The median advertised salary among all manufacturing job postings from April 2023 to April 2024 was $61,600. Looking at the distribution, 36% of manufacturing job postings had an advertised salary of $48k or less, 30% ranged from $48k to $90k, and 33% of $90k or more.
Manufacturers need large-scale upskilling and job analysis to fill evolving roles, while earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships like MI’s FAME program help bring graduates into manufacturing.
Manufacturing job openings rose to 433,000 in December, near pre-pandemic levels, while broader labor demand cooled. Most manufacturers still need skilled workers, underscoring the need for hiring, training and upskilling.
Manufacturers are spending more on workforce training, with industry investment rising 22% to $31.9 billion in 2026. The survey also highlights technical skills training and ongoing challenges like scheduling, work interruptions, and cost.
