Our American society has many misconceptions about the world around us, either due to incorrect information, faulty reasoning, or skewed personal experiences. From American history to healthcare issues, some misconceptions distort our reality. The manufacturing industry is not immune to these myths and misconceptions.
The dated stereotype that factories and manufacturing facilities are dark, dirty and dangerous places has long been dispelled with the dawn of modern manufacturing facilities. However, some misconceptions remain, including the belief that the industry is in decline, that automation will eliminate jobs, that men are the only group suited for the work, and that workers are underpaid. Let’s work to debunk these misconceptions with some recent facts and statistics about this innovative field.
Myth #1 – Manufacturing is in Decline
According to Statista, in 2023, the U.S. manufacturing industry accounted for roughly 10.3% of the U.S. GDP. This represents a significant contribution to the overall U.S. economy. In 2023, the manufacturing sector contributed 2.8 trillion U.S. dollars to the GDP, with chemical products being the largest industry in the sector. The United States is the second-largest manufacturing country with 15.9% of Global Manufacturing Output.
The statistics showing that manufacturing sales increased by 29% and exports increased by 51% in the decade from 2009 to 2019 are further proof that the industry is not in decline.
Myth #2 – Automation will Eliminate Manufacturing Jobs
There is a fear-fueled belief that AI and robots will eliminate manufacturing jobs. As manufacturing evolves and innovates, automation has become a factor in most manufacturing locations.
While there will be some job displacement due to this automation, the overall net gain in jobs will be approximately 133 million new jobs, offsetting the 75 million displaced positions. This indicates a net increase rather than a loss. Because of automation, jobs are changing from the routine repetitive tasks to more problem-solving, data analytics, machine learning specialists and software development in manufacturing facilities.
Myth #3 – Men, Not Women, Are Suited for Manufacturing Careers
One of the longest-lasting misconceptions about the manufacturing field is that it is for men only. This is the most untrue myth. While it is true that manufacturing is a male-dominated workforce, most top-level manufacturing businesses are looking to attract more women than the 30% currently in the field.
In our recent blog, Women Belong in Manufacturing, we discussed the falsehood of this long-held belief. We dive into the statistics of the gender gap and how the industry is evolving.
Myth #4 – Manufacturing is a Low-Paying Career
Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing jobs often offer competitive salaries and benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) reports that the hourly compensation for the average U.S. manufacturing worker is 17% higher than that of any other industry, taking home $77,506 per year.
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