The US manufacturing sector faces a critical talent shortage, with nearly half a million open roles and a rapidly aging workforce. This demand for skilled talent is intensified by an impending skills drain, as the proportion of employees older than 55 has more than doubled in the last 20 years. Despite reshoring efforts, attracting and retaining talent remains a significant concern for over 56% of manufacturers, who must rethink traditional approaches to compensation and workforce management to succeed in an era of automation and digital transformation, and overcome persistent misconceptions about modern manufacturing.

However, the solution isn't just about higher pay. It’s about leveraging technology to create new, higher-value roles that offer better compensation and work-life balance.

prepare to uncover

  • how to attract top talent in a competitive American labor market
  • how will the current compensation trends shape your hiring strategy?
  • what impact do local salary trends have on today’s workforce?
  • what in-demand skills must be your focus to hire the best manufacturing workers?
  • how to build result-driven hiring strategies to onboard great talent

Our 2026 manufacturing salary guide is the essential resource for navigating these challenges, providing the data and strategies you need to build a resilient, high-skilled team.

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what you'll uncover in our 2026 manufacturing salary guide

Our comprehensive guide compiles data from a wide range of manufacturing specialties to give you a detailed view of the evolving US market. Inside, you will find:

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