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Manufacturing & Production

Manufacture and assemble products.

114 careers$44,135 median payHigh AI risk

📋 What You'll Do

•Set up and operate production machinery
•Assemble products and components
•Monitor quality and inspect products
•Maintain and troubleshoot equipment
•Follow safety protocols and procedures
•Meet production quotas and deadlines

🎓 Education & Training

Typical Path

High school diploma with on-the-job training

Time Investment

Entry-level immediate, advancement with training

Common Credentials

• OSHA safety certifications
• Forklift operator certification
• CNC machinist certifications

👤 Who This Is For

Good fit if you:

✓Those who enjoy repetitive, hands-on work
✓People seeking stable manufacturing jobs
✓Individuals who work well in team environments
✓Those who take pride in quality work

Not ideal if you:

✗Those seeking variety and creativity
✗People uncomfortable with loud environments

About Manufacturing & Production Careers

Manufacturing and production careers create the goods that fill our stores and fuel our economy. From machine operators running assembly lines to quality inspectors ensuring standards, these workers transform raw materials into finished products.

This field is evolving with automation and offers paths from entry-level to skilled technical roles.

Core Skills Needed

Machine operation and setupAttention to detail and qualityPhysical stamina and dexterityMath and measurementSafety awarenessTeamwork and reliabilityBasic computer skills

Manufacturing & Production Careers

Explore all 114 careers in this category

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Showing 50 of 114 careers

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Career	Category	Median Pay	Training	AI Resilience
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators	Manufacturing	$120,350	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	Manufacturing	$104,750	6-24mo	🟠In Transition
Power Plant Operators	Manufacturing	$97,010	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Biomass Plant Technicians	Manufacturing	$97,010	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians	Manufacturing	$97,010	2-4yr	🔴High Disruption Risk
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	Manufacturing	$94,580	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Gas Plant Operators	Manufacturing	$82,560	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Chemical Plant and System Operators	Manufacturing	$80,030	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	Manufacturing	$67,640	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	Manufacturing	$65,930	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$64,190	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	Manufacturing	$63,440	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers	Manufacturing	$62,510	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$62,270	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Tool and Die Makers	Manufacturing	$61,490	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	Manufacturing	$61,240	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Plant and System Operators, All Other	Manufacturing	$56,940	4-5 years	🟡AI-Augmented
Biofuels Processing Technicians	Manufacturing	$56,940	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	Manufacturing	$54,890	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Tire Builders	Manufacturing	$54,080	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	Manufacturing	$51,720	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Machinists	Manufacturing	$50,840	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	Manufacturing	$50,270	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	Manufacturing	$50,250	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$49,670	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	Manufacturing	$48,940	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters	Manufacturing	$48,840	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Pourers and Casters, Metal	Manufacturing	$48,690	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Patternmakers, Wood	Manufacturing	$48,630	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	Manufacturing	$48,550	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	Manufacturing	$48,480	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Manufacturing	$48,120	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Dental Laboratory Technicians	Manufacturing	$47,690	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	Manufacturing	$47,450	<6mo	🟠In Transition
Gem and Diamond Workers	Manufacturing	$47,450	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Manufacturing	$47,250	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$47,200	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$47,110	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$47,040	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	Manufacturing	$46,990	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	Manufacturing	$46,410	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Manufacturing	$46,100	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	Manufacturing	$45,850	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	Manufacturing	$45,850	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	Manufacturing	$45,640	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Manufacturing	$45,560	<6mo	🔴High Disruption Risk
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	Manufacturing	$45,350	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Prepress Technicians and Workers	Manufacturing	$45,070	<6mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Model Makers, Wood	Manufacturing	$45,040	6-24mo	🟡AI-Augmented
Medical Appliance Technicians	Manufacturing	$44,960	2-4yr	🟡AI-Augmented