Manufacturing

Work Environment | Skills | Knowledge | Education | Career Prospect

Manufacturing Careers

A manufacturing career involves creating or manufacturing products, ranging from pharmaceuticals and semiconductors to electronics and cars. There are many different types of manufacturing careers, ranging from production, engineering, and quality control/ quality assurance jobs to sales and management positions.

Career	Annual Salary	General Education	No. of Jobs	Work Arrangements
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	$49,480	Diploma	33,320	On-Site
Bakers	$29,750	Vocational Studies	181,800	On-Site
Butchers and Other Meat, Poultry, and Fish Processing Workers	$30,280	NA	364,480	On-Site
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	$37,540	Vocational Studies	93,070	On-Site
Chemical Processing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$47,580	Vocational Studies	154,790	On-Site
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators and Programmers	$47,380	Bachelor’s Degree	183,630	On-Site, Hybrid, Remote
Crushing, Grinding, Polishing, Mixing, and Blending Workers	$38,160	Vocational Studies	155,920	On-Site
Cutting Workers	$37,660	Vocational Studies	63,850	On-Site
Electrical, Electronics, and Electromechanical Assemblers	$37,460	Diploma	283,010	On-Site
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	$47,440	Vocational Studies	45,990	On-Site
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$37,660	Vocational Studies	56,570	On-Site
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	$37,650	Vocational Studies	17,380	On-Site
Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal, and Plastic	$38,580	Vocational Studies	102,640	On-Site
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	$43,710	NA	14,180	On-Site
Furniture Finishers	$36,580	Vocational Studies	16,300	On-Site
Industrial Production Managers	$103,150	Bachelor’s Degree	192,270	On-Site, Hybrid
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$38,580	Diploma	551,380	On-Site
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	$46,640	Vocational Studies	24,350	On-Site
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	$28,350	NA	157,400	On-Site
Machine Tool Cutting Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal, and Plastic	$37,720	Vocational Studies	288,810	On-Site
Machinists	$47,730	Vocational Studies	333,220	On-Site
Metal Furnace Operators, Tenders, Pourers, and Casters	$46,640	Vocational Studies	22,110	On-Site
Molders and Molding Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal, and Plastic	$36,590	Diploma	176,820	On-Site
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal, and Plastic	$37,630	Vocational Studies	134,880	On-Site
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	$35,960	NA	358,640	On-Site
Painting Workers	$38,670	NA	157,250	On-Site
Power Plant Operators, Distributors, and Dispatchers	$94,790	Diploma	43,440	On-Site
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	$28,680	NA	26,910	On-Site
Printing Workers	$37,710	NA	211,930	On-Site
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	$39,870	Diploma	24,020	On-Site
Sewing Machine Operators	$29,690	NA	116,220	On-Site
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$63,500	Diploma	29,820	On-Site
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	$45,480	Vocational Studies	61,070	On-Site
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Sewers	$31,180	NA	21,450	On-Site
Textile Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$30,050	NA	56,700	On-Site
Tool and Die Makers	$57,000	Vocational Studies	63,630	On-Site
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$47,880	Diploma	121,150	On-Site
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers	$46,910	Vocational Studies	427,580	On-Site
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$35,850	NA	112,560	On-Site

Careers in Manufacturing

Sample Job Titles

Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Control Specialist, Operations Manager, Industrial Designer, Process Technician, Supply Chain Manager, Sales Representative, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Technician

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Work Environment

Individuals in manufacturing careers may work in factory settings, laboratories, or office environments, depending on their specific roles.
Work settings vary across industries, including pharmaceuticals, electronics, automotive, and more.

Roles may involve hands-on production, quality control, sales, or managerial responsibilities.
Flexibility in work environments allows for diverse career paths within the manufacturing sector.

Soft Skills Requirements

Problem-Solving: Strong skills in addressing challenges and improving processes for efficient production.

Critical Thinking: Analyzing situations and making informed decisions to enhance manufacturing operations.
Multi-Tasking: Handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously to meet production goals.
Stress Management: Working efficiently under high-stress conditions commonly found in manufacturing settings.

Understanding GMP and GDP: Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Documentation Practice (GDP) to ensure quality and compliance.

Knowledge Requirements

Math, Science, and Engineering: Most manufacturing careers require a foundation in these subjects to understand processes and contribute effectively.
Process Optimization: Understanding and improving manufacturing processes for increased efficiency.

Quality Control: Knowledge of quality assurance methods to ensure products meet industry standards.
Supply Chain Management: Understanding the flow of materials and products throughout the manufacturing process.

Education Requirements

Degree Preferred: Many manufacturing careers, especially in engineering, business, or science, may require a bachelor’s degree.

Varied Entry Points: Some entry-level positions may only require a high school diploma or equivalent, with on-the-job training provided.
Ongoing Training: Continuous learning and skill development are essential for career growth in manufacturing.

Career Prospect

Diverse Opportunities: Manufacturing careers span various industries, offering a wide array of career paths and specialization areas.

Industry Growth: Continuous advancements in technology and increasing consumer demands contribute to a positive outlook for manufacturing careers.
Global Impact: Manufacturing professionals play a vital role in creating products that impact markets and economies worldwide.
Leadership Roles: With experience, individuals can progress into managerial roles, overseeing production, operations, or even entire manufacturing facilities.

Sources of References

Career data was created with the following resources, links to non-hqhire sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.