The job market for industrial production managers in the United States

There are currently an estimated 170,600 industrial production managers in the United States. The industrial production manager job market is expected to shrink by -0.5% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are industrial production managers?

CareerExplorer rates industrial production managers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 3,700 industrial production managers. That number is based on the retirement of 4,600 existing industrial production managers.

Are industrial production managers in demand?

Demand and employment growth for industrial production managers will be limited by improvements in production efficiency, especially as computers and production management software streamline manufacturing processes, scheduling, and planning. In addition, the importance of producing superior products has shifted some of the production manager’s quality control duties to supervisors and workers on the production line. This effort to flatten management structures will have a negative impact on job openings in the field. Moreover, some manufacturing jobs continue to be at risk of outsourcing to countries with lower wages. However, this risk may be tempered somewhat by ‘domestic sourcing,’ a trend which is moving jobs to lower-cost regions of both the United States and Canada instead of overseas. There will also be a need to replace a considerable number of workers who retire from this occupation. Most opportunities for these managers are predicted to occur with companies that produce goods made from metal. Positions in computer and electronics manufacturing, on the other hand, will likely decline. Candidates with a Master’s Degree in industrial engineering or business administration should enjoy the best prospects. Experienced industrial production managers may advance to positions as plant managers or become freelance consultants.

What’s the supply of industrial production managers?

The industrial production manager industry is concentrated in California, Michigan, Ohio

Industrial Production Manager job market by state