Is Consumer Nondurables a Good Career Path? (With 7 Benefits)

Many professionals pursue a career in consumer nondurables because of the industry's size and number of job opportunities. Researching this field, as well as considering the benefits of pursuing a position in this industry, can help you determine if this career path is the right choice for you.

In this article, we review what a career in consumer nondurables is, analyze salary and job outlook information for this industry and discuss seven reasons to consider a career in this industry.

What is a consumer nondurables career?

A career in consumer nondurables involves producing or working with high replacement goods, such as clothing, cleaning products and food items. Many careers contribute to the production, distribution and sale of nondurable goods, which can make it an appealing option for job seekers. Some other consumer nondurable items in this field include:

• Cosmetics

• Petroleum products

• Footwear

• Paper products

• Beverages

Related: Classifying Consumer Products (With Examples)

Average salary for consumer nondurable careers

There are many careers in the consumer nondurable field. Review this list of positions you might find in this career field to understand more about the average salary for these types of positions. Salaries may vary based on experience, education, company and location. For the most up-to-date Indeed salary information, please click on the links below:

• Quality assurance analyst: $41,761 per year

• Production associate: $38,615 per year

• Communication specialist: $41,496 per year

• Benefits coordinator: $48,446 per year

• Brand manager: $65,647 per year

• Sales representative: $65,954 per year

• Human resources manager: $70,181 per year

• Information security analyst: $92,448 per year

• Network engineer: $89,329 per year

• Digital designer: $70,919 per year

Job outlook for consumer nondurable careers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on many professions within the nondurable career field. Review this list of careers to understand more about the job outlook for each profession:

• Human resources manager: 9% growth

• Marketing manager: 10% growth

• Information security analyst: 33% growth

• Industrial production manager: 5% growth

• Web developer: 13% growth

This growth between 2020 and 2030 is likely because of employees transitioning from the workforce, such as retirement or changing professions. Nondurable careers in the technology field may experience a higher increase due to companies transitioning to online retail platforms. Developing additional soft skills and technical abilities can also help job seekers increase their competitive advantage in the job market.

Related: Understanding the Consumer Market: Definition, Types and Market Targeting Tips

7 reasons a consumer nondurable career is a good career

Review this list of seven reasons to consider a career in consumer nondurable professions:

1. Professional growth opportunities

Many companies offer professional development opportunities to employees, which can help them develop additional skill sets. This can also help employees develop leadership skills, which can help them advance to supervisory roles within this organization. Some common professional development courses many companies offer include:

• Training and development

• Human resource fundamentals

• Leadership styles

• Finance and accounting

• IT basics

• Maintenance planning

• Safety

2. Employment benefits

Companies also offer a variety of employment benefits that promote individual health, wellness and financial stability. Many benefits that businesses offer include:

• Health, vision and dental insurance

• Life insurance

• Short- and long-term insurance

• Paid time off

• Employee stock purchase plans

• Wellness programs

• Retirement plans

3. International availability

Large organizations often have facilities in different regions and countries. If you're interested in traveling, experiencing other cultures and helping communities globally, a position in consumer nondurable professionals might be the right fit for you. Requesting internal transfers and reviewing job openings can help you find and fill international roles.

Related: What Is Consumer Surplus? (With Steps To Calculate It)

4. Job variety

Many career fields and industries contribute to the success of nondurable product sales. This can help you find career fields and positions that value your skills, experience and education. Different career fields in this industry include:

• Human resources

• Accounting

• Production

• Manufacturing

• Sales

• Marketing

• Supply chain

5. Productive culture

Many large companies in this industry have a highly productive work culture. Companies also often reward performance and productivity, which can improve employee satisfaction and improve the organization's competitive advantage in the market. Some culture items to identify when searching for a company in this industry include:

• Diversity

• Inclusivity

• Development

• Social responsibility

• Reputation

• Community involvement

6. Networking opportunities

Since there are many professionals and companies that contribute to consumer nondurable goods, this can provide employees with the opportunity to network with other professionals. This can help them understand more about the company, competitive market and consumer base because they can connect with a variety of industry experts. Networking can also help job seekers find new opportunities in this diverse market.

Related: What To Do at a Career Fair To Stand Out

7. Entry-level opportunities

There are many entry-level opportunities available to new job seekers and professionals newly entering this market. This can help professionals develop valuable skill sets, which can help them advance in their career plans. Many institutions also take part in career fairs, which can help high school and college students find valuable opportunities.

Tips for finding consumer nondurable careers

Understanding different methods for finding nondurable related careers can help you quickly find a position that values your skills and expertise. Review these tips to help you find your next career:

• Research nondurable companies: Researching different companies in the nondurable consumer goods industry can help you understand more about the organization's culture and values. This can also help you understand more about employee benefits that align with your lifestyle.

• Review job boards: Examining job boards can help you quickly find a variety of available positions with consumer nondurable organizations. Saving your search preferences and signing up for email notifications can help you learn about new positions faster.

• Examine company websites: Reviewing company websites and career pages can help you find available positions with specific companies. Many company career sites also offer job seekers the opportunity to email their resumes and cover letters so the company can consider them for new openings.