Learn About Careers in Manufacturing
Do rewarding work that makes an impact.
What Kind of Work Will You Do?
In a word: transformative. You can help make medical equipment that improves our mobility. Produce life-saving medicines from organic materials. Build electric vehicles that drive us into the future.
In manufacturing, your work matters — and there’s so much opportunity here.
Sectors in Illinois include:
- Aerospace
- Advanced materials
- Bioprocessing
- Chemical production
- Consumer products
- Electric vehicles
- Food production
- Heavy equipment
- Pharmaceuticals and medical devices
Find Your Fit
What made you a success in other industries will be a unique strength in manufacturing. Jobs in this field involve problem solving, teamwork, communication, and self-drive. Areas where you can focus include:
Engineering & Automation
Median salary: $64,000 - $102,000Engineers design systems and robots to do repetitive tasks, reducing time and human error. Starting out in this field, you’ll assist with the setup, maintenance, and operation of these machines. These positions are key to producing goods efficiently and safely, and are the first steps toward advanced careers in automation technology.
Start your career as:
- Computer-aided design (CAD) technician
- CNC machinist
- Fluid power technician
- Industrial electrical technician
- Mechatronics technician
- Manufacturing technician
- Robotics technician
Grow into:
- Controls designer
- Engineering technician
- Electromechanical technician
- Quality control technician
Further progress:
- Automation/robotics engineer
- Design engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Process engineer
- Engineering manager
Fabrication & Welding
Median salary: $49,000Fabrication jobs involve joining and shaping metal to create structures or products. Welding specifically uses heat or pressure to fuse metal. These jobs are crucial for making everything from cars to buildings. Beginners start by helping experienced workers learning how to use tools and follow safety rules. With experience you can advance to more skilled roles in this area.
Start your career as:
- Production welder
- Solderer
- Brazer
- Fabrication assistant
- Grinder/polisher
Grow into:
- Pipe welder
- Structural welder
- Sheet metal worker
- Computerized numerical control (CNC) machine operator
- Fabricator
Further progress:
- Welding engineer
- Welding inspector
- Master welder
- Fabrication supervisor
- Metal fabrication manager
Precision Production
Median salary: $46,000 - $63,000Precision production involves making parts and products with high accuracy. In this field you can run and monitor machines and computer-controlled tools that cut shape and assemble materials. These roles are crucial for producing high-quality items used in everything from electronics to cars and medical devices.
Start your career as:
- Computerized numerical control (CNC) machine operator
- CNC programmer
- CNC setup handler
- Machinist
- Manual machine tool operator
Grow into:
- CNC machinist
- Coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technician
- Laser cutter technician
- Metal model maker
- Tool and die maker
Further progress:
- CNC manufacturing engineer
- CNC applications engineer
- Machining instructor
- Mechanical engineer
- Process engineer
- Plant manager
Mechanical & electrical repair
Median salary: $62,000Mechanical and electrical repair workers keep factory equipment running well. In this field you'll get hands-on experience performing routine inspections and servicing diverse systems and components. These roles are important to maintain safe and smooth operations in industrial settings.
Start your career as:
- Maintenance technician
- Electrical apprentice
- HVAC technician assistant
- Junior mechanic
Grow into:
- Maintenance mechanic
- Electrician
- HVAC technician
- Field service technician
Further progress:
- Maintenance manager
- Electrical engineer
- HVAC system designer
- Master mechanic
- Automation technician
Business, Marketing, IT & Supply Chain
Business operations and IT are essential to any business, and manufacturing is no exception. These roles can include promoting products, managing people or projects, helping customers, and more. All of these are important for ensuring products are well made and customers are happy with what they buy.
Start your career as:
- Junior Business Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- HR Coordinator
- Marketing Coordinator
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Supply Chain Coordinator
- Procurement Analyst
- Logistics Specialist
Grow into:
- Operations/Finance Manager
- HR Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Systems Analyst
- IT Project Manager
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Supply Chain Manager
- Procurement Manager
Further progress:
- Senior Operations/Fiance Manager
- Senior HR Manager
- Senior Product Marketing Manager
- Senior Brand Manager
- Marketing Director (Regional/Functional)
- Senior Systems Architect
- IT Program Manager
- Cybersecurity Manager
- Senior Supply Chain Manager
- Logistics Director
Ready to Make it in Illinois?
There’s an opportunity for you in manufacturing at any stage of your career and life.