All careers › Industrial Production Managers
Production manager: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $78,000lowest 10% earn less
- $98,16025th percentile
- $126,060median
- $161,88075th percentile
- $205,520top 10% earn more
A production manager, which BLS calls an industrial production manager, had a median pay of $126,060 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual route is a bachelor's degree and five years or more of related work experience[2].
How much do production managers make?
The median wage for industrial production managers was $126,060 a year, or $60.61 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $134,170 a year, or $64.50 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. So the typical production manager earned more than twice the all-occupation median.
Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $78,000 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $205,520[3]. In between, the 25th percentile was $98,160 and the 75th was $161,880[3]. In hourly terms, the range ran from $37.50 at the 10th percentile to $98.81 at the 90th[8]. A percentile is a boundary in the pay scale. BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].
| Measure | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3] | $78,000 | |
| 25th percentile[3] | $98,160 | |
| Median[1] | $126,060 | |
| 75th percentile[3] | $161,880 | |
| 90th percentile[3] | $205,520 |
These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits[10]. About 246,250 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Delaware had the highest median wage at $153,000, followed by Wyoming at $151,490 and Massachusetts at $148,050[12]. New Jersey ($147,260) and New Hampshire ($146,590) came next[12]. Delaware and Wyoming have few jobs, at 370 and 390[12].
The most jobs were in California (25,130), Texas (21,200), Michigan (14,320), Ohio (14,290) and Illinois (11,570)[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Manchester-Nashua, NH had the highest median at $174,360, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $171,140[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at 9,120, with a median of $128,540[15]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN had 8,850 jobs and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had 7,220, with a median of $151,630[15].
Show median pay in 49 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware[12] | $153,000 | 370 |
| Wyoming | $151,490 | 390 |
| Massachusetts | $148,050 | 4,470 |
| New Jersey | $147,260 | 6,780 |
| New Hampshire | $146,590 | 1,540 |
| Washington | $145,210 | 4,760 |
| Colorado | $141,020 | 1,730 |
| Connecticut | $134,780 | 3,360 |
| Louisiana | $133,210 | 2,680 |
| California | $132,620 | 25,130 |
| Maryland | $132,540 | 2,480 |
| Texas | $130,890 | 21,200 |
| New York | $130,470 | 6,630 |
| Virginia | $128,230 | 2,570 |
| Georgia | $127,820 | 5,510 |
| Illinois | $127,270 | 11,570 |
| South Carolina | $126,880 | 6,390 |
| North Carolina | $125,940 | 9,640 |
| Kansas | $125,750 | 2,420 |
| Arizona | $124,810 | 3,630 |
| Maine | $124,810 | 800 |
| New Mexico | $124,670 | 670 |
| Hawaii | $124,650 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $124,420 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $124,120 | 940 |
| Minnesota | $123,580 | 5,080 |
| Alabama | $122,520 | 3,620 |
| Indiana | $121,500 | 9,400 |
| Montana | $120,690 | 270 |
| Michigan | $120,660 | 14,320 |
| Oklahoma | $120,570 | 2,140 |
| Florida | $119,870 | 9,480 |
| Tennessee | $119,430 | 6,310 |
| Oregon | $119,420 | 3,150 |
| Mississippi | $118,660 | 2,290 |
| Arkansas | $118,120 | 2,560 |
| Missouri | $117,660 | 4,110 |
| North Dakota | $116,050 | 490 |
| Utah | $115,290 | 2,590 |
| Vermont | $114,150 | 480 |
| Alaska | $113,280 | 410 |
| Nevada | $112,270 | 1,620 |
| Kentucky | $112,250 | 6,430 |
| West Virginia | $111,760 | 1,000 |
| Ohio | $109,340 | 14,290 |
| Pennsylvania | $109,140 | 10,200 |
| South Dakota | $107,490 | 720 |
| Idaho | $107,340 | 1,210 |
| Nebraska | $107,200 | 2,160 |
| Iowa | $106,510 | 3,620 |
How to become a production manager
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education, with five years or more of related work experience and no typical on-the-job training[2]. Here is how the path usually looks.
- First: get a degree. Employers typically require or prefer a bachelor's degree[16]. Common majors include business and engineering[17]. Some workers qualify with a high school diploma and extensive production experience[16].
- Next: build experience. Managers usually need years in supervisory or other leadership roles, and some start as production workers and move up[18].
- Then: step into management. Production workers often become supervisors first. Some take company-sponsored management classes to help their chances[19]. Some graduates start as a supervisor or lower-level manager, and others are hired straight into a manager job and complete training programs[20].
