Skilled Manufacturing Jobs See Higher Salary Increases than Unskilled

Skilled Manufacturing Jobs See Higher Salary Increases than Unskilled

Pay for skilled manufacturing jobs seems to be rising, according to a 2012 national survey released by ERC. Based on the 2012 EAA National Wage & Salary Survey, several skilled manufacturing jobs (namely supervision) saw higher salary increases than unskilled manufacturing jobs.

Median Salaries for Production Supervisors

 

2011

2012

% Change

Production Supervisor – Unskilled Operation

$50,447

$47,649

-6%

Production Supervisor – Semi-skilled Operation

$53,053

$54,485

3%

Production Supervisor – Skilled Operation

$57,842

$60,982

5%

Trades Supervisor – Production Support

$68,332

$70,184

3%

Source: 2012 EAA National Wage & Salary Survey

The survey reports a decrease in median salary from 2011 for production supervisors of unskilled operations, yet positive increases in median salaries from 2011 for production supervisors of semi-skilled, skilled, and trade operations. In fact, these increases were above the average salary increase of 2.8% in 2011. Employers reported the highest percentage increase (5%) in median salary for production supervisors of skilled operations.

Other data in the survey shows that several unskilled manufacturing jobs, including production workers and laborers, reported modest if any salary increases from 2011. These findings are consistent with local pay trends which show relatively stagnant wages for some manufacturing jobs, particularly unskilled ones.

The findings of this survey are consistent with other local and national trends we’ve seen, suggesting that skilled manufacturing jobs are in high demand and pay is beginning to reflect this demand. Pay is often a factor influencing retention for employees in the manufacturing sector, so providing above-average or competitive pay rates for manufacturing jobs will be crucial for employers seeking to attract and retain highly skilled manufacturing workers.

View ERC’s Wage & Salary Adjustment Survey Results

The survey reports data from Northeast Ohio organizations regarding their actual and projected wage and salary adjustments.

View the Results