic engineer ($65,000 to $80,000/year)
• Engineering Services Specialist($56,000 to $78,000/year)
• Manufacturing supervisor ($73,000 to $95,000/year)

12. Kitchen and Cooking Equipment

Jobs manufacturing pots, pans, knives, and other kitchen and cooking equipment is an evergreen career path.

Just take a look at jobs from US kitchen and cooking equipment manufacturers American Range, Cambro, Zwilling, and Cuisinart:

• Robotic/engineering technician ($93,000 to $115,000/year)
• Tool and die maker ($65,000 to $82,000/year)
• Manufacturing cost analyst ($70,000 to $85,000/year)

Not Interested in these Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Durables?

If sales of durable goods within a city or state increase, it means the people living in that area are becoming more optimistic about the economy.

Having said that, even if consumer goods are only replaced or replenished after 3 years (or sometimes for longer), this doesn’t affect how

You might also be interested in future-proofing your career with this post: 12 best jobs for the future. Or if you’re interested in work-from-home opportunities, don’t miss:

• Must-see work-from-home jobs
• How to make money online fast
• Work-from-home jobs with benefits

Hunting for jobs that pay 20 an hour? If you’re coming from a job with minimum wage ($7.25 to $15.20 per hour), it’s always the perfect time to make a change!

This post showcases over 40 jobs that pay 20 an hour from various industries. Some jobs do not even require degrees or work experience to land the job. Yes, even entry-level applicants are welcome.

40+ Jobs that Pay 20 an Hour

Although the federal minimum wage is expected to increase to $11/hour for existing contracts and up to $15/hour for new hires in many US states in 2022, it’s still good to aim higher and look for jobs that pay 20 an hour.

Here are good examples that these jobs exist:

Food Service

• Taco Time NW – This locally-owned, Mexican-style restaurant chain founded by the Tonkin family has been committed to raising the wages of their crew to “livable wages” and last increased the crew’s salary at the end of 2021.
• The Boston Beer Company – Brewers of this company earn about $24 an hour.
• McCain Foods USA, Inc. – Production specialists at the food production company earn between $20 and $25 an hour.
• Mccormick & Co Inc. – If you’re looking for factory jobs in the food production industry, you can earn over $20 an hour as a blending machine operator.
• Land O’Lakes, Inc. – This farmer-owned food production cooperative pays machine operators starting at $20 an hour, while their maintenance mechanics get over $25/hour.
• The Kraft Heinz Company – Quality specialists at this company earn at least $22 per hour. Kraft Heinz is home to over 20 food brands, so expect availabilities in factories near you.
• Danone – One of the world’s largest food companies, Danone hires warehouse workers (for $20/hour), parts clerks (for $24/hour), and product packers (for $28/hour).
• Conagra Brands – Join the Conagra Brands team as a production operator and earn over $22/hour.

Healthcare

• Biogen – This biotech company develops therapies for autoimmune and neurological diseases. 75% of jobs at Biogen begin at over $20 an hour.
• Merck – About 78% of Merck’s employees are happy with their jobs. QA specialists, for example, earn about $25/hour, while research scientists earn over $30/hour.
• Pfizer – 37% of Pfizer’s employees work from home. Entry-level positions also earn about $28 to $30 an hour.
• Gilead Sciences – 91% of employees here feel that their job has meaning thanks to childcare options, tuition reimbursement, and the ability to buy company stock. For example, interns here earn over $25/hour, associate scientists begin with a $30/hour paycheck, and sales specialists could earn as high as $70/hour.
• AbbVie – This Illinois-based pharma company is known to pay its employees 6% above the market. Medreps at Abbvie earn $40/hour.
• Johnson & Johnson – This global company is present in 30 countries with 130,000 employees. R&D jobs begin at $25/hour, while admin positions start at around $20 an hour.
• Amgen – This company, which has developed several cancer treatments, is known to pay its employees high with educational opportunities and technical training. Average entry-level jobs at Amgen are paid around $23/hour.

Jobs that Pay 20 an Hour in Entertainment and Travel

• FILMLESS – This growing production company produces video content for a TON of clients. Their video editors earn around $27 to $35 an hour.
• Meta Design – With locations around the world, Meta Design employs multimedia artists with salaries ranging from $35 to $70 per hour.
• Guitar Center – This leading retailer of musical instruments hires sound engineering technicians across the country. They earn about $20 to $55 an hour.
• Chanel – When it comes to the fashion industry, Chanel is the most desired company to work for not only because of its renowned name but also because it takes care of its people. The mid-level fashion designers here earn about $35 an hour.

Retail

It is very rare to get paid over $20/hour in the retail industry, except if the positions or supervisory or managerial levels. As such, if you’ve got the experience, you can try your luck with these jobs that pay 20 an hour or more:

• Hobby Lobby – Retail managers here earn between $27 and $36 an hour. The company’s full-time workers begin at $18.50 (a starting wage that’s way higher than many retail companies in the country).
• Crate and Barrel – Customer service managers here earn about $50 per hour.
• Walmart – Since late 2020, Walmart has increased wages for its 165,000 employees around the country. Store managers here can earn starting at $35 per hour.
• Costco – Not only has Costco a reputation for being an exceptional employer, they also pay higher than average. Their Costco mid-level associates earn about $20 an hour.
• Ulta Beauty – Purchasing managers at this makeup and beauty supply store earn about $60 an hour.

Jobs that Pay 20 an Hour in Business, IT, and Finance

• Century 21 – As one of the biggest real estate companies in the country with over 122,000 real estate agents under their wing (as of Q1 2021), Century 21 is an in-demand company. Its real estate agents earn a minimum of $24 an hour.
• SAP America – This company’s software sales representatives earn $55 an hour. But what makes this job super sought after because they also receive up to $100k commissions.
• McDermott Will & Emery – This Chicago-based law firm is known to pay the highest in the industry. Even their paralegals earn between $22 and $35 an hour depending on experience.
• Zco – This app development firm is a frontrunner in the field and hires the best mobile app developers for over $50/hour. (Note that entry-level mobile app developers earn $30 an hour in the industry).
• Deloitte – The company has 55000 employees across 80 offices in the US. Their mid-level bookkeepers earn above $20 per hour.

Online Work-from-Home Jobs that Pay 20 an Hour

For some people, working from home is a priority. It could be because of convenience (no more commute), cost-effectiveness (no need to pay for childcare), or a newfound love for staying at home when they had to work from home due to the covid19 in 2020.

No matter what your reasons for hunting online work may be, these jobs that pay 20 an hour may sound appealing to you:

• Buffer – If you know your way around social media, digital marketing, and the works, you can land jobs at Buffer that pays 20 an hour.
• Intuit – Got experience balancing sheets, reconciling credit cards, and performing other bookkeeping tasks? You can earn up to $22/hour as a remote, part-time Intuit bookkeeper.
• Magoosh – You’ll need a bachelor’s degree to help students with standardized tests, like the ACT or GED. The job pays $25 an hour.
• nThrive – Experienced medical coders with AHIMA credentials and experience in a hospital setting can apply as an at-home medical coder and earn $25 an hour at nThrive.
• Proofreading Pal – Earn $20/hour for proofreading if you have a graduate degree with editing skills and experience with APA, MLA, CMS, and other writing styles.
• Scribe Media – Experienced editors can help authors with their work and be generously compensated $45 to $50 an hour.
• TeleReach – Open only to US-based applicants, become a work-at-home appointment setter for TeleReach and earn up to $25/hour.
• Chegg (formerly InstaEDU) – Become a tutor for Chegg and help college-level students with business, engineering, math, and sciences subjects to earn $20/hour.
• Wonder – For excellent researchers and writers, you can earn between $20 and $30 an hour if you become one of the company’s “Wonder Researchers.”

