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Yes, Consumer Non-Durables is an excellent career choice. There are a lot of options and flexibility in this field, leaving it open to a lot of different tastes. It also makes it possible to change career paths while maintaining your knowledge and experience in the field.
Non-durable goods are goods that are expected to be used within three years. That includes food, clothing, alcohol, and cosmetics. That means that even when the economy is suffering, the sales of non-durable goods remain steady. Therefore, this industry tends to remain strong even when other sectors are struggling.
17 Great Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables
Consumer non-durables is a wide-ranging industry, meaning that there are many different opportunities in the field. Whether you’re interested in food, alcohol, or cosmetics, there’s something here to catch your interest.
10 of the Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables
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Average Annual Salary: $63,000
A Food Technologist is responsible for planning the production of food and drinks on a large scale. This means that you have to be familiar with culinary science, as well as health standards and regulations – which are very strict.
It’s a largely independent position, meaning you have to be confident and have excellent communication skills, as you’ll be working with suppliers as well as managers in your own company.
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Average Annual Salary: $82,000
If you love food and want to share your love and knowledge of it with others, a food editor position is for you. Food editors’ writing ranges from articles on how to cook and bake and good restaurants in the area to the best cooking supplies.
They have to have knowledge of culinary science as well as be familiar with the editing and writing standards of their publication.
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Average Annual Salary: $82,000
A shoe designer does exactly what it sounds like: they design shoes. They have to be good with designs, materials, and aesthetics – such as color choice. They may work independently or for a major company, such as Nike. If you love footwear and are artistic and creative, this is a good career choice.
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Average Annual Salary: $54,000
Restaurant general managers are responsible for the entire restaurant, from the culinary aspect to layout, to seating, to customer service.
The salary for this position will vary wildly depending on what sort of restaurant you manage, whether or not you’re the owner and the size of the establishment. This position requires considerable experience, and if you manage a successful restaurant, then you can be paid quite well.
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Average Annual Salary: $68,000
Someone in this role has to be very familiar not only with culinary arts but chemistry as well. This is the science of high-scale food production and preservation. Food scientists come up with the best ingredients to get the proper texture, flavor, and longevity of foodstuffs.
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Average Annual Salary: $53,000
If you’re an expert in culinary arts but don’t want to work in the foodservice industry, an instructor is an excellent choice. Many vocational schools have programs and classes on the culinary arts.
Instructors not only have to be extremely knowledgeable about their subject but be able to express that knowledge in a way that makes sense to someone who isn’t an expert.
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Average Annual Salary: $58,000
Winemakers are in charge of the process of crafting wine. Many vocational schools offer the necessary classes to learn about the fermentation process. There are myriad types of wine, and equally many types of vineyards, meaning that your duties and pay will vary depending on where you are and how much experience you have.
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Average Annual Salary: $51,000
The executive chef manages the culinary side of a restaurant. They are in charge of any changes made to the menu as well as making sure that quality is up to snuff. Not all executive chefs work in restaurants; they can be employed anywhere with a cafeteria. This can range from hotels to hospitals or even large businesses.
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Average Annual Salary: $67,000
This is a job that requires strong customer service skills as well as extensive knowledge of clothes. Clothiers often do custom work for customers, be it alterations or making bespoke garments. They can work independently or with a store, such as one that specializes in men’s suits or a bridal shop.
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Average Annual Salary: $75,000
Like all designers, clothes designers require high levels of creativity. They have to understand different types of fabric, how it reacts once sewn together, as well as clothing styles. Not all clothes designers are going to work in high fashion – clothing companies such as Lee need designers to come up with new designs all the time.
The majority of these careers require higher levels of education as well as experience. While there’s demand for these positions, it might be better to get a start elsewhere. If you want to break into the industry, the below jobs are something to take a look at.
10 Entry-Level Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables
Not all of these jobs require a college degree, though some do. Several of them are good choices for an entire career, while others are better as an interim job or a way to get experience in your desired field.
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Average Annual Salary: $39,000
Demand for delivery drivers has skyrocketed in recent years. It’s hard to say whether it’ll stay equally high or degrade back to where it was a few years ago. Either way, the necessity for delivery drivers will never entirely disappear.
This is mainly associated with food delivery – particularly pizza – but a number of other industries are pushing to start having their goods delivered as well.
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Average Annual Salary: $27,000
This is an age-old profession. The majority of butchers are now employed by grocery stores, and they work in the back, handling and preparing the meat to put in the display.
There are also specialty butchers at smaller stores and local farms., as well as many that work in meatpacking. The majority of these positions are going to have on-the-job training, meaning it’s easy to step into this job.
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Average Annual Salary: $33,000
A beauty advisor is a specialty retail employee. They work within the beauty industry, typically for a specific store, such as Sephora or Ulta Beauty. They need to be interested in and knowledgeable about cosmetics and beauty products, as well as have good customer service skills.
Most of the training is done on the job and continued through exposure to different beauty supplies and others who are interested in the subject.
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Average Annual Salary: $40,000
Estheticians’ job is to beautify people. They mainly work in spas or dermatology clinics, though they aren’t confined to those places. In order to do this job, you need to have a strong understanding of cosmetics and skincare products, as well as excellent communication skills.
Your job would be to advise customers on the best products and treatments for their skin, as well as be able to explain procedures, especially if you work in a medical setting.
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Average Annual Salary: $30,000
There are several different paths you can take from this job as a way to advance your career. Chocolatiers work with chocolate, making chocolate confections.
Depending on where they work – whether it’s their own shop or part of a larger company – their salary and experience can vary greatly. Culinary schools are a great way to learn what you need, but many chocolatiers also apprentice.
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Average Annual Salary: $37,000
Many people will spend their entire career in this job. Hairstylists are highly in demand, with hair salons of various types everywhere. Going to cosmetology school is recommended, but an apprenticeship is also an option.
You have to have strong customer service skills, as well as being good at communication and having a strong interest in beautification.
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Trucker
Average Annual Salary: N/A
Whether it’s food, clothing, or makeup, all of it needs to be transported. Truckers work long hours driving, and they are absolutely essential for our economy. In order to do this job, you need to get a special license which will require training and passing an exam.
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Average Annual Salary: $42,000
Brewers make beer. This can either be in their own brewery or for a major beer company. Vocational schools and community colleges often have courses on brewing, teaching you zymology as well as industrial techniques.
Microbreweries are extremely popular at the moment, meaning that brewers are likely to be in demand. And as brewing beer is one of the most ancient arts of civilization, it’s unlikely that brewers will go anywhere anytime soon.
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Baker
Average Annual Salary: N/A
If you like baking, then this could be a job for you. Bakers prepare bread and other baked goods for customers. This can either be at a grocery store, a bakery, a commercial kitchen, or their own store. Culinary institutes offer instruction on baking and various pastries, as well as food safety.
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Average Annual Salary: $31,000
A grocery associate works at a grocery store. Duties can include stocking, helping customers, and running the cash register. They’re also expected to do minor cleaning duties, as well as make sure the store looks presentable. It is possible to specialize in a department, as well as move up into management roles.
Many of these jobs don’t require a college degree but instead apprenticeship or vocational education. They can either be your entire career, a start in the industry, or something to do while working on higher education.
Why Choose a Career in Consumer Non-Durables?
Consumer non-durables are necessary goods and services that are still in demand even in economic downturns. This means that jobs in this sector are less likely to be hit by a bad economy – with a few exceptions. Here are some traits to consider if you’re looking for a job in this sector.
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You like working with the public. While not all of the jobs here are customer-facing, many of them are. And even if you aren’t working with them directly, you’re often making something that is directly consumed by them – with the exception of designers.
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Having a hands-on aspect is important to you. While not every job listed here is hands-on, the majority of them are. Whether you’re preparing food, helping someone with their skincare, or designing a product, it’s all working with your hands.
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You like to see the direct results of your work. Almost all of these jobs have a finished product at the end. Whether it’s something you designed, something you made, or something you wrote, all of them have something to point to when you’re done.
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Getting a four-year degree isn’t a priority. Many of the careers in this field don’t require one. So if you want to avoid debt or just don’t like school, you can get a good career without one.
In many of these occupations, you can strike out on your own, as well. If you’re interested in foodservice, you can start your own restaurant or bakery. This gives you a lot of flexibility in your choices as well as more autonomy.
If the above list sounds like it describes you, then you should absolutely consider a career in consumer non-durables.
Education and Certification Requirements for a Career in Consumer Non-Durables
A four-year degree isn’t a requirement for many of these jobs. However, if you’re looking to get one, here are some suggestions.
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Cosmetology. This has several gradations. You can get either an associate’s or a bachelor’s in this; the bachelor’s is the highest level. Recommended if you want to be an esthetician.
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Design. While not offered at every school, it’s good for you if you’re interested in designing clothing or shoes.
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Apparel and Textiles. This is a bachelor of arts specialization if you’re interested in clothing design.
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Chemistry. If you’re interested in being a food scientist.
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Food Science. A more specific degree for food science.
For certifications, it’ll depend on your career choice.
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Cosmetology. In order to work in the cosmetology field, you need to be certified. You can get certified as:
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Electrologist
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Manicurist and pedicurist.
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Hairstylist
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Esthetician
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Culinary Arts. There are numerous certifications you can get to further your career. Here are a few.
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Certified Fundamentals Cook
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Certified Culinarian
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Certified Sous Chef
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Certified Chef de Cuisine.
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Certified Executive Chef
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Certified Master Chef
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Certified Culinary Administrator
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There are other certifications as well, and some states require more complicated licensing than others, so it’ll vary depending on where you are.
- Finance
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- Retail
Author
Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.
