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Back in the 1950s, nearly one in three American workers had a job in manufacturing. Factories hummed day and night, and being a factory worker meant a steady paycheck, health benefits, and a path to the middle class. Today, that picture has changed dramatically. If you’re wondering what percent of the US workforce is in manufacturing right now, the answer isn’t what most people assume - and it’s not just about factories closing. It’s about how the economy shifted, what the government did - and didn’t do - and where those workers went.
Manufacturing Jobs Today: The Real Number
In 2025, about 8.5% of the US workforce works in manufacturing. That’s roughly 13.7 million people out of a total labor force of 161 million. It sounds low compared to the past, but it’s actually higher than most people think. Many assume it’s below 5%, thanks to headlines about plant closures and automation. But the truth is, American manufacturing isn’t gone - it’s just different.
Today’s manufacturing jobs aren’t just on assembly lines. They’re in advanced robotics maintenance, CNC programming, quality control labs, and supply chain logistics. The workers are more skilled, better paid on average, and often require certifications or associate degrees. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average manufacturing wage in 2025 is $31.50 per hour - nearly 20% higher than the national average for all jobs.
Why the Drop Happened - And Why It’s Not All Bad
The decline in manufacturing employment didn’t happen overnight. Between 1979 and 2010, the US lost over 7 million manufacturing jobs. That wasn’t just automation - though robots replaced many repetitive tasks. It was also trade policy, offshoring, and a lack of investment in retraining.
When companies moved production to countries with lower wages, they didn’t just take jobs. They took entire communities. Places like Detroit, Flint, and Youngstown saw populations shrink, schools close, and local businesses vanish. The social cost was huge.
But here’s the twist: the number of goods produced in the US has kept rising. In 2025, American factories made more than $2.5 trillion worth of products - a record high. That means fewer people are making more. Automation, better tools, and smarter processes let one worker do the work of three or four from 30 years ago.
Government Schemes That Are Trying to Bring Jobs Back
The federal government has launched several major initiatives since 2021 to rebuild domestic manufacturing. The most significant is the CHIPS and Science Act, which invested $52 billion to bring semiconductor production back to the US. Intel, TSMC, and Samsung are building new plants in Ohio, Arizona, and Texas - creating over 100,000 new jobs by 2027.
Then there’s the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers tax credits for companies that make clean energy equipment in America. Solar panel makers, battery factories, and wind turbine producers are expanding fast. In 2024 alone, over 120 new clean energy manufacturing facilities broke ground across 34 states.
State governments are pitching in too. Michigan offers up to $10,000 in training grants for workers switching from retail or hospitality into advanced manufacturing. Ohio’s Manufacturing Renaissance Initiative pairs community colleges with local factories to create paid apprenticeships with guaranteed jobs after graduation.
These aren’t just handouts. They’re targeted investments. The goal isn’t to bring back 1950s-style assembly lines. It’s to build a modern, high-tech manufacturing base that can compete globally - and pay workers well doing it.
Who’s Getting These New Jobs?
It’s not just young people fresh out of school. A growing number of workers over 45 are retraining. In 2024, 38% of new hires in advanced manufacturing were 40 or older. Many were laid off from retail, construction, or transportation jobs. With government-funded training programs, they’re learning to operate automated welding systems, interpret machine data, or manage additive manufacturing (3D printing) for aerospace parts.
Women are also entering the field faster than ever. In 2010, only 27% of manufacturing workers were women. By 2025, that number hit 34%. Programs like Women in Manufacturing and employer partnerships with community colleges are helping close the gender gap.
And it’s not just urban areas. Rural communities are seeing a revival. A small town in Iowa that lost its meatpacking plant in 2018 now hosts a factory making precision parts for farm equipment. A former Walmart manager in West Virginia now trains new hires on robotic inspection systems.
What’s Next? The Future of Manufacturing Jobs
By 2030, the Manufacturing Institute estimates the US will need 4 million new manufacturing workers. But here’s the problem: 2.1 million of those jobs might go unfilled because of a skills gap. That’s not because people don’t want to work - it’s because they don’t know these jobs exist, or they think they’re not qualified.
