What do Consumer Non-Durables Jobs Pay?

Consumer non-durables is an interesting field with great scope for career growth. Learn how much they pay, the companies involved, and other details.

By Synkdup Editorial Team | 25 January 2024

The salary range in consumer non-durables jobs is really extensive; you can make anything from minimum wage to six figures in the industry. It depends entirely on the specific job position, company, and region.

Even if you consider the average pay, it is really hard to reach a specific number to establish what consumer non-durable jobs pay.

Different job portals suggest vastly varying figures, like $41,500 and $87,000 per year. The reasons for this disparity are pretty simple:

There are a wide variety of professions in the industry, and the salaries for these vary a lot. For example, a warehouse worker is as much a part of the industry as a brand manager. How much you can earn in the industry also depends a lot on which company you are working for. The industry includes all kinds of enterprises, from grocery stores and small-scale local companies to huge multinational companies. And the salaries for the same job in companies of different sizes vary a lot.

So in this article, we answer the question, "What do consumer non-durables jobs pay?" more elaborately by discussing important aspects of the topic, like types of jobs and famous companies in the industry.

What is Consumer Non-Durables (Consumer Durables vs Non-Durables)

Consumer goods are products that are produced for end-users (individuals or households) rather than for further manufacturing or resale. Consumer goods are broadly classified into two categories: durable consumer goods and non-durable consumer goods. Durable goods are goods that are intended for repeated use and that last a while, such as electrical appliances, furniture, and vehicles.

Non-durable consumer goods, on the other hand, are products that are used up relatively quickly; for example, packaged food and beverages, cosmetics, toiletries, over-the-counter drugs, cleaning products, and so on. They are also commonly referred to as high replacement goods or FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods).

What Companies are in the Consumer Non-Durables Sector?

One of the best things about starting a career in consumer non-durables is the presence of a myriad of renowned, multinational corporations in the industry. They pay well and provide a variety of monetary and non-monetary benefits to employees. You will find some of the most positive work cultures in these renowned companies. Here is a list of the top ten companies in the consumer non-durables sector:

1. Procter and Gamble

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $89,710)

Procter & Gamble is based in the U.S. and is one of the world’s largest and most well-known companies in the consumer non-durables sector. It has a wide variety of products in its portfolio, including baby care, grooming, baby care, cleaning products, and more. Some of its most popular brands include Oral-B, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, and Tide.

In 2022, Procter & Gamble had more than 101,000 employees around the world.

2. Nestle

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $85,425)

Headquartered in Switzerland, Nestle is the largest food and beverage company in the world. It operates in 188 countries and has over 200 brands in product categories like beverages, confectionery, and dairy products. Some of the most popular brands of the company include Maggi noodles, KitKat, and Nescafe.

In 2022, Nestle had more than 27,5000 employees around the world.

3. PepsiCo

(Average annual pay in the U.S. 84,491)

PepsiCo is the largest food and beverage company in North America and the second largest in the world after Nestle. It is headquartered in the United States and operates in more than 200 countries around the world. Its product categories mainly include carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages, and snacks like potato chips. Some of its most popular brands, besides the carbonated soft drink Pepsi, include Lay’s, Tropicana, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, and Cheetos.

In 2022, PepsiCo had about 315,000 employees worldwide.

4. LOreal

(Average annual pay in the U.S. 89,843)

LOreal is one of the world’s most prominent beauty and cosmetics companies. It is headquartered in France, and its product categories include skincare, haircare, makeup, fragrances, and personal care products. Some of its most popular brands include Maybelline New York, Garnier, CeraVe, and Redken.

In 2022, LOreal had more than 87,264 employees around the world.

5. Unilever

(Average annual pay in the U.S. 80,293)

Headquartered in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, Unilever is a major global player in the consumer non-durables sector. It has an extensive product portfolio that includes Beauty and Personal Care, Home Care, Foods and Refreshment, and Health and Well-being products. Some of its most popular brands include Vaseline, Dove, Sunsilk, and Axe.

In 2022, Unilever had more than 148,000 employees around the world.

6. The Coca-Cola Company

(Average annual pay in the U.S. 91,934)

Headquartered in the U.S., Coca-Cola is the largest soft-drink beverage company in the world and a major player in the consumer non-durables sector, mostly known for the carbonated soft drink Coca-Cola. The company’s products also include sports drinks, juices, ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and bottled water. Some of its most popular brands other than its flagship brand, Coca-Cola include Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, and Dasani.

