Best cities for a manufacturer
The best cities for manufacturers are Wichita, KS, Milwaukee, WI, and Reno, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for manufacturers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for manufacturers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a manufacturer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for manufacturers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for manufacturers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a manufacturer. While the absolute best city for manufacturers is Wichita, KS, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for manufacturers in 2024.
If you're looking for a manufacturer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for manufacturers in 2026
1. Wichita, KS
Total manufacturer jobs: 6 Average annual salary: $34,727 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 4.66 2. Milwaukee, WI
Total manufacturer jobs: 11 Average annual salary: $36,593 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 3.68 3. Reno, NV
Total manufacturer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $32,161 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 3.51 4. Omaha, NE
Total manufacturer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $32,447 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.62 5. Mesa, AZ
Total manufacturer jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $31,842 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 9.81 6. Indianapolis, IN
Total manufacturer jobs: 9 Average annual salary: $30,344 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $39,000 Location quotient: 1.51 7. Aurora, CO
Total manufacturer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $35,685 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 1.89 8. Columbus, OH
Total manufacturer jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $30,379 Lowest 10 percent warn: $23,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $39,000 Location quotient: 0.44 9. Tulsa, OK
Total manufacturer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $29,984 Lowest 10 percent warn: $22,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $39,000 Location quotient: 3.44 10. Cleveland, OH
Total manufacturer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $31,980 Lowest 10 percent warn: $24,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for manufacturers
- Wichita, KS
- Milwaukee, WI
- Reno, NV
- Omaha, NE
- Mesa, AZ
- Indianapolis, IN
- Aurora, CO
- Columbus, OH
- Tulsa, OK
- Cleveland, OH
- (6 manufacturer jobs)
- (11 manufacturer jobs)
- (4 manufacturer jobs)
- (2 manufacturer jobs)
- (7 manufacturer jobs)
- (9 manufacturer jobs)
- (4 manufacturer jobs)
- (3 manufacturer jobs)
- (5 manufacturer jobs)
- (0 manufacturer jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a manufacturer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita, KS | $34,727 | $26,000 | 389,902 | 6 |
| 2 | Milwaukee, WI | $36,593 | $28,000 | 595,047 | 11 |
| 3 | Reno, NV | $32,161 | $22,000 | 245,255 | 4 |
| 4 | Omaha, NE | $32,447 | $24,000 | 446,970 | 2 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | $31,842 | $23,000 | 484,587 | 7 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,344 | $23,000 | 855,164 | 9 |
| 7 | Aurora, CO | $35,685 | $27,000 | 361,710 | 4 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $30,379 | $23,000 | 860,090 | 3 |
| 9 | Tulsa, OK | $29,984 | $22,000 | 403,090 | 5 |
| 10 | Cleveland, OH | $31,980 | $24,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 11 | Toledo, OH | $31,959 | $24,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 12 | Fort Wayne, IN | $31,785 | $24,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $35,722 | $27,000 | 693,060 | 15 |
| 14 | Detroit, MI | $31,919 | $24,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 15 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,334 | $30,000 | 413,651 | 1 |
| 16 | El Paso, TX | $33,033 | $24,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $31,985 | $23,000 | 1,615,017 | 11 |
| 18 | Lincoln, NE | $32,224 | $24,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $33,654 | $25,000 | 2,704,958 | 7 |
| 20 | Portland, OR | $33,024 | $24,000 | 639,863 | 19 |
| 21 | San Antonio, TX | $30,846 | $22,000 | 1,492,510 | 10 |
| 22 | Madison, WI | $36,421 | $27,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 23 | Saint Paul, MN | $39,333 | $30,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 24 | Pittsburgh, PA | $30,131 | $22,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $41,680 | $32,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 26 | Seattle, WA | $36,390 | $26,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 27 | Lubbock, TX | $32,049 | $23,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 28 | Philadelphia, PA | $30,630 | $22,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 29 | Oklahoma City, OK | $29,802 | $22,000 | 638,367 | 4 |
| 30 | Cincinnati, OH | $29,394 | $22,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 31 | Dallas, TX | $30,959 | $23,000 | 1,317,929 | 4 |
| 32 | Glendale, AZ | $32,012 | $23,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 33 | Newark, NJ | $36,677 | $27,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 34 | Scottsdale, AZ | $31,924 | $23,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 35 | Jersey City, NJ | $36,670 | $27,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | $31,869 | $23,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 37 | Irving, TX | $30,991 | $23,000 | 238,289 | 1 |
| 38 | Colorado Springs, CO | $35,341 | $26,000 | 465,101 | - |
| 39 | Gilbert, AZ | $31,839 | $23,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 40 | Fremont, CA | $36,493 | $25,000 | 233,136 | 10 |
| 41 | Fort Worth, TX | $31,053 | $23,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 42 | Arlington, TX | $31,009 | $23,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 43 | Plano, TX | $30,959 | $23,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 44 | Garland, TX | $30,937 | $23,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 45 | Las Vegas, NV | $30,773 | $22,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 46 | North Las Vegas, NV | $30,712 | $22,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 47 | Winston-Salem, NC | $27,954 | $21,000 | 242,203 | 6 |
| 48 | Fresno, CA | $35,939 | $25,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 49 | Anaheim, CA | $34,191 | $24,000 | 351,043 | 3 |
| 50 | Austin, TX | $30,833 | $22,000 | 947,890 | - |
Highest paying cities for manufacturers
| Rank | City | Avg. manufacturer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $43,040 |
| 2 | Danvers, MA | $41,730 |
| 3 | Plymouth, MN | $39,330 |
| 4 | Portland, ME | $38,529 |
| 5 | Oshkosh, WI | $37,290 |
| 6 | Olympia, WA | $36,372 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $35,721 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $34,727 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $34,439 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $33,654 |
| 11 | Missoula, MT | $33,365 |
| 12 | Davenport, IA | $33,196 |
| 13 | Tualatin, OR | $33,046 |
| 14 | Kingman, AZ | $33,040 |
| 15 | Grand Rapids, MI | $32,166 |
| 16 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | $31,685 |
| 17 | Erie, PA | $31,495 |
| 18 | Tupelo, MS | $31,253 |
| 19 | Pocatello, ID | $30,701 |
| 20 | Durham, NC | $27,965 |
Manufacturer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025