MFG Career Pathways

Description:

Develop programs to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. 

Education:

• High school equivalency
• Certifications

Skills:

• Technology and tool usage
• Critical thinking

General Tasks:

• Analyze blueprints, orders, tools, machine speeds, feed rates, etc.
• Modify programs to increase efficiency
• Observe machines to ensure they are working properly
• Install attachments to machinery
• Assemble tools

Annual Salary:

• $48,160 | $23.16 hourly
  
• 100 yearly openings

Description:

Conduct programs of compensation and benfits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Problem solving
• Resource allocation
• Conflict management
• Attention to detail

General Tasks:

• Evaluate or design company recruiting methods
• Evaluate applicant qualifications
• Develop training material
• Evaluate personal policies, practices, or benefits
• Design compensation model

Annual Salary:

• $62,020 | $29.82 hourly
• 100 yearly openings

Description:

Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Mathematics
• Ability to analyze large sets of data

General Tasks:

• Design, develop, and test electrical systems
• Supervise, manufacture, and install electrical equipment

Annual Salary:

• $95,420 | $45.87 hourly
• 250 yearly openings

Description:

Supervise and coordinate the activities of entry level production and operating workers.

Education:

• High school equivalency
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Problem solving
• Conflict management

General Tasks:

• Manage quality control activities
• Direct operational activities
• Manage industrial production activities or processes
• Establish workforce priorities
• Manage project teams
• maintain material resources

Annual Salary

• $61,660 | $29.64 hourly
• 2,410 yearly openings

Description:

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

Education:

• High school equivalency
• CDL license

Skills:

• Operation and control
• Operations monitoring
• Time management
• Critical thinking
• Monitoring

General Tasks:

• Check vehicles to ensure mechanical safety
• Follow appropriate safety procedures
• Inspect loads to ensure cargo is secure

Annual Salary:

• $48,700 | $23.41 hourly
  
• 6,391 yearly openings

Description:

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization. 

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Written communication
• Conflict management
• Problem solving

General Tasks:

• Design compensation models
• Develop personnel performance objectives
• Conduct job analysis
• Determine administrative policies
• Analyze organizational operating practices

Annual Salary:

• $103,030 | $49.53 hourly
• 210 annual openings

Description:

Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Decision making

General Tasks:

• Interpret and explain policies, laws, and standards
• Hire employees and process paperwork
• Use specialized software
• Maintain employment records

Annual Salary:

• $56,750 | $27.28 hourly
• 1,490 yearly openings

Description:

Devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree
  

Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Mathematics
• Ability to analyze large sets of data

General Tasks:

• Focuses on efficiency of activities
• Identify savings through rework of design and processes
• Design new layouts

Annual Salary:

• $79,000 | $38.03 hourly
• 900 yearly openings

Description:

Repair, install, dismantle, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems.

Education:

• High school equivalency
• Associate's degree
• Certifications

Skills:

• Attention to detail
  
• Mathematics
• Problem solving

General Tasks:

• Repair and maintain industrial production equipment
• Cut, connect, assemble, and disassemble equipment
• Diagnose and resolve malfunctions

Annual Salary:

• $59,970 | $28.83 hourly
• 1,770 yearly openings

Description:

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Leadership
• Communication
• Teamwork

General Tasks:

• Direct and supervise operations
• Ensure material and equipment availability
• Develop strategies

Annual Salary:

• $97,000 | $46.64 hourly
  
• 460 yearly openings

Description:

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems regarding industrial layout or manufacturing production, often under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies for purposes such as establishing standard production rates.

Education:

• Associate's Degree
• Certifications

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking

General Tasks:

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Analyze data and information
• Perform engineering related safety inspections
• Ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards

Annual Salary:

• $58,080 | $27.92 hourly
• 190 yearly openings

Description:

Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. 

Education:

• High school equivalent

Skills:

• Speaking / talking to others to convey information effectively
• Active listening
• Asking questions when appropriate

General Tasks:

• Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas
• Sort cargo before loading and unloading
• Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information
• Read work orders or receive oral instructions
• Stack cargo in specified locations

Annual Salary:

• $34,600 | $16.67 hourly
• 14,300 yearly openings

Description:

Analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. Responsible for product life-cycle optimization or analysis.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Use of technology
• Statistics

General Tasks:

• Analyze data and information
• Ensure material availability
• Strategic sourcing
• Increase product predictability

Annual Salary:

• $72,180 | $34.70 hourly
• 230 yearly openings

Description:

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments, includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Certificates
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Work ethic

General Tasks:

• Set up CNC machines, welding, or production equipment
  
• Assemble machine tools, parts or fixtures
• Fabricate components for precision instruments
• Weld metal parts, components, or structures

Annual Salary:

• $48,020 | $23.09 hourly
• 2,170 yearly openings

Description:

Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of an establishment in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; boiler making; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; and more. 

