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Manufacturer vs production manager

The differences between manufacturers and production managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a manufacturer and a production manager. Additionally, a production manager has an average salary of $78,064, which is higher than the $32,213 average annual salary of a manufacturer.

The top three skills for a manufacturer include assembly line, basic math and work ethic. The most important skills for a production manager are continuous improvement, customer service, and quality standards.

Manufacturer vs production manager overview

ManufacturerProduction Manager
Yearly salary$32,213$78,064
Hourly rate$15.49$37.53
Growth rate7%3%
Number of jobs42,50695,561
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

Manufacturer vs production manager salary

Manufacturers and production managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

ManufacturerProduction Manager
Average salary$32,213$78,064
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $42,000Between $50,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CityFargo, NDSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWyomingRhode Island
Best paying companyABBCheniere Energy
Best paying industryTelecommunicationTechnology

Differences between manufacturer and production manager education

There are a few differences between a manufacturer and a production manager in terms of educational background:

ManufacturerProduction Manager
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Manufacturer vs production manager demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturers' and production managers' demographics:

ManufacturerProduction Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 72.1% Female, 27.9%Male, 76.6% Female, 23.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between manufacturer and production manager duties and responsibilities

Manufacturer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the flow of each pallet to ensure the group is able to produce the quality product.
  • Use of CNC machines for the manufacturing and quality control of hot tubs.
  • Mask and prepare airplane fuel and air filters to be prime and paint.
  • Inspect, inventory, mask and unmask all unpaint and paint parts for helicopters.
  • Improve on ISO and training standards by implementing work instructions on computer interface rather than paper.
  • Assemble dashboards and trunks (car parts) for Honda using drills, and other equipment.
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Production manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead a KAIZEN that save 220k in damages.
  • Manage lean sigma techniques and Kaizen events to reduce raw material and scrap costs.
  • Hire and manage crew and locations along with renting necessary film equipment and organizing shoot logistics.
  • Team member in setting up TPM method of measuring production (OEE), helping to achieve record production results.
  • Manage data reports, analyze and provide data to improve operational performance to include OEE, process reliability and labor optimization.
  • Manage production control group and supply replenishment logistics for the manufacturing division.
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Manufacturer vs production manager skills

Common manufacturer skills
  • Assembly Line, 18%
  • Basic Math, 16%
  • Work Ethic, 15%
  • Power Saws, 12%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
Common production manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • Production Supervisors, 6%

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