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Job outlook for manufacturing program managers in the United States
Manufacturing program manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected manufacturing program manager job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 7,100 new jobs for manufacturing program managers are projected over the next decade.
Manufacturing program manager salaries have increased 12% for manufacturing program managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 15,831 manufacturing program managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 88,760 active manufacturing program manager job openings in the US.
The average manufacturing program manager salary is $76,289.
Are manufacturing program manager jobs in demand?
Manufacturing program manager job and salary trends over time
Manufacturing program manager jobs over time
Manufacturing program manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,831 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,786 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,298 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,929 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,123 | 0.00% |
Average manufacturing program manager salary over time
Manufacturing program manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $76,289 | $36.68 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $73,968 | $35.56 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $72,495 | $34.85 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $70,532 | $33.91 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $68,119 | $32.75 | +3.4% |
Manufacturing program manager jobs by state
Most common states for manufacturing program managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 234 | 34% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 163 | 26% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 329 | 25% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 184 | 24% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 131 | 23% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 214 | 22% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 224 | 21% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,058 | 19% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 782 | 19% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 673 | 19% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 552 | 18% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 963 | 17% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 181 | 17% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,049 | 15% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 846 | 15% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 714 | 15% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 290 | 15% |
| 19 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 277 | 15% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 195 | 15% |
Most common cities for manufacturing program managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn | 1 | 4% | $82,196 |
| 2 | Zanesville | 1 | 4% | $88,389 |
| 3 | Kaneohe | 1 | 3% | $81,514 |
| 4 | Menomonee Falls | 1 | 3% | $85,386 |
| 5 | Muskogee | 1 | 3% | $72,341 |
| 6 | Cupertino | 1 | 2% | $113,093 |
| 7 | Palmdale | 1 | 1% | $98,466 |
| 8 | Tracy | 1 | 1% | $112,295 |
Manufacturing Program Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of manufacturing program manager experts
University of Tennessee
Western Carolina University
Auburn University at Montgomery
Maryville University
Wichita State University
University of California
Scott Gilpatric
Professor and Department HeadUniversity of Tennessee
Department of Economics, Haslam College of Business
What will help Manufacturing Program Managers increase their earning potential?
Scott Gilpatric: The easy answer is being really proficient with handling data, including being comfortable with learning to code in whatever manner might be needed. There's no question those skills are likely to open doors. But in a very different way, one thing that really matters is being able to talk comfortably about ideas and developments in economics, business, or policy areas, signaling a strong base of knowledge. Towards that end, reading deeply, not just the headlines but long-form analysis in places like The Economist and other high-quality publications can be really beneficial.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Manufacturing Program Managers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: While jobs may be slower to return to the capacity pre-Covid, the industry and tourism employment will rebound as people still want to travel and explore diverse foods, cultures, and experiences. However, the enduring impact will be the rapid onset of technology that allowed for limited contact with employees and others has become the new norm. Although human interaction is an important aspect of service in the tourism industry, employers have found that they can reduce the number of personal interactions but still deliver an acceptable level of quality service. What would have taken years to adopt, COVID created an amplified adoption.
What technical skills for a Manufacturing Program Manager stand out to employers?
Angela Sebby Ph.D.: Business, creative, and organizational skills - I would recommend that upcoming graduates are proficient in Word, Excel (highly used), Powerpoint, Outlook (especially how to send meeting requests and calendar organization), TEAMS, Gantt charts for team management, Mindmapping for creativity, and design software. Additionally, I would recommend that they learn how to properly utilize social media for marketing and PR, not just personal posting. Finally, email etiquette would be essential.
What soft skills should all Manufacturing Program Managers possess?
TeWhan Hahn Ph.D.: Writing skills including email writing, being able to work in teams, and knowing the workplace etiquettes.
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.
Program Director & Assistant ProfessorMaryville University
Speech-Language Pathology
What's a day at work look like for a Manufacturing Program Manager?
Meaghan Goodman Ph.D.: A bachelor's in communication sciences and disorders can prepare you for three different tracks. First, it can prepare you to become a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). This is someone who works under a fully credential speech-language pathologist. Often times, they carryout intervention plans developed by a fully credentialed speech-language pathologist. If graduate school is on your horizon, a bachelor's degree in communication sciences and disorders will prepare you for acceptance into a Speech-Language Pathology program, or an Audiology program. If you are not accepted into a graduate program right away, working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) is a great way to get experience in the field!
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Manufacturing Program Manager resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Manufacturing Program Managers?
Diran Apelian: All of humanity has been impacted by the pandemic - every age, race, and country. For our graduates, it will be a "story" that they will pass on to the next generation someday. Each story will be different, but one theme will be common to all of them: that they learned to be agile, resilient, enterprising, and active learners. There is always a silver lining, and the confidence that they now have in being comfortable with the uncomfortable throughout life is perhaps the greatest and most beneficial impact.
What experience really stands out on Manufacturing Program Manager resumes?
Diran Apelian: Graduates who have never had industry experience are at a disadvantage. Those who stand out have taken risks and have exposed themselves to various engineering venues through summer jobs and various internships. Theory and practice stands out.