Education:

• High school equivalency
• Certifications

Skills:

• Mechanical knowledge
• Critical thinking

General Tasks:

• Install, assemble, adjust, and connect industrial machinery, equipment, attachments, etc.
• Setup mechanical or electrical controls for equipment
• Bend tubing or conduit
• Solder, braze, or weld metal parts, piping, or components

Annual Salary:

• $44,410 | $21.35 hourly
• 3,690 yearly openings

Description:

Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems. Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Certifications
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Work ethic

General Tasks:

• Install, assemble, adjust, or connect industrial machinery, equipment, attachments, etc.
• Set up mechanical, electrical controls or equipment
• Solder, braze, or weld metal parts, piping or components

Annual Salary

• $49,000 | $25.13 hourly
• 130 yearly openings

Description:

Design, integrate, or improve manufacturing systems or related processes. May work with commercial or industrial designers to refine product designs to increase producibility and decrease costs.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree
  

Skills:

• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Ability to analyze large sets of data
• Leadership

General Tasks:

• Troubleshoot new or existing product problems
  
• Lean manufacturing
• Provide technical expertise and support

Annual Salary:

• $79,140 | $38.05 hourly
  
• 190 yearly openings

Description:

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree
  

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Mathematics
• Ability to analyze large sets of data

General Tasks:

• Interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics
  
• Design, install, operate, or maintain systems or processes
• Diagnose and resolve malfunctions

Annual Salary:

• $80,220 | $38.57 hourly
• 500 yearly openings

Description:

Apply theory and principles of mechanical engineering to modify, develop, test, or adjust machinery and equipment under direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Certifications
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Mathematics
• Ability to analyze large sets of data

General Tasks:

• Calculate capacities
  
• Read blueprints
• Identify test specifications, procedures, and objectives
• Draft detailed drawings for fabricated parts
• Analyze test results

Annual Salary:

• $60,460 | $29.07 annually
  
• 160 yearly openings

Description:

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Certifications

Skills:

• Attention to detail
  
• Mathematics
• Problem solving
• Mechanical knowledge

General Tasks:

• Install and operate industrial machinery, equipment, and components
  
• Solder and weld metal parts, piping, and components
• Perform basic carpentry

Annual Salary:

• $62,000 | $29.75 hourly
• 180 yearly openings

Description:

Set up, operate, or tend to more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot. Setup process requires an understanding of the entire production process, setters have more training and are highly skilled.

Education:

• High school equivalency

Skills:

• Attention to detail
  
• Following directions
• Critical thinking

General Tasks:

• Set up CNC machines, production equipment, or machinery
  
• Install attachments to machinery
• Read blueprints
• Shape or cut metals or plastics
• Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures

Annual Salary:

• $38,910 | $18.71 hourly
  
• 590 yearly openings

Description:

Install, configure, and support an organization’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems or segment of a network system.

Education:

• Associate's degree
  
• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Technology usage
  
• Critical thinking
• Reading comprehension
• Systems analysis

General Tasks:

• Maintain network systems
  
• Solve software problems
• Troubleshoot computer hardware and software problems
• Maintain complex computer databases
• Plan computer security measures

Annual Salary:

• $77,030 | $37.03 hourly
  
• 500 yearly openings

Description:

Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments. Design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. 

Education:

• Associate's degree
  
• Bachelor's degree

Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Reasoning

General Tasks:

• Identify and suppress hazards
  
• Train and teach hazard prevention
• Inspect equipment, structures, or material
• Monitor safety of processes, materials, and surroundings

Annual Salary:

• $60,390 | $29.04 hourly
  
• 30 yearly openings

Description:

Operate and tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  

Skills:

• Monitoring
• Arm / hand steadiness
• Oral Comprehension
• Active listening

General Tasks:

• Sort, grade, weigh, inspect products
  
• Attach labels
• Clear machine jams
• Package goods for shipment or storage

Annual Salary:

• $35,000 | $17.05 hourly
  
• 1,210 yearly openings

Description:

Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Resource allocation
  
• Attention to detail

General Tasks:

• Review and distribute production, work, and shipment schedules
  
• Compile reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems
• Confer with departments to determine progress of work

Annual Salary:

• $47,000 | $23.50 hourly
  
• 760 yearly openings

Description:

Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. 

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Chemistry
  
• Communication
• Mathematics
• Problem solving

General Tasks:

• Analyze materials
  
• Interpret test results
• Calibrate, validate, and maintain lab equipment
• Perform visual inspections of finished products

Annual Salary:

• $61,190 | $29.42 hourly
  
• 250 yearly openings

Description:

Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  

Skills:

• Speaking to others and conveying information effectively
• Active listening
• Asking questions when appropriate

General Tasks:

• Complete order receipts
  
• Obtain merchandise from bins or shelves
• Read orders to ascertain catalogue numbers, sizes, colors, and quantities of merchandise
• Pack or unpack items to be stocked on shelves

Annual Salary:

• $29,920 | $14.38 hourly
  
• 5,640 yearly openings

Description:

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine toolds, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fictures, gauges, and machinists’ hand tools.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  
• Certifications
• Associate's degree

Skills:

• Knowledge of CAD / CAM software
  
• Mechanical knowledge
• Mathematics

General Tasks:

• Read blueprints or computer aided design (CAD) files
  
• Align, secure, and adjust cutting tools and work-pieces
• Measure, examine, and test completed products for defects
• Present finished work-pieces to customes

Annual Salary:

• $56,000 | $27.16 hourly
  
• 350 yearly openings

Description:

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems regarding industrial layout or manufacturing production, often under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies for purposes such as establishing standard production rates. 

Education:

• Bachelor's degree
  

Skills:

• Material requirements
  
• Planning
• Transportation and distribution knowledge
• Analytic Skills
• Leadership

General Tasks:

• Guide, direct, and motivate employees
  
• Investigate or restore operational problems
• Develop and achieve operational goals

Annual Salary:

• $90,460 | $43.49 hourly
  
• 200 yearly openings

Description:

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

Education:

• High school equivalency
  

Skills:

• Attention to detail
  
• Critical thinking
• Manual dexterity
• Work ethic

General Tasks:

• Solder metal parts, piping, or components
• Braze metal parts or components
• Spot or tack weld materials
• Weld metal parts and structures
• File or sand metal or plastic objects

Annual Salary:

• $46,640 | $22.42 hourly
• 1,920 yearly openings