In 2022, Coca-cola employed about 82,500 associates worldwide.

7. Johnson and Johnson

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $71,000)

Johnson and Johnson is one of the world's largest healthcare companies. It is based in the United States and operates in 60 countries worldwide. Its products are sold in over 175 countries. It mostly deals in products in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare devices. The most popular brands of Johnson and Johnson include Johnson’s Baby, Neutrogena, Tylenol, and Listerine.

In 2022, Johnson and Johnson had about 125,000 employees worldwide.

8. Christian Dior

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $81,442)

Commonly referred to as Dior, Christian Dior is a leading fashion brand headquartered in Paris, France. The company deals mainly in ready-to-wear women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and perfumes. Dior’s line of beauty products occupies a major place in the consumer non-durables sector. Some of Dior’s most well-known brands include Dior Couture, Dior Beauty, Dior Homme, and Miss Dior.

In 2022, Christian Dior had 147,715 employees in various countries.

9. Phillip Morris International

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $66,339)

Phillip Morris International is one of the largest tobacco corporations in the world and owns multiple popular cigarette companies. It is based in the U.S. and has a market spread over more than 180 countries. Some of its most well-known brands include Marlboro, Parliment, Chesterfield, L&M, and Bond Street.

In 2022, Phillip Morris had around 79,800 employees worldwide.

10. Kimberly Clark Corporation

(Average annual pay in the U.S. $97,154)

Based in the U.S., Kimberly Clark Corporation is a multinational consumer goods company. It deals mainly in personal care, hygiene, and professional cleaning products. Its product categories include feminine care products, adult care products, facial and bathroom tissue, paper towels, child care products, and so on. Some of the company’s most popular brands include WypAll, Kotex, Kleenex, and Huggies.

In 2022, Kimberly Clark Corporation had 44,000 employees worldwide.

What are the Best Paying Jobs in Consumer Non-Durables?

After C-level executives and directors, the best-paying jobs in any sector are obviously managerial roles. So, rather than what are the best-paying jobs in consumer non-durables, the question should be what are the best-paying professions in the industry.

Generally, professions that require a STEM (science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) background are the best paid. Next in the pay scale are jobs in marketing, particularly the ones that require a high level of creativity or research skills. And in case you are looking for a managerial role, Product Managers tend to make the most money in consumer non-durables.

Below, we have provided a list of ten of the most well-paying professions that are commonly found in the consumer non-durables industry. To make the list more useful, we have left out senior positions like product development manager, brand strategy manager, etc., and only included associate positions.

1. Food Technologist

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S $62,229 - 63,000)

Food and Beverages companies occupy a major segment in consumer non-durables, making Food Technologist a common job in the sector. Food technologists work on producing, developing, and improving foods and drinks by applying their scientific know-how.

They select ingredients, optimize recipes, evaluate the taste, texture, and aroma of food products, and perform laboratory tests on food samples of different kinds. They also work on quality control and, research and development.

To get a job as a food technologist, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to food science, like food chemistry, food engineering, or food microbiology.

2. Chemical Engineer

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S $94,516 - $105,550)

Chemical engineers work with products involving chemical reactions. They apply their scientific knowledge to develop economical industrial processes used to convert raw materials into products. They conduct laboratory experiments and work extensively on optimizing product properties.

In the consumer non-durables sector, chemical engineers are mostly hired by companies that manufacture cosmetics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, and consumer chemicals.

The minimum educational requirement to be a chemical engineer is a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

3. Process Engineer

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $89,735 - 89,735)

A process engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles and techniques to design, implement, and optimize industrial processes that go into manufacturing. Just like chemical engineers, they play a crucial role in converting raw materials into finished products.

Their main job is to evaluate existing processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop methods to increase productivity and reduce costs. Process engineers also develop and modify standard operating procedures (SOPs), perform risk assessments, and ensure compliance with safety requirements.

To get a job as a process engineer at most companies, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, process engineering, or a related field.

4. Product Development Associate

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. 60,032 - $83,074)

A product development associate helps in the process of developing new products or making improvements to existing products. Product development associates play an important role in bringing new ideas to life. Market research and analysis, and, prototyping and testing are often important parts of their job as well.

Product Development Associates need to collaborate with different teams, including engineering, design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and marketing. They need strong communication skills and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

Depending on the company and the specific job, you may need a bachelor’s in product design, engineering, QA testing, industrial design, software engineering, or marketing to be accepted in a product development role.

