Workforce in Focus

Insights from Manufacturing Job Postings

By MI NewsroomFebruary 9, 2024

There were 2.66 million total manufacturing job postings in 2023, up from 1.51 million and 2.08 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, according to Lightcast data. Of that figure, there were 792,241 unique postings in 2023, and the median posting duration was 28 days. The top 10 job occupations in manufacturing last year were the following:

  • Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
  • Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers
  • Software Developers
  • Production Workers, All Other
  • Computer Occupations, All Other
  • Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians
  • Managers, All Other
  • Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
  • Sales Managers, and
  • Customer Service Representatives

At the same time, the top 10 specialized skills in those postings were:

  • Project Management
  • Marketing
  • Warehousing
  • Forklift Truck
  • Auditing
  • Computer Science
  • New Product Development
  • Finance
  • Process Improvement, and
  • Machinery

Finally, the manufacturing sectors with the most openings in 2023 were:

  • Computer and Electronic Products
  • Chemicals
  • Transportation Equipment
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Machinery, and
  • Fabricated Metal Products

Key takeaway: Despite signs of cooling in the overall labor market, the number of job postings in manufacturing remains quite strong—and, perhaps surprisingly, picked up in 2023.

Learn more how to address these gaps: The Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education provides global-best workforce development through strong technical training, integration of manufacturing core competencies, intensive professional practices and intentional hands-on experience to build the future of the modern manufacturing industry. FAME was created by Toyota and moved to the MI for national scaling in 2019. MI is proud to manage FAME USA as it continues to grow across the country with the support of more than 400 manufacturers. Visit the FAME website, or attend a FAME 101 information sessions hosted bi-monthly by the MI.

Source: LightcastTM Labor Market Insights, downloaded January 23, 2024.