While most people tend to associate the “Bring Back the Trades Inc.” movement with construction jobs, one of the most overlooked sectors is manufacturing. We often hear much criticism of how “we don’t make anything in America anymore.” Well, that seems to be changing, which should be music to the ears of everyone who has been affected by supply chain issues over the last few years.

According to the Reshoring Initiative, new manufacturing jobs are projected to hit 406,214 in 2023. This is up from just over 363k last year. Now if you don’t think that’s a big deal, you should consider that number was just 5,770 in 2010.

Earlier this week the US Census Bureau announced that they project 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing positions by 2030. It also reported that Q2 2023 manufacturing wages rose 5.1%.

With all this data, it’s more important than ever to dispel the myth that manufacturing jobs are more than just unskilled “factory workers.” The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) recently reported that the average manufacturing job incomes were $64,407 for hourly workers and $111,731 for salary workers. This doesn’t include fringe benefits and perks (such as company cars, etc).

In highest demand are CNC machinists. A look at the median wage for a CNC operator in Fort Worth, Texas was $75,403, with the low being $60,407 and high at $102,833. I chose to give wages for an area that we typically find has lower wage rates than other areas such as the Northeast. These statistics are proof that we don’t need a 4 year college degree to be successful. Encourage your kids to explore all career options and help them find their passion.

Bring Back the Trades, Inc is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, advocacy group providing a host of services to those interested in the skilled trades. These include career fair type “Skilled Trades Exhibitions” featuring hands on experiences of each discipline’s means and methods. BBTT also provides monthly scholarship awards to those wishing to attend trade school.

Doug Winston is co-founder and CEO of D&M Electrical Contracting Inc., a full service, union electrical contracting firm based in Westchester County, NY and serving all of New York State. You can follow him on LinkedIN HERE.