5. Supply Chain Analyst

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $74,910 - $74,925)

Supply chain analysts are responsible for increasing the efficiency of the processes used to make a company’s products available to customers. They help ensure that the right products are available at the right time and in the right quantities.

They collect and analyze data on these processes, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance overall performance and productivity. The data is related to different supply chain activities like inventory levels, transportation costs, lead times, and demand forecasts.

In most companies, you would need at least a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, systems engineering, supply chain management, or a related field to get a job as a supply chain analyst.

6. Brand Strategist

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S 79,623 - $120,948)

A Brand Strategist or brand development executive works to ensure that a brand is perceived in a positive manner by the public. They make sure that brand elements like the brand name, logo, and tagline are in line with the marketing objectives.

Brand strategists conduct thorough research to understand the market, competitors, and industry trends. This helps them point out the unique qualities of the brand and develop strategies that set it apart from competitors.

They also monitor the perception and performance of the brand through market research, customer feedback, and data analysis. They work with cross-functional teams and have to coordinate with others very frequently.

You need strong marketing, communication, analytical, and creative skills to excel in this position. The minimum educational requirements are a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as marketing, business, communication, or design.

7. Packaging Engineer

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $78,000 - 104,576)

A packaging engineer is a professional who designs and develops the packaging of products. Packaging engineers apply their technical expertise to create packaging that keeps the product safe during storage, transportation, and use. They also ensure that the packaging looks good and aligns with the brand image.

Their job also involves testing and evaluating materials and selecting the most durable and cost-effective ones. While selecting the packaging materials, they also have to factor in things like industry standards, safety regulations, and consumer preferences.

The basic educational requirement to be a packaging engineer is a bachelor’s degree in packaging engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, packaging science, or a related field.

8. Cyber Security Analyst

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $88,422 - $99,401)

A cybersecurity analyst is responsible for protecting a company’s valuable data and keeping computer systems safe from cyber threats and attacks. Cybersecurity analysts work to protect computers, networks, and information from unauthorized access, viruses, malware, and other security risks.

Their job involves continuously monitoring computer networks and systems to identify potential security threats. They conduct security audits, perform scans, and analyze system configurations. They also assist in developing and implementing security policies and procedures to set up policies and guidelines for users and employees to follow.

Cybersecurity analysts have a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, or a related field like math or engineering. Unless you have a degree specifically in cybersecurity, you would also need a certification like CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to get a job as a cybersecurity analyst.

9. Medical Salesperson

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $74,925 - $95,296)

Sales is a great option if you are looking for an entry-level job in consumer non- durables, and the job of a medical salesperson is one of the best-paying of all sales representative jobs in the sector. A medical salesperson promotes and sells healthcare products to healthcare providers like doctors, hospitals, and pharmacists. Products may include over-the-counter medicines, personal care products, nutritional supplements, baby care products, and so on.

Their main job is to tell the customers about the benefits of the product and convince them to buy it. Just like other salespersons, medical salespersons generally have sales targets that they need to meet.

You need to have really good interpersonal and communication skills to excel in this role. The educational requirements for this job differ heavily from employer to employer. In most cases, though, a high school diploma should be more than enough to get a job as a medical salesperson. However, for higher-paid jobs as a medical salesperson, you might need a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or pharmacology.

10. Quality Assurance Analyst

(Average annual salary in FMCG in the U.S. $62,304 - $66,703)

Quality assurance roles are extremely important in all manufacturing industry sectors, and the consumer non-durables sector is no exception. The main job of a quality assurance professional is to make sure that the products manufactured by the company meet established quality standards and comply with state and federal regulations. A keen eye for detail and good communication skills are really useful in a quality assurance role.

A bachelor’s or associate's degree is generally the minimum educational requirement for getting a job in this role in most consumer non-durables companies. However, there are industry-recognized certifications in the field that might be required in some companies. The American Society for Quality (ASQ) provides different certifications like that including Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Certified Quality Technician (CQT), and Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).

How Many Jobs are There in Consumer Non-Durables?

The customer durables sector is a thriving sector that offers a variety of employment opportunities for people with different skills and qualifications. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, approximately 2,207,000 jobs were available in consumer non-durables in the U.S. in 2022.

The major reason for the abundance of jobs in the sector is its sheer size and market presence. The sector includes a really wide range of products, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and more. Because of this extensive range of products, there is always a huge demand for talent across multiple fields.

The sector also has many enterprises both at the local and global level, and there are many multinational companies in the sector. This global presence further boosts the number of employment opportunities in the sector.

