Manufacturing

Behind every single product is a hundred different hands.
Find where yours can fit in.
;
It takes a team to create a product, whether it’s food, essential packaging, or world-renown cars. South Central Kentucky features numerous opportunities, some with international connections, to join those teams and develop a career around making the materials our modern world requires. With the continued growth of technology, today’s manufacturing pathways have a multitude of high-tech positions for you.

Top 10 Highest Demand Positions In Manufacturing

( South Central Kentucky )

  • Laborer and Freight /Stock / Material Movers (Hand)
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT Average Annual Salary: $25,800
  • Production Worker
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT* Average Annual Salary: $26,600
  • Helper (Production Worker)
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/SST* Average Annual Salary: $26,700
  • Cutting / Punching / Press Machine Setter, Operator and Tender (Metal and Plastic)
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/STT/OJT Average Annual Salary: $32,500
  • Molding / Coremaking / Casting Machine Setter, Operator and Tender (Metal and Plastic)
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT  Average Annual Salary: $33,900
  • Team Assembler
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT Average Annual Salary: $35,400
  • Packaging / Filling Machine Operator and Tender
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/SST Average Annual Salary: $35,900
  • Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler and Weigher
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT Average Annual Salary: $37,600
  • Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Minimum Required Education: HSD/GED/OJT Average Annual Salary: $46,500
  • First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Worker
Minimum Required Education: PSE/Certificate*  Average Annual Salary: $50,200
HSD: High School Diploma OJT: On-the-Job Training, PSE: Post-Secondary Education STT: Short-Term Training GED: General Educational Development *Higher level of education preferred

Data Source Chumra JobsEQ®

Manufacturing in South Central Kentucky

Manufacturing Career Pathway

Bachelor’s Degree

Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Production Manager
Information Technology
Human Resources

AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS:
$58,500 – $96,900

Associate’s Degree
Maintenance Electrician
Maintenance Mechanic
Process Operator
Production Coordinator
Training Manager

AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS:
$50,000 – $75,000

OTJ Training / Post Education
Process Control Operator
Industrial Machinery Mechanic

AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS:
$20,000 – $59,800

High School Diploma / GED
Quality Control
Team Assembler
Production Worker
Laborer/Freight, Stock & Material Handler
Computer Controlled Machine Tool Operator

AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS:
$20,000 – $45,000

Data Source Chumra JobsEQ®

By the Numbers

Numbers based on 1,277 seniors in the Spring 2019 graduating class.

%

Graduated with an industry credential

%

Graduated with a career preparatory or completer program

%

Graduated with 6 or more post-secondary credits.

Resources

Resources to start building your pathway are available throughout the community and through educational certifications. Local schools are just one of many resources, and in the surrounding area these programs and career models are offered. See what’s available in your community.

View Career Development Resources

Career-Focused Models

  • Production Pathway (Warren Central)
  • Early College Academy (Warren County Area Technology Center)

Career Pathways Offered at Area High Schools:

  • Agricultural Power, Structural, Technical Systems (Warren Central, Warren East, South Warren)
  • Aerospace Engineering (South Warren)
  • Machinist Operator (Warren County Area Technology Center)
  • Welding (Warren County Area Technology Center)

Get In Touch

For more information about how you can get involved with our talent initiatives, please email or call:

Meredith Rozanski, COO
meredith@bgchamber.com
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
270-781-3200