Manufacturing Careers By the Numbers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there will be 4.6 million job openings in manufacturing within the next decade. For American manufacturers, the challenges are two-fold. First, companies must find skilled workers for newly-created positions, including jobs with titles that may not even exist yet. Second, manufacturers need to replace retiring Baby Boomers, people born between the years of 1946 and 1964, without losing their institutional knowledge.

For today’s students, the challenges that U.S. manufacturers face provide unprecedented opportunities. Whether it’s filling a newly-created position or filling the shoes of an older worker who is retiring, students who are entering the workforce with the right skills are in high demand. In New York State, workers also command the highest average manufacturing salary ($30,306) in all 50 states, according to Zip Recruiter. In New York City, Glassdoor reports, the average manufacturing salary is $59,174.

Across New York State’s 62 counties, the average manufacturing salary varies not just by location, but by the type of manufacturing job and the specific skill level that is required. Nationally, the Occupational Outlook Handbook from BLS reports metrics such as manufacturing jobs and median pay that show what different positions are like by the numbers. Mathematically, median is not the same as average. Rather, median means that there is an equal probability of falling above or below it.

For students who are interested in exploring a future in manufacturing, Manufacturing Day is an annual event that showcases career pathways. In New York State, FuzeHub and its partners are hosting 2021 Virtual Manufacturing Day, an online event that is expected to draw nearly 100 manufacturers, educational and training resources, and other organizations with valuable information to share. If you’re a student or an educator, register now for our October 15^th event.