Why are you scrolling for jobs? When you could reclaim time and move your career forward, on your terms.
Searching for the best-paying jobs in capital goods? We’ve got you covered. Capital goods is an industry that impacts society on a global scale. These careers are meaningful and make an impact. There are many careers in varying specialties, all within capital goods. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level job or a more seasoned position, there’s a job for you in this field.
Quickstart Guide To Landing A Job In Capital Goods
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15 Of The Best Paying Capital Goods Jobs
1. Engineering Manager
Median National Salary: $159,920/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 201,500
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 4% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: An Engineering Manager is responsible for overseeing engineering teams, including setting project goals, managing resources, and ensuring technical excellence in product development. They must be knowledgeable about engineering principles, project management, and industry standards, and use communication and leadership skills to guide and support engineering staff, while ensuring that projects meet technical requirements and timelines.
2. Software Developer
Median National Salary: $124,200/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 1,795,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 25% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A software developer is responsible for designing, coding, and testing software applications or systems, as well as maintaining and updating existing software. They must be knowledgeable about programming languages, software development methodologies, and industry best practices, and use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address technical issues related to software performance, while ensuring that the software meets user requirements and industry standards.
Do you want to work as a software developer? Learn how to create a software developer resume.
3. Mechanical Engineer
Median National Salary: $96,350/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 327,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 12% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A mechanical engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical devices, tools, and machines, using principles of engineering, physics, and materials science. They must be knowledgeable about mechanical design, thermodynamics, and manufacturing processes, and use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address technical issues related to mechanical systems, while ensuring that the designs meet performance, safety, and cost requirements.
If this career path sounds interesting to you, start by learning how to write a mechanical engineer resume.
4. Management Analyst
Median National Salary: $95,290/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 987,600
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 10% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A management analyst is responsible for studying an organization's processes, identifying areas for improvement, and recommending solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity. They must be knowledgeable about business operations, data analysis, and project management, using analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address technical issues related to organizational performance, while ensuring that their recommendations align with the organization's goals and objectives.
5. Manufacturing Director
Median National Salary: $101,480/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 505,800
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A manufacturing director is responsible for overseeing the production processes, ensuring efficiency, quality control, and adherence to safety regulations. They must be knowledgeable about manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and production scheduling, using leadership and problem-solving skills to manage staff, optimize production processes, and ensure that the manufacturing operations meet industry standards and organizational goals.
6. Warehouse Worker
Median National Salary: $34,960/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 7,099,400
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A warehouse worker is responsible for receiving, storing, and organizing goods within a warehouse, as well as preparing orders for shipment and maintaining inventory records. They must be knowledgeable about warehouse operations, safety procedures, and inventory management, using physical and organizational skills to ensure that the warehouse functions efficiently and that goods are handled and stored appropriately.
Do you want to learn more about this role? Read our warehouse worker job description to get a look inside the duties and responsibilities.
7. Robotics Engineer
Median National Salary: $96,3110/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 286,100
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 10% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A robotics engineer is responsible for designing, building, and testing robotic systems and components, using principles of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. They must be knowledgeable about robotics technologies, control systems, and artificial intelligence, using analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address technical issues related to robotic design and performance, while ensuring that the systems meet functional requirements and safety standards.
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8. Electrical Engineer
Median National Salary: $104,610/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 299,700
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: An electrical engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and equipment, using principles of engineering, physics, and mathematics. They must be knowledgeable about electrical design, power systems, and electronics, using analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address technical issues related to electrical systems, while ensuring that designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
9. Senior Electrical Engineer
Median National Salary: $124,503/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 299,700
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A senior electrical engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing the design, development, and testing of electrical systems and equipment, as well as providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers. They must be knowledgeable about advanced electrical design, power systems, and electronics, using their extensive experience to identify and address complex technical issues related to electrical systems, while ensuring that designs meet performance, safety, and regulatory requirements.
10. General Operations Manager
Median National Salary: $100,090/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 3,787,800
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 3% (As fast as average)
Job Duties: A general operations manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of an organization, including managing staff, developing operational strategies, and ensuring that the organization meets its goals and objectives. They must be knowledgeable about business operations, leadership, and strategic planning, using their management and problem-solving skills to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and effectively while meeting industry standards and legal requirements.
11. Manufacturing Engineer
Median National Salary: $96,350/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 327,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 12% (Much faster than average)
Job Duties: A manufacturing engineer is responsible for designing and improving manufacturing processes, developing production schedules, and ensuring that products are manufactured efficiently and cost-effectively. They must be knowledgeable about manufacturing technologies, process optimization, and quality control, using their technical and problem-solving skills to identify and address issues related to production processes, while ensuring that the manufacturing operations meet industry standards and organizational goals.
12. Metallurgical Engineer
Median National Salary: $100,140/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 22,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: Metallurgical engineers are responsible for studying the properties and behaviors of metals, and developing processes for extracting, refining, and manufacturing metal products. They use their knowledge of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering principles to analyze and improve metal production processes, ensuring that the resulting materials meet performance, safety, and quality standards.
