Careers in Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
Two hundred and sixty careers across machining, fabrication, electrical and mechanical trades, plant operations, quality control, and the hands-on work that produces and maintains physical goods. Each card below carries the typical preparation path, the salary range from entry to senior level, and a short read on what the work actually involves day to day.
260 careers in Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $45,210
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed…
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Post-Secondary Certificate · $78,680
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
High School Diploma · $61,680
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage,…
Apprentice Fabricator
High School Diploma or Equivalent; Vocational Training · $45,000
Learn to cut, shape, and assemble metal components to create structures or products under the supervision of…
Apprentice Jeweler
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $45,000
Assists experienced jewelers in crafting, repairing, and designing jewelry. Learns techniques such as soldering,…
Apprentice Seamstress
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $32,000
Learn the craft of sewing, altering, repairing, and creating garments and textile products under professional guidance,…
Assembly Line Worker
High School Diploma · $38,000
Assembles components and sub-assemblies according to specifications, ensuring quality and efficiency in production.…
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers
High School Diploma · $50,620
Install, repair, or adjust audio or television receivers, stereo systems, camcorders, video systems, or other…
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
High School Diploma · $51,680
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
High School Diploma · $47,260
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Automotive Mechanic
Certificate or Vocational Training · $50,000
Inspects, maintains, and repairs automobiles and light trucks. Diagnoses mechanical and electrical issues using…
Automotive Refinish Technician
High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or apprenticeship often preferred. · $48,000
Automotive refinish technicians prepare vehicle surfaces, mix paints, and apply coatings to restore the original finish…
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Post-Secondary Certificate · $49,670
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Automotive Technician
Postsecondary nondegree award · $65,000
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles, ensuring they run safely and efficiently.
Auxiliary Operator
High school diploma or equivalent; some college or vocational training preferred · $50,000 - $65,000
Assists primary operators in monitoring, controlling, and maintaining equipment and systems in industrial or power…
Avionics Technicians
Post-Secondary Certificate · $81,390
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control…
Bakers
High School Diploma · $36,650
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Bicycle Repairers
Less than High School · $40,360
Repair and service bicycles.
Biofuels Processing Technicians
High School Diploma · $73,540
Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels…
Biofuels Production Managers
Bachelor's Degree · $108,390
Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance,…
Biomass Plant Technicians
High School Diploma · $73,540
Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Bachelor's Degree · $108,390
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of…
Body Repair Technicians
Postsecondary nondegree award · $48,000
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames. This includes repairing dents, replacing…
Boiler Operator
High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or apprenticeship often required. · $60,000
Operates and maintains industrial boilers, ensuring efficient and safe steam generation for heating, power, or…
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Post-Secondary Certificate · $60,640
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes…
Butchers and Meat Cutters
High School Diploma · $38,960
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
High School Diploma · $46,020
Cut, shape, and assemble wooden articles or set up and operate a variety of woodworking machines, such as power saws,…
Calibration Technologist and Technician
Associate's degree · $65,040
Calibration technologists and technicians inspect, adjust, and test measurement devices against standards, such as…
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $57,090
Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer…
Chemical Mixing Operator
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $49,000
Operates and monitors chemical mixing equipment to blend raw materials according to specifications. Ensures product…
Chemical Plant and System Operators
High School Diploma · $73,540
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
Chemical Plant Operator
Certificate or Vocational Training · $70,000
Operates and monitors chemical processing equipment, ensuring safe and efficient production of chemical products.…
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $41,460
Operate or tend machines to wash or clean products, such as barrels or kegs, glass items, tin plate, food, pulp, coal,…
CNC Operator
Certificate or Vocational Training · $55,000
Operates computer-controlled machines to produce precision parts from various materials. Sets up, adjusts, and…
CNC Programmer
Certificate or Vocational Training · $72,000
Develops programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems.…
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
High School Diploma · $47,590
Set up, operate, or tend spraying or rolling machines to coat or paint any of a wide variety of products, including…
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers
High School Diploma · $47,350
Install, service, adjust, or repair coin, vending, or amusement machines including video games, juke boxes, pinball…
Commercial Divers
Post-Secondary Certificate · $61,130
Work below surface of water, using surface-supplied air or scuba equipment to inspect, repair, remove, or install…
Commissioning Technician
Associate's degree · $75,000
Commissioning technicians are responsible for the installation, testing, troubleshooting, and operational handover of…
Composite Technician
High School Diploma or Equivalent; some vocational training or associate's degree preferred · $50,000
Composite technicians fabricate, repair, and maintain components made from composite materials like carbon fiber,…
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Associate's Degree · $46,860
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office…
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
High School Diploma · $49,970
Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of…
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers
High School Diploma · $65,670
Develop programs to control machining or processing of materials by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. May…
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
High School Diploma · $74,690
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators,…
Control Room Operator
High School Diploma or GED; some college or vocational training preferred · $65,000 - $75,000
Monitors and controls complex systems and equipment from a central control room, often in industries like power…
Control Room Operator (Other Industries)
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $65,000
Monitors and controls complex systems and equipment from a central control room, ensuring efficient and safe operation.…
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Less than High School · $40,160
Operate or tend equipment such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to…
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
High School Diploma · $46,890
Set up, operate, or tend machines to crush, grind, or polish materials, such as coal, glass, grain, stone, food, or…
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Less than High School · $38,800
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone,…
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
High School Diploma · $45,700
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food,…