Happy Manufacturing Day: 10 Jobs in the Manufacturing Space
The manufacturing industry has struggled in recent years to update its public perception and attract an evolving workforce. In an effort to inspire the next generation of manufacturers, Manufacturing Day was created and strives to address common misperceptions about the industry by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t.
In honor of this day – which always falls on the first Friday in October – we compiled a list of 10 jobs in the manufacturing realm along with their average salaries (thanks to Salary.com data). Read on to see if one of these roles might be right for you to pursue:
1) Manufacturing Engineer I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $65,516
What you’ll do: Assist in planning and designing manufacturing processes for a production facility. This person maximizes efficiency by analyzing layout of equipment, workflow, assembly methods, and work force utilization. This role requires a bachelor's degree of engineering.
Your earning potential, on average: (level V): $129, 784
2) Welder I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $38,900
What you’ll do: Join, fabricate, and repair metal and other weldable material by applying appropriate welding techniques and operating various welding devices. This person also interprets blueprints, specifications, diagrams or schematics to determine appropriate welding process. This role requires a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Your earning potential, on average (level III): $55,598
3) Quality Control Inspector I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $36,132
What you’ll do: Perform quality control inspections, checks, and tests during the manufacture of products. This person also inspects materials, parts and products at different stages of production. This role requires a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Your average earning potential (level IV): $49,788
4) Packaging Engineer I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $64,591
What you’ll do: Design product packaging to ensure product integrity and appeal under varying shipping and display conditions. This person also tests, analyzes, and selects materials for packaging based on durability and cost effectiveness. This role may require a bachelor's degree.
Your average earning potential (level V): $121,621
5) Production Painter I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $33,781
What you’ll do: Operate a spray painter or other equipment to apply industrial paint finishes on metals or products. This person also mixes paints and other solutions and monitors drying to ensure desired results. This role may require an apprenticeship and/or formal training in an area of specialty.
Your average earning potential (level III): $52,616
6) Electronic Assembler I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $32,816
What you’ll do: Assemble electronics according to product specifications. This person also follows blueprints to put together electronic devices, tools and products using hand and power tools and other assembly equipment. This role may require a high school diploma.
Your average earning potential (level III): $44,047
7) Materials Handler I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $30,456
What you’ll do: Load and unload material within a warehouse or storage facility. This person also utilizes hand trucks, forklifts, hoists, conveyors, or other handling equipment to move material to and from aircraft, trucks or trains and within the storage facility. This role may require a high school diploma or its equivalent.
8) Quality Assurance Manager
What you’ll earn, on average: $106,654
What you’ll do: Responsible for the design and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure that quality standards are met during production. This person also oversees the testing of processes and products. This role requires a bachelor's degree in an area of specialty.
9) Shipping and Receiving Supervisor I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $47,807
What you’ll do: Supervise workers who confirm and record the receipt of shipments, prepare items for shipping, and load and unload trucks. This person is also responsible for managing the inter-departmental transport of materials. This role may require a bachelor's degree in an area of specialty.
Your average earning potential (level III): $71,527
10) Production Supervisor I
What you’ll earn to start, on average: $56,388
What you’ll do: Supervise the daily activities of production area to ensure that volume, cost, and quality standards are achieved. This person also coordinates work schedules, staffing requirements, and production sequences to maximize productivity. This role typically requires a bachelor's degree.
Your average earning potential (level III): $82,644
*Our salary data is constantly updated. Please use of Salary Wizard for the most recent salary projections.
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