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Job outlook for senior manufacturing managers in the United States
Senior manufacturing manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected senior manufacturing manager job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 7,100 new jobs for senior manufacturing managers are projected over the next decade.
Senior manufacturing manager salaries have increased 12% for senior manufacturing managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 22,692 senior manufacturing managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 39,741 active senior manufacturing manager job openings in the US.
The average senior manufacturing manager salary is $146,889.
Are senior manufacturing manager jobs in demand?
Senior manufacturing manager job and salary trends over time
Senior manufacturing manager jobs over time
Senior manufacturing manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,692 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 21,196 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 21,884 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,335 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 20,197 | 0.01% |
Average senior manufacturing manager salary over time
Senior manufacturing manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $146,889 | $70.62 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $142,420 | $68.47 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $139,584 | $67.11 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $135,804 | $65.29 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $131,159 | $63.06 | +3.4% |
Senior manufacturing manager jobs by state
Most common states for senior manufacturing managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 130 | 19% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,077 | 16% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 184 | 14% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 741 | 13% |
| 5 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 418 | 12% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,373 | 11% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 760 | 11% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 658 | 11% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 609 | 11% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 436 | 11% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 332 | 11% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 107 | 11% |
| 13 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,137 | 10% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,006 | 10% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 827 | 10% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 739 | 10% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 594 | 10% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 181 | 10% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 111 | 10% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 62 | 10% |
Most common cities for senior manufacturing managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Covina | 2 | 4% | $175,543 |
| 2 | Thousand Oaks | 4 | 3% | $177,714 |
| 3 | Waltham | 2 | 3% | $145,528 |
| 4 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $131,302 |
| 5 | Irvine | 3 | 1% | $174,217 |
| 6 | Tampa | 3 | 1% | $127,817 |
| 7 | Clearwater | 1 | 1% | $128,164 |
| 8 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $145,536 |
| 9 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $137,962 |
| 10 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $170,062 |
| 11 | San Francisco | 2 | 0% | $188,714 |
| 12 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $187,630 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $130,852 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $133,599 |
| 15 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $111,433 |
Senior Manufacturing Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of senior manufacturing manager experts
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Clemson University
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Wichita State University
University of California
University of California
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pennsylvania State University - New Kensington
MANA
Mr. Supply Chain
What will help Senior Manufacturing Managers increase their earning potential?
Priya Nagaraj: Students need to know how to write their resumes and update their profiles so they can flag the skills they have acquired to prospective employers. Once they start their careers, attitude is one of the most important predictors of success - the ability to communicate and work in a team, and an openness to learn.
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Teaching ProfessorArizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Manufacturing Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Senior Manufacturing Manager?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: When entering a career in manufacturing engineering, consider starting as a technician to gain experience with the company before transitioning into engineering. This will allow you to build confidence and better understand the production systems you will be responsible for as an engineer.
What Senior Manufacturing Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, the most important skills an engineer will need is the ability to understand, design, assemble, and deploy production capable systems. This includes an expertise with computer-aided engineering tools to assist in the design and verification of engineered systems before a company expends capital on the equipment.
Jianyu Liang
Director of Materials and Manufacturing Engineering Program, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, WPIWorcester Polytechnic Institute
Materials Engineering
What Senior Manufacturing Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jianyu Liang: For manufacturing engineers, the next 3-5 years promise significant evolution due to advancements in technology and changes in manufacturing processes. Here are some skills that are expected to become more important and prevalent in the field: proficiency in automation and robotics, advanced data analysis and data-driven optimization, digital twin technology, additive manufacturing and 3D printing, application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in manufacturing, cybersecurity for manufacturing systems, and supply chain management.
What will help Senior Manufacturing Managers increase their earning potential?
Jianyu Liang: Get Your Hands Dirty: There's no substitute for hands-on experience. The lessons learned through direct involvement are invaluable, offering insights and skills that theoretical knowledge alone cannot provide. Embrace every opportunity to participate in projects, volunteer for tasks, and experiment within your role. This proactive approach not only accelerates your learning but also showcases your work ethic and dedication to potential mentors and leaders.
Be Mindful and Intentional in Your Job: While immersing yourself in your work, adopt a reflective practice. Actively seek feedback and analyze your experiences. This intentional approach to learning from every task helps to grow your skills rapidly.
Be Open-Minded and Adaptable: The landscape of nearly every industry is rapidly evolving, particularly with the integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are not just changing the way we work; they are reshaping the skills and roles in demand. Stay open to new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. Continuous learning and adaptability are key to remaining relevant and thriving in a tech-driven workplace. Attend workshops, webinars, and courses on emerging technologies and trends in your field to keep your skills sharp and your perspective fresh.
Cultivate a Professional Network: Building relationships within your industry is crucial. Networking isn't just about finding job opportunities; it's about learning from peers, gaining insights into industry trends, and establishing a support system. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and engage in communities related to your field. These connections can provide guidance, mentorship, and support as you navigate your career path.
Dr. John Ballato
J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and ProfessorClemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
What skills will help Senior Manufacturing Managers earn the most?
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.
Jonathan Puthoff
Associate ProfessorCalifornia State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Chemical and Materials Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Senior Manufacturing Manager job market given the pandemic?
