Welcome to Manufacturing Day. The world of production has changed remarkably in recent years. Manufacturing plants are now clean and relatively quiet.

When I was young and growing up in the Detroit area, manufacturing jobs were easy to come by. They paid very well, but they were hard on the body and soul. The work was repetitive, the plant factory was loud, the smell was heavy with grease, and there were physical dangers if you weren’t careful. I lost the tip of a thumb to a small stamp welder.

Now when you’re employed in manufacturing, you’re likely to work in a clean environment with minimal ambient noise. Safety has improved as well as the opportunities for non-repetitive work. Robots do much of the heavy lifting. These are good days to work in manufacturing.

And the pay is still decent. These slides tell the story of the country’s best cities for manufacturing engineer wages according to ZipRecruiter. The average pay nationally is $75,415.

Denver Colo.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Denver is $75,977 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $103,264 and as low as $42,313, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $65,988 to $84,626 in Denver. (Image source: Denver)

Kent, Wash.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Kent, Wash. is $76,600 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,111 and as low as $42,660, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $66,529 to $85,320 in Kent.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,791), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Kent and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Kent)

Sacramento, Calif.

As of this month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Sacramento is $76,620 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,137 and as low as $42,671, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $66,546 to $85,342 in Sacramento.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,796), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Sacramento and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: City of Sacramento)

San Diego, Calif.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in San Diego is $76,990 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,641 and as low as $42,877, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $66,868 to $85,754 in San Diego.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,886), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Yet based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both San Diego and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: San Diego)

Salinas, Calif.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Salinas, CA is $77,057 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,733 and as low as $42,915, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $66,926 to $85,829 in Salinas..

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,903), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Salinas and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Salinas)

Worcester, Mass.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Worcester is $77,168 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,883 and as low as $42,976, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $67,022 to $85,952 in Worcester.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,930), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Worcester and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Worcester)

Chicago, Ill.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Chicago, IL is $77,262 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $105,011 and as low as $43,029, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $67,104 to $86,057 in Chicago.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $18,953), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Chicago and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Chicago)

Costa Mesa, Calif.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Costa Mesa is $77,854 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $105,816 and as low as $43,359, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $67,619  to $86,717 in Costa Mesa.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $19,098), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Costa Mesa and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Costa Mesa)

Los Angeles, Calif.

As of Sep 26, 2019, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Los Angeles, CA is $79,698 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $108,321 and as low as $44,386, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $69,220 to $88,771 in Los Angeles.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $19,551), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Los Angeles and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Los Angeles)

Boston, Mass.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Boston is $81,504 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $110,777 and as low as $45,391, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $70,789 to $90,782 in Boston.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $19,993), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Boston and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Boston)

Seattle, Wash.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Seattle, WA is $81,825 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $111,213 and as low as $45,570, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $71,067 to $91,139 in Seattle.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $20,072), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Seattle and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Seattle)

New York, N.Y.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in New York City is $82,544 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $112,190 and as low as $45,970, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $71,691 to $91,940 in New York.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $20,249), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both New York and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: New York)

San Jose, Calif.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in San Jose is $85,032 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $115,573 and as low as $47,356, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $73,853 to $94,712 in San Jose.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $20,859), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both San Jose and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: San Jose)

Fremont, Calif.

As of last month, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in Fremont, CA is $85,035 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $115,575 and as low as $47,358, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $73,855 to $94,715 in Fremont.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $20,860), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both Fremont and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: Fremont)

San Francisco, Calif.

As of last month 2019, the average annual pay for a Manufacturing Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $88,358 a year. While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $120,092 and as low as $49,208, the majority of Manufacturing Engineer salaries currently range between $76,741 to $98,416 in San Francisco.

The average pay range for a Manufacturing Engineer varies little (about $21,675), which suggests that regardless of location, there are not many opportunities for increased pay or advancement, even with several years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Manufacturing Engineer job market in both San Francisco and the surrounding area is very active. (Image source: San Francisco)