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 3 of 6 for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades.
260 careers in Manufacturing & Skilled Trades, page 3 of 6
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
High School Diploma · $41,690
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or…
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $45,190
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges…
Handyman
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $45,000
Performs a variety of repair and maintenance tasks for residential and commercial properties, including minor plumbing,…
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $47,450
Set up, operate, or tend heating equipment, such as heat-treating furnaces, flame-hardening machines, induction…
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Post-Secondary Certificate · $59,810
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air…
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
High School Diploma · $38,860
Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles,…
Helpers--Production Workers
High School Diploma · $38,220
Help production workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or…
Home Appliance Repairers
High School Diploma · $49,410
Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers,…
HVAC Apprentice
High School Diploma or GED; vocational training often preferred · $45,000
Assists experienced HVAC technicians with installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, ventilation, air…
HVAC Helper
High School Diploma or Equivalent · $45,000
Assists HVAC technicians with installation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning…
HVAC Service Technician
Postsecondary nondegree award · $55,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Works with various…
HVAC Technician
Certificate or Vocational Training · $61,010
Installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring optimal performance and…
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Associate's Degree · $73,540
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps,…
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Post-Secondary Certificate · $108,390
Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for…
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Post-Secondary Certificate · $63,760
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline…
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic
Certificate or Vocational Training · $64,520
Installs, maintains, and repairs industrial production and processing machinery. Diagnoses mechanical issues, performs…
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Postsecondary nondegree award · $60,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs machinery, equipment, physical structures, and pipe and electrical systems in…
Industrial Production Managers
High School Diploma · $121,440
Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with…
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
High School Diploma · $47,460
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled…
Jeweler
High School Diploma · $49,140 per year
Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers design, construct, adjust, repair, appraise, and sell jewelry and related…
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
High School Diploma · $49,140
Design, fabricate, adjust, repair, or appraise jewelry, gold, silver, other precious metals, or gems.
Junior Process Engineer
Bachelor's degree · $85,000
Assist in designing, optimizing, and implementing industrial processes while analyzing data, troubleshooting issues,…
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $48,620
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials,…
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
Less than High School · $33,800
Operate or tend washing or dry-cleaning machines to wash or dry-clean industrial or household articles, such as cloth…
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $61,870
Lay out reference points and dimensions on metal or plastic stock or workpieces, such as sheets, plates, tubes,…
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
High School Diploma · $50,490
Repair and open locks, make keys, change locks and safe combinations, and install and repair safes.
Low Voltage Technician
High School Diploma or Equivalent; Postsecondary non-degree award or Associate's degree often preferred · $55,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs low-voltage electronic systems such as security alarms, telecommunications,…
Lube Technician
High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training preferred · $40,000
Performs routine maintenance on vehicles, including oil changes, tire rotations, and fluid checks. Inspects vehicles…
Machine Operator Assistant
High School Diploma or GED · $38,000
Assists machine operators in setting up, operating, and maintaining machinery. Responsibilities include loading…
Machine Operator Assistant (Production)
High School Diploma or GED · $38,000
Assists machine operators in setting up, operating, and maintaining machinery. Responsibilities include loading…
Machinists
High School Diploma · $56,150
Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes…
Maintenance and Repair Worker, General
High School Diploma · $45,000
Maintain and repair machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. Perform a variety of skilled and semi-skilled…
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Post-Secondary Certificate · $48,620
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical…
Maintenance Engineer
Bachelor's Degree · $85,000
Ensure the optimal functioning, reliability, and safety of machinery, equipment, and industrial systems by implementing…
Maintenance Manager
Bachelor's Degree · $85,000
Oversees and directs all maintenance procedures and operations within a facility or organization, ensuring optimal…
Maintenance Technician Assistant
High School Diploma or GED · $45,000
Assists maintenance technicians with repairs, installations, and preventative maintenance tasks on machinery,…
Maintenance Technician (Industrial)
Postsecondary nondegree award · $60,000
Industrial maintenance technicians inspect, maintain, and repair industrial machinery and equipment. They troubleshoot…
Maintenance Technicians
High School Diploma · $50,993
Maintenance technicians are responsible for the upkeep, repair, and troubleshooting of various systems and structures…
Maintenance Worker, Machinery
Certificate or Vocational Training · $65,000
Inspects, maintains, and repairs industrial machinery and mechanical equipment to ensure optimal operational efficiency…
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Post-Secondary Certificate · $60,500
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
Less than High School · $41,080
Move or install mobile homes or prefabricated buildings.
Manufacturing Manager
Bachelor's degree · $105,000
Oversees and directs the daily operations of a manufacturing plant or department. Responsible for production…
Manufacturing Production Technician
High School Diploma or equivalent; some vocational training preferred · $51,000
Production technicians provide essential services to manufacturing facilities as they help assemble goods and test them…
Manufacturing Production Worker
High School Diploma or GED · $40,000
Operates and maintains machinery, assembles products, and monitors production processes in a manufacturing environment…
Manufacturing Supervisor
Associate's Degree · $78,000
Oversees daily production operations in a manufacturing facility, ensuring efficiency, quality, and safety standards…
Manufacturing Technician
Certificate or Vocational Training · $55,000
Operates and maintains production machinery, ensuring quality control and efficient manufacturing processes.…
Manufacturing Technician (Biopharma)
Associate's Degree · $60,000
Operates and maintains equipment used in the production of biopharmaceutical products, ensuring adherence to strict…
Material Handler
High School Diploma · $42,000
Organizes and moves materials within a warehouse or production facility, ensuring efficient flow of goods to support…
Material Innovation Specialist
Master's Degree · $105,000
Researches, develops, and implements novel materials and processes to create innovative products and solutions across…
Materials Science Technicians
Associate's degree · $55,000
Materials Science Technicians assist materials scientists and engineers in researching, developing, and testing…