Jonathan Puthoff: I predict a reconsideration of what "attendance" means in a workplace. Knowledge workers have always had some leeway to work from home, but workplaces that have found near-universal remote collaboration congenial may consciously move toward that model. Workers who are afforded more options to work from home should consider carefully the level of support that their employer provides for doing this and should be prepared to negotiate over the exact terms.
What skills stand out on Senior Manufacturing Manager resumes?
Jonathan Puthoff: Collaboration and communication skills. I also think that students should graduate knowing at least one field-specific software design tool or package, as well as some evidence that they can learn more on the job. Finally, workplaces are more diverse in terms of the generations, ethnicities, and genders represented than they have been at any time in the past, so students who have a wide variety of out-of-classroom experiences (and presumably make more considerate colleagues) could do well to highlight those.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What type of skills will young Senior Manufacturing Managers need?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: The work environment has changed drastically over the past three decades due to the faster pace of innovation and shorter product lifecycles. This has a direct impact on what young graduates need to succeed in the future. The primary skill needed is the ability to learn quickly. The skills that a graduate acquires in college will become obsolete in a few years, so they should not count on those skills as a means for financial security for life. In this environment, flexibility is the key to success: flexibility to learn new skills, flexibility to work in a new and different business environment, and flexibility to work with others. We face very complex problems, and to solve these problems, we need teams rather than individuals to solve them. This highlights the importance of critical thinking, multi-disciplinary vision, and communication skills.
What experience really stands out on Senior Manufacturing 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.
What experience really stands out on Senior Manufacturing 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.
What experience really stands out on Senior Manufacturing Manager resumes?
Lorenzo Valdevit Ph.D.: As the pandemic has made it harder for students to secure these invaluable internships and other industrial experience, we expect the gap between the most marketable students (those who succeeded in securing these experiences against all odds) and everyone else to grow even deeper this hiring season.
What Senior Manufacturing Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kamran Abedini: First of all, I do not recommend a gap year or any interruptions in education as it could require additional warm-up and setup for starting it again in the future. However, if they "need" to do so, I recommend they at least take one course so that they understand the trend and the expectations of students in an educational environment. For example, in the last couple of semesters, both faculty and students have learned and experienced new methods of virtual learning and assessment. If you just plan on coming to school after a few semesters, you would be highly surprised by the changes, taking you much time to prepare, and it would cause falling behind your coursework.
What type of skills will young Senior Manufacturing Managers need?
Adrian Tan: The feedback from business leaders is that they wish to see a balanced mix of different skills in new graduates. An unexpected skill mentioned is the ability to use spreadsheets such as Excel. Companies do not expect to have to train new employees to use spreadsheets, though it turned out that spreadsheets are widely used (at varying levels of complexity) at all levels in organizations. An assumption here is that if a graduate already has good spreadsheet skills, then the graduate should also have the ability to quickly pick up on other more complex business IT skills required by the organization.
Businesses also need to know if their new employees can effectively interact with internal or external audiences. In this regard, excellent presentation skills are the minimum expectation from businesses. Presentation skills (both formal and informal) include the ability to read people, to communicate, and to covey information appropriately to the different types of audiences they may encounter - and these may sometimes include bored, skeptical, adversarial or even hostile audiences.
Every organization also requires graduates to show that they are good team-players. In addition to that, it is a big advantage if graduates can also demonstrate sound leadership skills in the context of teamwork. This is because new employees with leadership potential are viewed as those who are willing to go the extra mile, able to function with minimum supervision, can roll with the punches to jump back into the fray, and trusted to welcome (instead of to avoid) new assignments or challenges. Leadership skills are also seen as closely aligned with the possession of a corporate entrepreneurial mindset in that such employees are more willing to challenge the status quo, come up with out-of-the-box ideas, and help lead transformation efforts that can guide the organization in the future.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Manufacturing Managers to find work opportunities?
Adrian Tan: Business skills are in great demand anywhere where there is a desire to organize human beings for productive gains. Realistically, new graduates always have to consider if they should relocate for their first jobs. This is because it is natural for business cycles to expand or contract over time in patterns that may not be in sync with the timing of new graduates entering the work force. For instance, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has froze certain types of jobs in businesses, but has expanded other types of jobs instead. This means that there are new opportunities being created, but these may be located in other parts of the country.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Senior Manufacturing Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Jerry Leth: The current Covid-19 pandemic saw a huge surge in virtual meeting platforms. Your purpose as a salesperson needs to be to help your customers solve the problems they face, not to get orders. If they sense you want to help them rather than get them to buy something, they trust you and end up buying from you. Prior to Covid, salespeople created and maintained high-trust customer relationships through face-to-face meetings. That is not possible under the current environment, and salespeople rely more on connecting through LinkedIn and growing customer relationships through virtual meeting platforms. Following the pandemic, while face-to-face meetings return, the virtual meetings will continue to gain importance and relevance.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Senior Manufacturing Managers to find work opportunities?
Daniel Stanton: Every business and government organization has a supply chain, and that means there are job opportunities for supply chain professionals virtually everywhere. I always encourage people to focus on industries and regions that align with their personal priorities, while factoring in the upside opportunities and downside risks. It's easier to get a job with a company that is growing, and in a region that has a strong economy. But you can still find opportunities with companies that are trying to cut costs in their supply chain to survive an economic downturn.