Insights from Manufacturing Job Postings
As manufacturing continues to become more advanced, employers are valuing digital acumen more highly than ever. With that in mind, this month, we are delving into manufacturing job postings that specifically cite “data” or “digital” in their descriptions. Indeed, according to Lightcast™ nearly 38% of all unique manufacturing job postings in 2023 included one or both of those words, or 300,426 unique postings. In 2023, the median advertised wage for full-time roles meeting these criteria was $46.00 an hour.
The top manufacturing job occupations citing “data” or “digital” year to data included electrical and industrial engineers, maintenance technicians, managers, marketing managers, sales representatives and managers and software developers, among others. These job postings can be found in a wide range of industries including:
- Computer and electronic products
- Chemical manufacturing (including pharmaceuticals)
- Transportation equipment
- Machinery
- Miscellaneous manufacturing
- Food manufacturing
Lastly, among these postings, the top skills identified included the following:
- Project management
- Marketing
- Data analysis
- Computer science
- Auditing
- New product development
- Finance
- Process improvement
- Automation
- Supply chain
Key takeaway: The graphic above illustrates the increasing demand for manufacturing workers with digital skills across a wide variety of industries and roles within the sector. This is a trend that is likely to continue moving forward, necessitating a workforce that can adapt. Employers and those offering skills training programs should be paying attention to these trends, providing new offerings accordingly.
Source: Lightcast™ Labor Market Insights, downloaded January 4, 2024.
