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Sub-Industries

  • Engineering

  • Industrial Machinery

  • Production & Automation

  • Robotics

  • Safety & Quality Assurance

Cool Jobs

  • 3D Printing Technician

  • Automation Engineer

  • Digital Twin Specialist

  • Sustainable Manufacturing Consultant

  • Robotics Programmer

  • Industrial Cybersecurity Analyst

Where People Work

  • Factories and high-tech production facilities

  • Research and development labs

  • Robotics or automation companies

  • Medical device and aerospace manufacturers

  • Engineering and design firms

  • Quality assurance and safety labs

Advanced Manufacturing

Engineering and Producing Tomorrow's Solutions

Advanced Manufacturing is all about using high-tech tools, smart machines, and innovative ideas to make products more efficiently and safely. Whether it's designing robots, running 3D printers, maintaining factory equipment, or improving quality and safety systems, this industry blends engineering, creativity, and problem-solving with real-world results. It's where old-school craftsmanship meets next-gen technology.

Why We Love Advanced Manufacturing

An image representing the Advanced Manufacturing industry.

This field is perfect for people who like building, fixing, or improving things and want to see results. As industries shift to more automation and smarter systems, advanced manufacturing offers tons of exciting opportunities that don't require a four-year degree. Advanced Manufacturing careers are a great fit if you: 1) Like working with your hands, tools, or machines; 2) Enjoy solving problems and making things better; 3) Want a job that's in demand and pays well; 4) Are curious about how things work or how they could work better.

Plus, this industry is evolving fast. Manufacturing jobs are in high demand across the country. As more people have moved into office and computer-based work over recent decades, a growing skills gap has emerged. In fact, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) predicts that up to 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030 due to a shortage of trained workers. While some people worry that automation will eliminate jobs, the opposite is often true - modern manufacturing needs people to design robotic arms, build sustainable packaging, run automated production lines, and ensure safety in high-tech environments. Skilled labor isn't going away - it's evolving.

Example Career: Robotics Technician

60,570

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Robotics changed the way we think about production. Every day I work with machines that can learn and adapt - and I get to be part of making them better. It's hands-on, it's high-tech, and it's never boring.
Female engineer operating machinery with a remote control

Jasmin K.

Robotics Technician

Top Tips

You don't need a 4-year degree to get started.
Many careers in manufacturing begin with certifications, apprenticeships, or vocational training - not college. Whether you're learning on the job, training at a technical center, or joining through a union or trade association, there are clear paths to good-paying roles. These programs often take less than two years and can launch you directly into roles like CNC machinist, robotics technician, or quality control specialist.
It's a great fit for problem-solvers and precision-lovers.
Whether you're building advanced tools, improving systems, or checking quality standards, this field values people who pay attention to detail, think ahead, and want to see real results from their work. Today's manufacturing environments are often high-tech, clean, and digitally integrated. Many workers operate smart machines, monitor data systems, or program robots, not just assemble parts. Of course, some jobs still require physical skills and mechanical know-how, but tech is at the center of it all.
Manufacturing jobs offer real stability and benefits.
This industry consistently offers strong wages, retirement plans, and healthcare benefits, often more generous than in other sectors. Many people in manufacturing build long, rewarding careers with room to grow, advance, and specialize over time.
Work stays at work.
Unlike office jobs where projects follow you home, manufacturing often comes with clear boundaries - once the shift ends, the workday is over. This makes it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout.

Hear from Someone in Advanced Manufacturing



This content is based on the National Career Clusters® Framework, a national initiative led by Advance CTE. Advance CTE works to empower every learner to pursue career success through high-quality CTE programs. Their modernized framework helps connect education to real-world career opportunities and is used across the United States to guide career exploration and planning.

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