Moreover, the demand for consumer non-durables, especially essentials, is less affected during economic downtimes. This also contributes to a steady availability of jobs in consumer non-durables.

Is Consumer non Durables a Good Career Path?

Whether consumer non-durables is the right career path for you or not depends wholly on your individual preferences. However, there are several benefits to choosing a career in the sector that make it an attractive career path for many people. Some of these benefits are job security, abundant job opportunities, and the presence of multiple multinational companies in the sector.

Multinational Brands

There are many well-known global brands in this sector. Working in the sector gives you a chance to be associated with these renowned companies which can be great for learning and development. If you are looking for an international career with an opportunity to live and work in different countries, consumer non-durables is a great sector for you.

Jobs Across Multiple Fields

The sector provides a wide range of opportunities across verticals like sales, marketing, quality assurance, research and development, and so on. People from all sorts of different educational backgrounds can find a job in the sector. Whether you have a STEM background or are a humanities graduate, you can probably find a job in this sector.

Entry level jobs

The sector is great for people looking for starter jobs. You can start a career in the sector without a degree by getting a sales representative job. It is a great option for those who like to interact with others and have good interpersonal and communication skills. With hard work and dedication, in time you can rise up to the rank of sales manager.

Also read: How to Get a Job with No Experience

Job Stability

Consumer non-durables are everyday items that people keep on buying regardless of economic conditions. The demand for essential items is less affected when the economy is not doing too well, so the jobs of people working in the sector are more secure. Also, consumer non-durables are consumed or used up quickly, which means customers keep purchasing them again and again. So, there are fewer cases of drastic drops in sales of these products, which makes the jobs of people working in the sector more stable.

Stimulating Work

The consumer non-durables industry is ever-evolving and embraces innovation. There is immense competition in the industry, which forces companies to constantly take on new challenges. They need to stay ahead of consumer trends and constantly make improvements to their products and marketing. This provides an enriching work environment for the employees, and you can learn and grow a lot working in these companies.

Other Benefits of Working in Consumer Non-Durables

As the industry deals in tangible products, it is also a great option for those who get more fulfillment by contributing to creating something that has a physical existence.

The type of products in the industry also attracts people who want to work as salespeople. Except for pharmaceuticals, you do not need any specialized knowledge to sell the products. You can easily understand the selling points of the product yourself and explain them to customers.

The industry also has ample opportunities for people who prefer manual labor to mental labor. Jobs like warehouse workers, operational line workers, delivery drivers, packaging operators, and farm workers abound in the industry.

And as already mentioned, there are many renowned companies in the industry. In addition to providing a great work culture, these companies also provide training and development opportunities that help you excel at your profession.

How to Get a Job in Consumer Non-Durables

Getting a job in this industry is pretty much the same as getting one in any other industry. You get the relevant degrees and certifications, and maybe internships as well, and start applying to jobs. And needless to say, getting an entry-level job or a blue-collar job is going to be much easier.

After you have narrowed down the list of positions you are going to apply for, you should also make a list of the best companies that hire for those positions. Some companies you should consider are Nestle, Procter and Gamble, PepsiCo, LOreal, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Christian Dior, Phillip Morris International, and Kimberly Clark Corporation. These are some of the biggest names in the industry, and these companies should be your first preference. As they say, ‘’aim for the moon because even if you miss, you will land among stars.’’

Here are some more tips that you might find useful for your job search:

Identify target companies: Do some research to find companies in the industry that align with your career goals. Try to focus on the companies that create products that you are passionate about and visit their websites to learn about their company culture.
Work on your application submission: Spend some time on drafting your resume and cover letter. Customize them to the job you are applying for as much as you can. Highlight any relevant experience, accomplishments, or transferable skills you have that align with the job.
Utilize your network: Ask friends and family if they know anyone who works in consumer non-durables or whether they know about an opening in the industry. Use your LinkedIn profile to connect with people in the same profile or the same company as you are looking for a job in. Also, follow the social media pages of your most preferred companies.
Use company and job search websites: Regularly check job search websites, company websites, and industry-specific job boards to stay updated on job openings. You will find a ‘’join us’’ section on the websites of many companies; click on it to explore whenever you find it, even if you don’t mean to apply. Many job search websites have a feature that enables you to set up a job alert. Use it to be notified whenever a relevant job is available.

You should also prepare well for interviews and read up on the company as much as you can before taking an interview for a job there. It is also advisable to work on your personality and develop easily transferable skills like time management and communication. This would immensely help your career, regardless of what kind of job you get.