Occupations
105
tracked in this field
Average Median
$50,800
across the field
Highest Paying
$122,890
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
Entry Point
$34,890
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
All Manufacturing & Production salaries, ranked
Sorted by median annual pay in official BLS estimates. Click any job for its full salary report, including pay by state.
| Occupation | Median salary | Hourly | Typical education | Workers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Power Reactor Operator | $122,890 | $59.08 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $106,730 | $51.31 | High school diploma or equivalent | 9,000 |
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 | $49.06 | High school diploma or equivalent | 29,000 |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | $96,710 | $46.50 | High school diploma or equivalent | 33,000 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $87,820 | $42.22 | High school diploma or equivalent | 18,000 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $78,620 | $37.80 | High school diploma or equivalent | 28,000 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $78,120 | $37.56 | High school diploma or equivalent | 17,000 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,450 | $35.79 | High school diploma or equivalent | 673,000 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,120 | $32.75 | High school diploma or equivalent | 29,000 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | $65,380 | $31.43 | High school diploma or equivalent | 34,000 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $64,050 | $30.79 | High school diploma or equivalent | 57,000 |
| Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic | $63,870 | $30.71 | High school diploma or equivalent | 6,000 |
| Model Makers, Metal and Plastic | $63,340 | $30.45 | High school diploma or equivalent | 3,000 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | $62,750 | $30.17 | High school diploma or equivalent | 3,000 |
| Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters | $62,620 | $30.11 | High school diploma or equivalent | — |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $62,470 | $30.03 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $60,020 | $28.86 | High school diploma or equivalent | 128,000 |
| Machinist | $58,750 | $28.25 | High school diploma or equivalent | 287,000 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,040 | $27.90 | High school diploma or equivalent | 140,000 |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | $58,000 | $27.88 | High school diploma or equivalent | 1,000 |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | $27.59 | High school diploma or equivalent | 21,000 |
| Model Maker, Wood | $56,550 | $27.19 | High school diploma or equivalent | — |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | $54,430 | $26.17 | High school diploma or equivalent | 17,000 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $53,750 | $25.84 | High school diploma or equivalent | 416,000 |
| Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | $53,710 | $25.82 | High school diploma or equivalent | 34,000 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $52,800 | $25.38 | High school diploma or equivalent | 12,000 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $52,540 | $25.26 | High school diploma or equivalent | 22,000 |
| Pourers and Casters, Metal | $51,810 | $24.91 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,610 | $24.81 | High school diploma or equivalent | 60,000 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $51,430 | $24.73 | High school diploma or equivalent | 31,000 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $51,330 | $24.68 | High school diploma or equivalent | 52,000 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 | $24.37 | High school diploma or equivalent | 169,000 |
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,620 | $24.34 | High school diploma or equivalent | 17,000 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | $24.17 | High school diploma or equivalent | 96,000 |
| Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,140 | $24.11 | High school diploma or equivalent | 25,000 |
| Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | $50,060 | $24.07 | High school diploma or equivalent | 6,000 |
| Patternmaker, Wood | $49,630 | $23.86 | High school diploma or equivalent | — |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 | $23.85 | High school diploma or equivalent | 34,000 |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,080 | $23.60 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,030 | $23.57 | High school diploma or equivalent | 9,000 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,990 | $23.55 | High school diploma or equivalent | 95,000 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $48,750 | $23.44 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $48,690 | $23.41 | High school diploma or equivalent | 24,000 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | $23.35 | High school diploma or equivalent | 597,000 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,540 | $23.34 | High school diploma or equivalent | 26,000 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 | High school diploma or equivalent | 159,000 |
| Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $48,220 | $23.18 | High school diploma or equivalent | 13,000 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | $48,110 | $23.13 | High school diploma or equivalent | 13,000 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | $48,040 | $23.10 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Medical Appliance Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 | High school diploma or equivalent | 11,000 |
| Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,920 | $23.04 | High school diploma or equivalent | 32,000 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,720 | $22.94 | High school diploma or equivalent | 61,000 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,180 | $22.68 | High school diploma or equivalent | 125,000 |
| Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators | $46,880 | $22.54 | High school diploma or equivalent | 16,000 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $46,680 | $22.44 | High school diploma or equivalent | 77,000 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,570 | $22.39 | High school diploma or equivalent | 45,000 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,550 | $22.38 | High school diploma or equivalent | 67,000 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | $46,460 | $22.34 | High school diploma or equivalent | 12,000 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $46,350 | $22.28 | High school diploma or equivalent | 13,000 |
| Upholsterer | $46,340 | $22.28 | High school diploma or equivalent | 20,000 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $46,330 | $22.27 | High school diploma or equivalent | 171,000 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | $22.20 | High school diploma or equivalent | 33,000 |
| Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other | $45,950 | $22.09 | High school diploma or equivalent | 16,000 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $45,850 | $22.04 | High school diploma or equivalent | 247,000 |
| Printing Press Operator | $45,780 | $22.01 | High school diploma or equivalent | 144,000 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,760 | $22.00 | High school diploma or equivalent | 59,000 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,810 | $21.54 | High school diploma or equivalent | 20,000 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,650 | $21.47 | High school diploma or equivalent | 1,405,000 |
| Furniture Finisher | $44,540 | $21.41 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Woodworker, All Other | $44,530 | $21.41 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $44,350 | $21.32 | High school diploma or equivalent | 150,000 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $43,960 | $21.13 | High school diploma or equivalent | 32,000 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | $20.93 | High school diploma or equivalent | 15,000 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $43,380 | $20.86 | High school diploma or equivalent | 61,000 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $43,310 | $20.82 | High school diploma or equivalent | 8,000 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,220 | $20.78 | High school diploma or equivalent | 379,000 |
| Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood | $42,770 | $20.56 | High school diploma or equivalent | 41,000 |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | $42,660 | $20.51 | High school diploma or equivalent | 11,000 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,290 | $20.33 | High school diploma or equivalent | 175,000 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | $42,290 | $20.33 | High school diploma or equivalent | 33,000 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $41,640 | $20.02 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | $41,600 | $20.00 | High school diploma or equivalent | 8,000 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,590 | $20.00 | High school diploma or equivalent | 31,000 |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | $41,330 | $19.87 | High school diploma or equivalent | 7,000 |
| Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators | $40,610 | $19.52 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $40,140 | $19.30 | High school diploma or equivalent | 136,000 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $40,130 | $19.29 | High school diploma or equivalent | 70,000 |
| Production Worker, All Other | $40,110 | $19.28 | High school diploma or equivalent | 252,000 |
| Food Processing Worker, All Other | $39,680 | $19.08 | High school diploma or equivalent | 65,000 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,530 | $19.00 | High school diploma or equivalent | 13,000 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $39,460 | $18.97 | High school diploma or equivalent | 19,000 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,070 | $18.78 | High school diploma or equivalent | 166,000 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,760 | $18.63 | High school diploma or equivalent | 9,000 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,670 | $18.59 | High school diploma or equivalent | 22,000 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,300 | $18.41 | High school diploma or equivalent | 146,000 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,180 | $18.36 | High school diploma or equivalent | 5,000 |
| Cutters and Trimmers, Hand | $38,020 | $18.28 | High school diploma or equivalent | 6,000 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $37,800 | $18.17 | High school diploma or equivalent | 7,000 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | $17.92 | High school diploma or equivalent | 14,000 |
| Baker | $37,160 | $17.87 | High school diploma or equivalent | 236,000 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,670 | $17.63 | High school diploma or equivalent | 105,000 |
| Sewer, Hand | $36,480 | $17.54 | High school diploma or equivalent | 2,000 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,650 | $17.14 | High school diploma or equivalent | 3,000 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,060 | $16.86 | High school diploma or equivalent | 26,000 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,890 | $16.77 | High school diploma or equivalent | 198,000 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Manufacturing & Production salary?
Across the 105 manufacturing & production occupations tracked in BLS data, the average median salary is $50,800 per year. Individual roles range from $34,890 to $122,890.
What is the highest-paying Manufacturing & Production job?
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator is the highest-paying manufacturing & production occupation in official BLS estimates, with a median salary of $122,890 per year.
What education do Manufacturing & Production jobs require?
It varies by role — the table above shows the typical entry-level education for each occupation, sourced from O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Many specialist roles need a degree, while support and trainee roles often need a certificate or less.
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