How much does a manufacturing technician make?

Manufacturing technicians make an average salary of $36,000 per year. Depending on location, a manufacturing technician can have a higher or lower salary, varying greatly. Some manufacturing technicians can make an average of up to $51,000 per year. On the lower end, manufacturing technicians only make an estimated average of $25,000 per year.

What qualifications do you need to be a technician?

The qualifications needed to become a technician are, at minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent and certification. Additional education and experience may be required and are typically desirable.

What skills are needed for manufacturing?

Manufacturing mainly requires skills in understanding code and operating machinery. In other words, a blend of technical and mechanical skills is required for a job in manufacturing.

What is a manufacturing technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

John Irwin EdD

A manufacturing technician operates and maintains industrial machinery in a factory. They are responsible for ensuring that production runs smoothly by performing routine maintenance. They follow strict safety guidelines and maintain records. Manufacturing technicians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and may receive additional training or certification in specific areas such as electronics or mechanics. Successful manufacturing technicians possess strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Technician?

John Irwin EdD

Chair, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Michigan Technological University

Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.

ScoreManufacturing TechnicianUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $37,853

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.3

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 8.86%

Black or African American 9.46%

Hispanic or Latino 16.90%

Unknown 4.89%

White 59.20%

Gender

female 25.57%

male 74.43%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress Level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.5

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

4.5

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Manufacturing Technician?

Pros

Possibility for career growth within the manufacturing industry
Good entry-level position for individuals without a college degree
Exposure to different manufacturing processes and technologies
Opportunities for overtime and bonuses
Opportunities to work in a variety of industries

Cons

A physically demanding job that requires standing for long periods
Exposure to noise, chemicals, and other potential hazards
Shift work, including weekends and holidays
Potential for layoffs during slow production periods
Limited opportunities for advancement without additional education or training

Key steps to become a manufacturing technician

Explore manufacturing technician education requirements

Most common manufacturing technician degrees

Bachelor's

38.6 %

Associate

31.4 %

High School Diploma

18.1 %

Start to develop specific manufacturing technician skills

Skills	Percentages
GMP	6.16%
Continuous Improvement	5.06%
Hand Tools	4.92%
Production Equipment	4.60%
Preventative Maintenance	4.00%

Complete relevant manufacturing technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New manufacturing technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a manufacturing technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real manufacturing technician resumes.

Gain additional manufacturing technician certifications

Manufacturing technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific manufacturing technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for manufacturing technicians include Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and Master Certified Electronics Technician (CETma).

More About Certifications

Research manufacturing technician duties and responsibilities

Relay to the oncoming shift everything accomplish and the projected workload through use of PowerPoint and excel.
Perform adjustments to CIP equipment and run computer programs in order to automate the cleaning and sanitizing of the equipment.
Require reading, writing and arithmetic skills, oral communication, manual dexterity and successful completion of on-the-job training.
Inspect ladders, tools, job sites, fire extinguishers, valves, etc.

Prepare your manufacturing technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your manufacturing technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a manufacturing technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Manufacturing Technician Resume templates

Build a professional Manufacturing Technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Manufacturing Technician resume.

Apply for manufacturing technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a manufacturing technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do manufacturing technicians rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Manufacturing Technician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020

Pros

Salary, benefits, and the ability to move up.

Cons

It is hard to get a job at a refinery

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

Chemical procedure for making final product with approved formula Work with r&d people for validation batches

Cons

Nothing

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Pros

Active handling machine and repair

Cons

Data collection and send report sit one place not do nothing at all Boring work

What is a manufacturing technician and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Manufacturing Technician?

What are the pros and cons of being a Manufacturing Technician?

Manufacturing Technician career paths

Key steps to become a manufacturing technician

Explore manufacturing technician education requirements

Most common manufacturing technician degrees

Start to develop specific manufacturing technician skills

Complete relevant manufacturing technician training and internships

Gain additional manufacturing technician certifications

Research manufacturing technician duties and responsibilities

Prepare your manufacturing technician resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Manufacturing Technician Resume templates

Apply for manufacturing technician jobs

How Did You Land Your First Manufacturing Technician Job

Average manufacturing technician salary

How do manufacturing technicians rate their job?

Manufacturing Technician reviews

Manufacturing Technician FAQs

How much does a manufacturing technician make?

What qualifications do you need to be a technician?

What skills are needed for manufacturing?

Search for manufacturing technician jobs

Manufacturing Technician jobs by state