13. Customer Service Representative
Median National Salary: $37,780/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 2,982,900
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -5% (Decline)
Job Duties: A customer service representative is responsible for addressing customer inquiries, resolving complaints, and providing information about products or services. They use their communication and problem-solving skills to ensure that customers receive efficient and satisfactory assistance while representing the company in a professional and courteous manner.
Do you want to learn more about customer service representatives? Read our customer service representative job description to learn about all the duties and responsibilities for this role.
14. Quality Assurance Manager
Median National Salary: $43,900/year
Education Required: High school diploma
Number of Jobs: 595,400
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -4% (Decline)
Job Duties: A quality assurance manager is responsible for developing and implementing quality control systems, ensuring that products and services meet industry standards and customer requirements. They use their knowledge of quality management principles and analytical skills to identify areas for improvement, establish quality metrics, and oversee the implementation of quality assurance processes within an organization.
15. Petroleum Geologist
Median National Salary: $87,480/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 26,300
Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)
Job Duties: A petroleum geologist is responsible for studying the Earth's subsurface to identify and analyze potential oil and gas reserves. They use their expertise in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to assess the feasibility of drilling and extraction, contributing to the exploration and production of petroleum resources.
What Is The Capital Goods Industry?
Capital goods are goods used in the production process to make other products, like consumer goods. Capital goods (sometimes called durable goods) are one of the major drivers responsible for fueling business.
Some examples of capital goods include:
- Factories
- Buildings
- Machines
- Tools
- Equipment
Capital goods are necessary for business. Many come with a high price tag but, if you consider the use over the life, it’s a smart and needed investment in the business.
For example, a bakery may need a commercial oven that can bake 10 cakes at a time which costs $30,000. If you consider that oven will last 20 years, each year the bakery would account for $1,500 (or 1/20th of the cost) and this essential investment may be a much-needed asset for the company.
Requirements And Skills For The Capital Goods Industry
Capital goods careers have work requirements that vary according to the job but, having these soft skills are good to have to work in this industry:
- Communication skills: Being a strong communicator means you’re an active listener, you can receive feedback well, provide feedback yourself, and practice emotional intelligence.
- Work ethic: A strong work ethic is about being a hard worker. You’re dedicated and take pride in the work you do.
- Teamwork: Working in a team setting is about being able to work with others well. You know when to lead and when to follow. You know your work within the team is important and plays a critical role in the project.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are about being able to think through a problem on the spot and come to a solution, even for complex issues.
Pros and Cons of Working in Capital Goods
Like many industries, there are benefits and drawbacks of working in capital goods. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider before deciding to work in this field.
Pros of Capital Goods Careers
- Career advancement opportunities
- Lucrative salary
- High-paying entry-level roles available
- Personally enriching work
- Excellent work-life balance
Cons of Capital Goods Careers
- Labor-intensive roles for many careers
- The highest-paid capital goods jobs require upper education (a college degree)
Working in capital goods means you’ll be working in a growing field that offers job security, an opportunity to advance, higher wages, and the opportunity to serve an industry that’s such an important part of the global economy.
There are a variety of different jobs available, with many blue-collar and entry-level roles open. These jobs are a good fit for workers new to the workforce who may not have the skills, experience, or education to have a higher-level career.
But, with time and experience in capital goods, the opportunity is there to grow with the industry and advance into a more seasoned position, like that of a manager, director, or engineer.
How Do You Get A Good-Paying Capital Goods Job?
Landing a good-paying career in capital goods boils down to having the background, skills, and education to do the work. Once you have the requirements down, next, you’ll want to prepare your professional resume that will accompany your application when applying for jobs.
One of the best ways to get your resume ready for a job search is to use a professional resume service. These are the best resume writing services that we recommend. Resume writing services are affordable and a great way to work with a professional on your resume.
Best Places To Find High-Paying Capital Goods Jobs
You can find the best-paying capital goods jobs here:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is one of the best job search banks online, home to millions of job listings. They offer many resources that let you search for salaries, read job seeker reviews, get job seeker support, and more.
Check out our ZipRecruiter review to learn more.
Discover Your Dream Job Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.
Indeed
Indeed is an online job search website. You can find jobs, search for salaries, and read company reviews. You can find thousands of jobs in capital goods. A quick search for a manufacturing engineer in the United States turned up over 50,000 results!
Check out our Indeed review to learn more.
Google Jobs
Google Jobs has many capital goods job listings posted for hire. This online job search website is easy to search through so you can find the right capital goods job you’re looking for.
Check out our Google Jobs review to learn more.
The Bottom Line
Working in capital goods can be a fruitful and rewarding career. These jobs are critical to the global economy and each role performs important work that impacts the lives of people worldwide.
When you’re ready to begin your career search, visit ZipRecruiter to get started!
