What Are Four Sectors of the Economy?

Four sectors of the economy are the primary sector, the secondary sector, the tertiary sector and the quaternary sector. The various sectors are defined by population engagement and by relationship to the Earth’s raw materials.

Occupations in the primary sector include farming, mining, hunting, fishing and forestry, all occupations closely involved with nature. Finished goods are the focus of the secondary sector; careers in the secondary sector involve automobile production, textiles, construction, engineering, metal work and utilities.

The service industry dominates the tertiary sector. Workers in this sector have jobs in retail sales, hospitality, entertainment, banking, insurance, law and health care. The quaternary sector is based on intellectual endeavors and includes careers in government, research, education and information technology.