Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of production managers that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of production managers:
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Production Director is the highest-paid type of production manager with an average salary of $118,207 and an average hourly rate of $56.83.
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The second highest-paying type of production manager is plant manager, with an average salary of $113,843.
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The average production manager salary is $78,064 per year, and the average hourly pay is $37.53.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a production manager, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of production managers are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of production managers:
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Production Director
Average Salary: $118,207
Production directors work with production teams to manage the operation workflow, quality, and schedule adherence. They also monitor production activities to make necessary adjustments to the schedule to ensure that all deliverables are delivered on time, develop ideas for process improvements, and optimize production speed while maintaining the quality of the products. There are a few skills that most employers look for in production directors, like analytical skills, leadership skills, and creativity which are very helpful in fulfilling this role.
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Plant Manager
Average Salary: $113,843
In general, plant managers are responsible for the entire operations in a manufacturing plant. Plant managers plan, direct, organize, and run the optimum operations of the plant daily. They create and execute organizational or departmental goals procedures, and policies. They aim to increase the manufacturing production and the capacity and flexibility of its assets while keeping its current quality standards and unnecessary costs. They are expected to have a better understanding of the manufacturing industry like equipment use and mechanical aptitude.
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Manufacturing Manager
Average Salary: $101,712
A manufacturing manager is a professional who manages the day-to-day operations of the organization’s production process to ensure that all workers and departments meet the organization’s productivity and efficiency standards. Manufacturing managers work under a department head and assist them in planning and directing an efficient equipment layout and material flow. They implement quality control programs that ensure finished products are in par with a certain standard. They also train manufacturing workers and monitor them to ensure that they meet performance and safety requirements.
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Plant Superintendent
Average Salary: $95,149
Plant superintendents must have skills in operations, productions, and management. They also need a 4-year degree in business or industrial management. Those who choose this career will be called upon to oversee a plant’s manufacturing processes and to recommend improvements to increase productivity. They also enforce all state and federal regulations for plant operations and employee safety.
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Production Control Manager
Average Salary: $89,453
A project control manager is an executive who manages, develops, and coordinates the schedules of production in the industrial environment. Production control managers make sure of the flow of parts, materials, and assemblies within or between departments. Typically, they handle the production workers. They make certain that manufacturing processes operate efficiently and reliably. Part of their responsibilities includes the estimation, negotiation, and agreement of timescales and budgets with the clients and the other managers. Among the qualifications for this job include a specialty in electrical engineering, communications, or business management.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various production manager that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Production Managers
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for production managers.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Production Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid production manager job?
The highest-paid production manager job is a production director. Production Directors earn an average salary of $118,207, which is $ 56.83 hourly.
Production directors work with production teams to manage the operation workflow, quality, and schedule adherence. They also monitor production activities to make necessary adjustments to the schedule to ensure that all deliverables are delivered on time, develop ideas for process improvements, and optimize production speed while maintaining the quality of the products. There are a few skills that most employers look for in production directors, like analytical skills, leadership skills, and creativity which are very helpful in fulfilling this role.
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What is a good salary for a production manager?
A good salary for a production manager is $78,064 or more. The average production manager salary is $78,064, so those making at least $78,064 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average production manager salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a production manager, the average entry level salary is $76,970, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $78,064 average, as this includes all production managers of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Production Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, production manager jobs pay well. As in any industry, some production manager jobs pay better than others, but the average production manager salary of $78,064 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many production manager jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of production managers earning $98,643 a year on average.
Production Managers’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a production manager. Do your research on the going rate for a production manager in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do production managers get paid the most?
Production Managers get paid the most in New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, production managers earn an average annual salary of $84,101 and an average hourly wage of $40.43.
Following NH, the states with the highest-paid production managers are Washington, California, and Rhode Island, with average annual salaries of $90,522, $88,069, and $93,747 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid production manager salaries are:
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San Francisco, CA – $93,725
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Auburn, WA – $91,158
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Boston, MA – $84,332
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
