Annual Average Salary Information
Annual Average Salary: $43,070
What does a Manufacturing earn?
On average, manufacturing workers earn around $43,070 per year in the U.S.. Manufacturing operations involve the transformation of raw materials into a finished product, making use of various specialised machinery and often performing mass customisation. Many manufacturing workers choose to specialize in areas such as CNC machining, robotics, quality control and design engineering.
How to earn more as a Manufacturing
If you want to work in manufacturing, you'll need to gain knowledge of production processes, industrial machinery and tools, or engineering techniques. You can achieve this by enrolling onto a degree programme in manufacturing and engineering. To progress further and earn more, you can consider job opportunities to specialise in a certain area, or look into management positions within the industry. You could also start your own manufacturing business and become self-employed.
Manufacturing responsibilities
The average manufacturing salary can be attained, but many factors affect your benefits and total compensation potential, such as whether you work in one of the highest-paying cities, the manufacturing industry, and the responsibilities of the job title. The job title could be for junior to senior-level manufacturing roles, such as Factory Worker, Production Specialist, Gas Plant Operator, Machinist, Jeweler, or Engraver.
Most USA manufacturing careers will see you responsible for duties where you may create products using tools and machines, perform packaging operations, assemble vehicles (automotive industry), meet quotas, or ensure quality.
Manufacturing leaders earn higher salaries and benefits, focusing on delegating tasks and managing staff performance. You may create a chart or report for partners and executives, ensure legal compliance, drive company values, set minimum standards, and estimate costs and timelines.
Skills and education level
Your level of education will also affect your pay and average salary. To earn a reasonable hourly wage, most companies will expect you to have a high school diploma for entry-level jobs. You should be paid higher salaries and compensation if you work for employers requesting a high school, associate, bachelor's degree, or master’s degree.
If you do not have a U.S. high school diploma, you can take the General Education Development Test (GED) to show you have the same level of knowledge and education as a high school graduate. You can take the GED test within America or from 90 countries around the world.
To achieve higher than average pay, you will need the top skills for manufacturing professionals and similar job titles. Skills include attention to detail, organization skills, basic computer proficiency, knowledge of manufacturing processes, teamwork and support, physical stamina, target-driven, and safety-minded.
What to expect from Manufacturing careers
You can start your manufacturing career as a trainee or junior Machinist or Operator. Graduate-level jobs are also available, with the average salary reflecting the education attained. Typically, you will be working in a factory or warehouse setting, and the amount and types of tasks you will handle may depend on the size of the company. Smaller companies typically prefer employees who have diverse knowledge and can handle multiple tasks, while larger companies and production plants may require you to focus on one or two specific responsibilities or duties.
While hours may vary across industries, you could work a day, night, or weekend shift. Shift patterns can also rotate, so you might work days one week and nights the next.
To earn an average salary, you will be expected to be adaptable and efficient and follow the company, state or U.S. regulations on compliance, health, and safety. The working day could follow a similar routine, but many positions offer some level of variety through new projects, products, and customers.
Manufacturing job title
There are numerous job titles within the manufacturing industry. Examples of manufacturing-related job titles include Food Machine Operator, Kiln Operator, Dry-Cleaning Worker, and Fiberglass Laminator. Specialized roles requiring industry knowledge and a more significant experience level command a higher average salary and wage.
You can search for manufacturing vacancies and salaries on Checkasalary.com for positions including Lathe Operator, Layout Worker, Paper Goods Machine Operator, and more.
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Highest-paying locations for Manufacturing jobs
The location of your job in the US can greatly impact your pay and benefits. Use our Salary Calculator to find the annual and hourly average salary for manufacturing jobs in any location, including the District of Columbia. We have salary data for states such as California, Colorado, Virginia, and more. Relocating may improve your compensation, but you can also negotiate for better pay without moving. Urban areas and short commutes often come with higher salaries. Compare salaries for rural and urban locations using our data to determine if you are being offered below, above, or average pay.
Manufacturing professional development
The salary for working manufacturing professionals varies depending on the individual’s career level and experience in the field. Entry-level positions have the lowest pay, while fully qualified workers, senior staff, and management earn more. Graduates with relevant qualifications may command a higher starting salary. To increase your earning potential, consider taking training opportunities such as workshops or online courses. Our per-hour and annual salary data provide guidance on the wage range and earnings for junior, intermediate, and senior industry roles.
Manufacturing work experience
Having prior work manufacturing experience in your desired field can greatly improve your chances of getting hired and earning a competitive salary. Practical experiences such as internships, apprenticeships, shadowing, and vacation work can give you valuable skills and knowledge in the field. Even if you cannot find directly related work experience, showcasing transferable skills gained from other experiences can also be appealing to potential employers and demonstrate your level of experience.
Manufacturing working hours
The hours you work for your manufacturing job and career can affect your monthly pay and salary. Companies of different sizes may offer extra compensation for working overtime or non-traditional hours such as evenings, weekends, or holidays. The type of employment, like part-time, full-time, permanent, temporary, or contract, can also influence the salary you receive and should be considered when evaluating pay fairness.
Manufacturing salary negotiations
It is essential to conduct thorough research and have a clear understanding of typical manufacturing salaries and compensation factors, such as bonuses, for the positions you are applying for before negotiating with employers. Utilize our salary comparison tool and perform searches for different job titles and locations to determine your worth. Remember that compensation includes more than just financial benefits and performance-related commissions, and take into account other perks such as the ability to work from home, extra paid vacation, gym memberships, or private healthcare when evaluating the overall compensation package.
Annual salary, median salary, and taxes
When evaluating median or annual salary for a manufacturing role, it’s important to keep in mind that you will be required to pay taxes on your salary. Taxes such as Federal Income Tax, Federal and State Unemployment Tax, Social Security and Medicare Tax, and Additional Medicare Taxes may be deducted by your employer or self-paid. Keep in mind that these are just the U.S. government taxes and there may be additional taxes applicable depending on your location.
Manufacturing Job search
If you are seeking a better salary, start your manufacturing job search today. You can search for jobs by job title and set up job alerts to get notified as soon as an employer posts their vacancy.