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What is a manufacturing associate lead and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a manufacturing associate lead. For example, did you know that they make an average of $38.42 an hour? That's $79,912 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 2,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreManufacturing Associate LeadUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,912

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.1

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.70%

Asian 4.81%

Black or African American 11.81%

Hispanic or Latino 19.17%

Unknown 4.11%

White 59.39%

Gender

female 31.45%

male 68.55%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Manufacturing associate lead career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing associate lead

  1. Explore manufacturing associate lead education requirements

    Most common manufacturing associate lead degrees

    Bachelor's

    49.5 %

    Associate

    18.7 %

    High School Diploma

    16.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific manufacturing associate lead skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Harvest13.23%
    Lean Manufacturing11.99%
    GMP11.42%
    Production Equipment7.65%
    FDA7.33%
  3. Complete relevant manufacturing associate lead training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing associate leads learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing associate lead based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing associate lead resumes.
  4. Research manufacturing associate lead duties and responsibilities

    • Lead, develop, and implement the KANBAN system by providing better flows of raw material and production.
    • Follow strict DEA and FDA regulations.
    • Mentor other team members and ensure operations training for new hires under GMP and GLP standards.
    • Implement a monthly industrial safety field audit design to re-enforce OSHA regulations and management standards.
  5. Get manufacturing associate lead experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a manufacturing associate lead. The most common roles before becoming a manufacturing associate lead include manufacturing associate, senior manufacturing technician team lead and technician.
  6. Apply for manufacturing associate lead jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing associate lead job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first manufacturing associate lead job

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Average manufacturing associate lead salary

The average manufacturing associate lead salary in the United States is $79,912 per year or $38 per hour. Manufacturing associate lead salaries range between $59,000 and $106,000 per year.

Average manufacturing associate lead salary
$79,912 Yearly
$38.42 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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