Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Industrial production managers oversee and coordinate activities that keep manufacturing operations running effectively. This role combines planning, leadership, and problem solving to meet production goals and quality standards. With national employment of 242,000 and projected growth of 1.9%, it represents a sizeable career field with ongoing demand. About 17,000 openings are projected each year, reflecting both new positions and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. Typical entry requires a bachelor’s degree, along with strengths in project management, leadership, mathematics, and analytical thinking. The role also draws on adaptability, speaking and listening, mechanical understanding, and attention to detail. National median pay of $121,440 indicates strong earning potential, with even higher median salaries available in some states and metro areas. Overall, this career can appeal to people who enjoy coordinating complex operations, making decisions, and leading teams in a structured production environment.
Industrial production managers earn a national median annual salary of $121,440, indicating solid income potential across the occupation. Pay varies by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. Among states, Massachusetts has a median salary of $148,050, Washington $145,210, Colorado $141,020, California $132,620, and New York $130,470. At the metro level, median pay is even higher in some areas: $171,140 in San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA; $164,420 in San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA; and $153,210 in Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro reports $151,630, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV offers $137,860. These figures show that experienced managers willing to work in specific regions may access significantly higher median earnings than the national level.
Industrial production managers have national employment of 242,000, reflecting a substantial existing workforce. Projected employment growth of 1.9% indicates that the field is expected to expand, though at a modest pace. In addition to growth, the occupation anticipates about 17,000 annual openings. These openings represent opportunities created both by new or changing positions and by the need to replace workers who retire or move into other roles. The combination of a large employment base and steady openings suggests ongoing hiring activity. For individuals considering this path, the data point to a career with a stable presence in the labor market and regular chances to enter or advance. People already in related roles, such as first-line supervisors of production, transportation, or construction, or managers in other areas, may find the projected openings useful when planning potential career moves into industrial production management.
Location can significantly shape the opportunity landscape for industrial production managers, both in terms of pay and overall CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, median salary of $132,620, and employment of 25,130. Massachusetts (score 65.87, median $148,050) and New York (score 65.78, median $130,470) also rank highly, along with Colorado (score 56.97, median $141,020) and Washington (score 56.29, median $145,210). At the metro level, opportunities are even more differentiated. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and median salary of $171,140. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro follows closely with a 77.27 score and $151,630 median pay. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also offer strong scores and above-national median salaries, giving candidates multiple regional options to consider.
The typical education for industrial production managers is a bachelor’s degree, indicating that this is a professional-level management role within production environments. Beyond formal education, success in this career depends heavily on a broad mix of applied skills. Project management and leadership are central, supporting the coordination of people, resources, and timelines. Problem solving, decision making, and critical and analytical thinking help managers assess production issues and choose effective responses. Mathematics provides a foundation for working with quantitative information, while mechanical aptitude supports understanding of production systems. Speaking and listening skills are important for communicating with teams and stakeholders. Being detail oriented helps maintain accuracy and consistency, and creativity and innovation support process improvements and new approaches. Together, this combination of education and skills makes the role well-suited to individuals who can blend structured analysis with people leadership and adaptability in dynamic production settings.
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