The rise of advanced technology has hit manufacturing careers hard, but there's still plenty of opportunity in this field for those who know where to look. The median manufacturing worker makes about $37,710 per year, but some earn much more, and many positions don't require advanced degrees. Here's a look at some of the best manufacturing jobs out there today and how you can land one.
If you’re looking for a manufacturing career, start your search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click!
Types Of Manufacturing Careers
Manufacturing careers involve physical, chemical, or mechanical transformation of raw materials or parts to create new products. When most people think of manufacturing jobs, they think of factory workers on an assembly line, but there are plenty of other positions in this field. Some examples include:
- Assemblers
- Welders
- Quality control inspectors
- Woodworkers
- Machinists
- Tailors
- Plant managers
The Top Manufacturing Careers
Here's a look at some of the top manufacturing careers available today based on their salaries, number of open positions, and growth potential over the next decade:
First-Line Supervisors
Median annual wage: $61,790
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 616,800
Primary job duties: First-line supervisors are responsible for supervising the work of other manufacturing employees, including machinists, assemblers, and fabricators.
Machinists and Tool and Die Makers
Median annual wage: $47,940
Education required: High school diploma or GED, possibly a postsecondary certificate
Number of total positions: 425,300
Primary job duties: Machinists and tool and die makers operate machines that help make tools, instruments, and other components.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Median annual wage: $47,010
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 418,200
Primary job duties: Welders, solderers, and brazers use tools to join pieces of metal together while cutters split them apart.
To learn more, check out our guide to the highest paying welding jobs and the best welding jobs.
Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
Median annual wage: $39,090
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 75,200
Primary job duties: Dental laboratory technicians work to create and repair dentures and other dental appliances while ophthalmic laboratory technicians do the same for eyeglasses and other ophthalmic products. Medical appliance technicians may work with hearing aids and other medical devices.
Painting and Coating Workers
Median annual wage: $38,670
Join The Break Community
Education required: High school diploma or GED, possibly some postsecondary courses for automotive painters
Number of total positions: 155,800
Primary job duties: Painting and coating workers use machines to apply paint and other finishes to a variety of products, ranging from cars to industrial equipment.
Mixing and Blending Machine Operators
Median annual wage: $38,420
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 118,100
Primary job duties: Mixing and blending machine operators run machines that mix materials together, including chemicals and pigments.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Operators
Median annual wage: $37,660
Education required: High school diploma or equivalent
Number of total positions: 65,600
Primary job duties: These operators work machines that shape and form a variety of products, including glassware, soap, clay, and more.
Woodworkers
Median annual wage: $36,710
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 247,100
Primary job duties: Woodworkers make items out of wood, including cabinets and furniture.
Packaging And Filling Machine Operators
Median annual wage: $35,960
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 371,800
Primary job duties: These workers prepare food and industrial products for storage and shipment. This includes workers who can food.
Food And Tobacco Processing Workers
Median annual wage: $35,430
Education required: High school diploma or GED
Number of total positions: 250,100
Primary job duties: Food and tobacco processing workers operate machines to help prepare food or tobacco products for sale.
How To Find A Manufacturing Career
Job boards are a great place to find manufacturing jobs available right now. Here are some of the best:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a well-known job site that's free to use, and it offers powerful filters to help job seekers quickly locate results that match their search criteria. Once your resume is posted, employers can even seek you out to offer you a job.
For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is another popular job site that enables job seekers in a variety of fields to quickly identify and apply to jobs that interest them.
For more information, read our Indeed review.
ManufacturingJobs.com
Manufacturingjobs.com is a job board specifically tailored to manufacturing and production jobs and it's free for workers. It can save you time by eliminating irrelevant results, but it's a lesser known site, so it may not have as many jobs listed in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some careers in manufacturing?
Some manufacturing careers include assemblers, woodworkers, welders, and quality control inspectors, among others.
What are the highest paying manufacturing jobs?
Some of the highest paid jobs in manufacturing are plant operators, boiler operators, and model makers.
Is manufacturing a good career?
Manufacturing jobs have declined over the years as new technologies have reduced the needs for workers. However, there's still plenty of opportunities in this field for those who know where to look.
How do I get into manufacturing?
Most manufacturing jobs require you to have a high school diploma or GED. Once you have that, it's simply a matter of applying for jobs.
The Bottom Line
Technological advances have undoubtedly left their mark on the manufacturing industry. But there are still a lot of opportunities out there for those willing to look, especially for those with experience or certifications in the field. Begin your search with ZipRecruiter today to see what's available in your area. And if you're not confident that your resume will attract enough attention, check out one of our recommendations for the best resume writing services.
