Employment and Wages
Manufacturing employs 15.1% of the total workforce in North Carolina, providing above-average-wage jobs to more than 500,000 people. This is slightly behind healthcare and social assistance, which employs 15.3% of the workforce. Manufacturing, however, continues to lead all industry sectors in North Carolina in its share of the state's GDP: 18.2%.
Manufacturing in the 21st century is highly efficient and productive. The simple assembly line has practically disappeared, and many manufacturing jobs involve highly skilled employees working in clean environments and technologically advanced settings.
Source: US Census Bureau - State & County Facts - North Carolina
View Chart as Text Data (D-Link)
Source: US Census Bureau - State & County Facts - North Carolina
View Chart as Text Data (D-Link)
Manufacturing wages in North Carolina rank 8th among the 20 different industrial sector categories, with an average weekly wage of $767 or slightly more than $19 per hour. Workers with specialty skills, of course, make more.
Manufacturers pay well for the skills they need. Manufacturing wages are higher on average than healthcare and social assistance, transportation, and construction.
Source: Deloitte, Oracle, and the Manufacturing Institute
"People and Profitability Study: A time for change." (2009)
View Chart as Text Data (D-Link)
In 2009, the Manufacturing Institute, the research arm of the National Association of Manufacturers, reported a moderate-to-severe shortage of skilled production employees.
The shortage is due, in part, to the stigma of industrial careers. But the reality is that modern manufacturing requires workers who are educated, motivated and creative. There’s nothing simple about modern industrial products, nor about how they’re made, but for those who are up to the challenge a career in manufacturing can be very rewarding.