Post job

Plant manager vs factory manager

The differences between plant managers and factory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a plant manager, becoming a factory manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a plant manager has an average salary of $113,843, which is higher than the $94,025 average annual salary of a factory manager.

The top three skills for a plant manager include continuous improvement, customer service and safety program. The most important skills for a factory manager are continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, and ISO.

Plant manager vs factory manager overview

Plant ManagerFactory Manager
Yearly salary$113,843$94,025
Hourly rate$54.73$45.20
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs275,9629,900
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4448
Years of experience62

Plant manager vs factory manager salary

Plant managers and factory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plant ManagerFactory Manager
Average salary$113,843$94,025
Salary rangeBetween $85,000 And $152,000Between $67,000 And $131,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CAStamford, CT
Highest paying stateNew JerseyAlaska
Best paying companyKoch IndustriesAmazon
Best paying industryFinanceManufacturing

Differences between plant manager and factory manager education

There are a few differences between a plant manager and a factory manager in terms of educational background:

Plant ManagerFactory Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Plant manager vs factory manager demographics

Here are the differences between plant managers' and factory managers' demographics:

Plant ManagerFactory Manager
Average age4448
Gender ratioMale, 93.7% Female, 6.3%Male, 87.5% Female, 12.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%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%
LGBT Percentage10%8%

Differences between plant manager and factory manager duties and responsibilities

Plant manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage 65 plant production and five plant supervisors in bilingual union manufacturing HVAC plant.
  • Manage compliance and training for the facility HACCP plan and are awarded PICQS plus status on annual audit.
  • Lead skilled trades in the repair and maintenance of robotics, PLC, hydraulic and electrical switchgear applications.
  • Lead OEE & SMED initiatives to improve machine utilization, up-time, throughput, change-over time, & yield.
  • Manage daily operations of USDA facility.
  • Coordinate monthly safety meetings, provide training and lead internal inspections that foster OSHA awareness.
  • Show more

Factory manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead the process change to use MRP for planning all in house manufacture production products.
  • Manage engineering and maintenance technicians in order to improve equipment reliability and improve OEE.
  • Design a visual kanban for the factory floor and develop an electronic system using MRP technology to replenish parts.
  • Develop and maintain set-up sheets / device history records for all customer jobs to ensure SMT tractability.
  • Reduce work-in-process inventory from 2 weeks to 2 days by improving processes and setting up a KANBAN system.
  • Direct all operations for manufacturing, warehousing supply chain and logistics.
  • Show more

Plant manager vs factory manager skills

Common plant manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%
  • Plant Operations, 6%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
Common factory manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 14%
  • Lean Manufacturing, 9%
  • ISO, 6%
  • Sigma, 6%
  • On-Time Delivery, 5%
  • Employee Engagement, 5%

Browse executive management jobs