- Optional: some employers favor job candidates with an MBA or a graduate degree in industrial management[17].
Certifications are not required. They can show skill in quality or management systems, but they often need work experience, so they are typically not available before you enter the job[21].
In an ONET survey of 33 workers, 29% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 26% said a bachelor's degree[22]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation is needed[23].
What production managers do
O*NET describes the job as planning, directing and coordinating the work and resources needed to make products within cost, quality and quantity targets[24]. Typical tasks include:
- Setting product standards and checking samples or testing to confirm quality[25].
- Directing production, processing, distribution or marketing activities[25].
- Reviewing schedules and orders to decide on inventory, staffing and work assignments within budget and time limits[25].
- Working with technical and administrative staff to fix production problems[25].
- Hiring, training and evaluating staff, and handling personnel grievances[25].
- Setting up production tracking or quality control systems and reading reports to spot problems[25].
- Planning budgets and approving spending on supplies, materials and labor[25].
BLS names business, interpersonal, leadership, organizational and problem-solving skills as important[26][27][28][29][30]. Sample job titles include plant manager, manufacturing manager and production control manager[31].
Where they work
Production managers divide their time between an office and the production area. On the production floor they may need protective gear including a helmet, ear protection or goggles[32]. Most have full-time jobs, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[33]. They may be on call for emergencies, and some work night or weekend shifts[33]. Transportation equipment manufacturing was the largest employer, with 10% of jobs in 2025[34]. About 2.4% were self-employed in 2025[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 252,100 to 258,600 jobs, a gain of 6,500[5]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[36]. So this job is expected to grow a little slower than the all-occupation rate.
BLS projects about 17,000 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created by growth, and also jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations[6]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 4.3% move to a different occupation[37].
The projection counts include self-employed workers, so they differ from the wage and salary count in the pay data[5][11].
Is it a good fit?
The pay is high compared with all occupations, with a median of $126,060 against $50,980[1][4]. The path takes time, since the typical entry calls for a bachelor's degree and five years or more of related experience[2]. Growth of 2.6% is slower than the 3.5% for all occupations, but about 17,000 openings a year are projected[5][36][6]. The job suits people who can combine office work with time on the production floor, and who are fine with the chance of night or weekend shifts and on-call duty[32][33].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a production manager make a year?
- The median was $126,060 a year in May 2025 and the mean was $134,170[1][7].
- How much does a production manager make an hour?
- The median was $60.61 an hour and the mean was $64.50[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a production manager?
- A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education, with five years or more of related experience[2]. Some workers qualify with a high school diploma and extensive production experience[16].
- Is production manager a job in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 17,000 openings a year[5][36][6].
- What is the highest paying state for production managers?
- Delaware had the highest median wage at $153,000, then Wyoming at $151,490[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Industrial Production Managers in the US was $126,060 per year and $60.61 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Industrial Production Managers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Industrial Production Managers: 10th percentile $78,000, 25th percentile $98,160, 75th percentile $161,880, 90th percentile $205,520. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Industrial Production Managers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 252,100 to 258,600 jobs (a change of +6,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 17,000 openings for Industrial Production Managers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Industrial Production Managers was $134,170 per year and $64.50 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Industrial Production Managers: 10th percentile $37.50, 25th percentile $47.19, 75th percentile $77.83, 90th percentile $98.81. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 246,250 people were employed as Industrial Production Managers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Industrial Production Managers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Industrial Production Managers jobs: California 25,130; Texas 21,200; Michigan 14,320; Ohio 14,290; Illinois 11,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Industrial Production Managers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Manchester-Nashua, NH $174,360; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $171,140; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $166,030; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $164,420; Longview-Kelso, WA $163,970; Boulder, CO $162,040; Napa, CA $161,220; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $157,160. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Industrial Production Managers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 9,120 (median $128,540); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 8,850 (median $129,840); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,220 (median $151,630); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 6,060 (median $133,870); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 5,950 (median $126,200); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,890 (median $132,990). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 11-3051.00 survey of workers (33 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 29%, Bachelor's Degree 26%, Post-Secondary Certificate 16%, Some College Courses 12%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 8%, Less than a High School Diploma 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 11-3051.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Industrial Production Managers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Industrial Production Managers. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 11-3051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Area Plant Manager, Assembly Manager, General Production Manager, Manufacturing Coordinator, Manufacturing Manager, Plant Manager, Product Line Manager, Production Control Manager. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of industrial production managers in 2025: Transportation equipment manufacturing 10%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 2.4% of Industrial Production Managers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Industrial Production Managers: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.