What to Know About New Manufacturing Jobs in the United States
Turn over any product, from a coffee mug to a keychain, and it’s often stamped “Made in China.” For decades now, China has been the go-to country for manufacturing the world over because of its low taxes and labor costs and its strong business ecosystem. In recent years, though, China’s dominance in manufacturing has begun to wane, making reshoring, or the process of bringing manufacturing back to the United States, a viable option for many companies1. But past perceptions of old-school manufacturing jobs may be standing in the way of a true 21st century industrial revolution. If you want to be part of the coming wave in US manufacturing, it’s time to consider the landscape, the benefits, and the future.
The Resurgence of US Manufacturing
According to Reuters, more than 80% of North American manufacturers are considering reshoring2. This could lead to the creation of as many as 400,000 jobs in the U.S. Already, the country has seen an increase in jobs. A recent report shows that employment in the manufacturing sector has risen to its highest point since 20083.
But why is reshoring gaining traction now? Part of the reason is because of what we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. When you rely on foreign suppliers, you’re at their whim. As Chinese factories closed down or halted production, American companies were left scrambling for parts and supplies. Industries like construction and car manufacturing experienced delays, so houses and buildings were halted mid-construction and car lots were drained of inventory. Companies began to rethink their global manufacturing strategies and bringing production back to the U.S. made more sense than ever. New laws, such as the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, also provided incentives for companies that manufacture domestically. Industries leading the reshoring effort include manufacturing of electronics and electrical equipment, appliances, computers, chemicals, medical equipment and supplies, and transportation4.
Not Your Grandfather’s Manufacturing Job
In past centuries, factory work was crowded, dirty, and dangerous. It was manual labor with few safety nets or workplace regulations. But reforms and modernization have turned the industry around. Manufacturing offers solid benefits, competitive salaries, and the chance to use your hands—and your brain.
Today’s automations can increase productivity and lower operating costs for manufacturers, while improving worker safety and reducing some repetitive tasks for employees. Robotics automate some processes that are time consuming or hazardous, making the workflow faster, safer, and more efficient. Instead of doing the work, you can program and run the machines that do the work.
Preparing for a Career in Manufacturing
To find a good position in manufacturing, you need knowledge and skills. The right education and training can help you find entry-level work and set you up for advancement. Look for a machining and manufacturing program that teaches you how to work with complex factory equipment like milling machines, grinders, and computerized numerical control (CNC) machines. The curriculum should include a mix of both lectures and hands-on instruction in the laboratory, so you can develop both the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in machining and manufacturing.
Concepts You Need to Understand to Build a Manufacturing Career
Blueprint Reading
Blueprints and technical drawings are critical to the manufacturing process. They provide detailed specifications about dimensions, materials, and tolerances. They also ensure quality control, making sure products adhere to intended designs. And when the documents are shared, they help discover glitches before they become problems. Your program should teach you how to read and interpret blueprints with an emphasis on geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
Machining Process
To work with machines of any kind, you need a solid grasp on the machining process. You need to know about manual machining processes like cutting, drilling, milling, and turning, along with the use of hand tools. Taking your knowledge of blueprints, you should be able to follow one to perform a specific machining task well, while adhering to all necessary safety protocols.
CNC Milling
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is a computerized manufacturing process. In CNC machining, computers control the movements of tools and machinery, creating a precise and efficient manufacturing process. CNC technology has revolutionized manufacturing and is now the standard in plants across the country. Understanding how to program, set up, and operate CNC milling, lathing, and turning centers will set you apart in the job market. Skilled CNC operators are needed in all kinds of factories across the country. And in some areas, that demand translates to above average salaries. For example, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington and Maine are ranked in the top 5 states for CNC operator compensation5.
CAD and CAM Operation
Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided-Manufacturing (CAM) are important modern machining methods. These software tools can help you plan and create parts that will be machined on a CNC machining center.
Milling and Drilling
Milling and drilling on high-speed machining requires knowledge, skills, and precise movements. You need to grasp the International System of Units and know how to perform climb milling and conventional milling on CNC machines. Understanding the latest milling, tooling, and cutting tools will help you be ready when you’re performing the tasks at a real job.
Multi-Axis Machining
Multi-axis machining allows you to move a cutting tool along multiple axes at the same time. Instead of just three axis points (X, Y, Z), a multi-axis machine lets you approach a workpiece from multiple angles to enhance precision and reduce the need to reposition your workpiece. This allows you to produce more complex parts and projects.
What Kinds of CNC Jobs Are There in Manufacturing?
Once you complete your training, choose the path that suits your interests:
- CNC Machinist: program, run, troubleshoot, and optimize CNC processes.
- CNC Operator: set up, test, and run CNC machines used in manufacturing.
The great thing about manufacturing is that it’s everywhere! Electronics, computers, and other technologies need to be manufactured, but so do cars, healthcare products, and consumer goods.
Why Is America Bringing Manufacturing Back to the U.S.?
There are several benefits to keeping manufacturing on domestic soil. For one thing, companies don’t have to worry about excessive shipping costs and the international taxes and customs fees that come with them. Domestic shipping times are also much shorter, which means that the production process can flow more quickly. Here are a few other benefits:
- Efficient Communication—When an executive needs to get in touch with the manufacturing plant, they don’t have to worry about time zones and language barriers.
- Better Quality Control—With closer proximity to the manufacturing plant, companies can better oversee working conditions, set the standards for labor and manufacturing, and ensure worker safety.
- Enhanced Reputation—Americans feel proud when they see a “Made in the USA” label on the products they buy. For some, that label may provide them with more incentive to buy the product repeatedly.
Government Initiatives and Incentives for Reshoring
There are several laws and policies that provide incentives to companies that bring their manufacturing process — and therefore more manufacturing jobs — back to the U.S. For example, the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Bill allots funding to improve public transportation, internet access, and electric vehicle charging stations, which provides a boon to companies in those industries. The bill also provides training in areas such as metal and electrical equipment, which can make manufacturing more attractive to the next generation of workers as well as those new to the industry.
Similarly, the Inflation Reduction Act invests in clean energy, low-emission vehicles, and other green initiatives. For companies producing in these areas, the boon is already evident. Between August 2022 and July 2023, more than 270 new clean energy projects were implemented across 44 states, resulting in the creation of more than 170,000 new jobs; states like Michigan, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina are among the states seeing the largest volume6. These new projects not only benefit the employed, they allow companies to reap the rewards as well. Companies in these sectors can claim federal clean energy tax credits that could lessen the amount owed to the IRS.
Finally, the CHIPS and Science Act, which invests in semiconductor manufacturing, aims to improve American supply chains and drive the country’s competitiveness in this sector. This legislation will result in the construction and modernization of semiconductor manufacturing facilities as well as provide investment tax credits for companies engaged in semiconductor manufacturing7.
The Changing Landscape of Global Manufacturing
Since the global pandemic, China has lost a bit of its foothold in the manufacturing industry. A recent survey of Chinese manufacturers shows a slowing in productivity in the No. 1 choice for countries around the world8. This slowdown shows a loss of confidence in Chinese manufacturing, giving other countries, such as the U.S., a chance to improve in this industry.
What can influence a company’s decision to manufacture abroad? Cost and profit margins are big factors, as every company wants to keep manufacturing costs down so their profit margins go up. They also may want to access the country’s resources and market, or work with a country that has a reliable business ecosystem. However, with China’s rising labor costs, an aging workforce, and a changing political environment between the U.S. and China, the decision to manufacture domestically has become more appealing.
The Role of Manufacturing in a Strong Economy
Manufacturing is the backbone of a strong economy. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, manufacturing represents just 11% of U.S. gross domestic product, but it accounts for 35% of American productivity growth and 60% of the country’s exports. It’s also responsible for more than half of all U.S. patents granted and 70% of all research and development spending. Because manufacturing spans across all industries, from transportation and healthcare to retail and technology, it can boost employment in those areas. Every manufacturing job helps to create 7 to 12 new jobs in other industries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 12.7 million U.S. workers are employed in the manufacturing industry. Transportation is the top subcategory in the U.S. and Indiana, while chemical is No. 1 in New Jersey and fabricated metal tops the list in Texas. Indiana also has the highest concentration of manufacturing employment in the U.S.8.
Would you like to work in the booming manufacturing industry? At Lincoln Tech, we offer a CNC Machining and Manufacturing training program that can prepare you for entry-level work in programming and operation job roles. Our program will help you become skilled in CNC milling and CNC turning. The program will also teach you how to read blueprints and work with the proper equipment and tools.
1 Article “China's factories fall deeper into contraction, more policy support expected” at https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-second-month-november-2023-11-30/, published November 30, 2023, retrieved on March 20, 2024.
2 Article “More than four-in-five North American manufacturers considering reshoring” at https://www.reutersevents.com/supplychain/supply-chain/more-four-five-north-american-manufacturers-considering-reshoring, published on July 22, 2021, retrieved on March 20, 2024.
3 Article “U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence?” at https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/united-states/insights/exploring-the-challenges-and-factors-driving-onshoring-and-nearshoring, retrieved on March 20, 2024.
4 Article “A Reshoring Renaissance Is Underway” at https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/a-reshoring-renaissance-is-underway, published on November 2, 2023, retrieved on March 20, 2024.
5 CNC Compensation data retrieved from US Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes519161.htm , last updated on April 25, 2023 and retrieved on May 6, 2024.
6 Article “One Year In, How the Inflation Reduction Act Is Creating a Manufacturing Resurgence in the US” at https://www.wri.org/insights/inflation-reduction-act-anniversary-manufacturing-resurgence, published August 9, 2023, and retrieved on March 20, 2024.
7 Article “FACT SHEET: One Year after the CHIPS and Science Act, Biden-Harris Administration Marks Historic Progress in Bringing Semiconductor Supply Chains Home, Supporting Innovation, and Protecting National Security” at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/09/fact-sheet-one-year-after-the-chips-and-science-act-biden-harris-administration-marks-historic-progress-in-bringing-semiconductor-supply-chains-home-supporting-innovation-and-protecting-national-s/, published August 9, 2023, and retrieved on March 20, 2024.
8 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, A look at manufacturing jobs on National Manufacturing Day at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2023/a-look-at-manufacturing-jobs-on-national-manufacturing-day.htm (visited May 06, 2024).