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The differences between manufacturing managers and continuous improvement managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a manufacturing manager, becoming a continuous improvement manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a manufacturing manager has an average salary of $101,712, which is higher than the $99,644 average annual salary of a continuous improvement manager.
The top three skills for a manufacturing manager include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and production schedules. The most important skills for a continuous improvement manager are lean six sigma, sigma, and continuous improvement.
| Manufacturing Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $101,712 | $99,644 |
| Hourly rate | $48.90 | $47.91 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 40,395 | 154,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
A manufacturing manager is an individual 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.
A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.
Manufacturing managers and continuous improvement managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Average salary | $101,712 | $99,644 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $145,000 | Between $74,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bain & Company | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing manager and a continuous improvement manager in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between manufacturing managers' and continuous improvement managers' demographics:
| Manufacturing Manager | Continuous Improvement Manager | |
| Average age | 48 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.8% Female, 11.2% | Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |