Manufacturing jobs take place in a factory setting. This is where you get everything you can enjoy at home, like sodas or snacks. Even your cars are made in this type of setting. This is an important industry for a lot of our materials and anything else that is used in our daily lives. Back in the industrial age, these were the primary jobs of the middle class.

Most of the positions within this industry are classified as manual labor. If you do not enjoy that, this probably is not an ideal place for you to work. It can also be very physically demanding and difficult to do. There are many dangers that can occur in this field, so it is important to follow all safety protocol that is in accordance with your company’s standards.

There are a few different options for employment in this field. If you are great with machinery or have talents in the managerial field, there can be a variety of opportunities available to you. Some jobs do not require any particular level of education, while others require various education levels or certifications. This is not an ideal industry for those who are first-time job seekers.

Job Opportunities

Here are some employment opportunities available in this industry:

Machinist: A machinist is a skilled worker in the technical side of manufacturing. They use the machines to manufacture parts or modify them. They use machine tools to accomplish these tasks. They must follow blueprints that were given to them. When producing these parts, it is important that they follow all blueprints exactly, so that the part comes out the same every time. These tools are primarily computer based, so the machinist must be talented with computers. The machinist will often produce hundreds of items at a time. To be a machinist, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent. Because of basic skills required for this position, a course load full of math is very useful. If your high school offers CAD or another machine shop class, these will help in this field. You will need to accomplish apprenticeship requirements and pass any state required certifications. A machinist can make about $40,000 a year.

Assembler: An assembler works along the assembly lines, placing together the pieces in order to create the products. They should know the blueprints so that they know how to properly piece the parts together to make the products. They must gather the necessary parts so that they can work faster to assemble the products. They often will need to modify a part to properly assemble the pieces, and should let their supervisor know the fixes they made so they can let others know. They must keep all machinery that they work with properly maintained, so that it is always operational when needed. This also helps lengthen the life of a machine. When done properly, a problem can be avoided or predicted so that the appropriate next steps can be taken. They should keep their area clean in accordance with safety regulations and policies. There is no level of education required for this position. An assembler can earn around $12 per hour.

Quality Control: A quality control specialist is in charge of inspecting the products that come through the assembly line to ensure that they are functioning properly and are not defective. This can take place not just at the end of the line, but a few other times during the manufacturing process. They might also monitor the machines to ensure they are working properly. They will record and analyze any data in regards to quality to find problems in the assembly process. They must reject or approve products in accordance to company policies. They also ensure the proper levels of product and predict the durability of their products. Most people only need a high school diploma for this position, but depending on the industry many other certifications or training might be required. On average, they can make around $35,000 a year.

Production Manager: A production manager is responsible for supervising the assembly line to ensure the efficiency of the assembly process. They will hire, fire, and train all their employees in accordance with company policies. They should adequately communicate the expectations for their employees and discipline in a constructive manner. They will schedule and assign personnel according to the needs of the facility. They monitor the workflow of their facility to ensure things are running smoothly. They will evaluate all machines and call for repairs as necessary. They must educate their employees on how to conduct themselves in a manner that abides by company policy for their own safety. They will maintain the relationship between any worker unions and their company. To be a manager, you must have a bachelor’s degree. You will also need to have 1 to 5 years of experience in the field. A production manager can make a yearly salary of $89,000.

Job Outlook

The estimated overall job growth for this industry is around 7%. This is much lower than the 11% that is the national average across all industries. This can be as a result of a low turnover rate since most people find a career that people want to stay in within this industry. Another reason is because computers and advanced machinery is becoming more popular as they are less expensive than having actual employees.