Best cities for a manufacturing worker
The best cities for manufacturing workers are Toledo, OH, Cleveland, OH, and Mesa, AZ, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for manufacturing workers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for manufacturing workers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a manufacturing worker or considering a move, this list of the best cities for manufacturing workers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for manufacturing workers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a manufacturing worker. While the absolute best city for manufacturing workers is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for manufacturing workers in 2024.
If you're looking for a manufacturing worker job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for manufacturing workers in 2026
1. Toledo, OH
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $33,494 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 19.01 2. Cleveland, OH
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $33,509 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 5.33 3. Mesa, AZ
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $33,334 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 17.95 4. Milwaukee, WI
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,412 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Columbus, OH
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $32,571 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 3.80 6. Madison, WI
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,354 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Lincoln, NE
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $32,177 Lowest 10 percent warn: $25,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $40,000 Location quotient: 7.68 8. Wichita, KS
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $32,693 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $41,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Glendale, AZ
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,505 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Phoenix, AZ
Total manufacturing worker jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $33,485 Lowest 10 percent warn: $26,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for manufacturing workers
- Toledo, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Mesa, AZ
- Milwaukee, WI
- Columbus, OH
- Madison, WI
- Lincoln, NE
- Wichita, KS
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- (2 manufacturing worker jobs)
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- (2 manufacturing worker jobs)
- (0 manufacturing worker jobs)
- (4 manufacturing worker jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a manufacturing worker
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, OH | $33,494 | $26,000 | 278,508 | 2 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $33,509 | $26,000 | 385,809 | 2 |
| 3 | Mesa, AZ | $33,334 | $26,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 4 | Milwaukee, WI | $33,412 | $26,000 | 595,047 | - |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $32,571 | $25,000 | 860,090 | 4 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $33,354 | $26,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 7 | Lincoln, NE | $32,177 | $25,000 | 280,364 | 2 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $32,693 | $26,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 9 | Glendale, AZ | $33,505 | $26,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 10 | Phoenix, AZ | $33,485 | $26,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 11 | Scottsdale, AZ | $33,445 | $26,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 12 | Cincinnati, OH | $31,946 | $25,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 13 | Chandler, AZ | $33,346 | $26,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 14 | Reno, NV | $36,828 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 15 | North Las Vegas, NV | $35,322 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 16 | Minneapolis, MN | $33,798 | $26,000 | 413,651 | 2 |
| 17 | Henderson, NV | $35,259 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 18 | Gilbert, AZ | $33,320 | $26,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $35,367 | $28,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 20 | Omaha, NE | $32,292 | $25,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 21 | Saint Paul, MN | $33,791 | $26,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 22 | Colorado Springs, CO | $33,824 | $26,000 | 465,101 | 3 |
| 23 | Portland, OR | $38,300 | $30,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 24 | Detroit, MI | $30,096 | $23,000 | 672,795 | 8 |
| 25 | Memphis, TN | $29,000 | $22,000 | 652,717 | 4 |
| 26 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,186 | $23,000 | 855,164 | 4 |
| 27 | Tulsa, OK | $26,840 | $21,000 | 403,090 | 9 |
| 28 | Anchorage, AK | $36,717 | $31,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 29 | Seattle, WA | $37,239 | $30,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 30 | Chicago, IL | $33,055 | $26,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 31 | Tucson, AZ | $32,829 | $25,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 32 | Fort Wayne, IN | $30,992 | $24,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 33 | Louisville, KY | $29,992 | $23,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 34 | Durham, NC | $27,250 | $21,000 | 263,016 | 11 |
| 35 | Fresno, CA | $33,243 | $26,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 36 | Lexington, KY | $29,939 | $23,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 37 | Nashville, TN | $29,148 | $22,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 38 | Sacramento, CA | $33,672 | $26,000 | 495,234 | 3 |
| 39 | Boston, MA | $35,016 | $27,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 40 | Philadelphia, PA | $29,331 | $22,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 41 | New Orleans, LA | $28,138 | $21,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 42 | Denver, CO | $34,096 | $27,000 | 693,060 | - |
| 43 | San Francisco, CA | $33,889 | $26,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 44 | San Jose, CA | $33,755 | $26,000 | 1,025,350 | 4 |
| 45 | Pittsburgh, PA | $29,330 | $22,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 46 | Aurora, CO | $34,069 | $27,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 47 | Oakland, CA | $33,847 | $26,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 48 | Fremont, CA | $33,786 | $26,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 49 | Kansas City, MO | $28,494 | $22,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 50 | Saint Louis, MO | $28,216 | $22,000 | 311,404 | - |
Highest paying cities for manufacturing workers
| Rank | City | Avg. manufacturing worker salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $33,755 |
| 2 | Casa Grande, AZ | $33,227 |
| 3 | Findlay, OH | $33,168 |
| 4 | Pocatello, ID | $31,833 |
| 5 | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,201 |
| 6 | Indianapolis, IN | $30,186 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $30,003 |
| 8 | Iowa City, IA | $29,174 |
| 9 | Memphis, TN | $29,000 |
| 10 | Jacksonville, AR | $28,850 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $27,250 |
| 12 | Amarillo, TX | $27,221 |
| 13 | Tulsa, OK | $26,840 |
| 14 | Montgomery, AL | $24,425 |
Manufacturing worker best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025