Manufacturing Trainer

Also called: Workforce Development Specialist, Technical Trainer

Teaches new and current workers how to run machines safely and do their jobs well.

A day in the life

You run orientation for 12 new hires, then coach a new operator one-on-one at a machine. Later you film a quick video showing the right way to change a tool and add it to the plant's training library.

Pay over a career

Starting
$40k
Typical
$62k
High
$95k

Uses BLS training and development specialist wages.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Associate's degree (2-year), about 2 years after high school. Experience on the floor plus training skills; associate or bachelor's helpful.

Ways in: On-the-job training, 2-year college, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.

Majors to look at: Education, Industrial Technology, Human Resources.

Outlook

Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). BLS projects faster than average growth for training specialists.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. AI and VR training tools create lessons faster; hands-on coaching on the floor stays human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Public speaking, Manufacturing CTE, English composition.

Official data: O*NET occupation 13-1151.

More Plant & Production Management careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.