What Does a Manufacturing Technician Do?
Manufacturing technicians support production operations by setting up equipment, running tests, and troubleshooting technical issues on the manufacturing floor. They work with engineers to implement process improvements and ensure production equipment functions properly. This technical role bridges the gap between engineering design and hands-on production execution.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Business Process Analyst, Engineering Technician, Industrial Engineering Analyst, Industrial Engineering Technician, Manufacturing Coordinator, Manufacturing Technology Analyst, Quality Control Engineering Technician (QC Engineering Technician), Quality Management Coordinator.
Manufacturing Technician Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a manufacturing technician include:
- Set up and calibrate manufacturing equipment and instrumentation for production runs.
- Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and perform repairs to minimize production downtime.
- Execute production processes following standard operating procedures and work instructions.
- Collect and analyze production data to monitor process performance and product quality.
- Assist engineers with process development, validation, and documentation activities.
- Perform in-process testing and quality checks using specialized instruments and equipment.
- Maintain equipment logs, maintenance records, and calibration documentation.
- Participate in equipment installation, qualification, and validation activities.
- Follow clean room protocols and good manufacturing practices (GMP) when applicable.
- Suggest and implement process improvements based on production floor observations.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a manufacturing technician, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Equipment setup and troubleshooting
- Technical documentation and SOPs
- Measurement and testing equipment
- Mechanical and electrical aptitude
- Data collection and analysis
- GMP and clean room procedures
- Computer skills for data entry and reporting
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
Education and Training
An associate degree in manufacturing technology, electronics, or a related technical field is typically required, though some employers accept a high school diploma with significant relevant experience. Technical schools and community colleges offer programs that cover manufacturing processes, equipment maintenance, quality systems, and basic engineering principles. Industry-specific certifications such as IPC soldering standards for electronics or GMP training for pharmaceutical manufacturing can be important qualifications. Hands-on laboratory or internship experience is highly valued by employers.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $55,760 - $80,280 per year, with a median of $66,120.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
Manufacturing technicians are in strong demand across industries including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. As production technologies become more sophisticated, the need for technically skilled workers who can operate and maintain complex equipment continues to grow. Technicians who develop specialized skills in areas such as automation, robotics, or clean room processes command higher wages. Career advancement paths include senior technician, process engineer, equipment engineer, or manufacturing supervisor positions.
Manufacturing Technician Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $47,300 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $55,760 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $66,120 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $80,280 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $99,150 |
Highest-Paying States for Manufacturing Technicians
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Oklahoma ($79,330), Maryland ($79,090), California ($79,070), Washington ($78,430), Oregon ($75,760). Pay is lowest in West Virginia ($57,240), South Dakota ($54,570), Mississippi ($50,180).
Median pay in all 45 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $66,510 |
| Arizona | $66,040 |
| Arkansas | $62,210 |
| California | $79,070 |
| Colorado | $66,850 |
| Connecticut | $69,260 |
| Florida | $61,350 |
| Georgia | $65,060 |
| Idaho | $63,150 |
| Illinois | $71,090 |
| Indiana | $63,110 |
| Iowa | $64,410 |
| Kansas | $61,000 |
| Kentucky | $61,140 |
| Maine | $63,070 |
| Maryland | $79,090 |
| Massachusetts | $71,830 |
| Michigan | $64,510 |
| Minnesota | $70,490 |
| Mississippi | $50,180 |
| Missouri | $62,440 |
| Montana | $60,330 |
| Nebraska | $59,970 |
| Nevada | $61,470 |
| New Hampshire | $69,650 |
| New Jersey | $72,890 |
| New Mexico | $61,280 |
| New York | $70,290 |
| North Carolina | $69,720 |
| North Dakota | $64,060 |
| Ohio | $65,490 |
| Oklahoma | $79,330 |
| Oregon | $75,760 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,260 |
| Rhode Island | $59,420 |
| South Carolina | $70,080 |
| South Dakota | $54,570 |
| Tennessee | $58,070 |
| Texas | $62,020 |
| Utah | $67,490 |
| Vermont | $72,410 |
| Virginia | $66,310 |
| Washington | $78,430 |
| West Virginia | $57,240 |
| Wisconsin | $65,270 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as industrial engineering technologists and technicians about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 95% use email every day
- 87% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 86% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 84% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 82% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 78% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 66% are on the phone every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 37% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15% |
| High school diploma or GED | 12% |
| Less than high school | 10% |
Tools and Software Manufacturing Technicians Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving, Monitoring, Speaking.
Knowledge areas used most: Mechanical, Engineering and Technology, Production and Processing, Mathematics, Design.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 17-3026.00 (Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.