Careers in manufacturing and skilled trades
One hundred and thirty-three careers across machining, fabrication, electrical and mechanical trades, plant operations, quality control, and the hands-on work that produces and maintains physical goods. Each card below carries the typical preparation path, the salary range from entry to senior level, and a short read on what the work actually involves day to day. You are looking at page 2 of 3 for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades.
133 careers in Manufacturing & Skilled Trades, page 2 of 3
Mechanical Door Repairer
High School Diploma · $55,720
Mechanical door repairers install and fix automatic sliding doors, garage door openers, hydraulic closers, and security…
Medical Equipment Repairer
Associate's Degree · $61,660
Medical equipment repairers troubleshoot and fix the devices hospitals use to diagnose and treat patients, from…
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $47,180
Multiple machine tool setters run metal and plastic parts through several cutting and forming machines at once, reading…
Mining Assistant
High School Diploma · $47,730
Assists mining engineers and other personnel with various tasks, including equipment operation, site maintenance, and…
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
High School Diploma · $63,340
Metal and plastic model makers fabricate prototypes from blueprints for designers and engineers to test before…
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technician
Certificate or Vocational Training · $57,550
Motorboat mechanics diagnose engine faults and repair electrical and mechanical systems on recreational and commercial…
Motorcycle Parts Specialist
High School Diploma · $38,630
Assists customers with identifying, locating, and ordering motorcycle parts and accessories. Manages inventory,…
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
High School Diploma · $122,890
Nuclear power reactor operators monitor and adjust the fission process that generates electricity for entire regions,…
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Associate's Degree · $58,000
Patternmakers build the templates foundries need to cast metal or plastic parts. They spend their days at lathes,…
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gauger
High School Diploma · $96,710
Refinery operators run the equipment that turns crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel at refineries and…
Potters, Manufacturing
Certificate or Vocational Training · $46,170
Manufacturing potters run machines that shape clay into plates, bowls, and tiles for commercial buyers. Each shift…
Power Distributors and Dispatcher
Certificate or Vocational Training · $106,730
Control room operators balance electricity supply and demand across power grids, issuing switching orders and rerouting…
Print Production Assistant
High School Diploma · $45,780
Assists in the production of printed materials by performing various tasks such as operating printing equipment,…
Printing Press Operator
High School Diploma · $45,780
Printing press operators set up machines, mix inks, and monitor output in production facilities. They check printed…
Process Engineer (Semiconductor)
Bachelor's Degree · $102,440
Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for semiconductor devices. This includes designing, testing, and…
Quality Control Inspector
High School Diploma · $48,570
Inspects products and processes to ensure they meet quality standards. Identifies defects, records data, and recommends…
Quality Control Technician
High School Diploma · $48,570
Inspects products and processes to ensure adherence to quality standards. Identifies defects, analyzes root causes, and…
Quality Control Technician (Textiles)
High School Diploma · $48,570
Inspects textile products to ensure they meet quality standards, performs tests, and documents findings.
Sewers, Hand
No Formal Education Needed · $36,480
Hand sewers stitch and finish garments, costumes, and specialty items by hand in tailor shops, alteration studios, and…
Shop Supervisor
High School Diploma · $74,450
Supervises and coordinates the activities of workers in a shop or production area. Responsible for ensuring production…
Signal and Track Switch Repairer
High School Diploma · $92,460
Signal and track switch repairers keep railroad electrical systems running, from crossing gates to the circuits that…
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
High School Diploma · $46,170
Stone cutters and carvers shape raw granite, marble, and limestone into finished pieces for facades, monuments, and…
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tender
High School Diploma · $38,180
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators run chemical baths, dyeing vats, and finishing rollers to transform raw…
Textile Worker
High School Diploma · $38,670
Textile workers operate and maintain machinery that processes fibers into yarn or fabric, or that dyes, prints, or…
Watchmaker
Certificate or Vocational Training · $67,230
Watchmakers repair, clean, and maintain mechanical and quartz watches and clocks. This involves disassembling intricate…
Welding Inspector
Certificate or Vocational Training · $48,570
Ensure the quality, safety, and code compliance of welded structures by performing visual inspections, reviewing…
Welding Supervisor
High School Diploma · $74,450
Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in welding and cutting of products and structures. Ensures…
Bookbinder
Certificate or Vocational Training · $42,290
Construct, repair, and restore books and archival documents using traditional and contemporary binding techniques…
Saddler and Harness Maker
Certificate or Vocational Training · $46,570
Design and craft saddles, bridles, harnesses, and equestrian accessories using traditional saddlery techniques…
Cheesemaker Artisan
Associate's Degree · $42,290
Crafts specialty cheeses using traditional methods and high-quality ingredients.
