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. You are looking at page 2 of 6 for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades.
260 careers in Manufacturing & Skilled Trades, page 2 of 6
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $45,590
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic…
Dental Laboratory Technicians
High School Diploma · $48,310
Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $46,630
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
EHS Coordinator
Bachelor's Degree · $75,000
Coordinates and implements environmental, health, and safety programs to ensure compliance with regulations and promote…
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
Post-Secondary Certificate · $53,990
Repair, maintain, or install electric motors, wiring, or switches.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians
Associate's degree · $77,180
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians help engineers design and develop equipment that is…
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
High School Diploma · $61,680
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric…
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Associate's Degree · $65,000
Assist electrical engineers in designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing electrical and electronic equipment.…
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
Post-Secondary Certificate · $82,730
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation,…
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Associate's Degree · $71,300
Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Post-Secondary Certificate · $100,940
Inspect, test, repair, or maintain electrical equipment in generating stations, substations, and in-service relays.
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
High School Diploma · $92,560
Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy…
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
High School Diploma · $61,680
Assemble or modify electromechanical equipment or devices, such as servomechanisms, gyros, dynamometers, magnetic…
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Post-Secondary Certificate · $47,940
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
Electronics Assembler
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $38,000
Assembles electronic components, subassemblies, products, or systems. May work with small parts, use hand tools, and…
Electronics Engineering Technician
Associate's Degree · $62,000
Electronics Engineering Technicians assist engineers in designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing electronic…
Electronics Repairer
Postsecondary nondegree award · $55,000
Repairs, maintains, and installs electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas.…
Electronics Technicians
Associate's degree · $65,000
Install, maintain, and repair electronic equipment. Apply electronic theory, principles of electrical circuits,…
Electroplating Technician
High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or associate's degree often preferred. · $55,000
Electroplating Technicians coat objects in thin layers of metal using the process of electroplating. They direct,…
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
High School Diploma · $52,540
Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as…
Engineering Lab Technician
Associate's Degree · $60,000
Engineering Lab Technicians assist engineers and scientists in research and development, testing, and production…
Entry-level Manufacturing Associate
High School Diploma · $45,000
Operate and maintain production machinery, assemble components, and inspect finished products to ensure quality…
Etchers and Engravers
High School Diploma · $40,450
Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph…
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $46,980
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire,…
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
High School Diploma · $67,670
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Fabricator
Certificate or Vocational Training · $55,000
Constructs and assembles metal products and structures by cutting, shaping, and welding materials according to…
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
Post-Secondary Certificate · $52,080
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and…
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
High School Diploma · $45,760
Laminate layers of fiberglass on molds to form boat decks and hulls, bodies for golf carts, automobiles, or other…
Field Service Technician (Pumps)
High School Diploma or equivalent; Associate's Degree or vocational training preferred · $65,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs various types of pumps and pumping systems. This often involves troubleshooting…
Field Service Technician (various industries)
Associate's Degree or Vocational Training · $60,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs equipment and systems in various industries, often working on-site at client…
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
High School Diploma · $78,300
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on…
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
High School Diploma · $71,190
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision…
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $42,730
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters,…
Food Batchmakers
High School Diploma · $40,790
Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes…
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $40,550
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and…
Food Quality Control Technician
Associate's Degree · $52,000
Food Quality Control Technicians ensure food products meet safety and quality standards. They inspect ingredients,…
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $49,240
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Foundry Laborer
High School Diploma · $40,000
Forms wax or sand cores or molds used in the production of metal castings in foundries, performing tasks that involve…
Foundry Technician
High School Diploma or GED; some vocational training or associate's degree preferred · $52,000
Operates and maintains foundry equipment to cast metal products. This includes preparing molds, melting and pouring…
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
High School Diploma · $47,010
Operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities…
Furniture Finishers
High School Diploma · $42,530
Shape, finish, and refinish damaged, worn, or used furniture or new high-grade furniture to specified color or finish.
Gas Plant Operators
High School Diploma · $83,400
Distribute or process gas for utility companies and others by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures…
Gem and Diamond Workers
High School Diploma · $57,090
Fabricate, finish, or evaluate the quality of gems and diamonds used in jewelry or industrial tools.
Gemologist
Associate's degree or vocational training · $55,000
Examine, grade, and appraise gems and jewelry. Identify gemstones, determine their quality and value, and detect…
General Electronics Repair Technician
High School Diploma or GED; Vocational Training or Associate's Degree preferred · $52,000
Diagnoses, repairs, and maintains a wide range of electronic equipment, from consumer devices to industrial systems.…
General Mechanic Helper
High School Diploma or GED · $38,000
Assists skilled mechanics in performing maintenance, repair, and diagnostic tasks on various types of machinery,…
Geothermal Production Managers
Some College · $108,390
Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for…
Geothermal Technicians
High School Diploma · $49,300
Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from…
Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers
Less than High School · $45,210
Shape molten glass according to patterns.
Grinding and Polishing Worker, Hand
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $38,940
Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using…