Manufacturing Engineer
How to Become a

Manufacturing Engineer

The complete career guide to be a Manufacturing Engineer: salary, job growth, employers, best schools, and education you may need to get started.

Why We Love It

  • $98,150
    Potential Avg. Salary
  • 3.9%
    Job Growth Rate
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook
  • Dependable Daily Workload
    Career Attribute

Manufacturing Engineers work to improve the process of making different products like plastics, pharmaceuticals or food and drinks.  They are in charge of the management, maintenance and development of the new and existing production lines, machinery and equipment used to produce particular products.

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What is a Manufacturing Engineer?

The following responsibilities are common for individuals in the Manufacturing Engineer field:

  • Designing new equipment and procedures to assist with work flow, production quality control and safety standards
  • Installing and maintaining all equipment and machinery and training employees on proper safety protocol and operating procedures
  • Repairing equipment and machinery for cost productive efficiency
  • Supervising other engineers and technical staff and maintaining staffs training on the manufacturing processes and machines is current and up-to-date
  • Diagnosing issues and faults with machinery and equipment for safety and product quality and manufacturing efficiency

A Day in the Life

Manufacturing Engineers have the expertise and skills to design, set-up, modify and monitor the manufacturing process.  You will be in charge of improving the efficiency of the production process, working with other engineers and devising systems to make sure your job runs efficiently on a day to day basis.

Their duties will include the process of producing quality products efficiently by using the most cost-effective methods.  They will design new systems and equipment along with the processes and programs that accompany the equipment.  They will also work with other engineers to ensure all product and system requirements have been taken into account from beginning to finished product.  They will also be responsible for maintaining equipment or finding any deficiencies or faults with any equipment, then repair the equipment properly and efficiently.

Typical Work Schedule

Shift work may be required for this position.  On-call work may also be a requirement.

Projected Job Growth

Job outlook and growth for Manufacturing Engineers looks promising now and in the future.  With the rise of goods needed and purchased throughout the World, the constant need for products will be an ever expanding and growing necessity.  There will be plenty of opportunities for manufacturing jobs in the future.

Typical Employers

Manufacturing Engineers are typically employed by production companies as consultants.  Some of the major production companies in the United States are Apple Inc., Polaris Industries Inc., Delux Corp. and Sanderson Farms Inc.

.Career Progression

Your career progression will largely depend on your academic and professional background.  Once you have gained a decent and vast amount of experience, finding employment should come with ease.

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How To Become a Manufacturing Engineer

Someone seeking out a Manufacturing Engineer position will need at least bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject like computer science, manufacturing or electrical engineering to gain an entry-level position.  They must be proficient in computer science, electrical engineering and mathematics.  But a graduate degree is essential if you want to conduct research, teach or obtain a managerial position in a production company.  Obtaining a graduate degree can also help engineers learn about new technologies and theories.

Although a certification is not required, the majority of employers offer “on the job” training certifications as well as to stay relevant with job requirements and obligations.  These help an entry-level employee gain knowledge through necessary programs and training to help the engineer obtain and maintain a membership to relevant professional organizations needed to succeed in this career.


Manufacturing Engineer Salary Data

We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.

National Anual Salary

Low Range

$70,960

Average

$98,150

High Range

$150,830

National Hourly Wage

Low Range

$34/hr

Average

$47/hr

High Range

$73/hr

How do Manufacturing Engineer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Manufacturing Engineer's can make an average annual salary of $98,150, or $47 per hour. On the lower end, they can make $70,960 or $34 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.

Salary Rankings And Facts

  • #71 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Average Salary Nationally


Programs and Degrees

Here are the most common degrees for becoming a Manufacturing Engineer. a is usually recommended and specifically a degree or coursework that prepares you for the particular field, see below.


Highest Education Among Manufacturing Engineers

  • 7.3%   Doctorate
  • 28%   Masters
  • 48.1%   Bachelors
  • 6.7%   Associates
  • 7.6%   College
  • 2.2%   High School
  • 0.2%   Less than High School

Job Growth Projections and Forecast

2014 Total Jobs

136,900

2024 Est. Jobs

142,300

Job Growth Rate

3.9%

Est. New Jobs

5,400

How does Manufacturing Engineer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 5,400 jobs for a total of 142,300 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 3.9% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Above Average.

Growth Rankings And Facts

  • #482 Nationally for All Careers

  • Above Avg. Growth Nationally


What Companies Employ The Most Manufacturing Engineers

Industry Current Jobs New Jobs Needed % Increase
Federal government, excluding postal service 28,900 -2,800 -3%
Engineering services 12,200 1,400 1%
Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences 8,900 2,900 3%

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