Industrial Production Managers
Industrial production managers oversee the operations of manufacturing and related plants.
Is industrial production managers a good career?
It scores 28/100 and ranks #160 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($126,060 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+1.9%)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What industrial production managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. industrial production managers earn between $98,160 and $161,880 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live industrial production managers jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow slower than average through 2034.
Education
Employers typically require or prefer that industrial production managers have a bachelor’s degree. However, some workers qualify for jobs if they have a high school diploma and extensive production experience.
For workers who have a degree, common majors include business and engineering. Some employers prefer to hire industrial production managers who have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a graduate degree in industrial management.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Although they are not required to do so, industrial production managers may earn certifications to demonstrate competency in quality or management systems. Because these credentials often require specific work experience, they typically are not available prior to entering the occupation.
Important qualities
Business skills. Industrial production managers handle budgets for production facilities, hire and manage staff, and coordinate work between different departments.
Interpersonal skills. Industrial production managers must have excellent communication skills to work well other managers and with staff. Some industrial production managers oversee customer relationships.
Leadership skills. To keep the production process running smoothly, industrial production managers must motivate and direct employees.
Organizational skills. Industrial production managers must keep track of many details to efficiently manage the operations of a production facility.
Problem-solving skills. Production managers must identify and address problems that arise. For example, if a product has a defect, the manager determines whether it is a one-time problem or the result of the production process.
Related occupations
How much do industrial production managers make?
The national median wage is $126,060 a year, with the middle half earning between $98,160 and $161,880 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is industrial production managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 28 of 100 and ranks #160 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +1.9% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a industrial production manager?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do industrial production managers earn the most?
Among states, Delaware pays the highest median ($153,000). Local pay for every state and metro is below.