The Manufacturing cluster uses your skills in planning and organization along with your love of technology, engineering and design to work in careers processing materials into products. Careers also include related 
professional and technical support activities such as production planning, production design, maintenance, and engineering.
The employment of welders, cutters, soldiers, and brazers is expected to grow. These workers will be needed to help repair our nation’s aging infrastructure, including bridges, highways, and buildings. New power generation facilities and natural gas pipelines also are being built, which will increase the need for these professionals. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters should see even better job prospects also. More machinists and tool and die makers also will be needed in the coming years. Overall, the manufacturing industry is facing a major skills gap due to the retirement of older workers. Applicants who are trained in manufacturing skills should have better job prospects.
Manufacturing Career Cluster PDF
Middle School Courses
No Courses at this time
High School Courses
- STEM and Precision Machining I & II: #8539, #8540 (ACE)
- Welding: #8572, #8573 (ACE)
- Materials and Processes Technology with Metals: #8433M
- Materials and Processes Technology with Woods: #8433W
- Production Systems with Metals: #8447M
- Production Systems with Woods: #8433W
Do You Like To…
- Figure out how things work?
- Work with your hands?
- Analyze and problem solve?
- Take raw materials and turn them into finished products?
- Pay attention to detail?
Sample Careers
- Production
- Manufacturing Production Process Development
- Maintenance
- Installation and Repair
- Logistics and Inventory Control
- Health Safety and Environmental Assurance
- Engineer in Design, Industrial, Aerospace, Quality, Logistical, Safety or Manufacturing
- Medical Appliance Manufacturer
- Microchip Manufacturer
- Precision Inspector, Tester or Grader
- Technician in Automated Manufacturing, Laser, Biomedical Equipment, Lab, Quality Control, Safety Coordination
- Inspector
- Machine Operator
- Communication System, Computer or Meter Installer or Repairer
High school certifications, licenses and related college majors:
| High School/Industry Certifications | Certificate/License | College Degree Examples |
| NIMS Machining – Level I – Measurement, Material, & Safety Skills | Welding Engineering | |
| Chemical Engineering | ||
| Logistics Management | ||
| Automotive Engineering | ||
In Demand Careers
| Education Needed | Occupation | Median Salary | Job Growth Over next 10 years | Job Openings Projected over next 10 years |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $42,490 per year | 3% (As fast as average) | 13,600 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | General Maintenance and Repair Workers | $39,080 per year | 4% (As fast as average) | 63,000 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Machinists and Tool and Die Makers | $45,750 per year | 3% (As fast as average) | 12,400 |
| Associates Degree | Medical Equipment Repairers | $49,280 per year | 5% (Faster than average) | 2,800 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Industrial Engineers | $88,020 per year | 10% (Much faster than average) | 30,000 |
Student Leadership Organizations
SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the
development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.
The Technology Student Association (TSA) enhances personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through intra-curricular activities, competitions, and related programs.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.
Career Ambassadors
The Career Ambassador Program offers high school seniors an opportunity to represent and share their experiences with career exploration and our CTE programs to prospective students and community supporters through elementary school Career Fairs, middle school Career Clubs, and district-wide events.