Silversmith and Goldsmith
Certificate or Vocational Training · $52,540
Design and fabricate objects in silver and gold including tableware, trophies, presentation pieces, ecclesiastical…
Artisan Baker
High School Diploma · $37,160
Bakes breads, pastries, and other goods using traditional techniques and often unique recipes.
Saddler Leatherworker
High School Diploma · $46,570
Crafts and repairs leather goods, specializing in saddles, harnesses, and other equestrian equipment.
Forger and Blacksmith (Industrial)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $49,030
Operate industrial forging equipment and hand-forging techniques to produce precision metal components for aerospace,…
Security Systems Installer
Certificate or Vocational Training · $60,070
Install, programme, and maintain intruder alarm, CCTV, access control, and integrated security systems in residential,…
Woodturner
Certificate or Vocational Training · $43,380
Shape wood on a lathe to produce bowls, vessels, spindles, furniture components, and sculptural pieces using spindle…
Furniture Maker (Bespoke)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $46,680
Design and build bespoke furniture in solid wood and veneered board using traditional hand tool and modern power tool…
Blacksmith Artisan
High School Diploma · $49,030
Forges and shapes metal using traditional blacksmithing techniques to create decorative or functional items.
Silversmith (Hollowware)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $52,540
Design and fabricate silver and gold hollowware including bowls, jugs, trophies, ceremonial objects, and domestic…
Water Treatment Technician
Associate's Degree · $60,020
Operate, maintain, and optimise water and wastewater treatment plant equipment to ensure compliance with drinking water…
Wood Machinist
Certificate or Vocational Training · $46,680
Operate CNC routers, panel saws, spindle moulders, thicknessers, and other wood processing machinery in joinery…
Water Treatment Operator
High School Diploma · $60,020
Operate and maintain equipment to purify and clarify water for human consumption and industrial use.
Cabinet Maker (Antique Restoration)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $46,680
Restore and conserve antique furniture from the 17th to 20th centuries using period-appropriate techniques and…
Gilder (Architectural and Furniture)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $41,600
Apply gold, silver, and metallic leaf to architectural surfaces, furniture, picture frames, and decorative objects…
Marble Polisher and Restorer
Certificate or Vocational Training · $48,540
Restore, polish, and maintain marble, granite, limestone, and other natural stone surfaces in heritage buildings,…
Sign Maker and Installer
Certificate or Vocational Training · $44,650
Design, fabricate, and install a wide range of signage including illuminated fascia signs, built-up lettering,…
Jeweller (Bench Jeweller)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $52,540
Design and fabricate fine jewellery in precious metals and gemstones using bench jewellery techniques including sawing,…
Wastewater Operator
High School Diploma · $60,020
Manage and operate treatment facilities to remove pollutants from wastewater before discharge.
Watchmaker (Independent)
Certificate or Vocational Training · $52,540
Design, assemble, and service mechanical watch movements from scratch or from components, producing independent watch…
Fire Alarm Engineer
Certificate or Vocational Training · $60,070
Design, install, commission, and maintain fire detection and alarm systems in commercial, industrial, and residential…