What Manufacturing Workers Want
American policymakers have pushed to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. But there’s an important question that’s lingering: do Americans actually want those jobs? Despite efforts to reshore factories and restore industrial hubs, manufacturers are struggling to fill roles in what has become a tight labor market, suggesting this is less a job creation issue and more a matter of aligning with what today’s workforce actually wants. What Manufacturing Workers Want.
Manufacturing Employment—Labor Shortage of 3.8 Million
According to the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, the manufacturing industry is expected to face a shortfall of 3.8 million workers by 2033, with about half of those positions not being filled. The workforce is aging rapidly: the average age of a manufacturing employee is 44, with 25% over age 55, and just 8% under 25. Young people aren’t entering the field, and older workers are retiring. But the issue isn’t a lack of jobs or skilled workers—it’s a lack of willing skilled candidates.
Modern-Day Manufacturing Workers
Today’s manufacturing workforce is more diverse, tech-aware, and value-driven than it was in decades past—but expectations are also significantly higher. Despite modernizations and advancements in the industry, many Americans still associate factory jobs with poor conditions—arduous labor, extreme temperatures, and rigid schedules, especially compared to tech or service jobs. Though rather outdated, these views seem to deter younger and more diverse talent from even considering the sector.
Jobs in the Manufacturing Sector
The demand for workers spans every level of the sector, from entry-level roles to specialized technical positions. The most in-demand positions include industrial mechanics, CNC programmers, maintenance technicians, and machine operators—roles that require both technical training and hands-on experience. Programs like FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education), which offer earn-and-learn apprenticeships, are helping bridge the skills gap. Many employers still struggle to attract qualified talent fast enough, and even well-paying jobs are going unfilled.
In aviation manufacturing, for instance—which has been the subject of recent government reshoring efforts—companies report difficulty hiring for high-skill positions like turbine technicians and assembly engineers. While pay is obviously a huge motivator, it’s not just about wages for talent in manufacturing. Workers are looking at the whole employment package: culture, purpose, growth potential, and long-term stability. Without aligning with these values, employers risk losing out to industries that are moving with the times and doing more to meet workers where they are.