Manufacturing Chartbook Released

The Massachusetts manufacturing sector continues to be one of the largest sectors and provides skilled jobs that pay above the state average.

A new report issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation takes an in-depth look at the workforce of the manufacturing industry in the state, including which occupations comprise the sector, recent employment trends, and the salary and educational requirements of manufacturing jobs.

Among the findings of the report:

• Manufacturing exports have grown substantially over the ten-year period from 1996 to 2006, from a total of $15 billion to $24 billion in 2006. These exports bring revenue into the state from outside the U.S.
• The manufacturing sector employs nearly 300,000 people in Massachusetts, roughly 9% of the total workforce of the state.
• In the second quarter of 2007, manufacturing had 5,005 vacancies. Sixty-one percent (61%) of those vacancies require at least an associate’s degree, and 95% of the vacancies provide health benefits.
• Manufacturing has an older workforce than the state as a whole with 49% of manufacturing workers 45 years or older, compared to 42% for all workers. As older workers retire, replacement workers will likely be needed.