Manufacturing Offers Great Employment Opportunities

Manufacturing Pays Above-Average Compensation

On average, today’s manufacturing employees earn higher wages and receive more generous benefits than other working Americans. In the second quarter of 2014, manufacturing employers paid $35.74 per hour in wages and benefits, while all employers in the economy paid $31.95 per hour; this is a 12% premium.

Most of the difference in average compensation stems from the fact that manufacturers employ more highly skilled workers. Manufacturers also provide a higher level of benefits for workers than other industries do, including for paid leave, supplemental pay, and insurance. Although manufacturers are making workers more responsible for their own healthcare costs (as seen in other industries), employer-provided healthcare payments continue to grow faster than wages and salaries. Manufacturing employers increased healthcare contributions by 52% from 10 years ago and provided a 31% gain in wages and salaries per hour worked over the same period.

Employer-provided healthcare is necessary to attract a talented workforce but the United States’ unique employer-based insurance system imposes a significant disadvantage on manufacturing industries that have to compete internationally with countries where healthcare is paid for by general tax revenues.