That’s where government and industry need to work together. Training programs must be more visible. Employers need to stop requiring four-year degrees for roles that only need a six-month certification. And communities need to stop treating manufacturing as a dead-end industry.
The future of manufacturing isn’t about bringing back the past. It’s about building something better: cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive. The jobs are there. The pay is good. The government is investing. All that’s missing is awareness - and the willingness to see manufacturing for what it is today: a high-skill, high-wage, high-opportunity field.
How This Compares to Other Countries
The US isn’t alone in seeing a decline in manufacturing employment. But the percentage of workers in manufacturing varies widely:
| Country | Manufacturing Workforce % |
|---|---|
| United States | 8.5% |
| Germany | 18.2% |
| China | 21.7% |
| Japan | 14.1% |
| India | 12.8% |
| Mexico | 13.5% |
Germany and Japan still rely heavily on manufacturing as a core part of their economy. Their success comes from strong vocational training systems, close ties between industry and schools, and government policies that protect high-value production. The US is catching up - but slowly.
Where to Find Manufacturing Jobs Today
If you’re looking for a manufacturing job in 2025, don’t just search for “factory jobs.” Look for these roles instead:
- Automation technician
- Industrial electrician
- Quality assurance inspector
- CNC machinist
- 3D printing operator
- Supply chain coordinator
- Biomedical equipment technician
Start with your local community college. Most have partnerships with manufacturers. Check the Manufacturing USA network - it’s a federal initiative with hubs in 16 states that offer free training and job placement. Also, visit Indeed.com and filter for “manufacturing” + “no degree required.” You’ll be surprised how many openings are out there.
Why This Matters for Everyone
Manufacturing isn’t just about making things. It’s about economic resilience. When a country can make its own semiconductors, medical devices, and clean energy tech, it’s less vulnerable to global shocks - like pandemics, wars, or supply chain breakdowns.
It’s also about dignity. A job that lets you build something real, use your hands and your mind, and earn a living wage without a four-year degree is still powerful. That’s what the new manufacturing economy offers.
So when someone says manufacturing is dead, they’re wrong. It’s transformed. And it’s coming back - not as it was, but as it needs to be.
What percent of the US workforce is in manufacturing today?
As of 2025, approximately 8.5% of the US workforce - about 13.7 million people - works in manufacturing. This is up slightly from 7.9% in 2020, thanks to government investments in semiconductors, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
Why are there fewer manufacturing jobs than in the 1950s?
Manufacturing employment dropped because of automation, offshoring, and weaker labor protections. In the 1950s, over 30% of workers were in manufacturing. Today, robots and smarter production systems mean fewer people are needed to make more goods. The total output of US factories is higher than ever - but the workforce is smaller and more skilled.
Are manufacturing jobs still good-paying?
Yes. The average manufacturing wage in 2025 is $31.50 per hour, which is nearly 20% higher than the national average for all jobs. Many roles offer full benefits, pensions, and paid training. Skilled positions like CNC machinists and automation technicians can earn $60,000 to $85,000 a year with just two years of training.
Can someone without a college degree get a manufacturing job?
Absolutely. Most entry-level manufacturing jobs require a high school diploma and a short-term certification - not a four-year degree. Programs like apprenticeships, community college courses, and government-funded training (such as those under the CHIPS Act) prepare people in weeks or months. Over 60% of new hires in advanced manufacturing since 2022 had no college degree.
What government programs are helping revive manufacturing jobs?
Key programs include the CHIPS and Science Act ($52 billion for semiconductor production), the Inflation Reduction Act (tax credits for clean energy manufacturing), and state-level initiatives like Michigan’s $10,000 training grants. Manufacturing USA, a federal network of 16 innovation hubs, also connects workers with training and employers.
Is manufacturing coming back to the US?
Yes - but differently. Factories are reopening, especially in semiconductors, batteries, and medical devices. Over 120 new manufacturing plants broke ground in 2024. The goal isn’t to recreate 1950s factories. It’s to build modern, automated, high-tech facilities that create well-paying jobs and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.