The primary sector of the economy can be classified as the "extractive" industry. These include the industries that produce or extract raw materials. Farmers are an example of primary sector workers, as food items are collected as raw materials, such as wheat and milk, are taken from the farm and made into other products such as bread and cheese. Other industries include the mining industries, such as coal, iron ore or oil, which extract the raw materials from the ground that will be converted into other useful items.
Secondary Sector
The secondary sector of the economy is comprised of the manufacturing industries. The manufacturing industries take raw materials and produce products. For example, the steel can be used to manufacture cars. Carpenters take wood and make homes, furniture and cabinetry. Not all manufacturing companies manufacture a complete product. Semi-manufacturing companies produce parts to be used in other products that have several stages of production, such as automobiles.
Tertiary Sector
The tertiary sector of the economy is the service industry. Service companies do not provide a physical good like the primary or secondary sectors do, but they still provide value. For example, banks, insurance and the police all are examples of the service industry. Industries included in the primary or secondary sectors will typically have employees that provide tertiary services such as advertising, accountants and warehousing employees.
