Running the factory itself: plant managers, supervisors, planners, buyers, safety and improvement pros, and the floor jobs that keep materials flowing.
Top pay: highest pay, longest training
Plant Manager: Is in charge of an entire factory: its people, safety, output, quality and budget. Typical pay $121k.
Purchasing Manager: Leads the team that buys the raw materials, parts and machines a factory needs. Typical pay $140k.
Continuous Improvement Manager: Hunts down waste in a factory and leads projects that make everything faster, cheaper and safer. Typical pay $115k.
Plant Startup & Commissioning Manager: Leads the months-long job of turning a brand-new factory from empty building to running production line. Typical pay $135k.
Mid pay: solid pay, degree or apprenticeship
Production Supervisor: Leads a team of operators on one shift, making sure the line hits its goals safely. Typical pay $69k.
Manufacturing Buyer: Orders the materials and parts a plant needs at the right price and time. Typical pay $72k.
Demand & Materials Planner: Forecasts how much a factory needs to make and makes sure the materials will be there. Typical pay $75k.
EHS Specialist: Inspects the plant for hazards, trains workers and helps the factory follow safety and environmental rules. Typical pay $83k.
Manufacturing Trainer: Teaches new and current workers how to run machines safely and do their jobs well. Typical pay $62k.
Co-Packer Account Manager: Runs the deals and production schedules for factories that make other companies' brands, like a snack plant making many labels. Typical pay $85k.
Starter: fastest way in
Production Planner / Expediter: Schedules what gets made on which line each day and chases down parts when things fall behind. Typical pay $53k.
Production Line Lead: The go-to person on a production line who trains others, fills in where needed and keeps the team moving. Typical pay $46k.
Forklift Operator: Moves raw materials and finished products around the plant and warehouse using forklifts. Typical pay $44k.
Material Handler: Moves, stocks and stages materials so production lines never run out. Typical pay $39k.
Production Helper: Assists machine operators and assemblers by feeding materials, cleaning, packing and doing simple tasks. Typical pay $37k.
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.