What Industrial Production Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Industrial Production Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Direct or coordinate production, processing, distribution, or marketing activities of industrial organizations"; "Develop budgets or approve expenditures for supplies, materials, or human resources, ensuring that materials, labor, or equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets"; "Review processing schedules or production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, or duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints"; "Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems"; "Hire, train, evaluate, or discharge staff or resolve personnel grievances".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for Industrial Production Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 252,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 258,600 in 2035, an increase of 6,500 jobs (+2.6%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 17,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $126,060, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Industrial Production Managers earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $122,509 in Indiana to $142,075 in New York, a gap of $19,566 (1.16 times). 4 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $126,060 and 1 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 24,420, which is 28.8% of the 84,860 counted across them. Indiana follows with 22,060.
Highest-paying states
New York ($142,075), New Jersey ($141,379) and California ($136,966) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($122,509) and Illinois ($126,568) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Industrial Production Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $75,778. The smallest margin is $52,522 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 5 of the 5 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 14.7% and 31.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Industrial Production Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-3000) include Computer and Information Systems Managers, Financial Managers, Human Resources Managers and Purchasing Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Industrial Production Managers
What is the national median wage for Industrial Production Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $126,060. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $122,509 to $142,075.
Which state pays Industrial Production Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $142,075. New Jersey is next at $141,379.
What is the job outlook for Industrial Production Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 17,000 openings a year.
What education do Industrial Production Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.
Where can Industrial Production Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $75,778 on a median wage of $151,630.