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Manufacturing operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a manufacturing operator. Manufacturing operators usually study business, electrical engineering, or biology. 45% of manufacturing operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 5,177 real manufacturing operator resumes to see exactly what manufacturing operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for manufacturing operators are the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus and the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus.
There are also many online manufacturing operator courses to help get the education required to be a manufacturing operator.
There are certain manufacturing operator certifications that you should consider. These manufacturing operator certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).
What education do you need to become a manufacturing operator?
What degree do you need to be a manufacturing operator?
- Bachelor's, 45%
- Associate, 24%
- High School Diploma, 18%
- Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a manufacturing operator?
- Business, 23%
- Biology, 9%
- Computer Science, 6%
- Other Majors, 51%
Most common colleges for manufacturing operators
| Manufacturing operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus | 15.06% |
| University of Puerto Rico - Cayey | 9.94% |
| University of Phoenix | 9.29% |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico | 8.01% |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | 5.45% |
Best majors for manufacturing operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 23.3% |
| 2 | Electrical Engineering | 10.7% |
| 3 | Biology | 9.3% |
| 4 | Computer Science | 5.5% |
| 5 | Mechanical Engineering | 5.2% |
Best colleges for manufacturing operators
The best colleges for manufacturing operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A manufacturing operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for manufacturing operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become manufacturing operators.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for manufacturing operators
Advertising disclosure
1. Lean Manufacturing A-Z: Lean Operations Management
Lean Business Operations Management, Lean Process and Systems Improvement in Production and Industry. MBA style course...
2. Basic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Learn the good practices that applies to the pharmaceutical industry...
3. The Production Part Approval Process (PPAP)
The 18-step process for ensuring new parts are consistently manufactured and meet their customers' quality expectations...
4. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
5. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment
Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...
6. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor
Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...
7. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit
Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...
8. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control
Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...
9. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)
Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...
10. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
11. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
12. Operations Management: Supply Chains, Products and Services
Master Supply Chain Management and Product and Service Development in Manufacturing and Service Organizations...
13. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel
Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...
14. Data Quality Fundamentals
Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...
15. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
16. Data Quality Masterclass - The Complete Course
Learn Data Quality Management from A to Z. This complete guide covers all Data Quality Principles, Techniques and more...
17. Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
Manufacturing Fundamentals...
18. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.
OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...
19. Mastering ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
Plain and Simple Clause by Clause Explanation of ISO 9001:2015 QMS Standard & Implementation Strategies...
20. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices
Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...
Top 10 most affordable universities for manufacturing operators
The most affordable schools for manufacturing operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for manufacturing operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for manufacturing operators.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for manufacturing operators
The hardest universities for manufacturing operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for manufacturing operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for manufacturing operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for manufacturing operators
The easiest schools for manufacturing operators to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a manufacturing operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for manufacturing operators.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average manufacturing operator salary by education level
| Manufacturing operator education level | Manufacturing operator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $41,881 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $33,634 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $38,365 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $35,724 |
Manufacturing operator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common production and manufacturing questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025