The Bottom Line

Of course, it’s human nature to seek greener pastures, so enjoy browsing these jobs that pay 20 an hour. I hope you find vacancies available in these companies and industries.

If you’re looking for more opportunities with offers above minimum wage, don’t miss my post about jobs that pay $15 an hour as well.

If you can afford to take your sweet time looking for the perfect job, you can do these weird ways to make money online, make your car work for you by renting it out or getting paid to drive, enjoy nature jobs if you love the Great Outdoors, or embark on 10 of the best sporty jobs you can do from home.

On the hunt for the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durable?

Makes sense.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this industry is expected to grow at a rate of 9% over the next decade, which is more competitive than occupations across all other industries.

But before you learn about the employment opportunities that this industry can offer you, let’s get a refresher on what consumer goods mean.

Durable vs. Non-Durable Consumer Goods

Consumer goods are market-ready commodities produced for the people to “consume” immediately. They’re grouped into two types: durable and non-durable consumer goods.

• Durable consumer goods are products that people can use repeatedly or stored for years. Examples include furniture, vehicles, home appliances, gadgets, gardening tools, etc.
• Non-durable consumer goods are products that people use only once and are replaced with new ones when consumed. Examples of them include food, drinks, medicine, toiletries like toothpaste and tissue paper, and so on.

As you can imagine, the non-durable consumer goods industry can be massive.

But if you’re planning to change careers, or you’re mulling over a college degree you wish to pursue, learning about the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables is smart.

Check out my other post on the 12 best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables and to explore even more industries with high-paying jobs.

9 Industries with Best-Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables

Check out the best industries and occupations to get into when you wish to focus your career in consumer non-durables:

1. Food and Drink Production

The need for food will always be #1 priority for any country. The includes food for us humans and even for our pets.

Companies that have stood the test of time in this industry include Coca-Cola, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Nestle, among others. High-paying positions in the food production industry:

• Quality & Food Safety director (Up to 90,000/year)
• Flavorist ($97,000 to $155,000/year)
• Food scientists ($55,000 to $87,000/year)
• Food managers ($80,000 to $110,000/year)
• Value chain and logistics specialists ($65,000 to $80,000/year)
• Product designers ($73,000 to $106,000/year)

2. Pharmaceutical Production

Medicine and other pharmaceutical items are essential goods for both people and animals. We need our vitamins, supplements, and medications to lead healthy lives and get better if we fall sick.

The pharmaceutical industry is BIG and has plenty of space for researchers, scientists, production laborers, and other professionals.

Big Pharma companies making a big chunk of the global revenue include large multinationals like Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck & Co., Eli Lilly, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, among others. These are some of the highest-paid occupations in these R&D-heavy biotechs:

• Pharmaceutical financial analysts ($70,000 to $85,000)
• Pharmaceutical sales representative ($75,000 to $90,000)
• Research scientist ($105,000 to $120,000)
• Drug manufacturer ($115,000 to $130,000)
• Biotechnology consultant ($130,000 to $150,000)

3. Cosmetics Manufacturing

The cosmetics industry isn’t just about make-up.

Soaps, perfumes, and even toiletries like shampoo and toilet paper make up this industry, so you can expect how people would need this market to continuously be producing goods for them.

Some of the fastest-growing non-durable consumer good companies include Unilever Group, Procter & Gamble, L’Oreal, Estée Lauder, Shiseido and Beiersdorf (among others) with high-paying job positions such as:

• Quality Operations Manager ($50,000 to $60,000)
• Chemical operations manager ($70,000 to $80,000)
• Cosmetic Research Scientist or Makeup chemist ($80,000 to $105,000)

4. Clothing Industry

There is always a place for you in the apparel industry. You don’t need to be super-rich to require clothing, so it’s safe to say that this industry will continue to be an essential part of our society.

