Top 15 Best Paying Jobs in Basic Industries and Salaries in 2025

When it comes to building a safe and strong economy, basic industries play an important role. So today I will share the top 15 best paying jobs in basic industries and salaries in 2025. Basic industries are the backbone of the economy, producing goods and services that are exported or sold outside their local area. These industries include construction, manufacturing, energy, agriculture, mining, and transportation. If you’re wondering what basic industries jobs pay, you’ll be pleased to know that many roles in these sectors offer competitive salaries. These jobs also do not need any degree or certificate. As we look ahead to 2025, certain high-income skills and jobs will be in high demand, offering excellent earning potential.

Here are some of the best-paying jobs in basic industries and their projected salaries for 2025:

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Top 15 Best Paying Jobs in Basic Industries and Salaries in 2025

1. Electricians and Plumbers

Industry: Construction, Utilities
Salary Range (2025): $80,000–$100,000+
Trade skills like electricians and plumbers are essential for infrastructure development and maintenance. These jobs require technical expertise and human problem-solving skills, making them difficult to automate.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), electricians and plumbers can expect to earn $80,000–$90,000 annually, with top earners in high-demand areas reaching six figures.

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2. Construction Managers

Industry: Construction
Salary Range (2025): $95,000–$120,000+
Construction managers oversee building projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. With the rise in infrastructure projects and urban development, this role will remain in high demand. Experienced construction managers can earn over $100,000 annually.For more insights, check out Salary.com’s data on construction manager salaries.

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3. Airplane Mechanics

Industry: Transportation
Salary Range (2025): $70,000–$90,000+
Airplane mechanics are critical for maintaining and repairing aircraft, ensuring safety and efficiency in the transportation industry. As air travel continues to grow, the demand for skilled mechanics will increase, with salaries ranging from 70,000 to 90,000 or more. Learn more about this career path from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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4. Data Analysts

Industry: Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing
Salary Range (2025): $85,000–$110,000+
Data analysts are essential in basic industries for optimizing production, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. For example, in agriculture, data analysts might study crop yields, while in manufacturing, they analyze supply chain efficiency. With the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making, data analysts can expect to earn $–$110,000 annually.To learn more about the tools and skills required, consider taking a course on Coursera or Udemy.

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5. Software Developers

Industry: Manufacturing, Energy, Agriculture
Salary Range (2025): 100,000–130,000+
Software developers are needed in basic industries to create and maintain systems for automation, logistics, and production management. For instance, the energy sector uses software for drilling operations, while manufacturing relies on software for supply chain management. Software developers in these industries can earn six figures or more.For instance, the energy sector uses software for drilling operations. Explore software development courses on edX.

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6. Cybersecurity Specialists

Industry: Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing
Salary Range (2025): 90,000–120,000+
As basic industries like energy and manufacturing become more digitized, the need for cybersecurity professionals grows. These specialists protect sensitive information and infrastructure from cyberattacks. With the rise in cyber threats, cybersecurity specialists can expect to earn $90,000–$120,000 or more annually.

For more information on certifications and career paths, visit CompTIA’s website.

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7. Heavy Equipment Operators

Industry: Construction, Mining
Salary Range (2025): $60,000–$80,000+
Heavy equipment operators are essential for construction and mining projects, operating machinery like bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. With the growth in infrastructure and resource extraction, this role will remain in demand, offering salaries of 60,000–80,000 or more. Learn more about training programs through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

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8. Petroleum Engineers

Industry: Energy
Salary Range (2025): $120,000–$150,000+
Petroleum engineers play a key role in the energy sector, designing and developing methods for extracting oil and gas. With the ongoing demand for energy, petroleum engineers can expect to earn 120,000–150,000 or more annually. For more details, visit the American Petroleum Institute (API).

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9. Agricultural Managers

Industry: Agriculture
Salary Range (2025): $70,000–$90,000+
Agricultural managers oversee farm operations, ensuring efficient production of crops and livestock. With the growing focus on sustainable farming and food security, this role will remain critical, offering salaries of 70,000–90,000 or more. For more information, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

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10. Mining and Geological Engineers

Industry: Mining
Salary Range (2025): 100,000–130,000+
Mining and geological engineers design mines and develop methods for extracting minerals. As the demand for minerals and metals grows, these engineers can expect to earn 100,000–130,000 or more annually. Learn more about this career from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).

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11. Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Industry: Manufacturing
Salary Range (2025): $60,000–$80,000+
Industrial machinery mechanics maintain and repair equipment used in manufacturing plants. With the rise of automation, skilled mechanics will be in high demand, earning 60,000–80,000 or more annually. For more insights, visit Glassdoor’s salary data.

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12. Wind Turbine Technicians

Industry: Energy
Salary Range (2025): $60,000–$80,000+
As the world shifts toward renewable energy, wind turbine technicians will be in high demand to install, maintain, and repair wind turbines. Salaries for this role are expected to range from 60,000 to 80,000 or more. Learn more about this career from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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13. Logistics Managers

Industry: Transportation, Manufacturing
Salary Range (2025): $80,000–$100,000+
Logistics managers oversee the movement of goods and materials, ensuring efficient supply chain operations. With the growth in global trade, this role will remain critical, offering salaries of $–$100,000 or more annually.For more information, visit the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

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14. Environmental Engineers

Industry: Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing
Salary Range (2025): $90,000–$110,000+
Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental challenges, such as pollution control and sustainable resource management. With the growing focus on sustainability, this role will be in high demand, offering salaries of $90,000–$110,000 or more annually.Learn more from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES).

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15. Sales Representatives (Industrial Equipment)

Industry: Manufacturing, Energy, Construction
Salary Range (2025): $80,000–$120,000+
Sales representatives who specialize in industrial equipment, machinery, or raw materials play a key role in driving revenue for basic industries. With strong people skills and industry knowledge, these professionals can earn 80,000–120,000 or more annually.For more insights, check out Payscale’s salary data.

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Conclusion

The basic industries sector offers a wide range of high-paying jobs that will remain in demand through 2025 and beyond. Explore trade skills, data analysis, software development, or engineering for lucrative careers in essential industries.

By investing in the right skills, you can be successful in one of these top-paying jobs in basic industries.