What Manufacturing Jobs Have the Fastest Growth?

Although the manufacturing industry in the US has been slowing down in recent years, recent trends suggest that it’s making a major comeback. With the recent CHIPS Act infusing billions of dollars into domestic semiconductor manufacturing, several skilled manufacturing jobs in the industry will likely experience large growth.

7 Fast-Growing Manufacturing Jobs

If you’re interested in being part of the manufacturing industry, here are some of the most in-demand positions to pursue.

1. Industrial Machinery Mechanics

With an impressive projected growth of 14% through 2031, industrial machinery mechanics have one of the best job outlooks of any manufacturing career. Industrial machinery mechanics oversee factory equipment in all stages of the manufacturing process, including production and distribution. They develop an in-depth technical understanding of their equipment so they can troubleshoot malfunctioning machines and calibrate equipment to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

As manufacturing facilities expand and introduce more automation, they rely on experienced mechanics to install and maintain their machinery. You can expect even more demand in emerging industries with highly specialized machinery, such as the growing semiconductor industry.

2. Welders

Welders have a key role in any manufacturing process that involves metal fabrication. They use welding equipment to assemble and repair metal parts based on blueprints and product specifications.

Welders can work on anything from massive vehicles to delicate electronics, and their versatility is one of the reasons they have a projected growth of 6.4%. Because welders work with ultra-high heat and have to interpret technical instructions, many manufacturers have a high demand for their skills.

3. Software developers

Software developers aren’t just one of the fastest-growing jobs in the manufacturing industry–software development is expected to expand 26% from 2021 to 2031, giving it one of the highest expansion rates of any job. Although software developers may not be a traditional manufacturing job, they have an increasingly important role in the manufacturing industries. As companies increase the automation of their manufacturing processes, they rely on software developers to program their machines. Manufacturing software can help facilitate highly technical manufacturing processes, such as those in the semiconductor industry.

Software developers in the manufacturing industry design, test, and maintain programs to facilitate the design and production of different products. They can also develop software to assist with business functions for manufacturers.

4. Machinists

Machinists operate manufacturing instruments to produce metal parts. Skilled machinists ensure quality and consistency on the production line, especially when producing highly precise metal parts for electronics or construction.

Although some types of machinist positions are decreasing due to automation, others can expect rapid expansion despite the growth of AI. Machinists working with highly specialized equipment typically have the highest growth potential. They’re expected to have some of the greatest growth in the oil and gas industry, with a 33.3% employment increase by 2031, but they also have an impressive 21% increase in the electrical component manufacturing field.

5. Industrial Engineers

Industrial engineers have a key role in devising and managing manufacturing operations. They design systems for manufacturing and determine the most efficient way to coordinate their manufacturing resources. Industrial engineers can contribute to production schedules, determine plant layouts, and select what type of machinery to use.

Because of their integral role in designing manufacturing infrastructure, industrial engineers have a high projected growth rate of 10%. Among industrial engineering jobs, some of the industries with the highest growth include pharmaceutical manufacturing and electrical equipment manufacturing. Industrial engineers in the semiconductor manufacturing industry can also expect an impressive 20.3% increase in employment opportunities.

6. Manufacturing Managers

Manufacturing managers and other industrial production managers help facilitate plant operations, coordinating tasks and teams to help enhance efficiency and improve productivity. Industrial production managers have an overall growth projection of 6.11% and may have more growth potential in fields with more niche operations.

The semiconductor industry is growing rapidly, with the potential to be worth over a trillion dollars by 2030. Skilled managers will have an especially important role in overseeing these expanding operations.

7. Material Movers

Material movers facilitate the manufacturing process by moving raw materials and finished products at different stages of completion. This job is often an entry-level job, allowing you to get started in the manufacturing industry. The 6% growth rate is slightly higher than the national average growth, making this a reliable area within the manufacturing field.

Working in the manufacturing industry gives you access to many in-demand professions, from basic, entry-level roles to technical management positions. By getting started in manufacturing today, you can take advantage of future growth as you move up in your career.

Are You Ready to Start a Career in Manufacturing?

If you’re looking to grow your career within the manufacturing industry, head over to the Insight Global job board to apply to jobs today!