Industrial Production Manager Career Guide

What does an industrial production manager do?

Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing plants, coordinating production, staffing, budgets and quality. The median pay is $126,060 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 5+ years of manufacturing experience, and employment is projected to grow +2.6% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$126,060
$60.61/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+2.6%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
17,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
5+ years of manufacturing experience
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
252,100
Employment, 2025

What industrial production managers do

Industrial production managers run the factory floor. They plan production schedules, manage supervisors and staff, track output, quality and costs, solve equipment and supply problems, push safety and continuous improvement, and report to company leaders.

Most have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or business and five or more years of manufacturing experience. Pay is high, with a BLS median above six figures.

Typical duties

Plan production schedules
Manage supervisors and staff
Track output and costs
Ensure product quality
Lead safety programs
Solve production problems
Drive continuous improvement

Work environment and schedule

Production managers work in plant offices and on the factory floor.

Schedule: Full time, often long hours and on call for problems on any shift.

A day in the life

6:30 AMWalk the floor at shift change.
7:30 AMLead the daily production meeting.
9:00 AMReview scrap and downtime.
11:00 AMMeet maintenance on a failing line.

See a full day in the life of an industrial production manager →

Industrial Production Manager salary

Half of industrial production managers earned more than $126,060 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $78,000 for the lowest 10% to $205,520 for the top 10%.

$78,00010th$126,060Median$205,52090th

Full industrial production manager pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an industrial production manager

Earn a bachelor’s
Start as an engineer or supervisor
Lead a department
Earn lean credentials
Become a production manager

A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business or a related field is typical, plus years of experience.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an industrial production manager →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Production planning
Lean manufacturing
Budgeting
Quality systems
Safety management

People skills

Leadership
Decision-making
Communication
Problem-solving

All industrial production manager skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

High pay
Lead a whole operation
Tangible results
Strong demand for experience

Cons

Long hours
On call
Pressure on cost and output
Safety responsibility

Certifications and licenses

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt: Process improvement.
APICS CPIM: Production planning.
PMP: Project management.
OSHA 30: Safety.

Career path

Production Supervisor: Lead a shift.
Area Manager: Lead departments.
Production Manager: Run production.
Plant Manager or Director: Lead plants.

Learn the job before day one

Our Industrial Production Manager training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as raise OEE on a production line and lead a daily production meeting, safety and how to land your first job.

View Industrial Production Manager training Is this career right for me?

Production Supervisor

Lead factory teams to hit safety, quality and production goals every shift.

$74,450
3–5 years of experience

Industrial Engineer

Design better ways to make products and deliver services with less waste.

$102,440
4-year engineering degree

General and Operations Manager

Keep a business running day to day, from staff and budgets to results.

$105,770
5+ years of experience

Quality Control Inspector

Measure, test and inspect products to make sure they meet specifications.

$48,570
3–12 months on the job

Compare: Industrial Production Manager vs. Production Supervisor · Industrial Production Manager vs. Industrial Engineer · Industrial Production Manager vs. General and Operations Manager · Industrial Production Manager vs. QC Inspector

Industrial Production Manager FAQ

How do you become a plant manager?

Usually through engineering or supervisor roles plus years of experience.

Is pay high?

Yes, BLS reports a median above six figures.

Do production managers work long hours?

Often, and they are on call.

How much does an industrial production manager make?

The median annual wage for industrial production managers was $126,060 ($60.61 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $78,000 and the highest 10% earned more than $205,520.

How long does it take to become an industrial production manager?

Most people need about 5+ years of manufacturing experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, business or a related field is typical, plus years of experience.

Do you need a degree to be an industrial production manager?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

More industrial production manager questions →

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 11-3051 (Industrial production managers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Industrial production managers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Industrial Production Manager