Big brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Zara, H&M, Lululemon, and Burberry continue to hire high-paying jobs such as:

• Fashion merchandise buyer ($125,000 or higher)
• Design Director ($170,000 to $180,000)
• Apparel Creative Director ($180,000 to $200,000)

5. Footwear industry

While this can easily be part of the fashion industry above, the footwear world can stand on its own thankfully because of brands like Nike, Adidas, Skechers, New Balance, Deckers, and Crocs (among others) that make the sector extremely competitive.

If you’re a sneakerhead or a fan of any of these shoe brands, check out the following job positions that pay the most:

• Innovation Engineer ($75,000 to $113,000)
• Shoe designer ($75,000 to $88,000)
• Shoe merchandise buyer ($50,000 to $70,000)
• Visual merchandiser ($50,000 to $65,000)

6. Farm Goods & Agricultural Equipment Production

Just like our need for food and drink, any agricultural products and equipment are also part of evergreen industries. This sector doesn’t include agricultural equipment manufacturing but includes non-durable goods like pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemical products.

CF Industries Holdings Inc, The Mosaic Company, and Nutrien Ltd. are the biggest company in this industry. Highest-paying jobs in this consumer non-durable industry include:

• Agricultural economist ($77,000 to $85,000)
• Agricultural biochemist ($56,000 to $76,000)
• Agricultural operations manager ($59,000 to $140,000)
• Environmental Engineer ($92,000 to $120,000)
• Agriculture lawyer ($72,000 to $160,000)

7. Paper Manufacturing

Paper is a commodity that we need for schools, offices, and the publishing sector. We need paper for our books, tissue paper, newspapers, notebooks, and more.

The 10 biggest paper production companies in the world include two from the USA: International Paper and WestRock. If you’re interested in joining this industry, here are the high-paying positions you should aim for:

• Digester operators ($45,000 to $58,000)
• Beater engineer ($36,000 to $66,000)
• Paper chemist ($73,000 to $82,000)

8. Plastics Production

We use plastics in virtually everything these days (even if we’ve been trying to reduce their use to help the environment), but the reality is gadget cases, home decor, toys, and everything in between uses plastics.

The demand is unfortunately not going to wane anytime soon as proven by BIG plastic manufacturers like Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc, and Eastman Chemical Company.

High-paying jobs in this non-durable consumer goods industry include:

• Supplier Quality Engineer ($87,000 to $120,000)
• Blowmold Supervisor ($70,000 to $90,000)
• Senior manufacturing engineer ($100,000 to $140,000)

9. Oil and Gas Sector

The oil and gasoline industry is in need of many engineers and professionals in IT, marketing, production, and a wide range of industries.

The oil and gas industry is not only a MAJOR player in the US economy, but it is also expected to thrive for years to come, with major oil companies like Devon Energy, Phillips 66, and Marathon Petroleum expecting huge profits.

Check out some of the high-paying jobs in the oil and gas sector:

• Petroleum geologist ($70,500 to $85,000)
• Drilling engineer ($75,000 to $100,000)
• Director of safety ($85,000 to $110,000)
• Lease purchase operator ($100,000 to $120,000)

Not Interested in these Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables?

The consumer nondurables industry is a good career path because it offers stability.

We’ve experienced this during the past few years and how essentials (food, medicine, and other consumer nondurables) are most important during economic downturns.

The jobs above also offer opportunities for growth, so if you’re afraid of becoming obsolete, you shouldn’t worry about that here as the population will just continue to grow and the demand for consumer nondurables will also increase.

But if you’re not interested in the jobs I showcased here, even if they offer exceptional pay, check out these 12 best jobs for the future to future-proof your career. There are also the following guides in different industries, such as:

• 80 online non-phone jobs
• 12 Best digital nomad jobs you can do from anywhere in the world
• Remote Human Resources Jobs
• 10 Types of Work From Home Overnight Jobs

Maybe you’re interested in a work-from-home job but with benefits, or prefer to learn how to make money online fast instead.